About Netherlands:

The Netherlands is a small country in Western Europe with a rich cultural tradition, excellent higher education, and an open-minded and pioneering people. Its relatively small area of just over 41,000 square km is home to more than 17 million people. From the Netherlands, it is easy to explore the rest of Europe. Not only are the neighbouring countries Germany and Belgium easy to visit, but the country is also well connected to all major European capitals. You can easily travel by bus and train to Paris, London, or Copenhagen, and it is just as simple to hop on a plane to visit Rome or Barcelona.

Dutch society is very international. Since the 17th century, major Dutch cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and even Groningen have been international trading hubs, resulting in a melting pot of many nationalities. This international character means the Dutch are generally tolerant and open about different cultures and believes. It shows in the way they interact with each other: you are free to voice your opinion and speak your mind. People are not very easily offended but expect them to also be direct with you.
The Netherlands is a place with a lot of diversity. In major cities, you find people of all walks of life, different religions, political convictions, and sexual orientations. The Netherlands is famous for its progressive stance on equality and diversity. Everyone in the Netherlands has the right to be who they want to be and be with who they want. Most of the population associates itself with the Christian fate, but there are also significant Muslim and Jewish communities. If you wish to go to church, mosque, synagogue, Hindu, Buddhist, or Sikh places of worship, you can do so freely in the Netherlands. The Netherlands is a safe country by international standards. Violence and street crime levels are relatively low. Just take the usual care, like not putting your phone in your back pocket and making sure you always lock your bike. In case something does happen, you should feel confident about approaching the police. They are there to help you and are friendly and open.

Why Study in Netherland

1. Plenty of English programs: Dutch universities offer substantial numbers of English-taught programs in Europe. About 2,000 programs are taught entirely in English. Also, 95% of the Dutch population speaks English, so it is easy to communicate daily.

2. Low Cost of Education: The cost of education in the Netherlands is low compared to other European countries. The tuition fees and cost of living are considerably lower than in English-speaking countries. Also, there are lots of scholarships available.

3. Part-Time work: International students can work part-time for 16 hours per week during the year and fulltime during June, July, and August. It can help students partly pay for their living expenses.

4. Vibrant international community: Netherlands’s many international students come from more than 160 different countries. Dutch society is diverse and inclusive. It is strongly connected to other cultures, the business community, and the world. The Dutch are open-minded and direct, so it is easy to meet them and exchange ideas.

5. Perfect place to live: The Netherlands is one of the safest countries in the world, according to the 2018 Global Peace index, and belongs to the top 10 happiest countries in the world. Read more about the good Dutch standard of living in the OECD’s Better Life Index.

6. Great Career Opportunities: the Netherlands is the 18th largest economy in the world. Some of the world’s biggest multinationals, including Philips, Heineken, KLM, Shell, ING, and Unilever, are Dutch. The Netherlands is a world leader in many areas of expertise, including agriculture, water management, art & design, logistics, and sustainable energy. The Dutch government wants to attract knowledge and retain talent. International graduates can, therefore, apply for an orientation year. This is a residence permit of one year to find a job or start a business within three years of graduation.

Education System in Netherlands

The Dutch teaching style is interactive and student centric. Dutch education focuses on teamwork, which makes it easy to meet other international students. For a large part of your studies, you will be working in groups to analyse and solve specific problems. You will also get a chance to gain practical work experience through internships or do experiments in laboratories, depending on the field of study.

Also, interaction in class is highly appreciated. You are expected to think about the knowledge presented to you and develop and express your opinion. You are free to ask questions and be critical of what lecturers or fellow students say. Use your creativity to apply your newly gained knowledge. Studying in the Netherlands means developing an open mind and increasing your international orientation.

The Dutch education system is divided into the following types of institutions:

• Research universities
• Universities of applied sciences
• Institutes for international education
• University Colleges

Types of Degrees in Netherlands

• Associate: Universities of applied sciences provide short-cycle professional higher education leading to the associate degree. It is a relatively new type of higher education offered during the first two years of some bachelor’s programs in higher professional education.

• Bachelor’s: You can get a bachelor’s degree at a research university or a university of applied sciences. There are plenty of options to find the program that suits you the best.

• Master’s: You can get a master’s degree at a research university or a university of applied sciences.

• PDEng: In addition to doctorate Ph.D. programs, the three universities of technology in the Netherlands also offer technological designer programs known as PDEng (Professional Doctorate in Engineering). This tailor-made program is designed for MSc graduates who can create high level, technical and innovative designs for complex issues with a multidisciplinary character.

• Ph.D.: Pursuing a Ph.D. means spending a minimum of four years conducting original research and writing a dissertation. Throughout this time, Ph.D. candidates work in close collaboration with their supervisors. A Ph. D. is not regarded as study, but as serious research and Ph. D. candidates in the Netherlands are often in paid employment.

Intake: The main intake offered by all Colleges and Universities in the Netherlands is in September.

English Language Requirements: As English is the language of instruction at all Institutions of higher education, students must demonstrate a proficiency in English to be accepted in a Program. Generally, the required minimum score in TOEFL is 92 & IELTS 6.5 on the Internet-Based Test.

Documents required to study in the Netherlands:

• Bachelor’s degree mark sheets (For Master’s)
• 12th-grade mark sheets (For bachelors)
• Transcripts
• IELTS/TOEFL
• GRE/GMAT – This will depend on the university and the specific program’s requirements
• Statement of Purpose
• Minimum 2 letters of Recommendation
• Resume
• Application form and fee

Visa requirements and application for the Netherlands:

EU nationals do not need a visa to stay in the Netherlands or a work permit to work in the Netherlands. Other citizens might need a visa and work permit to enter the Netherlands for study or research purposes.
Your institution needs to apply: When you enrol in a study program, your host institution will contact you to start the application procedure.

Duration: If you stay fewer than 90 days, you might need a ‘short stay visa’ or ‘Schengen visa.’ For stays longer than 90 days, you might need an entry visa (MVV, depending on your nationality) and a residence permit (VVR). As soon as your host institution receives an ‘unwilling’ (a letter of approval from the immigration service), they will let you know. You can then apply for the MVV at the embassy or consulate in your home country.

Legalizing your documents: For your visa, permit, or registration with the council, you may need one or more authorized documents, such as your birth certificate. You need to arrange this before your departure to the Netherlands.

GRE/GMAT: The GRE might be required for a few Master’s programs, and the GMAT is a requirement at the top-ranked universities in the Netherlands. However, it is best to check each university’s requirements before applying.

TOEFL/IELTS: International students must prove their English language proficiency to apply to the Netherlands. It can be done by either taking the TOEFL or the IELTS tests.

The different costs involved in studying in the Netherlands are as follows:
Students studying in the Netherlands can expect to spend an average of 800 – 1100 Euros a month.

Accommodation Expenses: A standard room in the Netherlands costs between € 300 and € 600 a month. Housing in Amsterdam, for example, is more expensive than in smaller towns such as Enschede.

Food Expenses: Most higher education institutions offer hot meals at reasonable prices. All cities have pubs (called eetcafés) where you can get a good meal at a reasonable price. In the bigger cities, you will find lots of different restaurants. But the cheapest way to eat is to do your cooking.

Some average prices:
• a cup of coffee/tea in a café: € 2
• a cheese sandwich: € 3
• dinner in a typical student restaurant: € 10

Transportation Expenses: You can get around town quickly on a bike. It is not only typically Dutch but also a cheap means of transportation. Bus tickets cost around € 2 for a single fare in the city. You can buy a 40% discount card for train tickets for traveling outside rush hour.

Student Discounts: Many bars, restaurants, museums, and cinemas give student discounts. Most of these ask for proof in the form of a student card from your institution. The International Student Identity Card (ISIC) can give you discounts on travel, shopping, and museums.

The different types of scholarships available for Indian students in the Netherlands are as follows:

• Netherlands Scholarship: The Netherlands Scholarship is meant for international students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) who want to do their bachelor’s or Masters in the Netherlands. This scholarship is financed by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science as well as several Dutch research universities and universities of applied sciences. The scholarship amounts to € 5,000. You will receive this in the first year of your studies.

Orange Tulip Scholarship Programme: The Orange Tulip Scholarship Programme (OTS) gives talented students in India the opportunity to study in the Netherlands. It is offered by higher education institutions, multinationals, and government institutions.
https://www.nesoindia.org/scholarships/orange-tulip-scholarship-programme/apply-for-ots

Post Study Work Visa for Netherlands

After completing your degree in the Netherlands, you are eligible to apply for a Zoekjaar Visa. It is also known as the Orientation year visa that gives you free access to the Dutch labour market for one extra year after you finished your degree. You can apply for an Orientation Year visa anytime within the three years after your graduation.

Job Opportunities in Netherlands 

Netherlands is home to several big corporations such as KLM, Philips, Shell, Heineken, Booking.com, and many more. The Netherlands is also home to plenty of start-ups due to its favorable tax structure. Therefore, there are many job opportunities in the big cities of the Netherlands, such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht. However, it necessary to network with as many people as possible to get a job in the Netherlands.

The list of universities in the Netherlands are as follows:

• Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)
• University of Amsterdam
• Eindhoven University of Technology
• Leiden University
• Utrecht University
• University of Groningen
• Maastricht University
• VU University Amsterdam
• Radboud University
• the University of Twente
• Tilburg University