Study in Netherlands: “Country with Highest English Proficiency in the World”

The Netherlands secures the 16th position in the Most Peaceful Countries by Population 2019 which means the nation enjoys lower interest rates, better political stability, a stronger economy and higher foreign investment. No wonder, it is one of the most popular study abroad destinations in Europe for international students. Netherland has everything, right from the finest universities in the world to modern educational infrastructure and a welcoming atmosphere for learners across the globe. There are various things you must keep in account before you start applying for a Schengen visa to study in Netherlands. In this article, you can find a list of top institutions and documents required for each purpose of entry into the European territory. Moreover, we will take a look at the average tuition fee and the cost of living in the country.

Why Study in Netherlands?

Let us quickly go through some amazing pointers elucidating the perks of studying in the Netherlands-

• According to EF EPI (English Proficiency Index) 2019, the Netherlands has the highest proficiency with a score of 70.27 out of 100 countries. Moreover, it was the first non-English speaking country that began to construct higher education programs in the English language.
• International students will find the largest number of English-taught programmes, nearly 2,100 courses in this country. 
• The tuition fees and cost of living is considerably lower than any English-speaking country like the US or the UK.
• It is a place for different nationalities such as Chinese, Indians, French and British, students from far and wide.
• When it comes to the facilities and modern courses, the education system of the Netherlands will make an impact on your life as a student.
• The opportunity to study in Netherlands is travelling to “wonderbaar” places. It takes almost an hour to fly from Amsterdam to London, Paris, Brussels, or Berlin. 

Education System of Netherlands

Interactivity in the classroom with a strong focus on teamwork is the fundamentals of the Dutch style of teaching. This helps students to shape their existing knowledge as well as express their opinion and convictions. Not to miss, teaching is student-centric in the Netherlands! The study curriculum will incorporate practical work experience through experiments in labs and internships. The opportunity to study in the Netherlands allows students to develop an international perspective resulting in an open mindset and broader thinking. You may find that the grading system in the Netherlands is different from India. In the country, a 10 points system is used in both secondary and higher education where a grade of 10 is the highest and 6 is the minimum pass grade. Have a look at the table given below:

Intakes in Netherlands

Intake is a period when universities grant admission to national as well as international students within the course of their choice. Mainly, there are two intakes in most universities in the Netherlands. They tend to open their gates for students in the months of September (Fall semester) and Winter (Spring semester).

Requirements to Study in Netherlands

Here are some general criteria that are accepted by the universities in the Netherlands-

• To pursue a UG course, you need the minimum qualification of 10+2 from a recognised institution
• If you wish to pursue a PG course, you will need a bachelor’s degree in required field along with minimum required score in GMAT or GRE
• If you choose English as your study medium, then, you will have to qualify for IELTS, TOEFL, etc
• The programs that are tught in Dutch will require you to submit scores of-
  • Certificaat Nederlands als Vreemde Taal (Certificate of Dutch as a Foreign Language) by Profiel Taalvaardigheid Hoger Onderwijs (PTHO) or  Profiel Academische Taalvaardigheid (PAT).
  • Nederlands als Tweede Taal (NT2) (Dutch as a second language).
• LOR and SOP in the prescribed format

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Top Universities in Netherlands

If you are planning to take your higher education in the Netherlands, you will be thrilled to know that the country is home to one of the world’s oldest and finest education systems for post-school education. The higher education institutions are usually categorised into Research Institutions, University College, Universities for Applied Sciences etc. Tabulated below are the best institutions if you are planning to study in Netherlands- 

Cost of Studying in Netherlands

For the students who are planning to pursue their dream education in New Zealand, it is important to know that your tuition fee will majorly depend upon the type of institution chosen. Public institutions in the Netherlands tend to charge lesser tuition fees as compared to private ones. Apart from the basic expense of tuition fees, you will have to manage the charges of living on your own as well. Your monthly expense of living charges will include expenses for accommodation, food, travel and other basic amenities. Tabulated below are the basic expenses if you plan to study in Netherlands- 

Scholarships in Netherlands

Here is a list of scholarships in Netherlands–

• Holland Scholarship
• Orange Knowledge Programme
• Radboud University Scholarship Programme
• University of Maastricht High Potential Scholarships
• Utrecht University Excellence Scholarships 
• TU Delft Excellence Scholarships
• Leiden University Excellence Scholarships
• Erik Bleumink Scholarships at University of Groningen
• University of Twente Scholarships

Visa Application to Study in Netherlands

The next stage is to check for the visa requirement, procedure and insurance. Whether it is to study in the Netherlands or move out for research purposes, you will need a valid passport, visa and work permit. Things to keep in mind are your nationality, the duration of stay (shorter or longer than 90 days) and the purpose of stay.

• Short Stay Visa: For those planning to stay fewer than 90 days within a period of 180 days, will need a “Short-stay Visa” or “Schengen Visa“.
• Long Stay Visa: If you are planning to stay more than 90 days, then you might need a Long-stay Visa (MVV) and residence permit (VVR). 

Other than this, there is a “Multiple-entry Visa” that permits learners to move in and out of the Schengen zone until their visa validity. While the “Single-entry Visa” restricts them to move out of the Schengen area and if they do, a short-stay or a return visa for a long stay is needed. Also, do not forget to register yourself with the local Aliens Police within 3 days of arrival, to whom you have to submit the details of accommodation proof and you have enough money to support yourself.

Documents Required for Visa Application

You should start applying for a Student Schengen visa earliest by 3 months prior to your trip. The following is the list of important documents that are required for any short-term visa application:

• Fully completed and signed two visa application forms.
• Two recent photographs.
• A valid passport not older than 10 years.
• Travel health insurance policy for the whole Schengen territory with a minimum coverage of €30,000.
• Proof of accommodation throughout your stay in the Netherlands like a hotel/hostel booking, rental agreement or letter of invitation from a person in the host country.
• Proof of finances like bank account statement, sponsorship letter or combination of both.
• Proof of visa fee payment.
• Letter of acceptance at the university in the Netherlands
• No objection letter from school or university.
• Proof of academic qualification
• In case of a minor, parents or legal guardians have to submit extra documents like:
  • Minor’s birth certificate
  • Signed Application form
  • Certified copies of ID or passport of both parents.
  • A notarized parental authorization signed by parents/guardians in case the minor will be travelling alone.

The legal processing time for your visa is 15 calendar days, however, in some cases, you can receive an answer even in a shorter period. Also, in extreme cases, this period may extend up to 30-60 days.

Insurance

Whether you plan to study in Netherlands or work, do you have insurance in India? Read more to find the different insurance that you can opt for:  

Job Opportunities for Graduates in Netherlands

Your study in Netherlands is packed with the best international recruitment solution for jobs in the country in Engineering, Science, Information Technology, etc. It is interesting to note that the concept of a joint-stock company was invented here. Graduates with either a bachelor’s or master’s degree from a university in the Netherlands have a fair chance of finding a decent job and staying for a longer time. And if you want to work while you study in Netherlands, you will have to apply for a work permit that will authorise you to work for 16 hours a week during term time and full-time during holidays. Some of the world’s largest companies in Neterlands are-

• Royal Dutch Shell
• ING
• Unilever
• Ahold Delhaize
• Aegon
• Philips
• SHV
• Heineken

Use Your Checklist

Before you start preparing your bags, take a quick look at your check and ensure that everything is at place. Some of the things you need to keep in mind are:

• Finding a programme to study in Netherlands.
• Have you met the eligibility requirements for overseas education?
• Have you given your IELTS or TOEFL?
• Find a scholarship.
• Visas and permits for Dutch immigration.
• Have you taken the required health and accommodation insurance?
• Finding accommodation before you start your study in Netherlands.
• Are you connected with alumni and other people on social media?
• Remember to make the most of your time in the new country. 

Does it seem like a good idea to study in Netherlands? Are you ready to have a pragmatic education in this country? But one thing that you should be concerned about is its educational competency because you really have to study hard to get good grades here. But it’s all worth it! So, get in touch with our experts at Leverage Edu and take your dutch dream to the next level.

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