1 best international colleges in Amsterdam 2025

English Language: For international students, it's not always necessary to learn Dutch; often, proficiency in English suffices. Dutch universities actively promote internationalization, with approximately 40% of instructors being foreigners, fostering an atmosphere conducive to university development. Moreover, with 95% of the country's residents fluent in English, lack of Dutch proficiency won't pose an issue in daily life.

Excellent Career Prospects: Dutch universities offer promising career prospects. Their global recognition is evidenced by the QS rankings for 2024, where eight Dutch universities secured spots among the top 200 worldwide.

Informal Style of Education: An important aspect of the Dutch education system is its informal style. In Amsterdam's universities, students and instructors are on equal footing, with students having the opportunity to address professors by their first names, ask questions, and disagree with their opinions. This fosters independence in judgment, critical thinking, and the ability to defend one's viewpoint.

Safety and Multiculturalism: Amsterdam's safety and multiculturalism make it an attractive place for education. The country ranks among the world's safest, holding a high position in the 2023 list of countries with low crime rates. Here, you'll encounter people of various nationalities, faiths, and political beliefs.

International colleges in Amsterdam offer preparatory courses and special programs to enhance academic knowledge, learn Dutch/English, and adapt to the country's educational and cultural nuances. The most popular programs revolve around water resource management, engineering, and technology, with MBA courses gaining popularity in recent years.

These colleges offer several types of programs to effectively prepare students for university education:

• International Year One
• Undergraduate Foundation Programme in Amsterdam
• Gap-Year, Global School for Entrepreneurship

Preparatory programs ensure student admission to a specific university course (not all) and help students adjust to university life, meet other students, and make new friends. The experience gained from preparatory courses assists students in making decisions—whether to continue studying in their chosen field, switch disciplines, or universities.

Preparatory programs offer education in a wide range of disciplines:

• Natural Sciences
• Computer Science
• Engineering
• Social Sciences
• Business Administration

The average tuition fees for students from non-EU countries range from €7500 to €16,000 per year.

Students of international colleges typically reside in student hostels or rented apartments.

The best international colleges in Amsterdam provide opportunities to prepare for studies at the country's prestigious universities. Each university sets its own academic requirements for applicants, along with a list of required documents. Language requirements depend on the language of instruction:

• For programs taught in Dutch: TUL certificate, NT2-II diploma
• For English courses: TOEFL, IELTS, C1 Advanced

List of documents:

• Copy of passport or identity card
• Passport-sized photo
• Personal statement in English/Dutch
• Copies of diplomas, certificates, and/or high school transcripts in English, French, German, or Dutch
• Proof of English/Dutch proficiency
• Confirmation of payment of registration fee

Some universities may require additional documents:

• Resume or recommendations from two teachers
• Motivational letter
• Sample of academic writing