The Kingdom of the Netherlands, commonly known as Holland, is located in Northwestern Europe and includes the islands of Aruba, Curaçao, and Saba. The country is considered one of the most densely populated in the world, with over 400 people per square kilometer. Amsterdam is the capital and the largest city, with a population of over 1.3 million. The officially recognized languages are two: Dutch and Frisian, while English is spoken fluently by over 90% of the population. This is one of the main reasons why the Netherlands is popular among prospective students. Additionally, the country is renowned for its liberal policies and immense societal tolerance, which further contributes to its status as a preferred destination for young people to study and live.

اقتصاد

The هولندا has a highly progressive and open economy that is growing rapidly and offering many opportunities. The country is renowned for its high-tech industry and modern business climate. Its strongest sectors include the food and beverage industry, pharmaceutical and chemical manufacturing, as well as oil and gas refining. Additionally, the هولندا is a major player in electronics, electrical engineering, and advanced technologies. In agriculture, the country is one of the leading nations worldwide, operating highly modern and mechanized farms that produce enormous quantities of fruits, vegetables, and flowers — making the Netherlands the third-largest exporter of agricultural products, after the US and فرنسا. If you dream of a career in business, technology, or agriculture, the Netherlands is an excellent place for learning and development. Here, you can gain insights into how a world-renowned and competitive economy functions and have a real opportunity for great success in the future.

المؤسسات التعليمية

In the Netherlands, there are two types of higher education institutions. Briefly, they can be called:

•  Universities and
• Applied sciences colleges.

We refer to them as colleges because, even in translation from the local language, they are called “higher professional colleges,” not universities. Often, applied sciences colleges are presented as a preferable option for young people, but in reality, their diplomas hold limited value because they are equivalent to a semi-secondary level, not a full bachelor’s degree. After graduating from an applied sciences college, the diploma is not recognized either in the هولندا or abroad for starting a master’s program, since it is not a complete bachelor’s degree. The diploma from applied sciences colleges cannot be legalized internationally, which often complicates job searches and career development. In contrast, diplomas from regular universities are valued equally with degrees from other European, American, and global universities in terms of recognition and prestige. It is highly recommended to pursue studies at traditional university institutions to be assured of obtaining a legitimate and prestigious diploma. Some of the highest-ranked universities in worldwide rankings include:

• جامعة أمستردام – ranked 1st in the world for الإعلام والاتصالات, and top 20 in the world for International Relations and Political Science;
• جامعة إيراسموس روتردام – ranked in the top 20 for عمل worldwide;
• جامعة أوتريخت – top 30 in علم النفس and top 40 in صيدلية;
• جامعة ماستريخت – top 60 for قانون;
• جامعة ليدن – top 50 in Humanities;
• جامعة جرونينجن – top 30 in علم النفس and top 100 in الهندسة الكيميائية;
• University of Tilburg – top 50 in الاقتصاد;
• Delft University of Technology – top 3 in بنيان, top 6 in هندسة, and top 30 in AI;
• جامعة آيندهوفن للتكنولوجيا – top 50 in هندسة disciplines.

In contrast, applied sciences colleges do not even rank within the top 2000 in global university rankings. This is the primary reason why their diplomas are almost unrecognized worldwide, and graduates face significant difficulties finding employment and career opportunities.

PROGRAMS & SPECIALITIES

More than 70% of programs in the هولندا are taught in English. The most popular fields among international students are:

• Business Administration,
• Engineering,
• Computer Science, and
• Psychology.

This also explains the division of programs and the application processes into two categories:

1. Numerus Fixus — the most sought-after specializations, and
2. Regular programs such as Economics, Sociology, Data Science, Philology and others.

Admission procedures for these two types of programs are fundamentally different, even if the fields sound similar, for example, Business Administration (Numerus Fixus) and Business Economics (regular program).

DURATION OF DEGREES

Bachelor’s programs last 3 years standard, without internship, or 3 + 1 year with an internship; Master’s programs range between 1 and 2 years.

APPLICATION PROCESS & REQUIREMENTS

When applying in the Netherlands through Studielink platform, it is important to understand the difference between “Numerus Fixus” and regular university programs. “Numerus Fixus” programs have strict deadlines and requirements. You must submit your documents by January 15th, and then you are required to pass an exam or interview. Additionally, the results and ranking for these places are announced specifically on April 15th each year. The rest of requirements and documents are standard:

• An academic transcript showing grades from grades 9 to 12;
• A language certificate with a required level of C1, with accepted certificates being الآيلتس, اختبار اللغة الإنجليزية كلغة أجنبية (توفل), and Cambridge;
• A motivational essay;
• A CV;
• Sometimes, a mandatory recommendation letter from a teacher or a internship experience;

In contrast to “Numerus Fixus” programs, regular university programs in the Netherlands rarely require exams or interviews. Here, the selection is based solely on the submitted documents mentioned above. It is crucial to know that the earlier you submit your application (as the portal opens in October), the faster you’ll receive a response. This increases your chances of admission during the initial phases of the application process.

TUITION FEES

Almost all universities in the Netherlands have annual tuition fees ranging between €2,500 and €2,600.

ACCOMMODATION & HOUSING

The هولندا is facing its most severe housing shortage in Europe, which is most acutely felt by students and young professionals. Universities and student accommodation companies report that the capacity of student dormitories and apartments is insufficient to meet the rapidly growing demand. In cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, and Eindhoven, competition for available rooms is so fierce that applicants often remain on waiting lists for months or simply cannot find accommodation at all. The average monthly rent for a student room in major Dutch cities is around €900. In high-demand cities like Amsterdam and Utrecht, prices often exceed €1,200 to €1,500. Statistics show that about 25% of prospective university students in popular cities fail to find housing altogether and are forced to delay or even not start their studies. Others live hundreds of kilometers away from their universities, which means long daily commutes, additional costs, and stress. Many students live in overcrowded accommodations or share rooms with several people to cut costs, negatively impacting their quality of life and concentration on their studies. Most young professionals who have graduated need to allocate over 60-70% of their starting salary just for rent, which hampers their ability to save and invest in their future. This pressure often demotivates them from staying long-term in the Netherlands and prompts them to seek opportunities elsewhere.

LIFE OF AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT IN THE NETHERLANDS – TIPS AND INFORMATION FOR PERSPECTIVE STUDENTS

Registration upon arrival Upon arriving in the Netherlands, the first important step is registration with the local municipality (Gemeente). This registration is mandatory and provides you with an official address, which is necessary for receiving documents, banking services, and social benefits. Additionally, you must register at the university where you will receive a student card — this document will grant you access to the campus facilities, libraries, and discounts for transport. Obtaining and registering for the citizens’ platform (BRP – Briefkaart) To stay legally in the Netherlands as a student, it is necessary to obtain a BRP (Basic Registration Procedure). The process begins after your arrival, requiring you to book an appointment at the local Civil Registration Office (Gemeente) or through the online platform. During your visit, bring your passport, proof of registration at the university, proof of address, and possibly proof of financial means. The issuance of the BRP usually takes a few weeks, after which you will receive a document confirming your legal residence and social security rights. Health insurance and social services Health insurance is mandatory for all students in the Netherlands. If you are from the European Union, you can use your European Health Insurance Card, which provides free or low-cost access to medical services in the country. After THE municipality registration, it is also necessary to register with a local health insurer (Zorgverzekeraar) to obtain health coverage for your essential needs. You can do this online, which simplifies the process and helps you integrate faster into the new environment.

WORK DURING STUDIES IN THE NETHERLANDS

For international students outside the EU, working restrictions limit employment to a maximum of 16 hours per week during the academic year and full-time during vacations. However, students from the EU can work up to 20 hours per week. Typical student jobs in the Netherlands include:

• working in shops & retail outlets,
• serving as a waiter or bartender in restaurants and cafes,
•  working as a courier or delivery person for food and goods.

The average monthly income from student jobs is around €400-€800. It’s important to note that if you earn more than €1,000 per month, you will be required to pay taxes.

SCHOLARSHIPS, GRANTS AND STUDENT LOANS

EXCHANGE PROGRAMS

In collaboration with foreign universities and institutions, Dutch universities maintain numerous international partnerships and exchange programs. Here are some specific examples of leading Dutch universities and their international collaborators:

1. Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) Works with institutions such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT, الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية), the جامعة كامبريدج (المملكة المتحدة), the University of Tokyo (اليابان), and other top-tier technical universities worldwide.
2. جامعة أمستردام (UvA) Has collaborations with Harvard University (الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية), the جامعة أكسفورد (المملكة المتحدة), and Sorbonne University (فرنسا).
3. جامعة أوتريخت Partners with the University of Bonn (ألمانيا), the جامعة برشلونة (إسبانيا), the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), as well as universities in أستراليا, كندا, الصين, and others.
4. جامعة ليدن Collaborates with Heidelberg University (ألمانيا), the University of Melbourne (أستراليا), the University of Tokyo (اليابان), and various other prestigious universities around the world, especially in the fields of humanities, law, and biomedical sciences.
5. جامعة إيراسموس روتردام Works jointly with Yale University (الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية), the جامعة فيينا (النمسا), Sofia University (بلغاريا), Cairo University (Egypt), Peking University (الصين), and other leading global universities for joint research initiatives and student exchanges.