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The Netherlands is a unique non-Anglophone country. A country where almost 95% of local residents speak English, despite Dutch being the national language. For English-speaking students, studying in the Netherlands makes living, studying, and working quite convenient, comfortable and pleasant. Also, the people are very open and tolerant, and international students are welcomed and treated with respect. As for the education, Dutch universities offer a wide range of quality programs for international students that are entirely taught in
English.
This makes it a much more convenient place to study as compared to other European countries such as Germany and Spain, where knowing the local language is crucial to communicating effectively with the local community and seeking admissions at top universities and popular courses.
The high-quality of education in the Netherlands is well-recognised worldwide. In fact, what makes the Netherlands an excellent choice for higher studies for international students is the affordable tuition fees as well as living costs, which are considerably lower than in other English-speaking nations, including the UK and the USA. Moreover, good scholarship opportunities for meritorious international students further enhance the Netherlands’ appeal as a popular study abroad destination among international students. Also, the teaching style at Dutch universities offers interactive sessions that are student-focused and help them develop valuable skills such as analysing, solving practical problems and creative thinking.
These are the reasons why the Netherlands attracts international students from more than 160 different countries from around the world. This brings a rich diversity of cultures, ideas and opportunities leading to sharing of ideas and creating new opportunities for the diverse student community of the Netherlands. Being the Gateway of Europe, the Netherlands boasts a rich history with historic cities and the highest museum density in the world. In just three hours you can be in Paris. In fact, London and Berlin are just a five or six-hour train ride away, which makes studying in the Netherlands even more rewarding, as international students get to experience the rich cultural heritage of well-known European countries.
Finally, studying in the Netherlands can boost your international career, with it being the 18th largest economy in the world. A number of the world’s biggest multinational companies, such as Philips, Heineken, KLM, Shell, ING and Unilever, have all originated in the Netherlands. The Netherlands is a world leader in many areas of expertise, including agriculture, water management, art & design, logistics and sustainable energy – all of which translated into lucrative work and business opportunities for international students aspiring to study in this beautiful country.
It is recommended that students aspiring to study abroad take a deep dive into the entire journey, from the preparation, the courses and the admission process, to the paperwork and the visas.
| TOP COURSES | AVERAGE ANNUAL TUITION FEES |
|---|---|
| Computer Science, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence | 11,000 – 21,000 |
| Data Analytics | 11,000 – 23,000 |
| Software and App Development | 13,000 – 25,000 |
| Gaming and ICT | 11,500 – 19,000 |
| Finance, Accounting and Taxation | 12,500 – 22,500 |
| Financial Technology (FinTech) | 14,000 – 25,000 |
| International Business and Management | 9,500 – 19,500 |
| MBA | 13,000 – 35,000 |
The Netherlands, also known as Holland, is a developed European country with a moderate climate and an array of study and work opportunities for international students from across the globe. Studying in the Netherlands is both a satisfying and mentally stimulating experience for an international student, as engaging in studies alongside students from 160+ countries helps build strong networks and a worthwhile stay in the country. In fact, with more than 13 world-leading universities and the availability of full-time courses taught entirely in English, the Netherlands offers excellent study opportunities for students as an alternative to studying in any other English-speaking country.
The Netherlands also offers affordable study options at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels as compared to countries such as the UK and the USA, which combined with one-year stay back option after studies further increase the return on investment (ROI) for international students. Even better, universities in the Netherlands allow international students to work part-time for up to 16 hours per week and full-time during vacations. Whether you study engineering, business & management, sciences or medicine, the Netherlands is a country worthy of studying abroad.
The Netherlands is certainly an excellent place to study and work for international students from across the world. This Dutch country offers the best of Europe - a multicultural environment, a tolerant and welcoming society, a collaborative approach to studying and highly research-focused universities that teach entirely in English.
International students also benefit from affordable tuition fees and living costs while studying in the Netherlands, which combined with ample part-time and full-time work opportunities, help international students build a strong foundation for their international career and the possibility of permanent residence in future. Being the Gateway of Europe, the Netherlands boasts of a rich history with historic cities and the highest museum density in the world. In just three hours you can be in Paris from Amsterdam. In fact, London and Berlin are just a five or six-hour train ride away, which makes studying in the Netherlands even more rewarding as international students get to experience the rich cultural heritage of well-known European countries.
Studying in the Netherlands can boost your international career with it being the 18th largest economy in the world. A number of the world’s biggest multinational companies, such as Philips, Heineken, KLM, Shell, ING and Unilever, have all originated in the Netherlands.
The Netherlands is a developed European country with a strong reputation for quality international education and is a hub of multinational companies. As a result, the Netherlands offers international students a wide range of study options and subject areas to undertake undergraduate and postgraduate studies. Moreover, since most universities in the Netherlands teach entirely in English, English-speaking international students can benefit widely from the variety of courses available. Some of the most popular courses that international students study in the Netherlands include:
As an international student, you can study from a wide range of courses that offer research-led learning with a focus on analysis and practical problem solving through case studies, simulations and grinning practical experience by interning with some of the world’s largest multinational companies that call the Netherlands their home.
The Netherlands is among the safest countries in the world. This Dutch country is a constitutional monarchy, similar to the UK, and has among the lowest crime rates and terrorist incidents in the world. In fact, being an integral part of the European Union, the Netherlands benefits from extensive EU support and a safe and enriching environment for both the local population and the international students.
Moreover, the Netherlands (Holland) is a bicycle-friendly country, which means that students can commute to almost everywhere on their bicycles with specific bike lanes marked for their safety as well as the security of the pedestrians. Moreover, almost everyone in English knows English. It means that even if you are lost somewhere and do not know what to do next, just politely ask for directions from the locals and they would gladly help.
Therefore, if safety is your concern, fret no more. The Dutch universities take their students’ safety very seriously and will ensure that while you are in the Netherlands, your stay is safe and that you face no security concerns over the period of your studies. However, as an international student in a new country, it is also your responsibility to ensure your own safety and do not venture into unknown or unsafe areas. The Netherlands and the Dutch people will welcome you with a bright smile and a promise of safety and security throughout your stay in the country. This is what studying abroad in the Netherlands makes your investment worthwhile.
The Netherlands has ample job opportunities for both its local population and international students looking for work in the country. Speaking of statistics, the Netherlands has among the lowest unemployment rates, at 3.2% as of 2019. As compared to the rest of the European Union, which has a 6.2% unemployment rate, the Netherlands has a lot to offer in terms of both highly-skilled and semi-skilled jobs. From the agriculture and food processing sectors to industries such as Energy, Heavy Engineering, Information Technology, Logistics and Financial Services, the Dutch economy is highly agile and attracts global talent
The Netherlands is home to many international and multinational organisations where there is considerable demand for both local talent and international experience. Some of the home-grown, well-known Dutch companies include the ING Group, Royal Dutch Shell Group, Unilever, Philips, and Heineken. Moreover, with a strong network of recruitment agencies aimed at placing foreign workers in jobs in the Netherlands, finding a good job in the Netherlands is comparatively easier than in other advanced European countries.
Of course, there would be some jobs that require aspirants to be fluent in the Dutch language. However, you will find plenty of local and international organisations looking for English-speaking individuals to fill up vacancies. Since most universities in the Netherlands offer courses taught entirely in English, international students find it lucrative to work in the country after they graduate. Moreover, a large number of local and international organisations in the Netherlands are always looking for good-quality international talent.
What is even better is the fact that the Netherlands is relatively an egalitarian society. This translates into flexible working and focuses on both the individual and the organisational objectives in the workplace. In fact, Dutch companies usually have a horizontal organisational structure, which improves the flow of communication and offers employees to be more creative in problem-solving and bringing their best to work.
Yes, as an international student who has completed a full-time UG or PG program at a Dutch university, you are entitled to stay back after your graduation for up to a period of one year in the Netherlands. The one-year post study work (PSW) visa extension is offered to international students so that they may find work opportunities in the country and gain vital international work experience right after they graduate.
During the ‘Search Year’ after your graduate, you can look for full-time work anywhere in the Netherlands. In this period, your employer would not be required to apply for a separate visa on your behalf, which reduces the stress of paperwork. This work permit is primarily in place to ensure that good international talent is retained in the Netherlands and perhaps, offered an extension at the end of the Search Year to work on full-time job opportunities in the country.
Depending on the job that you work in after you graduate, there is also the possibility of extending your ‘Search Year’ work permit to the ‘Highly Educated Migrant’ work permit in the Netherlands, which will further allow you to continue to work full-time in the country, given that you meet the minimum salary requirements prevailing at the time of your visa application.
International students with a Dutch degree have a good potential of earning a decent starting salary after they graduate. Employability skills are embedded within most programs at universities in the Netherlands and are useful for students looking to gain employment or work experience in the Dutch country.
The average work week in the Netherlands is for 40 hours and is usually a four or five-day work period in a week. This offers a well-balanced work life to professionals. The average starting salaries for fresh graduates in the Netherlands range from €27,000 to €35,000 per annum and could be as high as €50,000 depending on your prior work experience and the industry. These figures, of course, vary depending on the field of work where jobs in the arts, agriculture and other semi-skilled industries may perhaps offer lower salary figures and industries such as IT, heavy engineering, etc. would offer higher salary packages.
Primarily, the highly-skilled individuals earn higher salaries as compared to semi-skilled professionals. Moreover, even during your studies, as an international student, you can earn up to €10 per hour working part-time for up to 16 hours per week. This is helpful in paying for living expenses and reducing dependency on family funds or student finances. Studying in the Netherlands is a rewarding experience, both intellectually and financially with strong potential of earning well above the minimum wage and becoming financially independent after your graduation.
