Netherlands shares borders with Germany and Belgium, it is located in Western Europe. The Netherlands is one of the most industrialized countries that provide great job opportunities due to its booming economy. Netherland in Europe was very early to start with bachelors/masters and offer degree programs in English. In the Netherlands, you can choose to pursue master’s or bachelor’s programs in around 70 institutions. The Netherlands has one of the highest ratios of international students in Europe (16% of students are international students).
There are about 13 globally ranked universities that offer well designed programs to their national and international students. The tuition fees in Dutch countries are relatively lower than the tuition fees of other countries for higher studies. Your decision to study in the Netherlands can be an equitable decision because almost 95% of the local population in the Netherlands speaks English. Most of the globally recognized employers/ companies are Dutch and the Netherlands itself is the European headquarters of many international companies like Philips, Unilever, Heineken, etc.
Bachelor’s Degree in the Netherlands
Bachelor degree in Netherlands requires 3 years of study and it consists of 180 credits. Depending upon the discipline the candidate can receive BA or BSc degree. Bachelor degree in Netherlands offered by universities of applied sciences requires 4 years of study that consists of 240 credits.
Associate’s Degrees in the Netherlands
An associate degree is an undergraduate degree acquired after two to three years of post-secondary study. It is a level of education that is higher than a high school diploma but lower than a bachelor’s degree.
Eligibility Criteria for UG Program in the Netherlands
A candidate who wants to study in the Netherlands must give one of the two entrance exams for proving their proficiency in the English language.
Both IELTS and TOEFL test English language skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
Note: Students may require to show their 12th Standard certificate.
Intakes and Application Deadlines to Study UG in the Netherlands
Just like most of the European countries, there are two intakes for studying in Universities of the Netherlands that is-
Fall semester: It starts between the month of July to September
Spring Semester: it starts from the month of January or February
Students are suggested to apply before the month of April so that their program could start in the month of September giving them enough time for visa and application processes.
UG Course Duration in the Netherlands
undergraduate courses in Netherlands requires 3 years of study however a UG program offered by universities of applied sciences requires 4 years of study.
Tuition Fees for UG Program in the Netherlands
The tuition fees will depend on factors like the university you choose, the program you choose, or the public/private factor of the university.
However, the tuition fees for Undergraduate courses in the Netherlands ranges between 6,000 – 15,000 Euros.
Work while studying: You can part time for a maximum of 16 hours per week in the Netherlands and they can even work full time during their vacations.
Important Documents Required for Application
The document requirement may vary from university to university however following are the list of the generally required documents to get admission in UG programs in the Netherlands:
- Copy of passport
- Passport sized photograph
- Transcript of records
- Proof of English or Dutch language proficiency
- Copies of previous school degree/diploma or certificate
- Personal statement in English
- Motivation letter
- CV
- Sample of academic written work
Student Visa
For studying UG courses in Netherland you would have to apply for Netherlands Long Stay Student Visa that is also known as a residence permit that would allow you to complete your studies in the country for up to five years.
Living & Other Expense in the Netherlands
When you are planning to study in the Netherlands it is important to consider your living expenditures. Cost of Food, transportation, literature, clothing and lodging must be included in your budget. In the Netherlands, a student should make a budget between €800 and €1,100 per month.
Accommodation Expense in the Netherlands
Types of housing and there prices in the Netherlands for international students:
- Rented apartment – €419/month
- Sharing apartment – €572/month
- Student accommodation – €340/month
Application Procedure for Bachelor’s Degree in the Netherlands
Studielink is a centralized application system for admissions in the Netherlands. However, several Dutch institutions and courses do not use it.
Studielink as part of their admissions procedure. To find out if you need to apply through Studielink or directly to the university, you’ll need to
contact the university itself.
Why choose the Netherlands for UG?
Unique Teaching Style
The Dutch teaching methods and styles are very unique if we compare them with the teaching style of other countries. The universities of the Netherlands provide interactive and student-centric teaching styles that will eventually help its national and international students to develop analyzing skills, problem solving, valuable skills, and creative thinking.
Welcoming Environment
The population of the Netherlands is very welcoming and open minded for its international students. Therefore the fear of feeling left out or fear of being alone would not disturb you as the people in the Netherlands are very friendly.
Affordable Tuition Fees
If you’re a non-EU/EEA candidate your tuition fees would range anywhere between 6,000 EUR to 20,000 EUR that is very less if we compare it with the tuition fees of other European countries or with countries like the US and the UK.
English Taught Programs
The Netherlands has the highest courses to offer that are taught in the English language in Europe. Almost all the programs taught in the Dutch language in the Netherlands are also taught in the English language. Almost 70% of the Netherland population speaks the English language hence the fear of feeling left out should not bother you there
Safety
The Netherlands provides a very safe environment for its international students. The crime rate in the Netherlands is very low as they have strict laws ensuring safety to its national and international students.
Common Application Mistakes
Starting Test Preparation Too Late
Even if your academic achievements are exceptional, you must spend sufficient time studying and practicing for standardized tests such as the GMAT/GRE/TOEFL/IELTS. Consistent practice is the key to becoming familiar with exam patterns and timings. You must start preparing for the test as early as possible.
False Information
Make sure to provide only the authentic information in your application. If you use over fancy words or copy pasted words from Google then it will surely come into the observation of the admission committee. Being real and submitting all the authentic or real documents will surely attract the admission department.
Not Having a Backup Option
It’s great that you’ve done your research and shortlisted the top universities for your degree program, but keep in mind that when you are applying to universities, you shouldn’t be too precise. Although you may need to attend the best university, it is always a good idea to have backup plans.
Popular Fields of Study in UG Courses
Following is the list of the popular undergraduate courses in Netherlands:
- Bachelors in International business
- Bachelors in Marketing management
- Bachelor’s in Industrial Engineering and Management
- Bachelors of Business Administration
- Bachelors of Computer Science
- Bachelor in Logistics Engineering
- Bachelor’s in Data Science
Top Institutes for UG in the Netherlands
Top universities in Netherlands for undergraduate courses are:
- University of Amsterdam
- Utrecht University
- Erasmus University Rotterdam
- Leiden University
- Vrije University Amsterdam
- University of Groningen
- Wageningen University & Research
- Radboud University
- Delft University of Technology
Average Median Salaries for UG Graduates
Bachelor degree salary Netherlands
- Designation: Marketing Manager- 50,000 EUR
- Designation: Legal Assistant- 29,345 EUR
- Designation: Account Coordinator- 33,400 EUR
- Designation: Industrial Engineer- 48,480 EUR
- Designation: Data Scientist- 47,300 EUR
Top Industries to Choose
- Business
- Engineering
- Law
- Environment and Energy Management
Undergraduate Scholarship in Netherlands
Following is the list of various undergraduate scholarship in Netherlands:
- QuTech scholarships for international MSc students
- Orange Knowledge Program in The Netherlands
- Neurasmus Amsterdam Scholarship
- Utrecht Excellence Scholarships for International Students
- Holland Scholarship for Non-EEA International Students
- University of Twente Scholarships (UTS)
- Radboud Scholarship Program for International Students
Post Study Stay Back Option
If you have completed your UG course in the Netherlands and looking for jobs there then you would have to start looking for visa and permit options available to you. These options are available primarily on three factors that are:
- Duration
- Nationality
- The intention of Staying in the Country After Studies. If you have got placement from your institution in the Netherlands then it will be the company’s responsibility to apply and get the work permit for you.
If you are a non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizen who wants to do the job in the Netherlands after completing the UG course from there then you would definitely require a residence permit which may be tied up with your work permit in the Netherlands till the duration of your work contract.
However, the Netherlands provides unique opportunities to its international student body. The Netherlands gives search or orientation year opportunities to its international students this will eventually provide you the application for a residence permit for an entire search year. After the new regulation from 2016, this job search year can be extended for 3 years (following some criteria).
Professional Certificates and Technical Schools in the Netherlands
Professional Certificate programs are a set of courses developed by industry leaders and leading universities to help students develop and improve the essential professional skills required to excel in sectors that are in high demand. There are a number of technical schools that offer bachelor’s degrees in the Netherlands.
