Een studentendecaan informeert en adviseert over alle problemen waar je tijdens je studie mee te maken kunt krijgen.

Dean of students

A dean of students informs and advises you on all problems you encounter as a student, as long as it is not specifically about your program. She can advise, mediate and/or refer you to other help or service providers or institutions. Everything you discuss is confidential, the dean of students is not attached to a particular program or faculty, and is there for all students.

The dean of students can give you advice, support, and information about such things as:

  • The consequences of study delay or interruption of your studies due to: dyslexia, long-term or chronical illness, surgery or injury, disability, family circumstances, family care, pregnancy or childbirth.
  • Regulations, such as enrollment issues when following multiple programs simultaneously or sequentially, tuition fees, study financing, complaint, objection and appeal procedures, bsa.
  • Combining work, top-level sport, a management position, informal (family)  care or your own business with your studies.

Information on processing students' personal data: privacy statement.

Top 5 FAQ to the dean of students:

I have dyslexia and can't keep up with the study tempo. How do I avoid being delayed a lot?

If you do know roughly how to deal with your dyslexia, and only need extra time during exams, you can request an exam facility online, for more information, see special examination arrangements.

If your studies are also affected, this can be taken into account when deciding on the binding study advice (bsa) or the study progress requirement for non-European students, and perhaps the bsa can be deferred. A condition is that you report the circumstances as soon as possible and that you can prove it in writing. Send an email with a brief description of your situation to deanofstudents@tilburguniversity.edu, so you will receive an invitation to schedule an appointment. See also the information about Binding Study Advice and Study Delay.

I'm in a difficult situation at home and can't focus on my studies, I'm afraid I won't get enough credits for a positive bsa. What now?

If there is something wrong in your family or you are dealing with a personal problem, but also if you have a disability or chronic illness, or you are a caregiver, it is best to make an appointment with a dean of students to discuss this. The dean of students can explain the consequences of any study delay and make arrangements for appropriate study progress. 

If the circumstances are serious enough, this can be taken into account when deciding on the binding study advice (bsa), and perhaps the bsa can be deferred. A condition is that you report the circumstances as soon as possible and that you can prove it in writing. Send an email with a brief description of your situation to deanofstudents@tilburguniversity.edu, so you will receive an invitation to schedule an appointment. See also the information about Binding Study Advice and Study Delay.

I don't like my program and I actually want to quit. How do I find a new program and what do I need to arrange if I want to switch?

Unfortunately, at Tilburg University it is not possible to transfer halfway through the academic year; the bachelor programs only start in September. Most master programs do have a second intake moment in February.

Deans of students do not cover study choices, but for an answer to the question of how to go about choosing an appropriate study, we recommend that you register for the workshop Reorientation on study program, which is organized a few times a year. 

If you are certain that you do not wish to continue with your current study program, it is best to de-enroll yourself in Studielink immediately. Remember to cancel your study financing from DUO (if you are entitled for it) and your public transport card as well. But if you have no alternative at the moment and want to stay busy and maintain your study rhythm, or pass some more courses, you do not have to de-enroll immediately of course.

If you de-enroll, you will receive a refund of the tuition fees paid in excess. Please note: if you quit your premaster's program prematurely, you will not get a refund of the weighted fee!

If you are a non-Euorpean student, please contact immigration@tilburguniversity.edu to check the consequences of switching or de-enrollment for your visa or permit.

See also: doubts about your program choice.

My student finance is ending but I haven't finished my studies yet. Is there a solution for this?

Dutch students are entitled to 7 years of study financing (loan, public transport card, and, depending on your parents' income, a supplementary grant).  European students are also entitled to this, if they work for at least 56 hours a month. If not, they are only entitled to the tuition fee loan.

The supplementary grant ends after 4 years, but you can still borrow money. If you have already switched one or more times, you may not be graduated when your supplementary grant or loan runs out. If you have been delayed in studying due to a disability or chronic illness (see question 2 above), you can get an extra year of student loans. 

If special family circumstances (see also question 1 above) cause you to take longer to complete your studies, you may be able to get financial support from the university's profile fund. You must apply for these facilities from the dean of students and a condition is that you have reported your illness, disability or circumstances in time. For more information, see study delay.

Sometimes you don't manage to get a diploma within 10 years of receiving your first student finance, and you run the risk of having to repay everything.  If you have received the total package of student finance from DUO,  it is smart to contact a dean of students, because in some cases, something can still be done about it. 

I have a temporary financial problem and now I am getting a reminder to pay my tuition. How do I avoid being de-enrolled?

When you receive a reminder, you still have 14 days to pay. If you don't, first your account will be blocked and then you will be de-enrolled, if you haven't paid by then. See also the information about Pay your tuition fees.

To avoid this, it is wise to discuss your problem in time with a dean of students. He/She can look for a solution together with you.

For all questions about enrollment, tuition, payment, etc. you can contact the Student Desk, but if your problem is too complicated, send a short e-mail to deanofstudents@tilburguniversity.edu.

Make an appointment

Please send a short (preferably no longer than 5 lines) e-mail with your question or problem to deanofstudents@tilburguniversity.edu.

Always include your 7-digit student number in your e-mail.

If you are in doubt whether to contact a dean of students or another person, then please check the Student Support Roadmap.

Do you want to give feedback to the dean of students you have met? Please fill out this form.
 

 

  • Yvette Dortu

    Yvette Dortu

    Present: Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays

    Some personal circumstances can seriously hinder students during their studies. As a dean of students, I see it as my task to look, together with the student, at how someone, despite those circumstances, can study as well as possible.

  • Daan Faasen

    Daan Faasen

    Present: Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays

    Unfortunately, the starting position of each student is not always the same. My aim is to ensure that every student has the same opportunities and possibilities to be successful. The definition of success differs per person and that is why I try to give it the best possible interpretation together with the student.

  • Marion van Heijningen

    Marion van Heijningen

    Present: Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays

    Studying is like biking or hiking in the mountains, challenging, fun, adventurous, exciting, with ups and downs and satisfying. Sometimes there is a headwind or other factors that may cause a student to get lost or make the climb extra difficult. In that case, I like to look at the possibilities together with the student so that the student does not feel alone along the way and can find a route that best suits the student's well-being and interests!

  • Renkse Helmer

    Renske Hipke

    Present: Monday mornings, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Friday mornings

    Many students think they are the only one with a specific problem. It's nice to see a burden lifted from them when they hear that this is not the case and that they are being listened to.

  • Dorine Roestenberg

    Dorine Roestenberg

    Present: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays

    Studying is more than ticking off subjects; it is therefore great to hold a mirror up to students so that they can make the right choices and decisions for themselves and grow as a result.

  • Femke Willekens

    Femke Willekens

    Present: Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays

    Some students need a lot of adjustments because they are chronically ill or have a disability. Based on the philosophy of inclusive education, I am happy to take on the challenge of arranging that in the best possible way.

"It was very useful as it provided me with new information and I knew what to do after the consultation."

Third year student economics

Student Support Roadmap

Who to turn to with what question?

Are you stuck in your studies, or do you have personal problems that affect your studies? Are you uncomfortable or do you experience a lot of stress? Are you unsure about your choice of study? Do you have a problem with your tuition fees? Or don't know what you want to do after you graduate? We are here to help you. Answer a few questions and you will immediately know who to contact for information, advice or guidance.