Netherlands
Basic Information about Netherlands
The Netherlands is located in Northwestern Europe. It is bound by the North Sea to the north and west, Germany to the east and Belgium to the south. The inland area is below sea level in some places, protected by coastal dunes and dykes. The capital of the country is Amsterdam, but The Hague is the seat of the Queen, Government and Parliament. The country has a population of 16.3 million. The official language is Dutch, while English is also widely understood and spoken.
The Higher Education System
The education system in Holland is known for its high quality in education and research and its international study environment. The Dutch higher education institutions together offer 1,462 international study programmes and courses of which 1,455 are taught entirely in English. This makes Holland the front-runner in continental Europe.
The Netherlands higher educational system is a dual system composed of two main types of regular higher education: Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (WO – university education) and Hoger Beroepsonderwijs (HBO – universities of applied sciences). The universities (WO) focus on the independent practice of research-oriented work in an academic or professional setting. The universities of applied sciences (HBO) are more practically oriented, preparing students directly for specific careers. A smaller branch of education is provided by Institutes of International Education – Internationaal Onderwijs (IO), which offer programmes designed especially for foreign students. International Education is generally conducted in English.
Universities (WO) and universities of applied sciences (HBO) award both Bachelor's and Master's degrees. Institutes for International Education (IO) offer Master’s programmes, but no bachelor’s programmes. A bachelor’s programme at a university requires three years of full-time study (180 ECTS credits) to complete, while a bachelor’s programme offered by a university of applied sciences requires four years of full-time study (240 credits). Depending on the discipline, Master’s programmes at universities, universities of applied sciences and institutes for International Education last one to two years (60–120 ECTS credits). Doctorate (PhD) programmes are only offered at universities (WO) and last at least four years.
Tuition Fees and Living Costs
Depending on the programme, the tuition fees for non EU residents amount to approximately SGD 30 000 per year. Apart from this, the living cotsts (inclusive of accommodation, food, transport and utilities) are estimated between SGD 1600,- to SGD 2200,- per month.
Scholarships
Huygens Scholarships Programme (HSP)
The HSP programme is aimed at talented students who want to come to the Netherlands in the final phase of their Bachelor’s studies or during their Master’s studies. Study in the Netherlands can include research and/or practical training. However, HSP scholarships cannot be awarded to finance PhD studies in the Netherlands. Part of the total budget is reserved for students following programmes in Dutch studies. The HSP programme is administered by Nuffic.
More information is available at www.nuffic.nl/hsp or hsphuygens@nuffic.nl
- Where can I find more information?
- Study in Holland: comprehensive information on various aspects of study in the Netherlands: www.studyinholland.nl
- Netherlands organization for international cooperation in higher education. www.nuffic.nl
- Online database of English-taught study programmes in the Netherlands (more than 1,450 programmes): www.nuffic.nl/ispacsearch
- Database of scholarships for study in the Netherlands: www.grantfinder.nl
- Full listing of all higher educational institutions in the Netherlands: www.internationalstudy.nl
Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
541 Orchard Road
#13-01 Liat Towers
Singapore 238881
Tel: +65 6737 1155
Fax: +65 6737 1940
Email: sin@minbuza.nl
Website: www.mfa.nl/sin
