What The Netherlands Has To Offer As A Study Abroad Destination

The Netherlands has emerged as an ideal destination for students to study abroad in recent years. The thorough focus on research, the availability of integrated programs, the low tuition fee and the high standard of living in the country ensure that it attracts the brightest minds from all across the world.

The Netherlands is also one of the very few places in the European Union (EU) where international students do not face a major language barrier throughout the course of their education and development because of the country’s accommodation of both English and Dutch.

Students from India who are on a budget, dream to have a world-class education in psychology, engineering, business management, international and sustainability studies, and seek to establish a global career centred around the EU are increasingly turning to the Netherlands. While most universities are public, private institutes have also been growing in the last few years, especially in the fields of theology and medicine.

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Universities In The Netherlands

All reputed universities in the Netherlands are publicly-funded and operated which contributes to their comparatively lower tuition fees, even for international students. Universities offer varying courses in their respective fields of specialisation, both at the Bachelor’s and Master’s levels. Universities can be divided into two categories:

Research Universities

These are institutes that orient their focus on academic education and scientific research, and offer programs across different levels of education. Some of the leading research universities in this category include the University of Amsterdam, the University of Groningen, Erasmus University Rotterdam, the University of Groningen, Leiden University, Delft University of Technology, Eindhoven University of Technology, and Utrecht University. These institutions offer undergraduate and graduate course offerings based on their subject specialisations, and are typically more sought after by international students as compared to universities of Applied Sciences, mainly because of their global prestige and reputation.

Universities Of Applied Sciences

These are focused on professional education rather than scientific research, and focus on giving students relevant experience for the job market. These are secondary-level institutes and can be compared to colleges in Canada. They offer only Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees (and not PhDs). Some of these institutions are Maastricht Academy of Dramatic Arts, Inter College Business School, and Hague University of Applied Science.

Degrees In The Netherlands

Let us now look at the various types of degrees offered to students in the Netherlands.

Undergraduate And Graduate Degrees

Universities in the Netherlands offer prestigious degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels, which are sought after by students across the world with a penchant for research and open-ended education. Education in the Netherlands costs students typically Rs 8 lakh to Rs 12 lakh at the undergraduate level, and Rs 15 lakh to Rs 20 lakh at the graduate level. Moreover, universities have several scholarships that students can apply for, and programs like the Amsterdam Merit Scholarship can reduce the cost of education by up to 60% of the original total cost.

Undergraduate degrees are typically 3-4 years long and Master's degrees are 1-2 years long. Many universities offer students the option to complete an integrated Bachelor’s + Master’s in four years. Some universities also offer 2-year long Associate Degrees to high school graduates.

Integrated Degrees In The Netherlands Are Popular Amongst International Students

Liberal Arts Courses

Whilst most academic programs are centred around a specialisation, an increasing number of institutes are providing open-ended liberal arts courses, through their newly established ‘University Colleges’. In these programs, students study a diverse range of subjects and disciplines and have the option to curate their own unique curriculum for their academic journeys. Inspired by the US model, this allows students to explore diverse fields of interest and find their unique specialisations through research projects and practical engagements. Moreover, the model and structure of ‘University Colleges’ constitute specific departments of universities that have been designed to cater to a global student body.

Numerous Fixus Courses Vs Non-Numerous Fixus Courses

Undergraduate courses in the Netherlands may be designated “Numerous Fixus” or “Non-Numerous Fixus”, depending on their admission policy. A university may offer both these courses and would have different admission policies for both.

Numerous Fixus

Numerous Fixus courses are those in which the number of seats is determined. Hence, the admission process for these is more comprehensive. Students have to submit additional essays, and sometimes even take assessment tests in order to get admission. Some examples could be the University of Amsterdam- BSc Business Administration, Twente University- BSc Technical Computer Science, Radboud University- BSc Psychology.

Non-Numerous Fixus

Non-Numerous Fixus courses are those which are open to more students. Hence, their admission processes are also relaxed and students are typically required to submit their application forms (similar to the UK) with supporting documents. Examples of these include Leiden University- BA International Studies, Maastricht University- BA Global Studies, and Erasmus University, Rotterdam- BA Management of International Social Challenges.

It is important to shortlist courses and universities early in the application cycle to understand and prepare for diverse requirements. The Dutch educational system facilitates students with hands-on experience in their academic specialisations, and equips them with skills relevant to the industry. Universities focus on innovative teaching methods, collaborative, and interdisciplinary learning and are increasingly adopting liberal-arts open-ended curricula, inspired by their American counterparts. Increasing opportunities for work and the remarkable environment and community of the Netherlands distinguish it as a leading destination for education abroad.

Jitin Chawla is an eminent Career Counsellor, working actively in the Indian and abroad education domain. He is Director, Centre For Career Development, whose operations span across Delhi- NCR, and most parts of North India for more than 20 years. He can be reached at www.jitinchawla.com.