Study in Netherlands for Indian Students: Top Universities, Courses, Fees & Requirements

As an international student wanting to study in Holland, here’s an overview of the important facts you need to know about the country:

The Netherlands was the pioneer European nation to offer English taught courses. This also implies that this was the first country in Europe to have an open mind to welcome foreigners to their system. Most Dutch people today understand English and so, it is easy to make yourself understood in the Netherlands.  Some of the other important reasons to study in Netherlands are: 

• Universities in Netherlands is not as expensive as other study abroad destinations such as the UK or US. Education in the Netherlands is subsidized by the government and therefore the tuition fees are relatively low. 
• Students get excellent international exposure while studying in Netherlands. Foreign students from over 150 countries are currently studying in Holland which offers you an amazing multicultural experience.   
• Universities in Netherlands are known for their unique and innovative methods of teaching. Classroom teaching takes place in small groups and  emphasis is laid on promoting group work among students with practical applications.  
• An added advantage of studying in Netherlands is that no matter where you stay, you will always have easy access to other parts of Europe. You can easily travel to neighbouring countries such as Germany, Belgium,  Poland, Luxembourg, etc, that too on a budget.  
• Netherlands is a very safe and welcoming country. People are warm and value individual freedom.

The Netherlands education system is quite straightforward. There is primary, secondary and vocational education. Post this, students progress to pursue a degree at the University level:

• Diploma: Students can enroll in a diploma program after secondary school or after the completion of an undergraduate or graduate degree. The main aim is to obtain or advance necessary skills and education in a particular field. They are of a 2 years duration.
• Bachelor's Degree: These are undergraduate programs that may take up to 4 years to complete. There are two types of Bachelor's degrees in Netherlands -  HBO (University of Applied Sciences) and WO (Academic University Education). HBO degree programs are more professional in nature while the WO degree programs are academic.
• Masters Degree: Students can get a master’s degree at a research university or at a university of applied sciences. The duration varies between 1.5 to 4 years.
• PhD  Degree: This is a postgraduate research degree and takes a minimum of 4 years to complete.

Institutions of higher education in Netherlands can be divided into the following categories: 

In addition to the above, there are private institutions, university colleges, art schools etc. in Netherlands. 

To successfully complete your education in Netherlands you will have to earn credits. Credits in Netherlands are actuated according to ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System). 

• Students are credited based on their performances and participation in lectures, seminars, assignments, laboratory work, independent study and exams.
• The overall credit score of a full-time study year is about 60 credits. Every student gets 30 ECTS per semester.
• Each credit represents 28 hours of work. Consequently, to complete the required learning outcomes of a full cycle (full-time, one-year programme) you are expected to work and study for about 1.680 hours in Netherlands.

Netherlands houses some of the top universities in the world. 13 universities in the Netherlands have also bagged top ranking according to the QS ranking system. Given below are some of the best universities in Netherlands:  

Institutions offering higher studies in Netherlands have a diverse range of courses to choose from. Some of the best courses in Netherlands for international students are: 

• Agricultural 
• Liberal arts 
• Sciences
• Engineering
• Fashion 
• Sports Management 
• Philosophy 
• Business and Finance

The most popular programs that students opt to study in the Netherlands are:

The process to study in the Netherlands for international students can be completed online. Let’s discuss the Netherlands university application process in detail below: 

1. Check the top universities of Holland and select the course that suits you. 
2. Once you’ve shortlisted your desired universities, check out the official university website to gather more information about the Netherlands university requirements and eligibility criteria.
3. Keep in mind the deadline of application and plan your preparation. 
4. Attend the required tests to seek admission. GMAT/GRE are qualifiers to seek admission in any Netherlands university. Along with that, you will have to present your IELTS or TOEFL score for an English-taught course. In the case of a Dutch course, you can take the CNaVT and NT2 language tests. 
5. You can apply to study in Holland via the official website of your desired university or via studielink.
6. Fill out the application form and upload all the required documents and certificates on the official site. Proceed to pay the application fees online.
7. Wait for the universities to revert. If selected, you will have to acquire a student visa to study abroad in Holland.    
8. Note that your university is responsible for initiating your visa process at the IND. Therefore, check with the university you have been enrolled in. After a go ahead from the university, you can apply for a student visa and a resident permit at your local embassy. 

Based on the choice of course you wish to pursue in Netherlands, you will have to meet some important requirements. Your admission application will be considered only if you tick all the requirements stated below: 

The cost of studying in Netherlands depends upon the course and university you choose. The overall cost of studying can be divided into two categories – Tuition Fees and Cost of Living.

Tuition Fees

The university fees in Netherlands for EU or non- EU/EEA students differ, the latter being slightly more expensive. 

Cost of Living

The cost of living for international students in Netherlands depends upon your lifestyle. The good news is that students also have the advantage of availing of special student discounts at malls, entertainment centres and more. Get an International Student ID card or a Dutch CJP card and enjoy all the benefits available for you. An average cost of living incurred by international students under various heads is discussed below:

Although a small country, there are a number of cities you can choose between to pursue your higher studies in Netherlands. Given below are some of the best cities to study in Netherlands for international students:

Amsterdam 

• Average Cost of Living/ month: 950-1000 EUR
• Top Universities University of Amsterdam, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC

Utrecht

• Average Cost of Living/ month: 900 EUR
• Top Universities: University College Utrecht, Utrecht University, University of Humanistic Studies

Rotterdam

• Average Cost of Living/ month: 850 -900 EUR
• Top Universities: Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences

Being accepted to a Netherlands university implies that you don’t have to struggle too much with documentation as the Universities initiate your visa formalities. 

• In case of a short course in the Netherlands (Shorter than 90 days), you can opt for a Schengen visa or a short-stay visa. 
• In case of a recognised long course, you will require an Entry visa (MVV) and a residence permit (VVR) to study in the Netherlands. 

Given below is the Student visa procedure for the Netherlands: 

1. Coordinate with your selected university on initiating your visa application. 
2. After completing your visa initiation, visit the Embassy or Consulate and apply for your visa. 
3. Pay the visa fees and submit your application.
4. Attend your visa interview. 
5. Your visa application might take up to a month to be approved. 
6. Collect your MVV. 

To encourage bright minds to study in Holland, there are a number of Government-funded, organisation funded and university-funded scholarships provided to international students. Some scholarships in Netherlands are: 

The Global Study Awards

• International students aspiring to pursue a Masters in the Netherlands in an English-taught program. 
• Amount/ Benefit: 10,000 EUR 

Holland Scholarship Programme

• International students aspiring to pursue a Bachelors or Masters in Holland. 
• Amount/ Benefit: A grant of 5,000 EUR in the first year. 

Orange Knowledge Programme

• Offered to students from third world countries to pursue masters or short term programs.
• Amount/ Benefit:  Covers cost of living, tuition fees, health insurance etc. Students also receive a monthly fixed amount during your study.

Erasmus Mundus Scholarships

• Students pursuing masters degrees. 
• Amount/ Benefit: Coverage of tuition fees, insurance, travel costs etc. 

University-Based Scholarships 

• Students enrolled in Holland Universities.  They grant a reduction or coverage of tuition fees and offer additional scholarships based on Merit. Universities included are University of Maastricht, Radboud University, Utrecht University, University of Groningen, VU University Amsterdam, University of Twente offer such scholarships. 
• Amount/ Benefit: Reduction of tuition fees, insurance cover, travel or cost of living expense grant. 

Choosing to study abroad in Holland also has a positive bearing on your professional career. Many institutions and universities offer placements, networking opportunities and exposure to international students. 

Netherlands has great demand for international graduates. There are many job vacancies and fewer people to occupy a job.  Some of the top companies you can work in Netherlands for are Shell, Airbus, ING group, Philips, etc. Some of the top areas that offer job opportunities in Netherlands after Masters are:

To promote employment of highly skilled international professionals, Netherlands offers one year as an Orientation year for international students. The Orientation year is the allowance or permit provided to international students after graduation to seek employment. Once you get a job, you can continue living in Netherlands until you have the job. However, note that there are certain conditions that you need to comply with during your employment. That are: 

• Your employer needs to be a registered sponsor for highly skilled work. 
• Your pay needs to be equal or above the minimum wage requirement. 

Studying in Netherlands for international students is fruitful when they make a transition to a work visa in Netherlands. Some of the formal documentation you will need there are: 

• A work permit (TVW)
• Residence permit
• Work+Residence permit (GVVA) 
• Long stay visa (MVV)

Note: Unless you are an entrepreneur, your employer will take care of your residence and work permit in the Netherlands. 

For PR in Netherlands, you can apply after 5 years of work or stay in the Netherlands. Studying in Netherlands for Indian students too can lead up to the ladder of work visa and PR. This is possible if you opt for a high-in-demand profession like Engineering, Data experts and more. 

Choosing to study abroad in Netherlands can turn out to be an amazing experience. What adds to it is the warm and open-mindedness of people.  Considering the lifestyle, travel, low cost of living and the attractive future that Netherlands holds for you, you should definitely consider studying in this beautiful country. In case you have doubts, feel free to get in touch with our Yocket professionals about studying in Netherlands for Indian students.