The Dutch education system ensures that students receive the adequate education according to their set of skills. Generally, after completing primary school each student will be recommended into the following levels of secondary education (high school): VMBO, HAVO and VWO – the latter being the highest level.

Depending on which level of secondary education a student has completed, he/she is able to attend university accordingly. In the Netherlands, there is a distinction in higher education between universities of applied sciences (Dutch: HBO) and universities (Dutch: WO).

To receive more information on the difference between those please watch the short video or click the link to a guide below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hes7RfuNqvU

https://www.studyinholland.nl/

https://www.uaf.nl/

https://www.idw.nl/en/dutch-educational-system.htmlavailable in English, Farsi, Arabic and French

It is difficult to generalize since entry requirements may differ from institution to study programme. However, it is important that have a residence permit. Most universities need a valid diploma in order to admit you into a study programme - you can use the following link to verify your diplomas.

Once your diploma has been verified, the university will inform you if you have to complete a language course or any proficiency test in advance in order to be enrolled.

Various schools have integrated a tool called Pathfinder that helps refugees navigate for which schools and programmes they are eligible for. Here you can find an example available in multiple languages.

Most universities have so-called open days (Dutch: open dag), on which prospect students get the opportunity to get to know the institutions, students and teachers. During this day, a representative of each study programme will be present to showcase the study and to answer all the questions you might have.

Keep in mind that the semester of higher education is divided into a summer and winter semester, so the open days will take place in advance of the registration period. We have a few listed below.

The Hague University of Applied Sciences

Mondriaan ROC

Hogeschool Rotterdam

Erasmus University Rotterdam

Universiteit Leiden

Universiteit Utrecht

Universiteit van Amsterdam

Most studies are open to all the prospect students that fulfill the requirements of the institution, and do not depend on your average in secondary school. This is due to the fact that the Dutch higher education system seeks to be more inclusive and continues to be decentralized. Whether or not you will be admitted into your desired study, depends on the number of students of have registered that academic year on a basis of ‘first come, first serve’.

Therefore, make sure register on time. All applications go through the website called Studielink through which you are asked to hand in all the necessary documents.

In general, these degrees differ in the level of education, and in order to attain a master’s degree you must complete a bachelor’s degree achieving a certain amount of ECTS. The link below explains both degrees in great depth.

http://www.euroeducation.net/prof/netherco.htm

The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) were introduced by the European Union in order to have a system that evaluates all higher education degrees attained within the Union. Please follow the link to find out how ECTS work.

https://ec.europa.eu/education/resources/european-credit-transfer-accumulation-system_en

The Dutch government issued certain criteria for foreign nationals in order to be eligible for study finance (DUO). Here you find these requirements and see if you fulfill them. Please note that the Dutch study finance is comprised of a grant and a loan.

Depending on which level of higher education, the amount of yearly tuition fees differs. Click on this link to find out about the amount and living costs for students.

Like most European countries, the Netherlands uses the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages to evaluate one’s language skills. Click on the link to see how language proficiency is assessed.

The majority of higher education have student associations that organize events and extra-curricular activities for students. Make sure to ask when attending open days or look up the university’s website about upcoming events

Once you were granted study finance, a travel product is included that allows you to travel for free during the weekdays and on 40 percent discount on the weekends. However, if this is not the case, you can check the following websites to find the best travel product for you and make sure to look up the prices of your local public transport provider.

https://www.ns.nl/en/season-tickets

For any further questions, please refer to this guide through the Dutch education system.

https://www.nuffic.nl/en/publications/find-a-publication/education-system-the-netherlands.pdf