Studying and Working in Emmen: Programs, Jobs, and Life Beyond School

Studying or working in Emmen means you don’t have to choose. In just a few minutes, you can be in the woods, and a little while later, on a terrace at Raadhuisplein. Rent here is lower than in the Randstad, there’s more space, and there’s more going on than you might think from the outside. This page lists what you can study here, how to find a job or a room, and what to do in your free time.

Can you go to college in Emmen?

Yes. Emmen has both higher education and vocational education (MBO) within the city limits. NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences has a campus in Emmen, where you can pursue a higher professional education (HBO) program on a campus small enough that you’ll know your professors by name. In addition, there are vocational education programs in the city, with courses tailored to the sectors that are strong here.

What sets Emmen apart as a college town from a large student city is that you live close to your school, your commute is short, and nature is literally right around the corner. For those who suspect that a smaller city means fewer things to do—more on that later.

Good to know: the programs and open houses vary from year to year. Check the program’s website for the current offerings and registration dates.

Are you considering Emmen? Check out the programs below and see when you can stop by.

What courses are you taking in Emmen?

In Emmen, you’ll find a variety of study options. For a higher professional education program, check out NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences. For a vocational education (MBO) program, you can enroll at DCTerra. This way, you can choose a program that suits you and study in a city where living, studying, and leisure are all conveniently close together.

Curious about our current selection? Check out the programs offered by NHL Stenden and DCTerra and find out which one is right for you.

Would you like to find out what it’s like to study in Emmen? Then visit an open house or a campus tour. Get a feel for the program, talk to students and faculty, and experience the atmosphere. Combine your visit with a tour of the city. That way, you’ll get an immediate sense of what it’s like to study and live in Emmen.

Check out the open house events at NHL Stenden and DCTerra and plan your visit to Emmen.

What is student life like in Emmen?

Well-organized, and livelier than most people expect. The city center is compact: from Raadhuisplein, with its outdoor cafes, it’s just a few minutes’ walk to the De Weiert shopping center, the ATLAS Theater, or Rensenpark. You run into people here, and that quickly makes it feel familiar.

The nightlife scene revolves around the restaurants and bars in the city center and the events that take place year-round—from summer festivals to the cultural program at the ATLAS Theater. And if you just want to take a break from your textbooks, the Grote Rietplas is just a bike ride away, with water, a beach, and places to eat and drink.

Practical info: Much of what you need is within walking or biking distance. A bike is more essential here than a public transit pass.

See what’s happening: check out the events in Emmen and where to enjoy good food and drinks.

Where do you live as a student in Emmen?

In Emmen, you’ll typically rent a room or studio in or around the city center, within biking distance of your school. The selection is smaller than in a major college town, but so are the prices—and the wait times are shorter than what you’d be used to in the Randstad.

Where you’re looking:

• Spott —a great place to start if you’re looking for a student room in Emmen. Check out the current listings and apply for a room that suits you.
• Thuiskompas —for anyone looking for an independent social housing unit in Emmen. Here you’ll find housing listings from housing authorities in Drenthe.

The rent depends on the type of room or apartment and the location. Be sure to check the current listings on Spott and Thuiskompas for available apartments and their corresponding rents.

Practical tip: Start your search a few months before the start of the academic year. Are you coming from farther away and would you like to stay overnight first to check it out? Then take a look at the lodging options in Emmen.

Working in Emmen: What Sectors and Employers Are There?

Emmen is a working city. Its economy is based on technology and industry, healthcare, logistics, and recreation—sectors with a steady demand for workers, from vocational to higher vocational education. For students, this means internships and part-time jobs are close by; for new graduates, it means you don’t automatically have to move away after graduation to find a job.

What makes working in Emmen so appealing is, above all, the combination: a job in the region and the freedom to head into the woods after work instead of sitting in traffic. For anyone looking for a balance between work and leisure, that’s a real reason to consider this area.

Sectors and employers in the region:

• Technology and Industry—from engineering and manufacturing to chemistry and the manufacturing sector.
• Healthcare and Social Services—opportunities in fields such as healthcare, social services, and community services.
• Logistics, Recreation, and Services—jobs in logistics, tourism, hospitality, and services, among other fields.

Practical tip: If you’re looking for an internship or part-time job, start by checking with your program’s career center and with employers in your field in the region.

What do you do in your free time in Emmen?

Being outdoors without having to travel far. That’s the biggest difference compared to studying or working in a big city. The Emmerdennen are right next to downtown, so you can alternate between the city and the woods in a single walk. A little further on lies the Bargerveen, a vast raised bog area with boardwalks and wide-open skies.

Want to do something different? WILDLANDS Adventure Zoo Emmen, Rensenpark, and the ATLAS Theater are located in or near the city center. You can explore the area by bike using the bike route junctions. And on the weekend, you can choose between a sidewalk café, a festival, or a walk around the Grote Rietplas.

Practical information: Choose your route and distance in advance; many routes are marked, and you’ll find places to eat and drink along the way.

Go outside: check out the hiking trails and bike routes around Emmen.

What makes Emmen different from a typical college town?

The size of the city. Everything is close by, rent is lower, and you have space—both physically and mentally. At the same time, it’s not just a commuter town: there are events, restaurants and bars, and cultural offerings, as well as plenty of employers to keep you here after you graduate.

What you won’t find here is the anonymity of a big city. That can be a drawback if that’s what you’re looking for, and a big advantage if you want to settle in quickly.

Want to experience it for yourself? Check out what there is to do through the activities in Emmen.

Ready to explore Emmen?

Whether you come here to study, work, or both, you’ll find a city where you’ll quickly feel at home, with nature right around the corner.

Two helpful next steps:

• Check out the open house dates on the program’s website and plan your visit.
• See what’s happening through the events in Emmen and the activitiessections.

Frequently Asked Questions About Studying and Working in Emmen

Can you attend a university of applied sciences in Emmen?

Yes. For a higher professional education (HBO) program, you can enroll at NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences in Emmen. You can pursue a senior secondary vocational education (MBO) program at DCTerra. Check out the current program offerings on the NHL Stenden and DC Terra websites.

Is Emmen a college town?

Emmen is a compact college town, not a traditional large college town. Studying, living, and leisure activities are all close together. The city center, your school, and nature are all easily accessible.

How much does a room cost in Emmen?

The rent depends on the type of room or apartment and the location. You can find student rooms in Emmen on Spott. If you’re looking for an independent, publicly subsidized apartment, you can view the current listings on Thuiskompas.

What kind of jobs are available in Emmen?

The region relies on technology and industry, healthcare, logistics, and recreation. This means there are internship and part-time job opportunities while you’re in school, as well as job opportunities in the region after you graduate.

What do you do in Emmen in your free time?

Hiking in the Emmerdennen or the Bargerveen, swimming at the Grote Rietplas, catching a show at the ATLAS Theater, or relaxing on a patio at Raadhuisplein. Most of these places are within walking or biking distance.