8 best English schools in Amsterdam

• University of Amsterdam,
• Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences ONCAMPUS,
• Holland International Study Center,
• University Amsterdam (VU),
• Global school for Entrepreneurship,
• Language Corner Amsterdam,
• The Netherlands Education Group.

Tuition costs depend on the program's direction and duration. The average price of language courses is €300 per week. A week at a language camp will cost from €750 to €1100, which roughly corresponds to the cost of programs in the UK, Germany, and other countries offering language camps with English language learning.

If the price of a summer language camp package includes both meals and accommodation, accommodation is not provided on other courses. Students need to arrange this themselves.

Enrollment in language schools is usually open year-round, while the courses themselves start 4-6 times a year. Most courses, both at schools and at universities, run in summer, and there are also courses that start in January. Exact start dates should be checked on the official website of the chosen school or university.

To enroll in English courses in Amsterdam, you need to fill out an application form on the website of the school or university. Then you need to take a test to determine your level of English — based on the results, students are placed into groups matching their language level. Beginners are not tested. The assessment may take the form of an oral interview, an online test, or a short exam.

Language schools and centers at universities in the Netherlands do not issue a student visa for studies, which is why all programs offered in the country last no more than 3 months.

Dutch children's camps can help your child make the most of the summer holidays. They welcome boys and girls from all over the world aged 11-17: here kids will gain new experiences, make friends with peers from around the world, and get acquainted with a new education system, culture, and traditions. A typical summer language camp in the Netherlands includes a full package of services for a comfortable stay abroad:

• lessons (usually standard, 20-25 English classes per week), taught by professional teachers,
• accommodation on the summer camp grounds,
• meals (full board),
• a program of activities (daytime and evening),
• excursions around Amsterdam and to other locations in the camp regions,
• care and supervision (24/7),
• airport transfer (on set days and times).

You can confidently send your children to summer language camps in Amsterdam without worrying about their safety, since the Netherlands is among the safest countries in the world and ranks high in the Global Peace Index, which ranks 163 states and territories.

Language courses in the Netherlands for adults are an excellent opportunity for language learning at the country's best private schools. Studying English makes it possible to develop professional skills and communicate freely with foreigners. Classes are taught exclusively by experienced native speakers who systematically take professional development courses. English training in the Netherlands takes place in groups where students from different countries study together.

Language schools in Amsterdam offer various courses for adults:

• English for beginners,
• business English,
• English for a specific professional field (legal, medical, etc.),
• English 50+,
• conversational English.

Programs are chosen depending on the goal of language learning.

Pre-university preparation programs can be singled out as a separate group, lasting from 2 to 14 weeks. The courses are held at universities. Standard and intensive programs are the most popular, but if desired, you can find language centers with a wider range of courses, including business English and preparation for language exams, among others. On these courses, students often study not only the English language but also general education subjects from their future specialty. You can enroll in the program right after finishing grade 11, provided you have a good average English test score (from 5.5). After completing the preparatory courses, students enter the 1st year of the university of their choice.

English language courses remain highly popular in Holland. You can study it not only in language courses and preparatory programs — most universities also offer English-language instruction. Advantages of language courses in Amsterdam:

• High quality of English teaching and proficiency (in the EF World’s English Proficiency Index ranking, Holland ranks 1st in the world with a score of 624 against a world average of 488),
• Small study groups (8-14 people), which gives teachers the opportunity to devote more time to each student,
• Wide range of study programs: besides classic academic programs, you can find business courses here, prepare for international exams, and hone your spoken and written language skills,
• Rich extracurricular program (trips, excursions, creative events, entertainment),
• The opportunity to travel not only around the Netherlands, but also around the countries of the Schengen Area.

All programs can be divided into children's and adult programs. Most children's language courses are concentrated in summer camps.

When choosing a course, it's worth looking at the school's accreditations — they show that the teaching standard has been verified by an independent organization. One well-known benchmark of this kind is Eaquals: this organization accredits language centers that have reached the highest international standards and monitors their compliance. Eaquals-accredited centers operate in more than 30 countries and teach over 25 languages. Having this mark at a school in Amsterdam indicates that the programs, teacher training, and organization of studies meet unified requirements, rather than being judged solely by the description on the website.

What language is instruction given in in Amsterdam?

Language schools offer courses in English and Dutch. English is very widely spoken in the city, so programs primarily operate in it, making them suitable for students from different countries.

Is it possible to study at a university?

Yes. Amsterdam is home to several strong universities, including Universiteit van Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and they have language centers where you can enroll in English or Dutch courses.

What course formats are available?

The choice is wide: intensive and standard programs for adults, summer language camps for children and teenagers, courses with accommodation in a residence or with a host family. The format is chosen based on level, age, and the purpose of the trip.

How do you get around the school within the city?

Amsterdam is called the city of bicycles, and this is indeed a convenient way to get around between the school, accommodation, and attractions. Bicycles can be rented at many points around the city.