How much does it cost to study in the Netherlands. Education system in the Netherlands Education in Holland for foreigners

Education in the Netherlands attracts students from all over the world with a wide range of English-language programs, cutting-edge interdisciplinary areas and rich traditions. The education system in the Netherlands is built on the Anglo-Saxon model, so studying in Dutch universities is often like studying in British and American institutions. The structure of educational institutions in the Netherlands is very multifaceted: here you can find both old medieval universities and ultra-modern research centers. Finally, studying in the Netherlands is comfortable and interesting, as it is a country with a unique atmosphere of free-thinking, innovation and creativity.

Tuition fees and structure of education in the Netherlands

Type of training	Age	Duration	Min. price	Avg. price	Language Proficiency	Exams
Summer camp	5+	1–10 weeks	€400/week	€650/week	Elementary (A1)	–
Language schools	5+	1–12 weeks	€200/week	€500/week	Elementary (A1)	–
Secondary education	4-5+	11-12 years old	€0	€18,000	Intermediate (B1)	NT2, NLQF level 1
Undergraduate	16+	3-4 years	€1,200/year	€8,500/year	Upper-Intermediate (B2)	NT2, NLQF level 6, IELTS 6.0
Master's degree	20+	1-2 years	€1,800/year	€10,000/year	Upper-Intermediate (B2)	NT2, NLQF level 7, IELTS 6.0
MBA	20+	1-2 years	€25,000/year	€35,000/year	Advanced (C1)	NT2, NLQF level 7, IELTS 6.0
Doctorate	21+	4 years	€1,800/year	€12,000/year	Advanced (C1)	NT2, NLQF level 8, IELTS 7.0

Benefits of studying in the Netherlands

• Opportunity to study in English. The Netherlands became one of the first countries on the territory of continental Europe, where university programs were launched entirely in English. Today there are more than 2,000 programs in the country in a variety of areas - from bioengineering to comparative literature. Therefore, to get an education, you do not have to learn the local language, as in other European countries - school knowledge of English and several months in a language school are quite enough. The prevalence of English-language programs has also had a positive effect on the teaching staff - almost 40% of teachers in Dutch universities are foreigners, which contributes to cross-cultural dialogue and provides an opportunity to meet the best professionals in their field.
• Creativity and innovation. As one of the most developed and progressive countries, the Netherlands is strongly associated with innovation and creativity in science and education. Strong university programs in urban planning, architecture, engineering, design and sustainable development, as well as world-famous art schools, have been attracting progressive youth from all over the world for several years.
• Scientific career prospects. Public research universities offer young researchers ample opportunities for scientific careers. The developed facilities of the universities, a strong emphasis on the practical application of research results and an active scientific community make doctoral programs in applied sciences among the best in Europe.
• "Happy Learning", - as the Dutch themselves call it. The education system in the Netherlands is completely student-centered: from kindergarten to university, educational institutions create the maximum conditions for stress-free learning. In universities, it is not customary to stir up competition or divide the group into “achievers” and the rest, and average results are considered the norm. The grading system itself is designed in such a way that the highest and lowest scores are given only in 0.01% of cases. This allows students not to lose confidence in their abilities and motivates them to further work.
• "Free Morals". The Netherlands, and especially the capital of the country, Amsterdam, are known to many for their tolerance and free-thinking of their inhabitants. Ever since the Renaissance, a free spirit of liberalism and freedom has taken root here, which attracts thousands of creative people from all over the world. The Netherlands is perfect for those students who want to make many new acquaintances with interesting people and plunge headlong into the fun life of a European student.

What is worth knowing about education in the Netherlands?

For students who are not citizens of EU member states, studying in the Netherlands will be very expensive. Bachelor's programs will have to spend at least €8,000 per year of study, master's programs - over €10,000. In addition, the Netherlands has one of the highest price levels in Europe: accommodation costs at least €9,000–€11,000 per year. The average check in a student cafe in the capital is about €20. You will also have to pay for housing at best €400 per month, and in the capital, rental prices can even bite (about €700 per month). Therefore, a prospective student of Dutch universities should carefully plan their budget and, if necessary, try to compensate for the costs through scholarship programs or part-time work.

For many applicants from abroad, the requirements for a high school diploma can seem rather confusing. The fact is that in the Netherlands school graduates can receive one of two types of certificate: either HAVO (general education) or VWO (pre-university education with specialization). For admission to public research universities, you need to have the equivalent of a Dutch VWO. A foreign applicant must present the results of the final exams in specific subjects (similar to the Russian USE). Due to academic differences in admission, it may be necessary to take additional tests at the university or even take an additional year of study. Such difficulties are not a distinctive feature of the Dutch system, but make many applicants change their decision to study abroad in favor of countries where they can go right after school: for example, Norway or France.

Most prestigious universities in the Netherlands, including 14 public research universities, have campuses that do not accommodate even 20% of students, while many universities have completely abandoned the use of hostels. Thus, many students have to fully equip their living and living conditions on their own, since the university administration can only help with good advice. Therefore, you need to remember, when going to study in the Netherlands, that in addition to moving, you will need to deal with the issue of finding housing, which can take more than one month.

The Netherlands is located on the very coast of the North Sea, known for its ability to catch up with nearby countries overcast weather, chilly wind and cold damp air. All this fully describes the usual weather in the northern cities of the country (Amsterdam, The Hague, Groningen) for most of the year. Of course, you can often see sunny days, but their number is very confusing compared to the rest of Europe. The Netherlands is clearly not the place to go for those who are prone to get sick often or love warmth and dryness: such applicants should consider Malta, where higher education is also conducted entirely in English. For the rest, it is better to prepare for climatic features and buy a good raincoat - you cannot do without it in the Netherlands.

The higher education system in the Netherlands

Binary system: research and applied direction

The system of higher education in the Netherlands is called "binary". This is due to the deep division of the entire education system into specialized and research areas. Research universities are classical universities where priority is given to scientific research and innovative developments. Specialized universities offer high-quality education in technical and creative professions without a scientific bias and are aimed at preparing for professional activities.
Both options are available to foreign students. Research education is provided at 14 public universities, as well as some private research universities. This type of university involves deep theoretical and methodological training, but still, most of the curricula are aimed at practical application, and the curriculum is built in a very pragmatic way.
The main disciplines in which research universities specialize are economics, law, medicine, cultural studies, linguistics, natural sciences, and public administration.
Higher specialized schools offer education with a strong focus on practice. The most demanded sectors of education are economics, healthcare, agronomy, engineering, and pedagogy.
Since higher education in the Netherlands was accepted into the Bologna process, education takes place within three classical levels: bachelor's, master's and doctoral studies.
Bachelor's programs in the Netherlands provide a sufficient basis for professional activity, therefore, up to 60% of students stop at this stage, immediately after graduation they go to the labor market. The standard duration of study at research universities is 3 years, including preparatory (1 year) and main stages (2 years). In higher schools, the bachelor's degree lasts 4 years, since 2 years of the preparatory stage are expected. The bachelor's program gives the student 180 ECTS points, which is enough for international recognition of the diploma in accordance with the Bologna system.
Master's programs in the universities of the Netherlands are distinguished by a narrow specialization in specific disciplines and applied subjects. The period of study is from 1 to 3 years, which in total allows the student to accumulate from 60 to 180 ECTS points. For most research university programs, the training lasts 1 year, specialties at technical universities will require 2 years. The longest three-year programs are offered in the fields of medicine, veterinary medicine, pharmacy and dentistry.

Doctorate

Having a master's degree, a student can continue his studies on a doctoral program. Doctoral studies involve a fairly long period of preparation - up to 4 years. The learning process includes lectures, research and dissertation writing. Unlike academic traditions in the CIS, a thesis in the Netherlands is a small but rich in scientific novelty work of 150 pages or more. After a public defense, the student is awarded a doctorate degree. This means that the prefix “Dr.” appears before his name, which immediately indicates the highest degree of qualification.

Education in the Netherlands in English

Higher education institutions in the Netherlands offer over 2,000 programs in English. Almost all courses available at research universities and public high schools are available in English. For admission to English-language courses, most universities require an international certificate confirming knowledge of the English language. As a rule, IELTS 6.0–7.0 is sufficient for admission, depending on the chosen program.

Grading system and progress control

Student performance at Dutch universities is assessed on a scale of 0 to 10, with the highest score being “outstanding”. According to statistics, about 40% of students get a grade of "6", 34% of a grade of "7", and only 0.1% of students are awarded a grade of "10". This means that the Russian "excellent" corresponds to 7.5-8 points in the Netherlands. The equivalent of "good" is 6.5–7, and "satisfactory" corresponds to 6 points. In most universities in the Netherlands, exactly 6 points are a passing result, while an average score above 8.0 is already a reason to apply for a scholarship or grant from the university.
Higher education in the Netherlands takes a rather delicate approach to the regulation of learning cycles. Each university and each faculty is free to appoint academic periods and terms of examinations independently. Traditionally, the academic year is divided into quarters, while exams are not held en masse (analogous to the Russian "session"), but as students complete individual courses.
Starting from undergraduate studies, students write small graduation papers. The final work should be no more than 30 pages, the topic of the work is assigned individually to each student. For students of research universities, written work evaluates not only the correctness of the facts, but also creativity and scientific novelty. For students of higher specialized schools, it is sufficient to reveal a given topic well; elements of scientific novelty are not required.

Academic career and teaching staff

In order to become a teacher at one of the universities in the Netherlands, you must have a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree. Without a scientific degree, you can only count on assistant positions with a minimum salary. In addition to a scientific degree in a relevant field, the applicant must have a BKO (Basic Teaching Qualification) certificate, which can only be obtained through a special examination.
At research universities, the selection of applicants for positions is especially strict, since here a successful candidate becomes both a teacher and a researcher. Approximately 40% of working time is devoted to teaching, and 60% to research work, so the educational process does not lag behind scientific progress. Candidates for a teaching position at a Dutch university must have cited publications in scientific journals and experience in scientific projects.
Since the Netherlands places a special emphasis on the internationality of the educational system, teachers must be fluent in English. Preference is given to candidates who already have experience in international teams. Thus, almost half of the teaching staff of Dutch universities are foreign teachers.
A teaching post is considered one of the most prestigious positions in the Netherlands, and teachers' salaries in the Netherlands are accordingly decent: from €3,000 to €6,000 per month, which is 50% higher than the average salary in the country.

Opportunity to work while studying

For foreign students who are not EU citizens, special permission from the immigration service is required to work during their studies. Foreigners can find either seasonal work (from June to August, full time) or a part-time position (no more than 10 working hours per week). You also need insurance and, in some cases, a certificate from the medical board.
The main trouble is that all the formalities for hiring a foreign student fall on the shoulders of the employer. The student himself cannot issue a work permit, as it must be requested by the employer. For this reason, many employers simply do not want to hire foreigners. Moreover, most jobs require fluency in Dutch, which also does not favor those who come to the Netherlands to study in English.
In this regard, the practice of “dirty work” is widespread in the country, when students get jobs without official registration. This way you can compensate for a significant part of the cost of education, but the state does not guarantee the protection of the rights of "illegal immigrants". So, an employer who has not paid a salary will remain absolutely unpunished. However, in most cases, such incidents can be avoided by getting a job on the feedback of other students.

Prospects and employment opportunities

• In the Netherlands: successful graduates have every chance of finding a job while still studying: for this, you need to contact the university's career center, where the student will be given recommendations for further employment. The most successful graduates can be directly invited by companies with which the university has an agreement. Thus, immediately after graduation, the graduate has the opportunity to obtain a residence permit and a work permit.
• In Europe: Graduates of Dutch universities are highly valued due to the stable system of higher education in the country. Diplomas of international standard, issued in the Netherlands in accordance with the requirements of the Bologna process, have the same validity in any EU country. Since the strengths of education in the Netherlands are high technology, urbanism and design, the chances of finding work in these areas in Europe are quite high.
• In Russia and CIS countries: having a diploma from a prestigious Dutch university immediately allows you to apply for the best employment options in Russia and the CIS countries. Large Russian companies, as well as international corporations with representative offices in Russia, are more willing to hire candidates with European diplomas than Russian specialists.
• Academic career. A master's degree provides grounds for admission to doctoral programs in the relevant specialty. An academic career may seem longer than in commercial structures, but if you succeed in this area, you can count on high pay and income stability. It is the academic career that gives the maximum chance to stay in the Netherlands and within the EU to a foreign student.
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Associated with cheese, tulips, legal prostitution and tolerance for soft drugs. However, this state is also very famous for the quality of education, which is considered one of the best in Europe. Let's find out about the features of the education system in the Netherlands, as well as what properties foreigners need to have in order to be able to study in this country.

Kingdom of the Netherlands and its features

Speaking about this country, it is often called "Holland", which is not entirely true. The fact is that this is the name of the combined territory of the two provinces of this state - North and South Holland. Here are just ten other similar provinces in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. In this regard, such a name can be used only when it is about this part of the country.

As for the political foundation, the Netherlands is a constitutional monarchy. At the head of the state is a king or queen from the Orange dynasty. In the hands of the monarchs - all executive power. At the same time, the main law of the country is the Constitution, adopted back in 1815 (edited in 1847, 1887 and 1983).

The official currency, as in most European countries, is the euro.

As for the economy, this country is one of the most developed. It has one of the best social systems in the world, albeit a very expensive one. A third of the country's entire budget is spent on providing for the social sphere. Despite this, parasites in the country are not in honor and the unemployment rate is only 4.7%.

It is worth noting that in the Netherlands such industries as mechanical engineering, aviation and shipbuilding are well developed; textile, furniture and pulp and paper industries; ferrous metallurgy, petrochemistry and, of course, agriculture. By the way, this country ranks second in the world in terms of food exports, with a total area (including islands in the Caribbean Sea) of 41,543 km². Draw your own conclusions...

Having learned a little about the state itself, let's take a closer look at the education system in the Netherlands. After all, the success of any country directly depends on the qualifications of its workers. Schools and universities are responsible for this.

How education works in the Kingdom of the Netherlands

Similar to what we are used to, there are also the following areas:

• Kindergartens.
• Primary education.
• Secondary school.
• Universities.

Despite the outward similarity, education in the Netherlands is significantly different from what we are used to. How? Let's find out.

in the Netherlands

The first thing that shocks our emigrants is the age of the kids in kindergartens.

According to the law, maternity leave lasts only 3 months, after which she must either return to work or quit and stay at home.

As a rule, most choose the first option. In this case, you should find someone who will sit with the baby. You should not count on grandparents, since the Dutch, on average, work until the age of 65-67 - they do not have grandchildren.

Babysitting is an expensive pleasure, so most parents choose kindergartens.

Three-month-old babies are taken to a nursery, and when they master the science of staying on their feet, they are transferred to a full-fledged kindergarten (kinderdagverblijf).

Although it seems cruel to us to "throw" a child of three months old, sending him to strangers. However, many of our compatriots living in the Netherlands leave excellent reviews about their kindergartens. They say that here the crumbs are surrounded by attention and care, and from an early age, or rather, months, they learn to communicate with their own kind. In their opinion, this is a huge advantage compared to the domestic tradition of leaving a child at home for 1-3 years. After all, the baby constantly sees not adults, but his own kind and is better socialized.

As for feeding, allergies and other features, parents discuss all this with the management of the institution and educators in advance. Moreover, for babies, dads and moms bring food themselves and set a schedule according to which they should be fed.

It is important to remember that the state partially pays for the kinderdagverblijf if both parents work.

In such institutions, babies, as a rule, stay from 3 months to 4-5 years. There is no academic curriculum for this period. Most of the time is spent on games. Also, educators take care of accustoming their wards to order. As soon as a child can walk, he is taught to clean up after himself and keep his things in the right place. In the rest - in these years he is left to himself.

In addition to kinderdagverblijf, there are gastouders in the early childhood education system in the Netherlands. This is the name of family kindergartens. They can be opened by any resident, having passed the appropriate training in the courses and received a license.

As a rule, these are nannies who simultaneously gather 5-6 children at home or in a specialized apartment.

It is worth remembering that regardless of the choice of the institution, you need to sign up for it as early as possible. Ideally, during pregnancy.

Primary school (Basisschool)

Primary school education in the Netherlands consists of 8 grades (from 5 to 12 years).

Although the law provides for the start of education at Basisschool at the age of 5, some parents transfer their children here a year earlier.

Compared to our 6-7-year-old first graders, 4-5 year olds seem too young. In fact, in such a "school" the first two classes are the same as the older groups in our kindergartens. During these years, "schoolchildren" for the most part play, listen to stories and draw.

A full-fledged study of reading, writing and arithmetic begins in the 3rd grade, that is, at 6-8 years old. So, in fact, at the same age as in our schools.

In the future, the set of subjects is close to ours, but the academic load is many times less. Until the age of 10, children are not actually given homework. And besides, most classes are not aimed at memorizing facts, but precisely at understanding them. By the way, English in this country begins to be taught only in the 7th grade.

At the age of 12, Dutch schoolchildren have a "judgment day" - the Citotoets exam. It is taken at the end of primary school and the future of the child depends on its results. After all, now he has to decide which type of secondary school he will have to go to: VMBO, HAVO or VWO.

VMBO High School

This is the name of preparatory secondary vocational education in the Netherlands. It lasts 4 years, during which schoolchildren study not only general education subjects, but also receive training for a specific working profession, and also undergo internships at enterprises.

VMBO, depending on the chosen specialization, is divided into 5 profiles. Studying at Theoretische Leerweg and Kaderberoepsgerichte Leerweg gives more theoretical knowledge and opens up the possibility of continuing your studies at HAVO or VWO after receiving a VMBO diploma. The Gemengde Leerweg sub-profile is something in between, while the Basisberoepsgerichte Leerweg and Praktijkonderwijs train skilled workers who, after receiving a diploma, can start their labor activity.

The existence of VMBO, on the one hand, allows schoolchildren who want to work not to sit at their desks, but at the age of 16 start earning and gaining some independence. This is especially important for children from troubled families who want to become independent as soon as possible.

On the other hand, not every person is able to decide on a profession at the age of 16. An interesting point: serious alcohol over 15% in the Netherlands can only be drunk from 18, and decisions about a career often have to be made at 16. Such justice in Dutch.

It is important to say that the state left a loophole for those who, after working for several years, realized that they wanted more and were ready to study further to achieve this. Especially for them there are institutions of additional professional training MBO. Their program is designed for 4 years, after which the graduate will have the right to enter the university of applied sciences, if, of course, he can. After all, in addition to knowledge, it is necessary to have funds for study.

General secondary education HAVO

Calculated for 5 years. You can transfer here after VMBO and finish your studies for another 1 year.

The HAVO diploma gives access to higher professional education.

This course consists of 2 stages. At the first stage (3 years) there is an identical general program for all schoolchildren.

At the second stage, it is necessary to decide on a profile that will further influence the student's profession. These are Cultuur en Maatschappij (the study of arts and languages), Economie en Maatschappij (specializes in social sciences, history and economics), Natuur en Gezondheid (treats the natural sciences and also prepares for the study of medicine at the university), Natuur en Techniek (focuses on the natural sciences).

Secondary pre-university education VWO

Designed for the "chosen ones", that is, for those who are preparing to go to university. The duration of the program of this link in the secondary education of the Netherlands is one year longer than that of HAVO and 2 than that of VMBO. There is also an opportunity to transfer here with a HAVO diploma and finish your studies for another year.

What is taught at VWO? The first 2 years are a general program of 15 general education disciplines, and the next 4 years are the study of highly specialized subjects. An interesting feature is the provision of time for students to prepare themselves.

Upon completion, graduates have the opportunity to enter the university. Interestingly, despite all the peculiarities, Dutch students graduate from high school at the same age of 18. So this system of education with regards to age limits is very close to ours. At the same time, many migrants note a higher level of comfort in the relationship between the teacher and the student.

What are international schools?

Unlike many other countries, the system of education in English in the Netherlands is quite well developed. There are entire schools in which teaching is carried out in the language of the British. Moreover, their doors are cordially open not only for Dutch children, but also for foreigners. Enrollment here is based on the results of the interview and upon presentation of a certificate from the educational institution where the applicant previously studied. The Baccalaureate diploma obtained here will make it possible to enter not only English-speaking universities in the Netherlands, but also any other university in the world.

Such institutions adhere to the standards of the British education system and its programs, and are also closed (boarding houses).

As for funding, they are both private and public. However, to get here for free, you have to try very hard.

Higher education in the Netherlands

In 2002, the Kingdom joined. In this regard, HE consists of three stages, at the end of each of which the graduate receives a bachelor's, master's and doctoral diploma.

However, unlike other countries, in the Netherlands there is a clear division of universities into 2 categories: research or classical (universiteiten) and applied or polytechnic (hogescholen). In almost any of them, regardless of category, there are training programs suitable for foreigners.

The opportunity not to learn Dutch (which, except in the Netherlands, can be of little use anywhere), but to study in English is the reason why education for foreigners in the Netherlands has become very attractive in recent decades. Another advantage is that in other English-speaking countries, the cost of studying is many times higher, and the quality is not only not better, but sometimes even inferior.

It is noteworthy that the Dutch welcome not only foreign students (15% per year of the total number of students), but also teachers. To date, 40% of the teaching staff in the universities of the Kingdom are foreigners.

A little about the universities themselves and their advantages

As in all reasonable states, the focus is on vocational education in the Netherlands. Therefore, 39 out of 57 universities train specialists who are ready for practical work immediately after receiving a diploma.

The entire learning process is focused on practical activities. And even the scientific or research work of students is not theoretical, but applied in nature and is aimed at the practical solution of various problems in the chosen field.

To acquire practical knowledge, many universities of applied sciences actively use the Problem Based Learning (PBL) method, which allows students to learn by solving complex problems from real life.

Moreover, some enterprises enter into agreements with universities and organize work competitions among their students. Their winners in the future can get a job in the company or have an internship there now.

As for classical universities, there are only 18 of them. Their goal is to train scientists who will develop science in the Netherlands and cooperate with other researchers in the world. Don't let the training profile fool you. Despite the fact that such universities train theorists rather than practitioners, in reality, their students will have to work no less than their counterparts from applied universities.

Scientific degrees

Regardless of the direction of the university in the Netherlands, in order to obtain a bachelor's degree, you will have to study for 3 years (+ a year of practice for applied specialties). If the chosen profession is related to medicine or technology, add one more year. Total - 5 years.

To obtain a master's degree after a bachelor's degree, you have to unlearn another 1-2 years, and with doctoral studies it all depends on the specialization and characteristics of a particular university.

It is worth noting that the education system in the Netherlands provides for master's studies in the same specialty as a bachelor's degree. Of course, there are exceptions, but to become one of them, you will have to prove your knowledge in a new field and convince the selection committee that they should allow you more than others.

Tuition fees

Education for foreigners The Netherlands is particularly attractive low cost compared to other countries.

For this reason, residents of neighboring European powers often come here to study. In this regard, immigrants from Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, Moldova and similar countries of the post-Soviet space will have the opportunity to communicate not only with the Dutch, but also with Germans, Italians, Spaniards, Americans, Mexicans and inhabitants of different African countries.

So, how much will it cost to acquire a Dutch higher education?

The average cost of one year of study for a bachelor's degree ranges from 5 to 12 thousand euros. For the year of the master's degree, you will have to pay from 7 to 21 thousand. Please note that this does not include the cost of accommodation, flights and other essential needs.

It is noteworthy that the most expensive education is medicine (bachelor - 3-32 thousand per year, master - 7-17 thousand). It is not surprising that in the Netherlands, for all its development, there is not enough quality medical personnel and they are happy to host foreign specialists in this field.

Free Education Opportunities

In fairness, it should be noted that for foreigners there is an opportunity to get a free education in the Netherlands, but it is extremely small. Yes, in the state itself there are several programs for financing the education of gifted students from abroad. In addition, almost all universities have their own scholarships to support undergraduate or graduate students.

So, free education in the Netherlands for Russians (we are talking about citizens of the Russian Federation, regardless of who they are by ethnic origin) is the Orange Tulip Scholarship and Holland Scholarship program. Also available and but it is only for master's degree.

Citizens of Ukraine can also receive a scholarship under the same Erasmus Mundus program, as well as DELTA or HSP.

When applying for a specific grant, it is important not to forget that it may not always cover all the costs of education. So, in some cases, flights, meals, accommodation and others will have to be paid out of your own pocket. Therefore, it is worth considering the possibility of a part-time job in advance.

In some universities, for excellent academic performance, you can get a grant or scholarship, partially or fully compensating for tuition costs. Large research universities often pay housing for especially gifted students, as well as allocate a monthly allowance.

A bachelor's student can apply for a grant of 1/2 of his studies, and a future master - up to 3/4 + compensation for housing costs.

It is worth remembering that the age limit for applying for financial assistance is 35 years.

Although it seems to many that receiving a grant is something on the verge of fantasy, you can find many articles and testimonials from those who have been educated with their help.

Regardless of the program, scholarship applicants usually have to take the following steps:

• Make sure that the applicant and his university meet the requirements of the program.
• Choose a bachelor's / master's program at a university.
• Make sure that it meets the requirements of the given university (diplomas/certificates).
• Apply for admission on the university website.
• Collect a package of documents for a scholarship and send their scanned copies to an email box within the time period set by the chosen university. Information about it is usually on websites.

If everything is done correctly, then you can expect a positive response or an invitation to participate in the next stage of the competition (if the scholarship is based on the results of the competition).

What is needed for admission

If you are confident in your own knowledge and financial capabilities, you can submit a package of documents to a selected Dutch university. It should include:

• High school diploma or HAVO/VWO equivalent diploma. Naturally, all this is in English. If for some reason your diploma or certificate seems to be of insufficient level to the Dutch, in this case your enrollment will occur based on the results of the entrance exams.
• Certificate of English proficiency at the level of IELTS (not lower than 6) or TOEFL (not lower than 550).

Going to the Netherlands to study, it is worth replenishing your bank account with 10 thousand euros - this is the amount for the accommodation of foreign students of higher education who arrived for the first time was established by the immigration service.

Employment after graduation

Having dealt with the system of education in the Netherlands, it is worth moving on to employment opportunities. So, any graduate, regardless of whether he is a citizen or a foreigner, receives a year from the state in order to find a job in the Kingdom. If after graduation he went abroad for 1-2 years, this period is suspended, and upon his return he can continue to look for a place.

It is important not to forget that if a foreigner does not find a job after a year, he will have to leave the country.

It is worth knowing that Dutch diplomas are highly valued in all countries of the world, so if you couldn’t find a place in the Netherlands, you can try your hand at Germany, the USA, Great Britain and other countries. In any case, a diploma is only a piece of paper (in our case, laminated cardboard) serving as a pass, and getting a job and success in it entirely depend on its owner.

The Netherlands is one of the first countries where capitalism appeared, and the system provides for the optimal combination of democracy, private capital and innovative approaches.

None of the political or religious ideas prevail here. And therefore, any association of like-minded people, opening an educational institution, has the right to subsidies from the budget and all-round support from the state.

This circumstance is the reason why two-thirds of all schools and universities are commercial in nature.

Advantages disadvantages

Positive points:

• Strict state control over the quality of curricula.
• A European diploma, which has great prestige, means that it increases the chance of successful employment in any country around the world.
• High standards of education with a practical focus, comparable to British and American, but cheaper.
• Modern technical base combined with centuries-old traditions.
• More than two thousand English-language programs.
• No need to learn Dutch as 90% of the population is fluent in English.
• Permission to extend legal stay after graduation for a year to search for a job.

Negative factors:

• While education in the Netherlands is cheaper than in the UK or the US, the cost is high.
• Housing and food prices in the Netherlands are going through the roof. It is not uncommon for students to spend the night at railway stations, not having the funds even for an unpretentious overnight stay.
• The legalization of soft drugs, prostitution, a loyal attitude towards homosexuality, which is contrary to the traditions of the countries of the post-Soviet space.

Education system

preschool

• It does not exist at the state level. The commercial sector, where the process is limited to general communication skills.
• These institutions accept children under the age of 4 years.

The average

Duration 12 years from 5 to 18. It takes place in two stages:

1st step. Junior School:

• During the first two years, preparatory classes, where learning takes place in the form of a game. Reminds the middle and senior group in Russian kindergartens.
• In the third grade, they teach the basics of counting, reading and writing, and teaches natural history. There is no grading system and no homework.
• From the sixth grade, extra-curricular independent work begins, but no marks are given.
• At the end of seven years of study, tests are taken:

1. On the passed disciplines.
2. IQ level.

On their basis, conclusions are drawn about the expediency of further choice.

2nd stage. secondary school

There are several programs to choose from, differing in time, level of training and prestige:

Well	Term	Purpose and features
VMBO	4	Provides a simple secondary education in basic subjects and practical skills in the chosen working specialty. After graduation, they go to work or continue to study at MBO for another 2 years.
MBO	6	School program for secondary education with in-depth study of foreign languages: English, French, Latin and ancient Greek. Particular attention is paid to such applied subjects as computer science and the foundations of economic theory.
NAVO	5	The usual school program for preparation to the university.
VWO	6	An analogue of the European gymnasium course with an academic approach. Deep knowledge in exact and humanitarian subjects is given. The most prestigious option.

Higher education in the Netherlands (Holland)

Types of educational institutions:

Structure

Corresponds to the Bologna system and consists of three steps:

• undergraduate;
• magistracy;
• doctoral studies.

Features of the Dutch approach

• State regulation

1. The need for high quality is enshrined at the legislative level. The Act "On Higher Education and Science" declares the obligatory compliance of educational institutions with certain criteria.
2. Government departments exercise control over compliance at the level of approval of undergraduate and graduate curricula, both in public and commercial universities. Each is issued an official accreditation.
3. Recognition of a diploma or academic degree is possible only for accredited programs.

• Doctorate and special courses

1. Postgraduate courses are not accredited by the state. The responsibility for their quality rests with the university administration.
2. Additional and special programs are also within the competence of the educational institutions themselves. They are not included in the general diploma, and certificates or certificates are issued to confirm the passage.
3. There are cases when a special course is included in the master's complex of disciplines. Then they are accredited within its framework.

• External accreditation

1. Some universities offer programs for all levels of the Bologna graduation accredited in other states.
2. In this case, a diploma of a foreign university is issued. For example, at the Netherlands University of Applied Sciences, master's studies follow a program approved by one of the British universities.
3. There may be cases when this procedure is carried out both in Holland and in another country, then two diplomas are issued.

• Interactive learning

1. The focus of the educational process is the student and his ability to work in a group.
   Communicative skills are developed in every possible way in working with other students from different regions.
2. A significant proportion of training courses is devoted to independent work and solving applied problems in the team brainstorming mode.
3. Particular attention is paid to practices of various kinds and directions: internships, experiments in laboratories, field research.

• Team spirit

1. A signature Dutch technique is the creation of a team on topical applied issues, where the teacher acts as a moderator, directing the process in the right direction. Everything else is done by the students.
2. Not only the student's contribution and his ability to think and find a solution are evaluated, but also the ability to interact with other team members.
3. Encourage independent and independent reflection on the topic, the ability to reasonably defend one's point of view, reasonable criticisms not only of colleagues, but also of the teacher.
4. If the solution found in the process has a real implementation, we can assume that students will receive high rating scores, but also practically solve the problem of further employment.

• academic year

1. Period: September-June;
2. Number of semesters: 2;
3. Knowledge check: there are no usual sessions and exams, instead it is necessary to pass and defend the results of a practical assignment and / or scientific work.

How to independently apply for a visa to Holland - to see the painting in the halftones of the Impressionists?

Cost of education

If considered in absolute terms, Dutch education cannot be classified as an economical solution, however, in terms of price and quality, there are few equals to it.

According to this indicator, the Netherlands ranks third in the Times Higher Education World ranking.

Grants and scholarships

Orange Tulip Scholarship (OTS) is a government program to attract talented youth:

• Within its framework, you can get:

1. full or partial coverage of tuition costs;
2. housing;
3. visa application;
4. medical insurance.

• Designed for nine countries from Latin America, Southeast Asia and Russia.
• For each state, a limited, but rather wide list of universities and faculties is offered. For the Russian Federation, their complete list for the period 2019-2020 can be viewed at the link: nesorussia.org.
• Priority courses:

1. jurisprudence and law;
2. economics, finance, business;
3. art;
4. the medicine.

• Requirements for candidates:

1. Russian citizenship.
2. Age from 18 to 35 for regular programs, up to 45 for Nyenrode Business University, MBA (International or Executive).
3. The applicant must not have a bachelor's and/or master's degree from any Dutch university.
4. On the date of application, you cannot work or study in the Netherlands.
5. English (written and spoken) at a level of 80 iBT according to TOEFL or 6.0 and above IELTS.
6. There may be additional conditions established by the university.

• Procedure:

1. First, they apply for admission to the university selected from the list.
2. After that, you need to send scanned copies of documents to OTS.

How to independently apply for a visa to Holland - to see the painting in the halftones of the Impressionists?

But this is not the only possibility. In total, more than 60 grants and scholarships are offered for Russian applicants. The Grantfinder resource has been created for search and analysis.

Detailed information on them on the website of this database: studyinholland.nl.

Admission

Requirements for applicants

In the Netherlands, they don’t bother about the academic difference, nostrification and other formalities for confirming the level. The conditions here are more practical:

• Sufficiency of funds to pay for education and maintain a normal standard of living.
• Knowledge of English at the level of 6 points according to IELTS or analogues. If 5 are recruited, they offer courses at the university. This may take an additional year.
• Medical and law faculties will require Dutch.
• Enrollment takes place on the basis of submitted documents without additional tests or exams on the principle of "who pays, he learns." The exception is technical specialties, where, subject to high competition, they can conduct an exam in mathematics and / or schedule an in-person interview.
• From the documents you will need a passport, the result of the USE test and a certificate of the disciplines passed at school, translated into Dutch with notarization.

Working in Holland is a chance for professionals!

student visa

The registration process is carried out by the university after enrollment and takes three months. To initiate it you need:

• Deposit 10,400 euros to the university account as proof of solvency. After the end of the process, the amount is returned to the student's card.
• Submit a package of documents. The list is established by the university administration.
• Price 322. Pay at the consular department of the embassy in Russia.
• Valid for 3 months, during this time you need to have time:
• Be on the territory of the Kingdom;
• Visit the regional office of the migration department, where a VVR visa is issued - an analogue of a residence permit in the form of a card that gives the right to move around the entire Schengen area.

The best universities according to QS World University rankings

Of the 18 universities, thirteen turned out to be there, and 12 of them entered the top 300 in the overall ranking according to forecasts for 2019.

updated 07/10/2018

Lena van der Krausbes

I will start my review of the education system in the Netherlands with a few principles on which the entire system of Dutch education is based:

• freedom of education
• freedom of learning
• compulsory education

Freedom of Education

This is one of the key features guaranteed by Article 23 of the Constitution. What is freedom of education? It is the freedom to establish schools, organize teaching in them and determine the principles on which they are based - freedom of conscience and religion. That is, people living in the Netherlands have the right to open schools based on their religious, ideological or educational beliefs, as long as there are enough students and funded by the government. The result of this constitutional right is that parents and children in the Netherlands can choose from a huge number of public and private schools. Public schools are run by the municipal government or by a management committee appointed by the municipality for that purpose. They are open to all children regardless of religion or belief.
About 65% of all schoolchildren in the Netherlands attend private schools, which may be run by an association or foundation. Most of them are either Roman Catholic or Protestant, but there are also Jewish, Islamic, Hindu and Humanist schools. There are also private non-sectarian schools that are not based on any specific religious or ideological principles. Like some of the public schools, many private schools base their education on certain educational principles, like the Maria Montessori schools. Unlike public schools, which must accept all students, private schools may impose some restrictions and refuse to accept your child. As it happened, for example, in my case, when a Catholic school did not undertake to teach a Russian child, for fear of difficulties.

Freedom of learning

It means that schools are free to determine what is taught and how. The Ministry of Education, however, imposes a number of statutory standards regarding the quality of education. They define the subjects to be studied, the learning objectives and the content of the state examinations. There are also rules about the number of school periods per year, teacher training and teacher qualifications, the rights of parents and students, and so on. As a rule, schools are given considerable freedom in the choice of textbooks and teaching materials. But, of course, schools cannot avoid inspectors and inspections. These inspections are organized by the government and are important for schools, because the lower the rating, the fewer students will come, the less state subsidies will be. The results of inspections of primary and secondary schools are available, for example, on the Internet. Parents can read the reports, see the strengths and weaknesses of schools, and choose the best for their child.
If you are interested in more detailed information about the quality of education in a particular Dutch school, I suggest you read the official information on the results of inspections.

Compulsory education

This is another principle. Compulsory education applies to children from 5 to 18 years old, then education becomes optional. Usually parents send their children to school from the age of 4. The municipal executor checks that school-age children registered as residents are also registered as pupils at schools.
Another manifestation of this principle is that the child has no right to miss classes without a good reason. Therefore, if you decide to go on vacation the day before the start of the holidays, for example, in order not to stand in many kilometers of traffic jams, no one from the school will allow you to pick up your child. If the parents keep the child at home without a good reason and do not report it to the school, they are committing a crime under Dutch law. Such parents will have to deal with the municipal executor, who may impose an administrative penalty. But what if the children are truant without the knowledge of their parents? You can be sure that the school will contact you immediately if your child does not show up and no one knows why.

Education system

In the Netherlands, as in most other countries, the education system is divided into three levels: primary, secondary and higher. To better understand all the subtleties, I suggest looking at the diagram. The arrows show the possibilities of transition from one level of education to another, depending on the acquired knowledge.

Let's explain this diagram. The arrows show the possibilities of transition from one level of education to another.

Basisonderwijs / Primary education

• Education lasts 8 years and is organized for children aged 4 to 12;
• Special Primary Education ( special onderwijs) organized for mentally retarded or handicapped children (ages 3 to 12). For older students in this category, there is also a special secondary education ( special voortgezet onderwijs).

Voortgezet onderwijs / Secondary education

• Praktijk onderwijs / Practical education. Designed for children who are unable to learn any theory. This is the lowest level of secondary education. The maximum that one can count on after graduating from this school is a primitive job;
• VMBO / Pre-Vocational Education. Children study for 4 years from 12 to 16 years old. Depending on the chosen educational direction, children receive not only practical, but also theoretical training;
• HAVO / Senior general secondary education. Lasts 5 years from 12 to 17 years of age. After receiving a diploma, a child can enter a technical school or institute, but not a university;
• VWO / Preparatory Science Education. Lasts 6 years from 12 to 18 years of age. The diploma gives the right to enter the university.

middelbareBeroepsonderwijs / Secondary vocational education

You can get it from the age of 16. Includes the following areas:

• Training for an assistant (assistant), MBO level 1. Lasts from 6 months to 1 year;
• Initial vocational training, MBO level 2. Lasts 2 years;
• Professional training, MBO level 3. Lasts 3 years;
• Middle Manager, MBO 4. Lasts 3-4 years;
• Training for a specialist, MBO 4. Lasts 1 year.

Volwasseneeducation / Adult education

• VAVO / Adult general secondary education

Hoger onderwijs / Higher education

• HBO / Higher Professional Education;
• WO / University education;
• OU / Correspondence education "Open University".

In the following articles, I will talk in detail about the features of each stage of primary and secondary education.
See you!

Despite the fact that education in Holland is paid, this is one of those countries where Russians and students from all over the world want to study. The education system characterizes the country as a whole: democratic, open, accessible. Also, in all educational institutions of the country, special programs for teaching foreigners have been developed.

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Preschool education

Children in the Netherlands go to school relatively early. Due to this, the system of preschool education in the country is somewhat different from generally accepted European norms. Before the child enters school, he has the opportunity to visit various child care centers. You can start your studies in them at the age of 3 years. These institutions are aimed at ensuring that children engage in various leisure activities. The system of education resembles an ordinary kindergarten. Pupils can attend this institution after entering the school.

Pre-school educational institutions are financed both by local budgets and at the expense of parents. Depending on how much income the parents have, the tax authorities can return part of the tuition fees. As in Russia, there is very little revenge in kindergartens. It is a popular practice here to book a place even before the baby is born.

Secondary education in Holland

The Netherlands is one of the leading countries in the organization of education. It is from here that new teaching methods come to Europe. In a Dutch school, a child can choose a program of study from any country. Most often, children study under the program of the USA and Great Britain. The Netherlands is the first non-English-speaking country to propose the creation of separate classrooms in schools where children will study in English.

School graduates have the opportunity to obtain two types of certificate:

• HAVO. General school education;
• VWO. pre-university education. Required for admission to public research institutions.

After completing schooling, students enter universities or colleges, where they receive a secondary vocational education in 4 years. After that, the student has the right to enter the university for transition programs. For admission to a Dutch university, the student must attach their certificate and, if necessary, pass tests that may be required by a particular university.

Higher education in the Netherlands

Dutch higher education has a binary system. All universities are divided into two groups: research universities and schools of applied sciences. Research universities are the standard model of education. There are more than 10 such universities in the country. All of them are well known in the world and have good ratings. They are also divided into general and specialized universities.

Schools of Applied Sciences are designed to train students of narrow-profile specialties. Such educational institutions are not designed for scientific activities and research work. Also, all universities in Holland are divided into 3 groups, regarding their funding:

• State Universities;
• Private who have received accreditation;
• Private without accreditation.

It is much easier to enter universities that do not have accreditation. However, a diploma from such an institution has less weight than a diploma from a state institution. Also at state universities there is an opportunity to receive a government grant and scholarship.

Notable universities in Holland

• Delft University of Technology(Technische Universiteit Delft). One of the best universities in Holland. Ranked #1 in the QS rankings. It is a member of the association of 5 technical universities in Europe. One of the leading technical universities in the world. It has 8 faculties. Education for foreigners from EU member states starts from 10,000 €.


• Amsterdam University(Universiteit van Amsterdam, UvA). One of the largest universities in Europe. Most students study psychology, sociology, politics and medicine. Also, half of the prime ministers of Holland received higher education within the walls of this university. The average cost of training is 10,000 €.


• Utrecht University(Universiteit Utrecht). Students take courses in medicine, sociology and natural sciences. The university has also developed popular liberal arts programs. Approximate cost: 9 000-12 000 €.


• University of Groningen(Rijksuniversiteit Groningen). Areas of study: energy, biology, sustainable development, sociology and medicine. The university also offers students another 20 disciplines for study. Average tuition fee: 8,000€.


• Leiden University(Universiteit Leiden). The oldest university in the Netherlands. The university trains its students in more than 150 programs. Most students study history, archeology, pharmacology, law and political science. Approximate cost of training: 10 500 €.


• Erasmus University(Erasmus University). Included in the top 100 universities in the world. Students study psychology, history, sociology, economics and culture. One of the most popular universities among foreigners. The average cost of training is 10,000 €.


• University of Twente(Universiteit Twente). One of the leading technical universities in Holland. Students study mechanical engineering, mathematics, computer science and other technical specialties. The average cost of training is 9,000€.

Undergraduate and graduate

Undergraduate

Studying for a bachelor's degree at research universities lasts 3 years. The first course is the basic training of the specialty. In the last year of study, the student writes his final work, and after that he receives a bachelor's degree. A diploma can be obtained in one of three areas: law, art or science.

Students of higher educational institutions receive a bachelor's degree after 4 years of study. All students undergo a 9-month practice and write a final thesis. Baccalaureate graduates also receive a traditional Dutch degree: baccalaureus or ingenieur.

Master's degree

According to statistics, only half of the students who have completed a bachelor's degree go to the master's program. Often, students receive lucrative offers from employers after receiving a bachelor's degree and they go to work. Every student who has completed a bachelor's degree can obtain a master's degree.

Education in the Netherlands for Russians

Holland is one of the countries that is especially popular with foreign students, as here they are subject to more loyal requirements. To enter a Dutch university, a Russian student must present to the university the results of the exam in the required subjects. If there is an academic difference, you will need to pass additional tests and complete pre-university training at the university.

Also, the prospective student must present the results of the test in English. Dutch universities only accept tests or. If the student has a European certificate, then passing the test is not required. You will also need a school leaving certificate, a copy of the first page of your international passport, and an extract from your school grades.

Before applying for a visa, the student must transfer 10,412 euros to the Dutch bank account in order for the immigration service to let him into the country. Also, before the start of the academic year, you need to pay one year of study.

The cost of studying in Holland for Russians

Obtaining secondary education in the Netherlands is completely free, the cost of higher education ranges from 8,000 to 15,000 euros, depending on the university. Living expenses. Renting a room in the Netherlands is not that expensive compared to other European countries. Here it will cost about 300-400 euros.

Also, the student needs to spend on their own food and travel. This will cost approximately 300 euros. The Dutch Immigration Service estimates the minimum living wage for a student at 860 euros. This figure includes accommodation, meals, travel and medical insurance.

Free education options

One of the most affordable ways to get free education is to get a grant that will cover the cost of education. There is a European Commission program that pays students a scholarship, depending on the country of residence. Also, some universities offer their own scholarships for foreign students, which can partially or fully cover the cost of education.

The student can also use the grant search system from various organizations in Holland.

Language classes

To enter a university in the Netherlands, it is enough to have an English language test result of 6.0-7.0, depending on the chosen university or specialty. If the test results do not satisfy the requirements of the educational institution, the student can take special English language courses within the walls of the university. This practice raises the level of the student's language. Education is paid and takes place at the expense of the student.