UIT scales back evening programme to accommodate students living with parents

Fewer and fewer students are able to find a room these days. As a result, many Dutch students are choosing to continue living with their parents to save money. This phenomenon is changing student life in Utrecht, says Zara Stolk, spokesperson for the Utrecht Introduction Week (UIT), an event for the freshers of all higher education institutions in Utrecht, including Utrecht University. “Students who don’t live in one of the Netherlands' biggest cities have to go home as early as 10:00 pm or 11:00 pm to catch the last train. Not everyone finds a place to stay here.”

Stolk has noticed that student associations in Utrecht are organising events earlier to accommodate students who live with their parents. “Monday is the only day when we’ve decided to stay open until 1.00 am. On the other days, the programme will end earlier and earlier.”

On Tuesday, the programme runs until 11.00 pm; on Wednesday, until 9.30 pm; and on Thursday, until 6.00 pm. UIT advises participants to arrange accommodation well before Monday. “We try to help students with this.”

According to Stolk, the introduction week has long been about more than partying and drinking. “We’ve been focusing on creating a bond between the city and the students. We also try to make it clear that it’s not just about partying, and we’ve tailored our programme accordingly. The participants who want to go out can do so, and those who aren’t interested in nightlife can do other things.”

First-year students celebrating at last year’s festival. Photo: UIT

UIT Programme
This year, UIT runs from Monday, 10 August, to Thursday ,13 August, with the theme Out and about together, at home together. The events will take place at TivoliVredenburg, Lepelenburg Park, Utrecht Science Park (USP), and the former Rotsoord industrial estate.

UIT has several new features in store. On Monday, there will be a city tour following the traditional opening ceremony at TivoliVredenburg. This has been a regular feature for years, but this year it will include a game element for the first time. This will allow UIT participants to get to know the city interactively by answering questions. The group that answers the most questions correctly will win a prize.

On Tuesday, there will be a symposium at Utrecht Science Park (USP), and students will participate in workshops. The Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant will attend the symposium for the first time to produce a podcast for students, which will be broadcast at the end of the week. Stolk: “We hope to have an interactive symposium.”

The UIT organisation in 2026. The UIT team is wearing red, and the event managers are wearing blue. Photo: UIT

Utrecht associations
The UIT took place at Rotsoord for the first time last year. Due to its “huge popularity”, the venue has become a permanent fixture and the programme has been expanded. This year’s programme includes a pub quiz, musical drag bingo, a silent disco and live music.

Wednesday is culture day. In the morning, freshers will watch a movie at Kinepolis. Then, eleven cultural institutions in Utrecht are opening their doors to students free of charge, including the Utrecht Archives, Speelklok Museum, Sonneborgh, the Volksbuurt Museum, Centraal Museum, University Museum, Catharijneconvent, Fort bij Vechten, and Paleis Lofen. They can also climb the Dom Tower and visit the Railway Museum for a small fee. 

The biggest change is that this year’s UIT will not conclude on Thursday with a festival, but rather with a student association day. This year’s festival day will be smaller in scale and take place on Wednesday on the UCU campus.

Activities are being organised in collaboration with various Utrecht-based social, cultural, sporting, religious and international societies. Stolk: “Hundreds of volunteers make UIT happen, including students from Utrecht’s associations. We work very closely with them and have therefore chosen to organise an association day for this edition. UIT participants can get to know the clubs better and soak up the atmosphere. If they like a club, they can join it straight away."

A nice extra for students is the furniture festival organised by UIT in collaboration with the municipality, the circular economy centre UP Utrecht and several charity shops. This will happen after UIT on Thursday, 27 August. Stolk: “Students can look for furniture there for their new student rooms. It’s sustainable, as the items are given a second chance.”

Zero-tolerance policy
UIT has a zero-tolerance policy on hard and soft drugs. Underage participants are not allowed to consume alcoholic drinks or their non-alcoholic versions. They will be given a wristband in a different colour. If they drink anyway, they risk being kicked out of the event. The organisers may deny access to participants who are drunk or are under the influence of drugs.

Freshers who haven't yet scored a ticket can still attend this year's UIT, as tickets remain on sale until 27 July. Students can also still sign up to volunteer during the orientation week. UIT is looking for crew members, catering managers and mentors.