Education in the Netherlands in 2024
The Netherlands is a member state that is located in western Europe and has territories in the Caribbean. It is surrounded by Belgium and Germany. The Netherlands is predominantly a low-lying country located at the confluence of three major rivers in Europe (the Rhine, Meuse, and Schelde).
The king serves as the head of state and the prime minister serves as the head of government in their parliamentary fundamental monarchy. The Netherlands’ successful system is characterized by a blend of public control, constrained economic planning, and individual freedoms. The European Union is governed by the Netherlands.
Culture of Netherlands
In general, Dutch people are quite hospitable, outgoing, and kind. In the Netherlands, only parents and children live together. Usually, they don’t live with their grandparents, aunts, or uncles. Dutch families frequently share their day’s adventures over dinner. In Dutch houses, each family member is responsible for their tasks.
The parents are regarded as the family’s leaders in Dutch society. They establish the rules. But in the Netherlands, kids frequently quarrel, debate, and talk about things with their parents. This is not viewed as impolite or disrespectful; rather, many Dutch parents support their children’s right to free speech and encourage them to speak up in public.
Dutch families have a reputation for being very curious. They are always interested in something. In general, this is the outcome of their passionate interest in one another. By being honest and giving specifics, children show their parents they have their trust and confidence. It is a part of independence from which it is impossible to dissociate. When children are honest about their lives, parents feel more at ease letting them be completely independent.
Families in the Netherlands like spending time together, especially on the weekends. They enjoy playing games, going to social events, meeting family and attending traditional or social gatherings with friends. People in the Netherlands purposefully divide their time between a variety of interests. It is believed to be inefficient to sit still.
Economy
Due to its consistently favorable trade surpluses, amicable labor relations, and low unemployment rate, the Netherlands, the EU’s sixth-largest economy, plays a crucial role as a transit hub for Europe. Food processing, pharmaceuticals, petroleum refineries, and electrical machinery are among the main industries. Only 2% of the workforce is employed by the country’s highly mechanized agriculture sector, but it generates sizable surpluses for food processing, enabling it to preserve its ranking as the second-largest agriculture exporter in the world.
The Netherlands is a member of the eurozone; hence, the European Central Bank is in charge of regulating its monetary policy. More than 80% of banking assets in the Netherlands, where the financial sector is four times larger than the GDP of the nation, are controlled by four commercial banks.
Education in the Netherlands
The Dutch are well-recognized in a range of academic fields. The World Economic Forum presently ranks the Netherlands as the third most educated country in the world. The Netherlands has also consistently placed high in the respected OECD rankings for 15 years. One-third of Dutch adults between the ages of 25 and 64 have a university degree, which is significantly higher than the OECD average of 24%.
The 13 publicly supported universities in the Netherlands consistently rank highly in The Times Higher Education University Rankings, making the Netherlands one of the top countries in the world for educational opportunity equity. The Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science is now working with educators, school leaders, and educational experts to create a new national curriculum.
Higher Education
Universities in the Netherlands provide undergraduate courses in both English and Dutch; graduate courses are solely available in English. Depending on the course you are applying for, you will be required to provide proof of proficiency in either Dutch or English. This is done to determine whether or not the student is picking up on the material being covered in class and can effectively communicate in both written and spoken forms utilizing the target language.
Admission Test
Exams like the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), the New Test of English (NT2), and the Cambridge New Academic Verification Test (CNaVT) are often approved for study in the Netherlands. Students who do well on these tests will be granted entry to institutions in the Netherlands and be eligible to apply for a student visa. Other tests, like the GMAT or GRE, may be required for admission to certain programs.
Student Life in the Netherlands
Despite a relatively high emphasis on individuality in Dutch culture, group work and collaboration are the standards in Dutch student life. Both local and international students engage in extracurricular activities regularly.
10 Reasons to Study in the Netherlands
Despite its relatively small size, the Netherlands continues to attract a large number of students from all over the globe. Nearly all of our students are enrolled in the International High School, so we decided to find out firsthand from them what makes the Netherlands such an attractive study-abroad destination. Below are ten of the main draws for foreign students visiting the Netherlands for higher education.
1. Top-notch educational facilities
Make sure your degree is from a recognized institution if you decide to pursue further education. Since then, seven more Dutch universities have joined the ranks of the world’s top 100, elevating the Netherlands to the position of the seventh-best nation for higher education worldwide.
Erasmus University Rotterdam, where IHS is based, is the third-best university in the Netherlands. According to the 2018 Opens External Website World University Rankings, it is presently ranked 72.
2. International acclaim for degrees
It’s natural to wonder whether the degree you’re pursuing will be recognized back home if you decide to get it in a foreign nation. Any student who chooses to attend school in the Netherlands need not worry about this. Since the Netherlands is home to illustrious educational institutions like Erasmus University Rotterdam, you may feel secure in the knowledge that a degree acquired there will be acknowledged wherever your life takes you.
3. Affordable tuition
Tuition in the Netherlands is quite low compared to other nations that attract large numbers of foreign students. Their master’s program in urban planning and management at IHS will set you back €13,900 for the fall 2018 semester. Those who register and pay in full before June 1 will also get a discount of €1000.
4. A large number of students from abroad
There is a substantial international student community in the Netherlands to tap into since one in ten students is a foreign citizen. Since many courses at Dutch universities are conducted in English, students need not worry about a language barrier. There is a significant foreign component to the teaching staff at IHS, and all of the academic programs are delivered in English.
5. Possibilities for extending your stay in the Netherlands after graduation
Students who are not EU or EEA nationals but who complete their degrees in the Netherlands may be eligible for the orientation year visa. Students who are fewer than three years from completing their degrees may use the orientation year to remain in the Netherlands, look for work, or start a company. You do not need a separate work permit for this calendar year.
6. Dutch tradition
The liberal and tolerant Dutch people make their home in the Netherlands. The Dutch are the greatest at speaking English. When compared to any non-native-speaking country, the Dutch make the transfer less scary for many international students.
7. Reasonable living expenses
In general, the cost of living in the Netherlands is similar to that of other Western European countries and cities, except for Amsterdam. Budget between 450 and 650 euros monthly for private student housing in Rotterdam.
8. Visit Europe
The Netherlands is perfect for anyone who wants to spend their weekends and leisure time seeing the rest of Europe. Buses and subways run nonstop between Amsterdam and Rotterdam and other major European cities, including Paris, Brussels, London, and Frankfurt, and flights within Europe are quite cheap.
9. Scholarship Opportunities
If you decide to study in the Netherlands, you should look into the possibility of receiving a scholarship. This will help cover the costs of your education and living there. One of the many scholarship programs that the Dutch government supports for international students is called the Orange Knowledge Program.
10. You’ll reside in one of the world’s happiest nations
The Dutch people enjoy some of the highest levels of happiness and security of any population. According to two United Nations surveys, it ranks as the seventh-best location to live in the world. It is also the sixth-happiest country in the world, respectively.
