Studying in the Netherlands is a great idea

Studying in the Netherlands is an opportunity to spend time in a country which has a rich history, an open society and an excellent level of higher education.

The Shanghai rankings list ten Dutch universities above Poland’s best performing institution – the Jagiellonian University in Krakow. A modern country, high standards and a wide range of courses taught in English all make studying in the Netherlands a great choice.

If you would like to find out how to study in Amsterdam, Den Haag, Groningen or other Dutch towns and cities, read through the details, below. The text also includes information about the cost of living and studying in the Netherlands.

Universities in the Netherlands

The Netherlands have two kinds of institutions of higher education: research universities and universities of applied sciences. Certain universities provide courses for international students, and all of them offer you a chance to develop in a number of ways and fields. What is studying in the Netherlands like? How do the various institutions differ?

Research universities provide traditional academic courses and, just as in Poland, it takes three years to gain a bachelor’s degree. If you want to get a Master’s, this will take an extra two years.
Universities of Applied Sciences emphasise practical application of theoretical knowledge , taking advantage of new technology and partnerships with business and industry. A bachelor’s degree will take four years, while the majority of Master’s degrees run for two years – although some courses can be completed in one year. Universities of Applied Sciences make up the largest sector of the Dutch higher education system.
Institutes, which focus on international students.

What courses can you study? English-taught courses available to study in the Netherlands.

The Dutch education system has an outstanding reputation. The best universities offer an extensive range of courses, and these include the traditional subjects studied in Poland, as well as more unusual and highly specialised courses. You can choose architecture and international relations – or Circus and Performance Art! Below you will find a few examples of the courses you can apply to:

Media and Information
International Law
Business
Management/International Business
Architecture (only available for a Master’s degree)
Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE)
Politics, Psychology, Law and Economics (PPLE)
Circus and Performance Art

What does the application process for studying in the Netherlands involve?

All applications are uploaded to the centralised admissions hub, StudieLink. This opens at the beginning of the academic year – a year before you intend to start your studies. Dutch universities have different requirements. Some will ask you to submit a range of documents, which could include:

A report from your school
The matura results, as soon as you receive them
Personal statement/CV
A reference from a teacher/a letter of recommendation from a teacher

Other universities will only ask for a translation of your reports and a completed StudieLink application form. Why do the requirements differ? Research Universities attach a great deal of importance to your assessments, results and academic achievements, as well as the reasons why you want to study a specific course. Universities of Applied Sciences are looking for students who want a practical education, and so your reports and scores are not the only factor they consider.

Application Deadlines

Dutch universities have different deadlines, and some universities are ready to accept applications until the very last moment.

However other universities, particularly the Research Universities, set deadlines of 15 January and 1 May for the majority of their courses.

Do you need to know English ?

Polish students tend to choose courses which are taught in English when they are deciding to study abroad. It is essential to have good level of English if you want to take a degree in the Netherlands. A pass in the extended English matura is not enough to prove your language abilities, so you must submit a certificate as evidence of level of English competence. Dutch universities accept:

TOEFL – 80 points is the minimum if you sit the exam using a computer (TOEFL iBT), while 550 points is required from applicants who do the paper-based test.
IELTS -the lowest score which will be accepted is a 6.
Other exams (for example Cambridge Advanced) which the university specifies in its prospectus.

What should you do if your English language level is not high enough? You can go to the Netherlands for a preparatory year, and then begin your course.

6. How much does it cost to be studying in the Netherlands?

If we take Den Haag as an example (studying at InHolland University of Applied Sciences) then an average monthly budget would be in the region of £760.

This sum includes the cost of:

Accommodation:£570 for renting an apartment
Food:£65
Transport: £0 – (student grants include free transport)
Socialising and entertainment:£17
Student resources: £9
Miscellaneous : £80+ (insurance is not mandatory and you can use your EKUZ card ).

Your expenses could be lower – if for example, you decide to rent a room rather than a flat. Monthly rentals, both in halls of residence and on the market , start at around 400 euros, but the number of places in halls is limited . Insurance is optional, since it has been shown that you can take advantage of Dutch healthcare, and this is paid for by the NFZ,if you have a European Health Insurance Card (EKUZ). In this case, the cost of living in the Netherlands will be very similar to that of Poland.

Examples of prices in Den Haag:

cinema ticket: £3
a loaf of bread: £0.80p
a meal in a restaurant: £12.50

What is the cost of tuition fees in the Netherlands for a Polish student?

The most commonly asked question about costs relates to tuition fees – which are relatively low for students from EU countries, and start at around 2,000 euros a year.

To take one example, if you study Business Information Technology at the University of Twente, you will pay tuition of 2,083 euros a year. If you choose Global Studies at the University of Maastricht, you will pay 2,143 euros a year – the same cost as the course in Biology at the University of Groningen.

You can get a loan to cover tuition fees and living expenses -1,000 euros a month. There are a few conditions which need to be met to secure this loan, which is given to students from the EU. undertaking their first full-time course .Students have to be under 30 years old, and either live in the Netherlands for five years without a break or work in Van Gogh’s homeland for a minimum of 56 hours a month.

Regulations for staying in the Netherlands .

If you want to spend over three months in the Netherlands , you must legitimise your stay. What does this mean and what do you have to do?

you have to register at the town hall of the city or town where you are living
the town hall will give you a BSN number, which you need to quote whenever you are dealing with officialdom. It may not be necessary to go to the town hall, since many campuses organise meetings with representatives of the local council, during which you can do all the paperwork. If the process is to go smoothly, you will need the following documents: proof of ID,a document which shows you have health insurance, a letter or document confirming you are have been accepted by the university and proof of accommodation (this could be a rental agreement), and a shortened form of your birth certificate , in English.

It is worth getting a job – for a number of reasons

Since 1 May, 2007, Poles have not had to get a work permit to take a job in the Netherlands. No one is going to be particularly surprised if we say that it is a good idea to work while you are studying, even if it only for part of the course. Working will give you priceless experience and an injection of cash, which will help you balance your budget.

There is yet another benefit to taking work when you are a student. If you work 56 or more hours a month, you are eligible to apply for a student loan.

Studying in the Netherlands in 2020. How to begin?

the Netherlands is a great choice as a higher education destination. You don’t know what course or university to choose? Let us help! We will tell you what documents you need to prepare for your application. We will analyse your skills and abilities and give you guidance on the courses it is worth applying for, and where to study. Consultations are free!

If you would like more information about financial help and scholarships, get in touch with us and we will answer all your questions. Drop us an email at: info@elab.edu.pl pr ring us on +48 602 751 351.