The high-quality education system and international approach have made the Netherlands an international student magnet. As the country offers affordable education with most of the courses being taught in English, it is the dream of many students to study in the Netherlands. Like any other country, universities in the Netherlands also have set application deadlines and this article is meant to assist students with them.
Application Process:
The Netherlands follows a centralized admission procedure however, the deadlines may vary for a different level of the programs available. There are three cycles of programs in the country referred to as Associate and Bachelor for the first cycle, Masters courses as the second cycle and PDENG and PhD courses as the third cycle.
There are four different types of higher education institutes in the Netherlands:
- Research University: Focuses on autonomous research-oriented teaching practice in an academic or professional environment. The university offers three-year Bachelor’s programs and one or two-year Master’s programs. A WO degree can be obtained at a research university in the Netherlands.
- University for Applied Sciences: Students are prepared to practice science independently. The universities offer Bachelors programs for four years. An HBO degree can be obtained at a university of Applied Sciences.
- Institutes for International Education and University Colleges: Institutes for International Education (IE) provide a wide range of specialized programs, including short courses, Master’s degrees, and PhD degrees. The majority of IE institutes are part of a research university. IE institutes may well fit the demands of expats because of their global character.
Mostly the intakes start in the month of February and September. Those who are looking to fill applications can follow the below-shared application deadlines to complete the admission procedure well in time.
Application deadlines for Dutch Research Universities
| University | Degree | Intake | Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leiden University | Masters | February | 15 october, 2021 |
| University of Twente | Masters | February | 1 October, 2021 |
| Wageningen University and research center | Masters | February | 15 September, 2021 |
Application deadline for Dutch Institutes for International Education
| University | Degree | Intake | Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maastricht School of Management | MBA | September | 15 July, 2021 |
Application deadline for Dutch University College
| University | Degree | Intake | Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maastricht School of management | Bachelors | September | 1 October, 2021 |
| University College Roosevelt | Bachelors | Spring Time | October 1, 2021 |
Studying Costs:
The cost of studying at Dutch universities and higher education institutes is mainly funded by the government for students from the Netherlands, other EU/EEA countries, Switzerland, or Surinam. However, these students are also required to pay a statutory tuition fee (collegegeld), which is determined by the government at about 2.000 Euros each year.
The cost for Non-EU/EEA students depends on the institution, the degree, the type of resident permit a student hold, whether they have studied here before and have obtained any scholarship.
Deadlines for housing reservations at Dutch universities:
Since finding a place to live in Dutch student cities can be difficult for newcomers, several institutions provide extra assistance during the application process. International students, through their contractual agreements between their institute and housing businesses, have the guarantee that they have enough accommodations while studying. However, due to the high demand, this guarantee is not for all students.
Students who desire to take advantage of the additional housing aid should begin their enrolment procedure at least 3-4 months before the start of their program. Housing is often occupied on a first-come, first-served basis, and application deadlines frequently do not account for this extended period.
University admissions criteria:
The first step is to connect with the international office of the university of your interest to understand whether your degree earned in the native country is recognized in the Netherlands. If your degree is recognized then you may require the following things:
- Non-EU/EEA students need Resident Permit
- English Proficiency: TOEFL (minimum 550 paper-based, 213 computer-based), IELTS (minimum average of 6) GMAT or GRE
- A minimum average of 7 – 7,5 (foreign diploma)
- A strong command of the Dutch language
Kindly note that the application dates may vary from university to university from the above-mentioned dates however, not much difference will be there. It is always advisable to also cross the check the official website of the university of your interest for confirming the dates.
Also, read our article: The Netherlands to be the Digital Leader
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