Study in Netherlands

If Rembrandt, Van Gogh, and speed skating go together in your mind, and you like mobility and open-minded people, then perhaps you were made for studying in the Netherlands.

Extra treats are the internationalised community, hearing English spoken as frequently as Dutch, great museums, and a colourful nightlife. Sure, the rainy weather might be a bit of a downer, but you won’t mind about that when you have great company.

What can we say? There are few other study destinations better than the Netherlands. But it’s never a bad idea to give you more specific details so you know what you’re getting yourself into.

Why study in the Netherlands?

Students choose to do their degrees in the Netherlands for a multitude of reasons, starting with the fact that the Dutch are easy-going, as well as English-savvy. 

Add to that the laid-back, informal style of teaching, that’s focused on the student’s experience, and there’s no surprise the Netherlands is a top study destination in Europe. 

Those who are pickier choose the Netherlands because of its unique culture and its geographical position in the heart of Europe, which makes many neighbouring countries equally accessible.

What to study in the Netherlands

Numerous English-taught programmes and native English-speaking teachers make studying in the Netherlands very appealing to international students. And there’s no other country that can beat the Netherlands at programmes related to Water Resource Management.  By now you already suspect that some of the most popular study options in this country are related to Engineering and Tech.

Here’s some key subject areas you can study in the Netherlands:

• Study Natural Sciences in the Netherlands;
• Study IT in the Netherlands;
• Study Engineering in the Netherlands;
• Study Social Sciences in the Netherlands;
• Study Business in the Netherlands.

Major cities in the Netherlands

The Netherlands has ten major cities that attract both students and tourists, and are great urban hubs, starting with its capital, Amsterdam. Dutch cities are often lively, environmental-friendly, and maintain a cultural vibe.

Some of the best student cities that you can choose from are:

• Study in Rotterdam;
• Study in Utrecht;
• Study in Eindhoven;
• Study in Tilburg;
• Study in Leiden;
• Study in Groningen;
• Study in The Hague.

Which universities to attend in the Netherlands?

With over 10 universities featured in the top 500 international higher education rankings, Netherlands is an exciting country to study in. Dutch universities attract their students with a casual approach to education and top English-taught degrees.

If you don’t know where to start looking for a Dutch university, we have a few international universities we recommend: 

• University of Twente;
• Radboud University;
• Tilburg Unversity;
• HAN University of Applied Sciences;
• The Hague University of Applied Sciences;
• Saxion University of Applied Sciences.

Practical Information

How to apply to universities in the Netherlands

The Dutch higher education system is based on the Bologna process. Although there is an official country website providing information about studying in the Netherlands, applications should be submitted via universities’ internet pages.

Generally, you have to go to the programme website and follow the next steps:

• Fill in the online application;
• Pay the application fee;
• Upload all the required documents before the deadline expires.

Each degree and university have their own application requirements, so pay attention and carefully check the list of documents.

Usually, the documents required are:

• A copy of passport or ID card;
• A passport photo;
• A personal statement in English;
• Copies of secondary school diplomas, certificates and/or grade lists in English, French, German or Dutch;
• Transcript of records;
• Proof of English/Dutch language proficiency;
• Proof of payment of application fee.

Some universities may require extra documents, such as:

• CV or resume (including two referees);
• Motivation letter;
• Sample of academic written work.

Helpful ways to make sure you qualify for a Dutch university

Take Preparation Courses: These kinds of courses enable degree-seeking students to get an extra educational boost just before they start their Master’s degree or other post-graduate degree programmes. Try a pre-M.B.A., pre-Law, or pre-Medicine programme, as well as any other foundation or preparation courses that will allow you to study in the degree programme of your choice.Improve your English through an English-language prep course: If you’re attending a degree programme in the Netherlands, you will need to prove that your language skills are good enough to participate in the classes and understand the lectures; some schools will require Dutch, while others will require strong English skills. These courses will also prepare you for any of the English-language tests that universities require.English-language tests

The language certificates you will need to provide, depending on the language in which you wish to study, are:

• For Dutch: Dutch TUL or Dutch NT2-II diploma;
• For English:  TOEFL, IELTS, or C1 Advanced.

Sometimes, if you don’t hold a language certificate, you can take a language test at the university and find out if your level is good enough.

This option is only available at some universities, so always check with the institution!