STUDY IN NETHERLANDS

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The Netherlands is a wonderful study destination for international students for many reasons. Let us tell you why! 

First of all, there are a lot of different subjects which you can study entirely in English, as over 2100 programs are English taught. This is not a recent development: the Netherlands was the first non-English speaking country to start teaching in English. 

English is widely spoken outside university classes too, so you will not have any trouble communicating. 1 in 8 students you will encounter does not come from the Netherlands. Actually, the Netherlands as a whole is a rather international community, so you will fit right in.  

Education in the Netherlands tends to be interactive and non-hierarchical. As a student, you are invited to participate actively in discussions, workshops, presentations, in-class simulations, and individual research. In addition, you will have the opportunity to do (academic) internships, go on exchange to other universities around the world, take part in honours/excellence programmes, participate in the community and more. It is all about getting involved.  

Dutch Universities are well-represented in international higher education rankings, such as the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, the QS World University Rankings and the Academic Ranking of World Universities. This is important for your future academic career and your world-wide network. With relatively low tuition rates, education in the Netherlands is a great value! 

The Netherlands is right in the middle of Europe, so you can explore different cultures easily. International students have many services on campus to help them feel welcome, such as orientation weeks/days, international advisors/coordinators, counselors, social groups, committees – the list is long! Dutch higher education institutions are well-equipped to give you the best student experience possible. 

In a nutshell, studying in the Netherlands is a smart move. You'll get a great education, make friends from everywhere, and have a blast in Europe. It's a win-win! 

Studying in the Netherlands for international students can have different costs depending on their nationalities, the chosen field, and various universities in the selected study levels. Tuition fees for international undergraduate students can range from €6,000 to €15,000 per year. Also, the cost of studying for a master's degree is  €8,000 to  €20,000. But in some fields of study, which fall under the MBA category, it can cost around €13,000 to €16,000. Also, the cost of studying in the Netherlands with the one-year technical courses mentioned can be approximately  €12,000 to  €13,000. 

One of the most important factors to consider when studying abroad will be your budget. Housing costs will vary depending on if you choose to stay in university or private accommodations in the Netherlands. Including food, public transport, books, clothes, cinema tickets, housing, and insurance, a student should prepare to spend an average of between €700 and €1,000/month when studying in the Netherlands. 

Calculating an average student's income, about one-third will go towards housing, another third spent on food, and the remaining third spent on leisure, books, travel, and other expenses. Many places, such as bars, restaurants, museums, cinemas, and shops give student discounts. Usually, they will ask for proof in the form of a student card from your institution. It is always a good idea to check in advance if a student discount is available. It may be beneficial to acquire an International Student Identity Card (ISIC) since it provides a range of interesting discounts and offers. 

Finding quality, affordable student housing while studying in the Netherlands can be difficult. It is very crowded in the Netherlands, especially in the big cities such as Amsterdam, Hague, Rotterdam, and Utrecht, and famous student cities such as Leiden and Groningen suffer from shortages. It is common for Dutch students to have problems finding accommodation near their university.

Most universities do, however, offer temporary, short-stay solutions for foreign students upon arrival. If you are part of an exchange program or enrolled in an international course, it is very likely that you will be offered a room. 

Accommodation in the Netherlands is expensive and it is important to remember to also consider additional costs, such as the deposit, gas, water, and electricity the price. Also, keep in mind are that most leases run for six months to a year, and you must know whether a room/apartment is furnished or unfurnished. 

Netherlands has one of Europe’s most competitive economies and is the world’s 18th largest economy. Top sectors driving Netherland’s economy include Agriculture & Food, Clean Energy & Environment Technology, Creative & High Tech Industries, Logistics, and Water Industries. Popular job sectors in Netherlands include Energy Sector, Water Resource Management, Aerospace & Mechanical Sector, Information & Communications Technology and Banking & Finance. Netherlands is home to some of the world’s leading multinationals such as Philips, Heineken, KLM, Shell, ING and Unilever. In addition, MNCs such as Sony, Sara Lee and Microsoft have their European headquarters in this country. According to the Better Life Index, Netherlands ranks top in work-life balance and performs well in other parameters such as jobs & earnings, housing, education & skills environmental quality & health status.