The Netherlands
Holland is situated in the west of Europe. It is bordered by Germany to the east, Belgium to the south and the North Sea to the north and west.
This small country lies at the point where the German, British and French cultures meet. Once you have arrived in Holland, you will discover that many European capitals are within easy reach. Brussels is two hours away by train, and a short flight from Amsterdam will take you to Paris, Madrid or Berlin.
Dutch universities are an ideal starting point for study tours and exchanges to other European countries.
| Study here: |
| Maastricht University, School of Business and Economics |
| VU University Amsterdam - Graduate School of Economics and Business |
More than 1,450 international study programmes and courses in English!
Dutch higher education institutions together offer more than 1,450 international study programmes taught entirely in English. This makes Holland the front-runner in continental Europe. Holland was the first non-English-speaking country to offer courses taught in English.
Browse the international study programmes and courses database at www.studyinholland.nl
Excellent education and research
The Dutch system of higher education enjoys a worldwide reputation for high quality. This quality is achieved through a national system of regulation and quality assurance. The Times Higher Education rankings even list 11 universities in Holland among the top-200 in the world. Holland has also received international acclaim for its groundbreaking Problem-Based Learning system, which trains students to analyze and solve practical problems independently through an emphasis on self-study and self-discipline.
The high quality of PhD research and dissertations published has earned Holland a place in the very top ranks. In fact, Holland is continental Europe’s leader in international scientific research, and it ranks second in the world in terms of numbers of publications per researcher.
International study environment
For a small country like Holland, an international orientation – also when it comes to education and training – is a must for survival in our increasingly internationalized world.
The Dutch education system is interactive and focuses on teamwork, which makes it easy for you to meet other international students. Studying in Holland means developing an open mind and increasing your international orientation.
Quality Assurance in Education
Higher education in Holland enjoys a worldwide reputation for its high quality. This is achieved through a national system of regulation and quality assurance.
A degree programme leads to an associate degree, a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree or a PhD degree. The system of accreditation in higher education aims to guarantee that study programmes meet the highest standards.
The law (the Higher Education and Research Act) requires that all degree programmes offered by universities and Universities of Applied Sciences be evaluated against a specific set of criteria.
Associate bachelor’s and master’s programmes that meet the criteria are accredited by the NVAO (i.e. officially recognized). PhD programmes are the responsibility of the university concerned and cannot be accredited by the NVAO.
On 1 May 2006, the Code of Conduct with respect to international students in Dutch higher education came into effect. This Code sets out standards for Dutch higher education institutions in their dealings with international students.
For more information about quality assurance please visit the Study in Holland website.
World Leading
Dutch higher education is a world leader in areas like business administration, agricultural studies, civil engineering, medicine, remote sensing and arts & design.
Value for Money
Education in Holland is not free, but tuition fees are reasonable compared to other countries. In Holland, higher education is subsidized, which means that tuition fees can be kept relatively low, especially compared with the United Kingdom and the United States.
Tuition Fees
The annual tuition fees for enrolment in a degree programme or course at a Dutch higher education institution start at approximately €1,620 for EU students. The costs of programmes or courses for non-EU students are generally higher.
Cost of Living
The latest Worldwide Cost of Living Survey shows that the cost of living in Amsterdam is modest compared with cities like New York, London, Paris and Beijing.
Experience has shown that students living and studying in Holland for one year spend between 700 and 1,000 euros a month. If you have an average student income – from a scholarship, for example – you will find that one-third of it will go towards housing. Food might take another third.
Student Culture
The higher education institutions are spread throughout the country and very few of them have campuses. The buildings of a single university might even be scattered throughout a city. A network of associations around each institution, brings students together for study-related activities, sports and recreation. These associations are run by students and some are internationally oriented. Students also have their favourite pubs, restaurants and other meeting places. In general, we can say that the Dutch higher education community seeks to be part of society and not isolated from it.
For more information about studying in Holland please visit the website: www.studyinholland.nl
