FAQ on studying in the Netherlands

Education in educational institutions (of any type) in the Netherlands is conducted in three languages: Dutch, English, and German. Therefore, you first need to decide in which language you want to receive your education, then carefully study the admission requirements on the college (university) website. The problem of choosing a language for which you need to submit a corresponding certificate is always relevant for applicants entering colleges (universities) in another country. There are many factors that influence the final decision of a future student:

• requirements of the universities themselves;
• deadlines for taking the test and receiving the results;
• location of specialized offices and the cost of the exam;
• initial level of language proficiency;
• possibility of preliminary study of sample test tasks on official websites;
• personal preferences regarding the rules of entrance exams, and others.

At universities in the Netherlands, preference is definitely given to the official language, knowledge of which must be confirmed by a certificate (Staatsexamen-NT2). To choose an educational program in the official language of the state, you must pass the Nederlands als Tweede Taal language test (a test of proficiency in Dutch as a foreign language). As in other cases, the test consists of four parts: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. It should be noted that the NT2 exam (test) has two levels of difficulty: NT2 level II and level I. Although level II is more complex and difficult, it is often preferred. Having an NT2 level II certificate facilitates successful admission to prestigious universities with subsequent employment in the Netherlands.

If an applicant chooses English-language educational programs, they must submit TOEFL certificates with a score of at least 92 or IELTS certificates with a score of at least 6.5 (above average). Before the exam, they must decide which IELTS module to take — general (for living and working abroad) or academic (for studying). It is important to remember that certificates are only valid for two years.

In order to study in the Netherlands, you need to have a clear understanding of the content and characteristics of the country's education system, and then choose the university (school, college) where you would like to study. This is important for foreign students, as the requirements at each level of education can vary significantly.

In the Netherlands, the education system consists of the following levels:

1. primary school (ages 4 to 12-13);
2. secondary school;
3. upper secondary school;
4. university.

A distinctive feature of this system is the transition of students to secondary school. The main condition for admission to the second level of education is a national test, depending on the results of which students move on to secondary school in a specific field.

• The first track is MAVO, which is preparatory secondary education, where students study for four years.
• The second track is called HAVO (general secondary education). At this stage, education takes five years.
• And the last, third track is VWO (pre-university education), whose programs are designed for six years.

The third level of education is higher education. The higher education system is essentially binary, consisting of professional (hoger beroepsonderwijs HBO) and research (wetenshappelijk, WO) universities.

Foreigners who have decided to apply to university can find out the admission requirements on the websites of educational institutions. The list of documents required for admission is usually traditional:

• scan of your foreign passport;
• certified official translations of documents;
• certificate confirming knowledge of Dutch (NT2) or English (IELTS/TOEFL);
• letter of motivation;
• academic transcript and others.

Applicants should be aware that after graduating from high school (11th grade), they can only apply to a university of applied sciences (UAS) for a bachelor's degree. To apply to a more prestigious research university, foreign students must study for one year at a university in their own country or take special preparatory courses in the Netherlands. The average grade for admission to such universities is four out of five.

Applicants with a bachelor's degree are accepted into master's programs at any type of university. If you choose educational programs in the field of management (business), you must pass the GRE/GMAT exam.

The deadlines for submitting documents are the same for all educational institutions. The number of educational programs you can choose from should not exceed four.

Foreign applicants can enroll in bachelor's programs without any problems. However, there are certain barriers due to the mismatch between school curricula and the number of academic hours per subject.

Pre-profile education begins immediately after primary school, which is explained by the specifics of educational programs. Secondary education in the Netherlands consists of two types of schools focused on the following areas. The first is Hoger algemeen voortgezet onderwijs-HAVO (general secondary education) and the second is Voorbereidend wetenschappelijk onderwijs-VWO (preparation for university admission). Most universities mainly enroll applicants with pre-university school leaving certificates (VWO).

At the same time, school leaving certificates in the CIS countries are associated with HAVO, which is not sufficient for admission to a university. When applying for a bachelor's degree, foreign graduates are required to undergo verification (an additional procedure to confirm their knowledge). This can be done in various ways:

• take the Unified State Exam in a specialized subject (e.g., biology or computer science) at home,
• take a one-year preparatory course (in the Netherlands) to bridge the gap between the subjects studied.

It should be noted that it is practically impossible to transfer from a bachelor's program in the CIS to the next (higher) course at a Dutch university, due to high competition and a lack of vacancies.

When preparing for admission, it is important to know that there are no entrance exams in the Netherlands, but each university has its own procedure for compiling a list of required documents and deadlines for their submission. As a rule, they are submitted electronically, and no further corrections are allowed, which, in turn, requires increased attention to the documents being filled out. If there is an inaccuracy (error) in the forms, they will not be accepted, so you may not be able to meet the deadline for submitting new (corrected) forms and lose a year of study.

To apply for a bachelor's degree, the following documents must be submitted before tghe deadline:

• scan of your foreign passport;
• certified translation of your secondary education certificate (VWO);
• language proficiency certificates in Dutch (NT2) or English (IELTS/TOEFL);
• A letter of motivation may also be required.

To move to the Netherlands to study, you need to decide on the type of educational institution — school, college, university—as their requirements may vary. The age of the student is also important. However, the general conditions for enrollment, and therefore relocation, are as follows.

1. You need a national visa, for which you must submit a special package of translated and officially certified documents in electronic form:
   1. foreign passport;
   2. certificate confirming knowledge of the national language (Dutch, NT2) or English (IELTS/TOEFL);
   3. motivation letter;
   4. academic transcript;
   5. a certificate of financial status of the applicant (and their parents), and others.
2. Minors must be accompanied by adults (parents, guardians), who must also submit a visa application (to the consulate). As a rule, schools accept children from other countries aged 11-13.
3. For studying and living in the Netherlands, it is more appropriate to apply for a national MVV or D visa, which is the longest-term visa and allows you to stay in the country for 180 days.
4. Since language certificates are only valid for two years, it is important to choose the right module for the IELTS test, for example: general (for living and working abroad) or academic (for studying).
5. Moving to the Netherlands is only possible if you have an official decision from the admissions committee of the educational institution to enroll the applicant.
6. The deadlines for submitting documents are the same for all educational institutions.

It is important to note that the admission procedure for universities in this country requires that the chosen educational program correspond to the specialty obtained at another university. This condition is mandatory for admission to master's or postgraduate/doctoral programs.

Depending on the type of educational institution, the cost of education in Amsterdam ranges from €2,000 to €53,000 per year (excluding living expenses). The cost of services provided is influenced by the language programs offered by schools, colleges, and universities. As a rule, English-language courses are more expensive and are characterized by high competition among applicants.

Secondary education in Amsterdam schools is available in different languages. For example, Home Language International offers foreign children (aged 3+) the opportunity to learn Dutch while living with a native-speaking family. The cost of such education is €1,500 per week. Children aged 16 and older are invited to attend the Language Corner Amsterdam international school, where classes are taught in three languages: English, Spanish, and Dutch. The cost of these services starts at €193 per week.

The cost of studying at state universities for foreign students is (per academic year in euros):

• bachelor's degree — from 7,500 to 8,500;
• master's degree — from 10,000 to 14,000;
• medical programs cost almost 10,000 euros more.

Studying at prestigious colleges and universities in Amsterdam will cost a little more. For example, at AUC College, the annual fee is currently €12,610.

For students at the University of Amsterdam, the tuition fees for the current academic year (2022-2023) are (depending on the form of study, in euros):

• full-time students – €2,209
• part-time students – €1,882;
• dual students – €2,209;
• AUC students – €4,610;
• PPLE students – €4,418.

The administration of this university has decided to halve the fees for first-year students (those who have entered the university for the first time). At the same time, these same students must pay an institutional fee. The cost of tuition does not change during the entire academic year. The fee for enrollment in the university on February 1 is determined by calculating 7/12 of the existing rate.

It is important to note other factors that affect tuition fees, such as the field of study (humanities, economics, law, medicine) and the level of the educational program (bachelor's, master's, doctoral), as well as the applicant's citizenship. Depending on these factors, the cost of educational services can vary significantly.

More detailed information can be found on the websites of the Dutch government and the schools, colleges, and universities of Amsterdam themselves.

The cost of studying in the Netherlands depends on several factors.

• Citizenship: if you are a foreign applicant from a country that is part of the European Union or the European Economic Area, you pay less than graduates of educational institutions in other countries.
• The content of educational programs that does not meet the requirements of Dutch schools (for this reason, students must additionally take paid one-year preparatory courses).
• The duration of study and the level of educational institutions: from several weeks to four to six years; school, college, bachelor's degree, master's degree, doctoral studies.
• The form of education: full-time, part-time, remote learning.

A mandatory condition for enrollment in any type of educational institution is a national visa, which requires opening a bank deposit (at least €13,000) and purchasing two insurance policies costing €472 per year.

We get the following price indicators (on average, in euros):

• language camp – from 947 to 1539 per week;
• language schools – 237-710 per week;
• language preparatory courses at a university – from €379 to €800 per week;
• secondary education – about €21,800 per year; pre-university preparation in schools – €8,800-16,600 for one full year;
• annual payments for a bachelor's degree – 8,800-12,400;
• one year of study in a master's program – 10,000-16,000;
• MBA – 14,000-23,000 per year;
• doctoral studies – 4,400-14,200 per year.

International students must also take care of their accommodation during their studies. The structure of additional monthly expenses is as follows (average, in euros):

• rent – 600;
• food – 397;
• transport – 198;
• Internet, electricity – 90;
• leisure and sports – 98;
• clothing – 100.

In total, before the start of the academic year, applicants must have a total amount of: 472€ +1500€ + tuition fees + student (institutional) fees + deposit. Other expenses may also be incurred, for example, the cost of study materials.

The number of years of schooling in the Netherlands is determined by the country's education system. As in any developed country, education here is free and guaranteed by the state. Children between the ages of 5 and 16 are required to attend school. Schools have a position called compulsory education officer (leerplichtambtenaren), who performs supervisory functions.

Although children are required (by law) to attend school from the age of 5, in fact, most of them start school at the age of 4 and continue until the age of 12. Therefore, primary education is considered to last eight years.

Secondary education (voortgezet onderwijs) can be obtained from the ages of 12 to 18. In terms of structure, it consists of three directions, each of which is characterized by different goals and objectives and different lengths of study. Depending on their academic level and personal preferences, primary school graduates can choose one of them:

• VMBO – pre-vocational secondary education: four years of study.
• HAVO – senior general secondary education (five years).
• VWO – pre-university education: the period of study in schools/gymnasiums of this direction takes six years.

Higher education in the Netherlands begins at the age of 18. At the same time, the duration of study in this field depends on the type of university and the level of education. All universities in the country are divided into three categories/types:

• The first category includes universities that operate according to the Bologna system. The educational process in these universities consists of two stages with different educational programs, which determine the duration of study. The first stage is a bachelor's degree: after studying here for three to four years, you can obtain a bachelor's degree. To obtain a master's degree, you must study for two to three years at the second stage (master's program). The higher education system also includes a doctoral program (PhD) with four years of research work by students.
• The second category includes polytechnic schools with a duration of four to five and a half years.
• The last, third category consists of international education institutes. The duration of study here is 1-2 years.

The answer to the question "How many years do you study in the Netherlands?" is theoretically, it is possible 24-25 years.

The Netherlands, like other European countries, is distinguished by its advanced teaching methods and forms of educational management, which attract a large number of applicants. The main principles of teaching, all other things being equal, are:

• practice-oriented approach;
• creativity;
• originality.

The education system in this country covers such structural links as primary, general and vocational secondary, and higher education. At the same time, each link has its own characteristics.

First of all, we can highlight primary education, the main features of which are:

• Age of students: according to the current law, children from the age of 5 are required to attend school and study for 8 years. In fact, most students start school at the age of 4.
• For more than thirty years, the country has had a combined preschool and primary education system. In the first two years, home education and traditional family life prevail.
• The main goal of primary school is to develop children's emotional, intellectual, and creative abilities, as well as their socialization in society.
• Many special schools have been created for children with physical and intellectual disabilities.

The next level in the Dutch education system is secondary education, which can be obtained from the ages of 12 to 18. The main feature here is that schools teach in three areas:

• Pre-vocational education, designed for a four-year course of study.
• Five-year senior (basic) school.
• Six-year pre-university education.

The final stage of education in the Netherlands is higher education, which begins at the age of 18. All universities in the country are divided into three categories/types:​​​​

• The first category includes universities that operate according to the Bologna system. They teach humanities subjects and conduct scientific research. The educational process consists of two stages with different educational programs. The first stage is a bachelor's degree, and the second is a master's degree. The higher education system also includes doctoral studies (PhD), in which students are mainly engaged in scientific research.
• The second category includes polytechnic higher education institutions, with a duration of study ranging from four to five and a half years. These institutions train future economists, engineers, and doctors.
• The last, third category consists of international education institutions offering programs in English for obtaining a second degree. The duration of study here is 1-2 years.

Yes, there are options like that. We recommend considering International School Eerde, which accepts children aged 11 and older for boarding. The school is highly rated and has fairly strict requirements for applicants. It is recommended to submit your application 7-8 months before the start of the program.

After completing 11th grade at the school, applicants can only enroll directly in a university of applied sciences. Students who wish to enroll in research universities can only enroll in the first year after completing a Foundation preparatory program in the Netherlands or the first year of university in their home country.

Universities in the Netherlands do not offer scholarships that cover the full cost of tuition. Applicants with excellent academic performance may be eligible for a partial scholarship (no more than 5-7% of the cost of tuition). There are also official scholarship programs in the Netherlands (e.g., Holland Scholarship or Orange Tulip Scholarship). The scholarship fund averages up to €6,000.

This means that all higher education institutions are divided into applied and research-oriented institutions.

• Research universities are classic academic institutions where priority is given to scientific research. These universities offer bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs.
• Universities of applied sciences focus more on the practical skills needed for a chosen profession. These institutions only offer bachelor's and master's degree programs.

The first day of school in the country depends on the region. Schools in cities and provinces across the country start the school year at different times: this can be in the second half of August or the first half of September. This reduces the burden on the infrastructure of populated areas and the transport system.

The Netherlands consists of three main regions: the central region, the north, and the south. In each of these regions, school administrators independently set the specific date for the start of the school year, which may be earlier or later. Accordingly, school holidays also begin and end on different days than in other schools. There are four quarters in the school year.

There are several ways to find the right school for your children:

• Visit the Inspectie van het Onderwijs school inspection website to view a list of different schools with inspection results.
• Obtain a list of nearby schools from your municipality.
• Arrange a meeting and ask the principal of the school you are interested in all your questions: whether foreign children are accepted, what kind of help the school can provide to help them adapt.
• Get to know your neighbors and ask them for advice.
• Talk to the parents of students at any school you like to find out about the internal atmosphere of the educational institution.
• Enroll in an international school (instruction will be in English).
• Look for a school with intensive Dutch language training in the primary grades.
• Assess your child's abilities and identify their interests.

Ideally, all of these steps should be taken before you move to the country permanently. As soon as your children are registered at a Dutch address, they are required to start attending school. Parents can choose any public or private school they wish. In the Netherlands, children are required by law to start school between the ages of 5 and 16. Children can be enrolled in public schools without restriction, but private schools have the right to refuse admission for their own reasons.

If your child does not have a sufficient command of Dutch, it is worth enrolling them in an ISK (Internationale Schakelklassen) class. Here, children will intensively improve their Dutch, and after a couple of months, they will begin to speak it confidently, undergo preparation for local school, take intelligence tests, and receive written recommendations.

There are several stages of education in the Netherlands:

Preschool education is optional.

Children under the age of 5 can attend nursery or kindergarten, or they can be educated at home. The country's school education system consists of two parts: primary school and secondary school.

Primary education

Pupils start primary school at the age of 5, although many parents prefer to send their children at the age of 4. Children attend primary school for 8 years (8 grades) until the age of 12. There are separate primary classes for children with disabilities (ages 3-12).

Secondary education

Students move on to secondary school immediately after completing their primary education, based on their academic and intellectual level as determined by primary school exit exams.

• They can study for 4 years at VMBO, acquiring school knowledge and specialized skills until they reach the age of 16, in order to continue their education and obtain a working profession.
• The second track is a five-year HAVO course, where students receive a school education plus preparation for higher professional education (up to age 17).
• The third track is a six-year course that provides in-depth knowledge of subjects, the study of several foreign languages, and prepares high school students for university admission. At this stage, students study until the age of 18.

Practical education

This program is for children who, for some reason, cannot acquire theoretical knowledge. It is considered the lowest level of education. After graduating from such a school, students can only work in the most primitive types of jobs.

Secondary vocational education

Students enroll at the age of 16 to obtain a technical specialty and further work in their chosen field.

Higher education

Higher education is intended for students over the age of 18. With diplomas from local universities, you can get a job anywhere in the world.

Types of higher education:

• University bachelor's degree — 4 years,
• Master's degree — 1-2 years,
• Remote learning at the university (at all stages; duration depends on the field),
• Postgraduate education — master's and doctoral programs lasting 3-4 years.

The main language of instruction is Dutch. In primary school, children learn only one foreign language — English. Those students who, after eight years of primary school, move on to the most prestigious and challenging level of secondary school — VWO — begin to study several foreign languages in depth: French, English, Greek, Latin, and German.