Ordering textbooks for HBO and WO: how to find the right book

Textbooks often come in different editions, languages and product formats. The steps below help you quickly check whether the book you have found matches your programme’s official reading list exactly.

An ISBN is the unique number for a specific book edition. Ideally, search using the ISBN provided by your programme or lecturer.

Here is how:

1. Copy the ISBN from your reading list.
2. Enter the number without spaces in Intertaal’s search bar.
3. Open the product you find.
4. Compare the title, author and edition with your reading list.
5. Check that it is the right type of product.
6. Check the price and availability before ordering.

Finding the same title is not enough. A newer edition or a different product format may have different content and a different ISBN.

You can usually find the ISBN on:

• your programme’s official reading list;
• the study guide;
• the online learning environment;
• information provided by your lecturer;
• the back cover or publication details page of the book.

Have you only been given a title? Ask your lecturer or programme which edition and ISBN you need.

New editions of many textbooks are published regularly. The title and author may stay the same while exercises, chapters, page numbers or digital components change.

Always check:

• the ISBN;
• the edition number;
• the year of publication;
• the author or authors;
• the language;
• the accompanying digital materials.

Your programme’s reading list takes precedence. Use an older edition only if your lecturer confirms that this is allowed.

A title may be available in different formats:

You receive a physical book. A digital access code is included only when this is clearly stated in the product information.

You receive digital access to the content. Before ordering, check which platform the e-book uses and how long access remains valid.

A licence provides access to online exercises, assignments or learning materials. It sometimes comes with a book, but is often a separate product.

A bundle may include a book with an e-book, workbook, digital licence or other supplementary materials. Check carefully which components are actually included.

In the HBO collection you will find textbooks and professional literature for a range of programmes and subject areas. Use the filters and search function to narrow down the selection.

Ideally, search by ISBN first. If you do not yet have an ISBN, search by title, author, study programme or subject area.

The WO collection contains academic books and international specialist literature for university programmes. Many academic titles are available in several editions, bindings and languages.

Take particular care to check that the ISBN you find matches the edition on your reading list.

You can also find textbooks through subject areas, including:

• Psychology;
• Law & Legal Studies;
• Business, Economics & AI;
• Biology & Life Sciences;
• Healthcare & Health;
• Mathematics & Statistics;
• Education & Pedagogy;
• Social Sciences;
• Language & Literature.

Use these collections mainly to explore the selection. Checking the ISBN remains the safest method when placing your final order.

Cannot find a book? Contact Intertaal and provide as much information as possible:

• ISBN;
• full title;
• author;
• required edition;
• study programme and educational institution;
• required product format;
• required quantity.

This information makes it quicker to identify the edition and check whether it can be ordered.

Yes, student associations, educational institutions and other business customers can contact us about reading lists, larger quantities and group orders.

Ideally, send an overview with the ISBN, title and quantity for each book. This makes checking the order quicker and more accurate.

Before every order, check:

• is the ISBN correct?
• is the title correct?
• is the author correct?
• have you selected the right edition?
• is the language correct?
• is it a printed book, an e-book or a licence?
• are any required digital components included?
• does the product match the official reading list?

Checking these details in advance reduces the chance of ordering the wrong edition.