Why study in The Netherlands?

One of the first things internationals learn when searching for places to study in Holland is that Holland is only part of the country. North- and South Holland are 2 of the 12 provinces which make up the Netherlands. Other than fields of tulips on postcards, studying in the Netherlands offers you a place to work on your ideas in an innovative and open-minded environment, in a country at the forefront of wind- and hydro-energy developments.

International atmosphere

Annually, more than 75,000 international students come to the Netherlands, to study one of the many English degree programmes. The research universities and universities of applied sciences offer a multicultural environment in which students can develop an understanding of the course content and respect of the different backgrounds of fellow peers. While studying abroad in the Netherlands you will create friendships and connections with people from diverse backgrounds. Are you worried about language differences? The Netherlands ranks 2nd in the 2018 EF English Proficiency Index; most Dutch citizens can switch almost effortlessly from Dutch to English and will do so when they notice you’re an international who doesn’t speak Dutch.

Quality of Education

Institutions in the Netherlands have high standards and consistently rank among some of the best universities such as those based in the US and the UK. Certifications from Dutch universities are globally recognised by employers. On top of the high level of education, tuition fees are relatively affordable in comparison to other institutes that offer university courses in English.

Innovative teaching styles

Universities in the Netherlands employ a student centred approach to teaching. Although some programmes have lectures with hundreds of students, there are tutorials where the groups are smaller, and students have the opportunity to ask professors specific questions. The smaller tutorial groups focus on a more interactive teaching style in which students take the lead. Students are expected to do their reading and preparatory work in their own time before the lectures and tutorials to follow along and gain as much as they can from the contact hours. This system gives students a lot of independence, as not all classes are compulsory, and there are limited contact hours. The autonomy and planning required to get the most out of the lectures and tutorials teach individuals professional skills that will be invaluable in the future.

Travel Opportunities

The Netherlands is home to a very developed public transport system which allows for easy travel to and from cities such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam and the Hague. As well as active city life, there are opportunities to travel to different villages such as Giethoorn which is known as the ‘Venice of the Netherlands’. There are many places to which students who come to study in the Netherlands can travel - both nationally and internationally. Schiphol, the main airport in the Netherlands, hosts many affordable international flights abroad. On top of this affordable bus services connect the Netherlands to various capitals and cities around Europe and offer a cheap and convenient way for friends to explore the continent.

Looking towards the future

The Dutch government wants to attract young professionals to the Netherlands and retain students trained at Dutch universities. As such, residence permits are still valid for a year after you round off your studies; this gives you time to find a job which would allow you to stay in the Netherlands. The University of Groningen’s Career Services helps students in their search for a job as they round off their studies. The Netherlands’ international environment also gives students who study here multicultural sensitivity and the skill to work with individuals from completely different backgrounds - an invaluable ability considering the increasingly global environment we work in.

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