Education

The first part of this chapter has been written for parents of either elementary or secondary school-children. It first goes into the types of international education available, followed by what can be of importance to children when they move abroad, in terms of belonging and continuity, preparing for university, fees and taxes. It then goes on to describe the Dutch school system.
The second part has been written with university-level students in mind. It describes the types of university – research-oriented ‘traditional’ universities and ‘universities of professional education’ – as well as the possibilities for following an international university-level education. Here you will also find information on qualifications for entering a university program, the credit system and the type of degree you will obtain. Next, this part goes into student life in the Netherlands; eating out, socializing, sports, as well as finding suitable housing, a job on the side and arranging a student grant. The final part describes ‘Life on a Shoestring’; how to survive on little while either studying or otherwise living in the Netherlands on a modest income.

International Education

There are many international schools in the Netherlands, both primary and secondary, as well as Dutch schools with an international program. For an overview of these schools, we refer you to the info-link at the top of this page.

The Three Types of Primary Education
 
Children from age four through twelve go to primary school in the Netherlands. There are three types of primary education in the Netherlands: openbare school, or public schools, that are not based on any particular religion or conviction; schools that are based on certain educational philosophies, such as Montessori, Jenaplan, Dalton, Freinet and Iederwijs; and schools with a particular denomination (Roman Catholic, Protestant / Christian, Jewish, Islamic, Hindustani, Humanistic and so-called Free schools). For children who need special care and attention, there are ‘special’ schools.

Secondary Education

In the Netherlands, after a child has completed primary school, the parents and child together choose what type of secondary school the child will go to. This decision is based, in part, on the recommendation given by the primary school during the last year. There are three types of school they can choose from:

1. Vocational Education. This has two phases: Voorbereidend Middelbaar Onderwijs (VMBO), being preparatory secondary vocational education, and Middelbaar Beroepsonderwijs (MBO), or secondary vocational education. The former takes four years to complete, the latter anywhere from six months to four years, depending on the course taken.
2. Hoger Algemeen Voortgezet Onderwijs (HAVO) lasts five years and is meant as a preparation for universities of applied sciences (HBO).
3. Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO) lasts six years, at the end of which the student is qualified to enter either university education (also referred as WO or wetenschappelijk onderwijs) or a university of applied sciences (HBO).

Higher Education 

The Netherlands has two streams of higher education that exist alongside each other:
1. Research universities. Though, in principle, these institutions train students to be scientists and scholars, many programs also have a professional component. Most graduates enter the 'conventional' labor market upon graduation.
2. Universities of Applied Sciences, or HBO (Hoger Beroepsonderwijs). The study programs offered by these universities are above all geared to specific professions.

Credit System 

Also in September 2002, the ECTS credit system was adopted as a way of quantifying periods of study.
The focus of degree programs determines both the number of credits required to complete the program and the degree which is awarded. A WO bachelor’s program requires the completion of 180 credits (3 years), an HBO bachelor’s program requires the completion of 240 credits (4 years).
A WO master’s program in most cases requires the completion of another 60 or 120 credits (1 or 2 years). In engineering, agriculture, dentistry and math and the natural sciences, 120 credits are always required. For medicine, veterinary medicine and pharmacy, this is 180 credits. An HBO master’s program requires the completion of another 60 to 120 credits.

International Higher Education

An increasing number of higher education institutions in the Netherlands offer master’s degree programs in English. Master’s degrees are awarded by universities, universities of professional education, institutions of international education and private institutions. For more information on such institutions, visit http://studyinholland.nl.

Housing

When looking for housing, you might do best to try your luck with an organization such as www.kamernet.nl, which has an English-language explanation and allows you to fill out online form, searching for ‘room’ (kamer) in almost all, if not all, university (of professional education) towns.Or you can approach the universities themselves.
Four websites where you can look for more on housing are: www.studentenkamers.nl, http://studenten.startpagina.nl, www.kamerweb.nl, and www.kamerhulp.nl. Though the information may be in Dutch, they are fairly simple to navigate. Housing is huisvesting; anything with the word kamers – meaning ‘rooms’ – also refers to housing. You can also approach the universities themselves - visit www.vsnu.nl for an overview of the Dutch universities.

Student Organizations

Not many Dutch universities have an actual campus. However, every student town has a number of student organizations, as well as organizations that are organized around a sport, religion or other common interests. On the following websites: http://studenten.startpagina.nl or http://studenten-verenigingen.startpagina.nl you will find an overview of all the student organizations per city and most international student organizations (the site can be accessed in English). There are a few national and international student organizations that can help you find work placements and temporary jobs as well as fun and interesting activities. The most important ones are AEGEE and AIESEC (www.aiesec.nl - AEGEE can be found by contacting the various universities, or visiting www.aegee.org.

Sports for Students 

All student towns have facilities for the more popular sports. You can find out more about these at your faculty or you can visit the website of the Dutch Students’ Sports Organization (SSN – or www.studentensport.nl).

A Job on the Side 

If you are looking for a job to help pay your way here, you will find a list of employment agencies or uitzendbureaus by clicking on the info-link at the top of this page. However, keep in mind the fact that if you come here as a foreign student on a foreign study visa, there are very strict rules about how many hours you are allowed to work! The bigger multinationals in the Netherlands often have international projects that can be carried out without having to speak faultless Dutch. Unless you are planning to work illegally, you will need a residence permit, a work permit and a Citizen Service Number! Check out our chapter 2: Working in the Netherlands.

Loans 

You don’t need to depend entirely on a job to help pay your way: most banks will probably be found willing to support you financially and to answer any finance-related questions you may have. Ask about their loans (and insurances, while you're at it!). The following banks have special programs for students: ABN AMRO Bank, Postbank, Fortis Bank, Rabobank and SNS Bank.

Study Grants for Foreign Students 

If you are a national of certain countries you can receive a one-time grant in the form of tuition fee restitution per year of study. There are certain conditions for this that must be met, which you can find out more about by contacting Informatie Beheer Group, Productgroep Studiefinanciering, in Groningen (or http://www.ib-groep.nl). Refugees and asylum seekers can visit www.uaf.nl. Also try www.grantfinder.nl or www.beursopener.nl.

For useful addresses and websites, please use the info-link button at the top of this page

More on these subjects can be found in The Holland Handbook 2010 - 2011