Post on 05-Aug-2015
Your Ultimate Guide to Study in the Netherlands
INTRODUCTION
Amita has been involved with assisting students in finding direction for their studies and chartering a career path for themselves since the past 12 years. In her current role, she reaches out to students all over India interested in pursuing their higher education in the Netherlands.
Amita AminEducation Promotion
OfficerNuffic Neso Desk India
The Netherlands has been an international tourist destination of repute for quite some time now. Windmills, bridges, quaint little restaurants, the beautiful tulip farms, museums housing the works of masters from the Renaissance and a bustling night-life with contemporary music; these are a few images that come to our mind when we think of the Netherlands. The Netherlands is known for its strong economy and top-notch technology and design companies and is one of the most progressive economies in Europe. The Netherlands is fast becoming a popular study abroad destination for students from India and neighbouring Asian countries. The Netherlands is well connected to the rest of Europe and students on a Schengen visa have the freedom to travel through most European countries with their visa.
In our pursuit of helping students find their dream study abroad destination, Team Hotcourses India spoke to Ms. Amita Amin from Nuffic Neso Desk India to get more clarity on the education system in the Netherlands and the various academic options available for international students. Various important topics like - popular institutions, admission requirements, courses, cost of living, job and scholarship opportunities in the Netherlands were discussed. Based on the inputs that we received from Ms. Amita and our research we have prepared this ebook, which will help students aspiring to study in the Netherlands.
CONTENT
Why should a student consider the Netherlands as a study destination?
- 5
What would be the average cost of education in the Netherlands?
- 7
When does the academic semester start? Which is the best semester to apply?
- 9
What are the main eligibility tests required to study in the Netherlands?
- 12
How to apply to Universities in the Netherlands? What is the process?
- 14
Document list - What you need to submit with your application?
- 16
Financial support for studying in the Netherlands
- 18
Securing a student visa
- 20
CHAPTER 1
Why should a student consider the Netherlands as a study destination?
• The Dutch education system is one of the most rigorous and forward-thinking in the world. It’s a system based on student-led learning, critical debate and practical experience.
• The Netherlands is known as the first non-English speaking country in which universities started to design higher education study programmes in English to accommodate students coming from abroad.
• The Netherlands has been recognized as a knowledge centre with rich study traditions and well-known universities.
• The Dutch educational system is interactive and focuses on teamwork, helping international students meet one another.
• The tuition fees and other expenses for those who come to study in Holland are relatively low compared to other European countries.
• The Netherlands is often described as the gateway to Europe. It takes only about an hour to fly from Amsterdam to Paris, Berlin, Brussels, or London.
The Dutch are frank and friendly people. The Dutch love good food and drink and are also passionate about football; with several football clubs being the top-clubs in Europe and the national football team has a fanatic fan following during the European League and the World Cup Football Tournament.
The Netherlands also known as Holland is located in the heart of Europe. Voted 3rd best higher education in the world. The Netherlands was the 1st non- English speaking country to offer courses taught in English. Our database offers you 1,700 plus programmes completely taught in English!
At present, the Netherlands has the second largest population of people of Indian origin (PIOs) in Europe. Indians in the Netherlands are also known as Hindoestanen (Dutch pronunciation for Hindustanis).
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5Your ultimate guide to study in the Netherlands
CHAPTER 2
What would be the average cost of education in the Netherlands?
Undergraduate Studies
Universities: €6,000 and € 12,000 per year
Postgraduate Studies
Universities: € 8,000 and € 20,000 per year
Tuition Fees
When it comes to average living expenses in the Netherlands, the amount could vary upon the choice of course and institution and depends on your chosen standard of living. The average amount could be:
The cost of living in the Netherlands is comparatively a bit lesser than in London; students should explore the cities in which they stay to discover farmer’s weekly markets and shops to get food at lesser costs. To give you an idea, this list gives you an overview about average prices of typical needs:
• Student accommodation: € 350-600 per month• Loaf of bread (500g): € 1,30• Milk (1l): € 0,80• Tomatoes (1kg): € 2,50• Chicken breast (1kg): € 6,50• Meal in a cheap restaurant: € 10• Beer in a bar (0,5l): € 4• Beer in a supermarket (0,33l): € 0,50
Cost of Living
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7Your ultimate guide to study in the Netherlands
CHAPTER 3
When does the academic semester start every year? Which is the best semester to apply?
Most of the Dutch universities have enrollment twice a year: in September (autumn) and February (winter).
For each intake applications should reach at least five months before the classes start. The autumn intake is more popular among students and most institutions offer courses, which commence in September.
Citizens outside EU should provide universities their application requests until March - May in order to start in September or until November - December if the studies begin in February. Some universities of applied sciences accept applications even in June for starting in September and in December for starting in February.
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9Your ultimate guide to study in the Netherlands
There are three types of higher education institutions in the Netherlands. They are - Research University, University of Applied Sciences and Institute of International Education.
• In a ‘Research University’ undergraduate courses are for three years and postgraduate courses are for two years. But there are some exceptions with some institutions offering MBAs that range from 12 months to 18 months.
• University of Applied Sciences offer undergraduate courses that are for four years and postgraduate courses that are for two years.
• Institute of International Education offer short-term and postgraduate courses. The short-term courses range from two weeks to six months and the postgraduate courses range from 1 year to 2 years.
Indian students who wish to study undergraduate courses in Dutch institutions should note that they accept students who have completed their high-school in CBSE, ICSE and IB schools. Students who do not meet the required eligibility criteria for undergraduate courses should take up a one-year bridge course, on whose completion they can join an undergraduate course. Applicants to postgraduate courses should note that preference is given to those students who have studied the same course in their undergraduate level of study.
Course Duration
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CHAPTER 4
What are the main eligibility tests required to study in the Netherlands?
To be eligible for undergraduate admission in the Netherlands, students will generally need to produce 10th and 12th scores, and must have IELTS and TOEFL scores of 6.5-7 or 90-100 to prove their English proficiency.
• Applicants to a core literature course would have to have a minimum IELTS score of 7.0 and applicants to engineering courses should have a minimum IELTS score of 6.5. Applicants taking the TOEFL should have a score of 90 and above on the internet-based test.
• Applicants to postgraduate courses in engineering are advised to take the GRE and applicants to postgraduate management courses are advised to take the GMAT. Some institutions do not mandate that applicants need to furnish GRE and GMAT scores.
Minimum scores:
IELTS : 6.5 – 7 - each section not less than 5.5 TOEFL : 90 and aboveGMAT : 700 +GRE : 300 +
*The minimum exam score may vary from institution to institution, it is better to check the exact score directly with the institution you are interested to apply.
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CHAPTER 5
How to apply to Universities in the Netherlands? What is the process?
Complete research of Universities and
CourseTest Preparation
Online Application Form
Upload & Send Documents
Track Application
Admission Interview
Though admission procedures vary from one university to the next, most decide admission based on certain criteria, counting a student's high school course of study, high school Grade Point Average (GPA), contribution in extracurricular activities, IELTS/TOEFL scores, a written essay followed by a personal interview.
Each university will set their own application deadlines and fees, as well as admissions requirements. Studyfinder can help you to find information Dutch higher education institutions. Fortunately, most application forms follow a similar format that allows you to reuse or adapt some of your application materials. Admission process
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14Your ultimate guide to study in the Netherlands
CHAPTER 7
Document List - What you need to submit with your application?
Once you have all the right documents, re-check it as many times as you want. Have attested copies of all the documents in a folder and arrange it according to the check list. This will help you organize your application better.
You will have to submit the following documents along with your application form:
Application form IELTS/TOEFL scores Academic transcripts Statement of Purpose (SOP) Letter of Recommendation (LOR) Copy of passport and any other documents
requested by the University. Work Experience letter ( if applicable)
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CHAPTER 8
Financial support for studying in the Netherlands
Scholarships are available for a number of programs that are offered by Dutch institutions. The scholarship eligibility criteria vary from institution to institution.
Students must clearly indicate in their application form that they would like to avail a scholarship.
Students can visit - grantfinder to check for an appropriate scholarship that matches their requirements.
The Netherlands Government has offered scholarship program in the name of Netherland Fellowship Program for students who want to pursue their MS and MA degree. It is funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in order to promote capacity building within organizations. The scholarship is available in 61 countries and provides training and education to mid career staff members.
• Netherlands Fellowship Programmes (NFP)
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CHAPTER 9
Securing a student visa
University collect documents from the
student
University itself process the Visa
application
The applicant is informed that his/her visa is ready and the
applicant should schedule an
appointment to collect the visa
Get it stamped from the Dutch embassy
or their nearest Dutch consulate
office
In India, the Dutch embassy is in New Delhi and consulate offices are located in Chennai, Mumbai and Bengaluru. There is no visa interview as such; the passport and identity of the applicant is verified and the visa is given to the student.
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20Your ultimate guide to study in the Netherlands
Students are allowed to work part-time for 10 hours a week during the course of their studies. But it is extremely difficult for students to work and study at the same time. Hence most students accumulate these work hours and work during the summer holidays. There is an added benefit of the Schengen Visa. Students on completion of their studies can stay for an extra year and search for an appropriate job in the Netherlands and countries covered under the Schengen Visa.
Work permit
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21Your ultimate guide to study in the Netherlands