Aside from the UK, the Netherlands is the best place to study master’s degree in Europe. They have scholarships and affordable master’s degrees. The Netherlands is a multicultural country with a moderate maritime climate which allows foreigners to enjoy the ambiance of the country. It is also known as Holland. It is one of the countries in Europe with a very good and high standard of education. The country welcomes a lot of international students from all around the world to come and study for either a bachelor’s degree or a postgraduate degree.
The national language of the Netherlands is Dutch. They also speak the English language which makes the country open to people from other parts of the world. There are also English language programs in Dutch universities so students who are from English-speaking countries do not have to study or learn the Dutch language before they can commence their studies.
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Some of the popular master’s degrees in Dutch universities are in Business, Economics, Humanities, Engineering, and Social Sciences. In the Netherlands, degrees are offered in two distinct categories which are research-oriented programs and professional higher education programs. The research-oriented programs are offered at research institutions and they focus majorly on study areas such as engineering and agriculture. While the professional higher education programs focus on professional programs such as education, and the sciences, and they are taught in applied science universities.
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Top 10 Things to Know Before Applying for a Master’s Degree in the Netherlands
Studying abroad entails a lot of things, from finances to choice of the study program, accommodation, and much more. It is better when one is planning to study abroad whether for a master’s or bachelor’s degree to find out what that particular country or institution of choice is ready to offer. Most people make lots of mistakes by choosing randomly and they later find it difficult to cope.
The Netherlands is a study-abroad destination for most foreign students. It is necessary to find out what and how the country or your preferred institution operates and what to expect generally. A foreign student who wants to obtain a graduate degree in any of the Dutch universities must know and take into consideration certain things about the country and these are what will facilitate your obtaining the degree at a good pace. Below are some of the things you need to familiarize yourself with as an international student before applying to the Netherlands for studies
1. Quality Education
The Netherlands is known as a country that offers quality education and accepts foreign students to study in its universities. Dutch universities are reputable and world-class standards that meet all international standards of education. The higher institutions of learning in this country award internationally recognized degrees which are accepted by employers of labor in most countries of the world.
2. English-taught programs
In the Netherlands, where Dutch is its formal language English is used for teaching in higher education. Most Dutch universities have English-based programs that are made available to attract foreign students. However, international students from non-English speaking countries will need to take language proficiency exams like SAT, TOEFL, etc. It is also advisable to take up Dutch language classes either in the university or online to help you stay smoothly in the country and ease your interaction with the locals.
3. Multicultural environment
Holland can be said to be an international hub with many foreigners from China, Germany France, Spain, and Italy, among others. They come for different reasons like education, tourism, business, etc. Since the Netherlands attracts so many foreign students each year, it is a high-mix country that welcomes people from other countries and their opinions are valued as well.
4. Tuition cost
Generally, studying abroad can pose a big challenge sometimes, especially when you consider the cost of living and tuition fees. Studying in the Netherlands is relatively affordable as foreign students may pay up to €8000 to €20,000 yearly in tuition fees. There are also scholarship opportunities available to international students. International students are also permitted to work while they study to support their living expenses.
5. Health insurance
Like in most countries that allow foreign students to study in their country, the Netherlands also requests international students who want to come into the country for studies to obtain health insurance which may be provided by their home country. This health insurance helps in taking care of the student health expenses that may occur during study in the country.
6. Funding for international students
The Dutch government offers various means of funding for its master’s degree students. For an international student to be eligible for this type of funding or grant they must fulfill some basic requirements. They include having lived in the country for about five years, being below 30 years, working in the country, or having someone related to them who is already working for about 56 hours per month in the country. To fully find out the criteria needed for applying for this government funding, you can request information from your host university in the Netherlands.
7. Universities
The Netherlands universities are categorized into different parts. These universities include; research-based universities, the University of Applied Science, and other institutions. The research-oriented universities just as the name suggests focus on research studies such as agriculture and some sciences. While applied Science universities focus on professional studies like engineering, sciences, and education amongst others. The universities are sectioned to provide ease of selection when applying for your master’s course of study in any of the Dutch universities.
8. Work permit
The Netherlands permits its students to work while they study. Indigenes or students from other EU countries do not require a work permit. However, other international students from other parts of the world must obtain a work permit before they to work. International master’s degree students can work throughout their studies and after tax, a reasonable amount of money is been realized.
9. Affordable cost of living
Generally in the Netherlands, the living expenses are relatively low as compared to other EU countries. Accommodation on campus is provided by the universities. Although, it may sometimes not be enough to go around and so students opt for accommodation off-campus. There are different types of accommodation off-campus. Students prefer to stay in shared apartments to be able to share the expenses that come with the housing. Also, transportation in the Netherlands is cheap depending on the lifestyle of the student. The cities are bicycle-friendly in that, bicycles are acknowledged as a means of transportation and so there are special routes provided for bicycle riders. Other means of transportation such as; trains, buses, and taxis are also available. The cost of transportation varies between cities and other local communities.
10. Safe environment
The Netherlands is one of the countries in the world that is very safe to live and study. The country has a very low crime rate and this feature endears most international students to the country. This is because they can study there without fear of racism or other related crimes. The locals are also very welcoming and are always open to the opinions of foreigners who visit their country whether for tourist or educational purposes.
Application Requirements for International Student Master’s Degree
As a foreign student who wants to bag a Master’s degree in the Netherlands, there are certain important requirements you must meet. These requirements may vary from country to country. So, it is advisable to visit the proposed institution to get the accurate information needed. Below are outlined the basic requirements needed for a master’s degree in the Netherlands by international students.
- A copy of the student’s international passport
- Passport photography
- A personal statement in the English language for students from English-speaking countries
- Copies of obtained diplomas, bachelor’s degree certificates, and other certifications as requested by the host university.
- Transcript of student results
- Proof of English or Dutch language proficiency
- Curriculum Vitae or resume which may include referees or as indicated by the university
- Samples of academic written work
Finally, as a very safe, crime-free, and multicultural country, the Netherlands or Holland is a good destination for a study abroad program. The country has research-oriented universities, professionally applied science universities, and other institutions. So, students are given a wide range of choices to make for their postgraduate studies. With the country offering English language teaching programs, this makes it easy for students who are non-Dutch speakers to enjoy their education in the country with no language barrier. Also, the educational system of the Dutch universities is world-class and some of its institutions are ranked globally. The Netherlands above all allows students to enjoy an affordable, world-class education.
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