Freshmen

Freshmen site: Preparations

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Which books must I buy?
The study guide lists the books you must buy under literature. The compulsory literature is also indicated on Blackboard. Some study associations offer you the opportunity to order your books at a significant discount. They publish the reading list on their websites. Lecturers usually give you a list of required books and lecture notes (see What else do I need?) for the course during their first lecture.
Naturally, you do not need to purchase all your books at once. Make sure that you buy the books for the courses in the first block. Your lecture schedule will be available on the website from 1 August.

What do the books cost?
That varies per course and depends on whether you buy the books new or second-hand, with a discount at a study association, or directly at the bookshop (Gianotten). If you buy the books for two blocks at a time, you will be looking at seven or eight books and that costs more or less € 250.-. That works out to about € 400,- per year. You will need some of the books more than once in the coming years. And some standard works, reference books and dictionaries will be needed throughout your studies.
Lecture notes can vary in price enormously. This depends on whether the lecturer uses his/her own texts or other articles as reference literature. The latter are subject to copyright fees, and these must be paid for.

Where can I order my books?
Second-hand books are the cheapest option: keep your eyes peeled for flyers and notes on the notice boards and occational ads in Univers. Make sure you get the right issue or edition!
The easiest way to buy second-hand textbooks is to use a trade section of Tilburg Student Portal - StuGood.orgNieuw venster. It’s a free and bilingual platform created and run by UvT students to facilitate student life. In the trade section, students post their old textbooks so you can get them at good prices. Since you buy from local students you don’t have to wait and pay for shipping or pay in advance- you can just meet on campus.
You can get your books at a discount hrough the study associations (for example, Asset, Complex for psychology, Cebojuf for law students). You will quickly recoup your membership fee by ordering through the study associations!
And of course you can buy them from the university bookshop, (located on the ground floor of the Goossens Building).

What else do I need?
The standard student accoutrements: pens, paper for taking notes, a pocket calculator.
Lecture notes are also used: a bundle of photocopies containing compulsory literature, or tasks and assignments. You can order your course materials on line. Log in with your UvT username and password and you will end up in the web shop. Select the wanted course materials, order and pay via iDeal. Next, you will receive an email at your UvT email account at the moment your course materials are ready at the PrismaPrint copyshop. This email is needed in order to collect your course materials. With a distributed pattern, they guarantee a delivery period of maximum 6 workdays.
Also, a topped-up chip card ('ChipKnip') is indispensable: photocopiers, printers, and all beverage and snack vending machines only accept chip cards. You can also use your chip card in coffee rooms and at the restaurant.

Do I really need a computer or a notebook?
A computer is essential: during your four years at university you will be kept busy doing assignments, either alone or in a group. All communication takes place through the Internet or bt e-mail. The study guide, your timetable, university information, the latest news: it is all available on the website. Lecturers put their lectures and assignments on Blackboard. Signing up for examinations and workgroups and checking your course results can only be done through the website.
At Tilburg University, there are around 500 computers available for students, so you don't necessarily need to go out and buy one immediately. But in the long term, your you will absolutely have to buy own desktop computer or notebook.
A notebook computer will allow you to connect to Internet all over campus.