A new academic year is getting underway in The Hague, with thousands of students beginning or returning to their studies across the city. From large universities of applied sciences to specialist arts and hospitality institutions, The Hague has developed into a substantial and increasingly international student city.
At de Haagse Hogeschool (The Hague University of Applied Sciences, THUAS), INTROweek starts today, Monday 24 August, with a programme designed to give new students a warm welcome, introduce them to each other and help them find their way around both the university and The Hague.
The introduction week runs from 24 to 28 August, ahead of the official start of the academic year on 1 September.
A warm start at THUAS
THUAS is one of the largest higher education institutions in the city, bringing together students from the Netherlands and countries around the world.
Its INTROweek combines practical information with opportunities to meet other students and explore student life in The Hague.
Activities during the week include a student lunch, a scavenger hunt through the city and a large information market on Thursday 27 August, where students can find out more about university services, student organisations and life outside their studies.
Valentijn Schulz, co-organizer of the INTROweek: “Personally, I am really looking forward to the Scavenger Hunt, which we are organizing for the first time this year. We are working with the KNAEK scavenger hunt app, which will allow groups of students to hunt for more than 60 unique ‘hunts’ from over 30 participating companies using GPS. From cultural center Amare to brewery Kompaan, from café De Gekke Geit to museum Escher in Het Paleis, all kinds of amazing locations in The Hague are opening their doors to our students on Wednesday, and at almost every location they will also be surprised with fun treats and great perks.”
The introduction programme continues into the evening with the THUAS Intro Party, while new students can also try sports and fitness activities for free from 31 August until 11 September.
Bianca, an incoming first-year Communication student at THUAS: “I find it quite nerve-wracking to start a new degree program soon, especially since I am not from The Hague. That is why I was pleased to see that both the university of applied sciences and the program itself put a lot of effort into a good introduction. Next week, if all goes well, I will already get to know my fellow students, we will receive information about the facilities available to us, the study and student associations we can join, and we will get to know the city a little bit in a playful way. That way, you start your time studying in The Hague feeling a bit more confident.”
HI The Hague brings students together across the city
Students from THUAS will also mix with those from other institutions through HI The Hague, the official introduction week for students across The Hague.
Running from Tuesday 25 to Saturday 29 August, HI The Hague is open to both Dutch and international students and is designed to bring together newcomers from different educational institutions.
The programme includes a movie night, beach activities, a boat tour and parties, alongside free citywide events.
On Wednesday 26 August, the official Welcome Party takes place at Grote Markt from 17:00 to 23:00, with live music and entertainment. On Thursday 27 August, the Student InfoMarket at THUAS gives students the opportunity to meet student associations and organisations and find out more about opportunities around the city.
HI The Hague is organised by students and works with educational institutions, student and sports associations and the Municipality of The Hague.
More than 37,000 students in The Hague
There are now more than 37,000 students studying in The Hague, with a remarkably broad range of higher education available across the city.
Alongside THUAS, Inholland University of Applied Sciences has a campus in The Hague, while Hotelschool The Hague attracts Dutch and international students preparing for careers in the hospitality sector.
The city’s creative education institutions include the Royal Academy of Art, The Hague (KABK) and the Royal Conservatoire, bringing art, design, music and dance students into the city’s student community.
At university level, Leiden University has developed a significant Campus The Hague, while Erasmus University Rotterdam’s International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) has long been based in The Hague. TU Delft is also extending its presence in the city through Campus The Hague.
Together, these institutions give The Hague a higher education profile ranging from technology, cybersecurity and international law to business, hospitality, politics, arts and music.
A new university campus in the heart of The Hague
For Leiden University students, this is also the first new academic year with the Spui University Campus fully open.
The campus began hosting lectures on 2 February 2026 in the former V&D and Hudson’s Bay department store building at Spui 5, following an extensive redevelopment of the landmark city-centre site.
Thousands of students are expected to use the building. Leiden University is the largest presence, but the campus also brings together TU Delft, the Open University, Leiden University Medical Center and Universities of the Netherlands.
The campus was officially opened in March by representatives of the participating institutions together with Mayor of The Hague Jan van Zanen.
The idea is not simply to put several universities into one building. The institutions describe the campus as a place where universities can work together and connect research and education more closely with the city.
For Leiden University in particular, The Hague is becoming increasingly important. Its long-term plans anticipate that around one third of Leiden University students could be studying in The Hague by 2030.
The development strengthens the university’s concept of being one university in two cities, Leiden and The Hague.
Studying in an international city
The international character of The Hague also shapes student life.
Students arriving from abroad may need to arrange municipal registration, housing, health insurance, banking and transport while simultaneously adapting to a new education system and building a social network.
For Dutch students moving to The Hague from elsewhere in the Netherlands, the administrative challenges may be different, but discovering a new city, meeting people and finding a place within student life can be just as important.
Study in The Hague provides information for both Dutch and international students, covering study programmes, housing, healthcare, sport, student organisations, work and life around the city.
The Hague Online will also continue sharing English-language news, events and practical information throughout the academic year for students who are making The Hague their home.
And next week, back to primary and secondary school
Higher education may be getting the 2026/27 academic year started this week, but another large group of students still has one week of summer holiday left.
The Hague falls within the Central school holiday region, where the official summer holiday continues through Sunday 30 August. This means most primary and secondary schools in the city will begin the new school year from Monday 31 August.
Welcome to all new and returning students, and good luck with the academic year ahead!
More information and sources
THUAS INTRO calendar
https://www.thuas.com/media/jouw-start-als-student-intro-kalender
THUAS holiday schedule / academic year
https://www.thuas.com/about-thuas/holiday-schedule
HI The Hague 2026
https://www.studyinthehague.com/hi-the-hague
Study in The Hague – study programmes and institutions
https://www.studyinthehague.com/studying/study-programs
Leiden University – Spui University Campus opening
https://www.staff.universiteitleiden.nl/news/2026/03/spui-university-campus-officially-opened-the-puzzle-is-now-complete
Leiden University – Spui Campus opens for teaching
https://www.student.universiteitleiden.nl/en/in-the-media/2026/01/spui-campus-a-store-of-knowledge
Dutch Government – summer holidays 2026
https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/themas/onderwijs/schoolvakanties/zomervakantie/zomervakantie-2026