There are several reasons to study in The Netherlands as highlighted in this 100-second video and Study in Holland's 5 Good Reasons to Study in The Netherlands, such as:
International Reputation
International Feel – High Proportion of Intl. Students
Tolerant, Open Society
Good Connections with the rest of Europe
Over 1500 courses taught in English
English widely spoken
Affordability
Universities of Applied Sciences - Universities of Applied Sciences offer profession-orientated programmes (such as Nursing, Design, Physiotherapy) that are designed for students who are looking to enter a particular career upon graduation. Degree courses often last for 4 years.
Research Universities – Courses at Research universities have a more theoretical, Academic focus, e.g. Philosophy, Social Sciences. Courses are usually 3 years long*
University Colleges (UCs) - Were established by Dutch Research universities in 1997. The University Colleges are separate from the parent university but still very much part of that institution. They specialize in teaching liberal arts degrees following the US model of undergraduate education. University colleges usually charge additional fees and require students to live on campus. Different UCs may have different broad areas of academic focus, such as the Social Sciences, Business/Economics or Engineering/Technology.
*Please note, that the same subject might be offered at both Universities of Applied Science and at Research universities (e.g. Business) but that the course content and focus will be different.
Tuition rates for non-EU/EEA citizens are set by each university and usually range from approximately 6,000 to 15,000 euros per year.
Tuition fees for students with a passport from the EU, EEA, Switzerland, or Surinam are approximately 2,168 euros for 2021-2022 academic year.
A select few programs, among them the university colleges, charge between 3,000-5,000 euros.
The Dutch government and some institutions offer scholarships, financial aid, or some reduced tuition fees under some conditions. These opportunities can be found on individual institutions’ websites, or through the Nuffic scholarship overview.
FAFSA loans can be used for a few Dutch universities such as Utrecht University and the University of Amsterdam.
The Dutch government equates certain diplomas around the world to its university preparatory diploma, called the Dutch VWO. Typically, a US high school diploma is deemed equivalent to a Dutch VWO when combined with a minimum number of AP courses (usually four) and sufficient performance on AP exam, typically scores of 3 or higher. IB diplomas are also recognized as equivalent.
There are specific requirements for some courses (e.g. Medicine; Business/Economics) so it is important to pay close attention to university websites.
Depending on the program, institutions in the Netherlands operate using one of three approaches to admission. Regardless of how a student is admitted, enrolled students are expected to meet very high academic standards and to obtain a minimum number of credits.
General Admission - Students applying to general admission programs, which comprise the vast majority of programs offered at research universities and universities of applied science, must have a Dutch VWO Diploma or an equivalent certification
Numerus Fixus - Numerus fixus programs have a capped number of places available. All numerus fixus programs have a minimum of two selection criteria. These criteria will be outlined per program on the program websites and can include grade achievement, standardized tests, international experience, letters of recommendation, and more.
Special Status Programs - Some programs offering an intensive education in a small-scale setting, for instance the university colleges and hotel schools, are selective and use a holistic admission process similar to universities and colleges in the United States. Each program utilizes a process unique to the institution where it is based. University colleges, for instance, tend to look for students who are highly engaged in their studies and who have contributed to the student community. Motivation, as demonstrated in a personal statement, is important, and so is academic achievement. Some of these programs require interviews as part of the admission process.
One-year foundation courses are possible if you don’t meet entry requirements.
If you are considering taking the combination of AP and IB courses in grades 11-12, then check university requirements carefully. University admission for students taking the combination of AP and IB courses can be more challenging than for those students taking only IB Diploma or students taking only AP courses in grades 11-12.
A detailed roadmap on applying to The Netherlands can be found here on the Study in Holland website.
The Netherlands has a centralized application system called Studielink. On it, students can apply for up to four courses at a time, with the option to amend their choices at any time before the enrolment deadline. However, only two of the courses can be ‘numerus fixus’, and only one can be medicine.
Unlike with the UK’s UCAS, students don’t write one single personal statement to accompany all of their applications. Instead, if they are applying to courses that require a motivation letter, they can write individual documents tailored to each university and program.
Deadlines will vary between institutions, so it’s a good idea to apply as early as possible, usually by the end of Grade 12 Semester 1, as there are high levels of competition for some courses.
Study in Holland, especially StudyFinder
Step by Step Guide for using Studielink
September 30, 2021 Dutch Admissions Evening - presentation on the Google Classroom page (under Classwork then University Presentations). For parents, this information is on the College Counseling section of LMS.
Dutch University Road Map sheet (second tab) of the TASIS University Research Chart
Also use the sites listed on the Other European countries page to search for programs in The Netherlands