Studielink is the official registration and application portal for programmes at Dutch higher education institutions.
Rather like UCAS for students applying to the UK, Studielink is the Dutch national database for admission to higher education. This system is operated by DUO, which keeps track of all students who are studying in the Netherlands and getting student loans. It is the official way that students with a Dutch VWO diploma apply to/register for the programs of their choice (for students with an international diploma, it is the official database that keeps track of all students studying in the Netherlands, and keeps information accounts for students. Forever)
Please note: you should first check with the institution of your choice whether you are required to register via Studielink. Some institutions use a different method to register students from abroad! (or the Studielink piece comes later - you need to check the process for the programme you are applying to).
Students are limited to registering for 4 programmes at any given time in Studielink. This means that if they change their mind about a programme, or are not offered admission to a programme, they can remove it from Studielink and add another if there is time before deadlines.
Once you register through Studielink, and the university has been notified of your application, you might be sent further details of the next steps you need to take (double check with the universities you are applying to), assuming you meet the minimum entry requirements. The next step will involve the submission of certain documents and possibly a motivation letter and a CV, as well as any specific application form for your chosen course. Please reach out to universities to find out for specific details.
Please remember: For students who are studying an international diploma/degree, registering in Studielink is NOT the application or enrollment process. Submitting an actual application directly with the institution and programme is ALSO required.
If you need help creating a Studielink account, adding your previous education and submitting an application, you can visit the Studielink website. It shows you step-by-step instructions for the enrolment process, in both text and screen shots.
There is also a Studielink Q&A with answers to the most frequently asked questions on using the system. If you cannot find your answer, you can contact the institution where you want to study for further assistance (even if you haven't applied yet).
Entry Requirements
• Your high school diploma (i.e. A Level, GPA, IB). The level will vary by university.
• Some programs (i.e. in the art) set their own extra requirements.
• If applying to an English program, you might be requested to sit for IELTS 6 / TOEFL 550 to prove your fluency (check for exemptions).
Top tip: If you know which diploma the institution of your choice has set as a minimum requirement, you should check how your diploma compares to this on the actual Nuffic website (https:// www.nuffic.nl/) which is the Dutch organisation for internationalisation in education.
Special note: Please keep your user ID and password at hand (in a safe place). It can be very difficult to retrieve either of these if you forget them.
You need a passport or European identity card to create an account. If you hold two nationalities, including a European one, please use your European passport or identity card.
There are two ways to create a Studielink account:
* If you are a resident in the Netherlands: With DigiD
DigiD (short for Digital Identification) is a form of online ID that allows you to access many services and government websites in the Netherlands.
* If you are not a resident in the Netherlands: Without DigiD
Steps to create an account:
Sources:
Guide to Universities in The Netherlands, BridgeU LTD 2018.
https://www.studyinholland.nl/ (accessed on the 24 April 2020)
https://www.studielink.nl/ (accessed on the 24 April 2020)