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The Netherlands, known for its flat landscape, many rivers and somewhat liberal policies toward drugs, prostitution and gay rights was the first non-English speaking country to offer higher education conducted in English especially designed for foreign students. Some historians also regard the Netherlands as the first capitalist country in the world.
The Netherlands is often called Holland, but this is formally incorrect and goes far back into the European history when the Dutch fleet sailed the world seas and made Holland renowned from China to Africa during the golden age. Actually, North and South Holland are only two of the country's twelve provinces in the western Netherlands.
 Still today, the Netherland has kept its international stamp and host four international courts, as well as the EU's criminal intelligence agency (Europol). This has led to the city of Hague being referred to as "the world's legal capital."
A considerable amount of the Dutch wealth is contributed by the financial sector - the capital of the Netherlands is one of the world's major financial centres and houses a numerous regional and global economic organizations. The second largest city of the Netherland is the home of one of the world's busiest ports. The Dutch merchant marine is well developed, and tourism is a substantial industry.
The Netherlands in short facts and figures
- Capital (and largest city): Amsterdam
- Official language: Dutch
- Ethnic groups: 80.9% Dutchmen, 2.4% Germans, 2.4% Indonesians, 2.0% Surinamese, 12.3% others
- Government: Parliamentary democracy, Constitutional monarchy
- Declared Independence: After the Eighty Years' War, July 26, 1581
- EU membership: March 25, 1957
- Area: 41,526 km² (134th)
- Population 2007: 16,570,613
- GDP Per capita: $35,078 (10th)
- Currency: Euro (€)5 (EUR)
- Calling code: +31
Why study in the Netherlands?
In 2007 the Dutch universities offered more than 1300 programmes and short courses taught in English. The Netherlands has also received international acclaim for its ground-breaking Problem Based Learning system, which trains students to analyze and solve practical problems. By studying in the Netherlands you will develop an open mind and increase your international orientation.
The education system focuses on teamwork which makes it easy to make friends. Approximately 95% of the inhabitants speak English and it is easy to blend in socially during your stay.
The Netherlands also has a long tradition of international students. As early as 1950 the Netherlands was the first non - English speaking country to offer programmes conducted in English especially designed for foreign students. Gaining a diploma in the Netherlands is the key for a successful worldwide career.
Fees and living expenses are relatively low in the Netherlands compared to other European countries. The annual tuition fees for the degree programmes start at approximately €1,500 for EU students. If you are a non-EU student the costs of the programmes and courses generally are higher.
Education in the Netherlands
The Dutch education system comes with a long tradition. Since 1815 the quality guarded by the law and the education is financed by the government. The Dutch children begin school in the primary education at the age of four which they leave at the age of twelve. Based on the results of the final exam primary, they move on to secondary education, which divides into three branches:
- Pre-vocational - 4 years
- Senior general - 5 years
- Pre-university - 6 years
After the secondary education, the students move on to either senior secondary vocational education or higher education. The higher education system of the Netherlands is reorganized in accordance to the European initiative known as the Bologna Declaration and is based on two main curricula, Bachelor (undergraduate) and Master (graduate).
The Netherlands has two main types of higher education: university education, and higher professional education.
Higher professional education
HBO lasts of 3- 4 years and results in a Bachelor diploma. Hogescholen is also called 'universities of professional education' but are more practice-oriented than the university educations and prepare their students directly for careers.
University education
WO lasts of 4- 5 years and results in a Master degree. The university trains students for an independent practice of science.
Both the university education and the higher professional education have a formal length of four years, even though in some cases students are allowed more time than this. The starting level of the higher education is quite high and the academic year start in late August and ends in mid-June. The programmes are designed to require 40 hours a week.
Other forms of higher education
Besides regular four-year programmes at universities and hogescholen, the Netherlands has another form of higher education which is more than 40 years old. It is called International Education, or IE which are advanced courses conducted in English. These International Educations are offered at special IE institutions or could be held at universities and hogescholen.
Universities in the Netherlands
The Netherlands has thirteen universities, which differ in the programmes they offer. Nine of them offer educations in a broad range of fields. Three of the universities specialize in engineering and one in agriculture.
All programs start their first year with the basic courses known as the propedeuse. The propedeuse provide the students with a general introduction to the chosen field, and lays the foundation for the specialized subsequent continuation. As the program progress, the students receive more freedom to choose their subjects. The final step is the thesis based on the student's own research.
University titles – master, doctor and engineer
After four years and a conducted research the students receive a doctoraal. This university title is legally protected and conferred only by recognized institutions. The nearest equivalent to a doctoraal is a master, even though certain programmes use their own titles such as doctorandus (the generall term), ingenieur (engineering and agriculture) or meester (law). After the doctoraal comes the doctorate.
Higher Professional Education (HBO)
 Except the thirteen universities the Netherlands has 70 hogescholen enrolling a total of 260,000 students. The Higher professional education, or Hoger Beroeps Onderwijs (HBO) which it is called, is more practice-oriented than the University offering a variety of full-time and part-time programmes in several sectors. All HBO programs consist of a foundation phase and a main phase, and ends with an individual project and thesis. The essential component in the HBO is the internship, through which students gain practical experience in real work situations.
HBO graduates may use the title baccalaureus (bc). The international counterpart is the Bachelor. In engineering, technology and agriculture, the title is ingenieur (ing.). Also the HBO titles are protected by law and conferred only by recognized institutions. After graduating from HBO some baccalaureus continue to the advanced programmes available in most sectors of the HBO. The advanced programmes last between two weeks and two years. Some lead to postgraduate diplomas, and others to accredited master's degrees.
International Education in English
The Netherlands has almost 400 different courses and study programmes in something called the International Education in English, which each year attract over 4500 participants. These courses have gained a reputation even outside the Netherlands’ borders and include courses in management studies, agricultural sciences, astronomy, medicine, civil engineering, remote sensing, and the arts. The International Education is primarily meant for people at postgraduate level with some prior professional experience and is well suited for international students. The pace is intensive at an advanced level and all courses are conducted in English. The programmes, which last anywhere from a few weeks to four years, are quite practice-oriented and designed to meet the expectations of students seeking specialized knowledge.
Most International Education courses lead to a diploma. Some of the longer courses lead to a master's degree or a PhD.
Accommodation in the Netherlands
The Netherlands are crowded and finding a place to live is no simple feat, especially in the larger cities such as Amsterdam, Haag, Rotterdam and Utrecht, and the famous student cities like Leiden and Groningen. The last few years, the prices on the owner-occupied houses have increased dramatically. For a one bedroom apartment on the private market in the centre of Amsterdam the cost is approximately €800/month. There are some cheaper alternatives called council houses protected by a point based system pressing the prices down. However, the waiting lists for these homes are long; many Dutch students have to commute a few years before qualifying for these apartments. Most Universities offer short stay solutions on the behalf of foreign guests that need temporary accommodation.
For more informtation visit:
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Sources
www.justlanded.com/english/netherlands
www.vrom.nl
www.eurogates.nl/
www.nuffic.nl/international-students/about-holland
www.infoplease.com
www.uu.nl
Search for educations in the Netherlands here.
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