Few non-English speaking countries have done as much in recent years to raise their international landscape by offering English-medium degree choices as the Netherlands. This isn’t necessarily surprising, given that 93% of Dutch residents speak English to a decent level.
The Netherlands offers beautiful landscapes, vibrant cities, and amazing deals on higher education. However, it’s not as simple as filling out another application (though it’s pretty darn close).
Noteworthy Universities
Eleven Dutch universities routinely rank in the top 200 of global universities, according to the Times Higher Education Supplement. While Wageningen University and Research, a specialist institution focused on agricultural research, is the highest ranked, the University of Amsterdam, Utrecht University, Leiden University, and University of Groningen are just some of the ones that are in the top 100. These are especially noteworthy as they each offer numerous English-medium courses.
Degrees Available
Some universities, like the University of Amsterdam, offer a number of degrees across a variety of fields. Groningen is also like that; there’s plenty to study even if you don’t speak Dutch. From Computer Science to Business, American Studies to the sciences, you’ll be able to find something to study.
Bear in mind that most Dutch degrees are three years long and are more focused on your chosen degree field than you’d find here in the US.
Language Requirements
While the majority of degree programs across the Netherlands will require fluency in Dutch, there are a number of universities that offer plenty of options entirely in English. While learning some Dutch will be greatly advantageous for getting around (and you shouldn’t leave without at least a few phrases), as long as you apply to an English language program, you’ll be fine.
Admissions Requirements
It might start sounding too good to be true, but there is a catch. Dutch universities have little respect for a typical American high school diploma. Instead, you’ve got to have some APs, or something similar, to back it up. Typically, this is four AP test scores of three or above. You can take them your senior year and receive a conditional acceptance, so if you’re quite confident that you will at least get a three, it’s a solid route.
Paying for It
On the whole, education in the Netherlands is quite affordable. Tuition for foreigners is almost always under 10,000 Euros per year, and it is typically under 5,000. For most, living expenses are low enough that a student job working 15-20 hours per week is enough to cover almost all living expenses, though you should always have some additional funding in case you can’t find a job immediately.
Five universities in the Netherlands are willing to process US Direct Loans; luckily, some of the best universities in the country are among them, like the Free University of Amsterdam, the University of Amsterdam, and the University of Utrecht.
Living in the Netherlands
While the Netherlands is a small country, it is in the middle of everything. Roughly equidistant from Paris, Berlin, and London, you are just a short flight or train journey from most destinations in Northwestern Europe.
Additionally, a lot of business headquarters are focused in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and nearby cities like Brussels, Hamburg, and Frankfurt. There are plenty of opportunities to kick off your career by studying in the Netherlands.