Holland stands out for its great inventiveness, its problem-solving attitude and its openness to the world. Studying in Holland offers you the space to be a pioneer, be creative and get connected.The more than 2,100 English-taught study programmes and courses cover a broad range of fields. All programmes and courses lead to a bachelors, masters or PhD degree, a diploma or certificate.
Why Sudy in Netherlands?
Quality of higher education
Higher education in Holland has a worldwide reputation for its high quality. This quality is guaranteed through a national system of regulation and quality assurance. Dutch law (the Higher Education and Research Act) states that degree programmes offered by higher education institutions must be evaluated against a specific set of criteria, assessing the content and the level of the course. Bachelor’s and master’s programmes that meet the criteria are accredited (i.e. officially recognized).
In 2015, there were twelve Dutch universities in the top 200 of the Times Higher Education World University Ranking, making the Netherlands the fourth best represented country on the prestigious list.
Pioneering
Holland has proven to be a true pioneer for discovering inventive solutions to everyday problems. The way the Dutch created a large part of the country by reclaiming land from the sea shows their pragmatic approach to living below sea level.
We can also see this approach when it comes to education. For a small country like Holland, an international orientation – extending into education and training – is a must to be a successful competitor in our increasingly internationalized world. Holland was also the first non-English speaking country to offer courses taught in English.
Creative
The important role of the Dutch in the international design industry is a reflection of their creative drive. The creative sector in Holland is world famous for its innovative ideas and ground-breaking Dutch Design. It is perhaps because of the Dutch way of teaching that creativity has acclaimed such an important role in Dutch society. Students are challenged to solve problems with an out-of-the-box approach and work together in case studies to gather and share knowledge.
Connected
Being a small country, Holland is open to the world and to surrounding countries. Cooperating with other countries is key to being successful for the Dutch. The strong connection between Dutch higher education institutions and the business world creates possibilities for practical assignments and internships to prepare students for a career in an international environment.
The Dutch education system is interactive, student-centred and focused on teamwork, which makes it easy to meet other international students. The teaching method at Dutch higher education institutions is founded on respect for each individuals opinions and convictions. This respect is a national virtue that characterizes Holland’s diverse and plural society. The method aims to provide students with both the attention and freedom they need to develop their own opinions and creativity in applying new knowledge.
The education system
The education system in Holland is known for its high quality in education and research and its international study environment. In addition, with more than 2,100 international study programmes and courses it has the largest offer of continental Europe.
Holland has two main types of higher education institutions: research universities and universities of applied sciences.
The research universities in Holland educate students in academic study and research. Universities of applied sciences offer professional programmes in the applied arts and sciences that prepare students for specific careers. A third and smaller branch of higher education is provided by institutes for international education, which offer advanced training and courses in a wide range of fields. Most of these institutes are part of a research university.
Preparation courses in Holland
Some international students may not be able to attend a degree in Holland because their previous studies do not match the academic system of the country. To be allowed to take an undergraduate or graduate degree in Holland, they will need to enrol in a one-year pre-Bachelor or pre-Master offered by a local university.
Popular foundation degree studies in Holland include pre-law degrees, pre-MBA courses, pre-medicine, pre-nursing studies, or other types of international foundation programmes in engineering, economics, finance, social science, science and other types of university pathway programmes. Preparation courses in Holland include academic English language training to help international students meet university language requirements for future undergraduate or graduate studies.
Foundation degrees in early years in Holland are perfect for increasing your chances of getting accepted to a Dutch university. Pre-university business schools, law schools or med schools make sure international students develop the skills they need to succeed in the Dutch academic system. Pre-university education also includes cultural integration classes that help students feel more at home. Some pre-university programmes guarantee enrolment to the institution if students complete the preparation with high grades.
Meet language requirements for university admission in Netherlands by choosing an English language preparation course offered by English language schools worldwide, including Netherlands.