Why study Netherlands?

Respect for each individual’s opinions and convictions is a national virtue that gives strength to the fabric of Holland’s diverse society. This is the foundation of the teaching methods used in Dutch educational institutions.

The teaching style can be described as interactive and student-centered, providing students with the attention and freedom they need to develop their own opinions and creativity in applying their newly acquired knowledge. Holland has received international acclaim for its groundbreaking problem-based learning system, which trains students to analyze and solve practical problems independently through emphasis on self-study and self-discipline. Many study programmes are dedicated and focus on writing papers, working in groups to analyze and solve specific problems, acquiring practical work experience through internships, and conducting experiments in laboratories.

The Netherlands is centrally located in Europe and is in easy reach of all major European cities. The Netherlands is often described as the “gateway to Europe”. It takes only about an hour to fly from Amsterdam to Paris, Berlin, Brussels, or London. It also has great connections and accessibility by train to all major European cities.

The Netherlands also has a well-developed and connected transportation system, and various discounts for students make travelling quite affordable. As mentioned, when working 32 hours a month, you can also get a student OV-Chipkaart, which gives you access to free public transportation. This makes it very convenient and cheap to explore the whole country. Further, you will love how easy it is to get around with a bike – the preferred means of transportation of the Dutch, and also the cheapest. You can cycle in peace, confidence and tranquility, as there are dedicated roads for cyclists.

The Netherlands has also been recognized as a knowledge center with rich study traditions and well-known universities. Scientific research at Dutch universities is very highly valued at both the national and international level. Education in the Netherlands meets all international standards and is well-reputed worldwide. A diploma from a Dutch university provides an opportunity to start one’s own business and can be very useful in terms of having a successful career in any country of the world.

The most recognized universities in the Netherlands include the University of Amsterdam, Leiden University and Utrecht University. Personally I also recommend Maastricht University (where I am studying for my master’s degree); it is also highly accredited and has a very effective teaching method called project-based learning. This makes you study actively, participate, work in teams and focus on real-life problems.

The Dutch Education System

The Dutch educational system is interactive, business-driven and focuses on teamwork. The Netherlands has been offering international programmes for over fifty years and was the first non-English speaking country to offer higher education courses taught in English.

The Dutch educational system is of high quality and our universities are acknowledged worldwide for their well-designed, modern courses and facilities. The Dutch educational system can be classified as a problem-based learning system. 95% of the inhabitants speak English which makes communication with the locals easy. The Netherlands is centrally located in Europe and is in easy reach of all major European cities.

Costs

The tuition fees and other expenses for those who come to the Netherlands to study are relatively low compared to other European countries. Dutch universities have good relations with foreign partner institutes and encourage their students to engage in exchange programmes and study tours