Why study in the Netherlands?

There must be a reason why there are 90,000 international students in the Netherlands, a number that is increasing every year. In fact, there are several very good reasons.

International atmosphere

The Netherlands is well-known as an open society. A hub for business and commerce, according to the 2014 Global Connectedness Index, it is the world’s most internationally connected country (economically and geographically). Today, the country is home to over 200 nationalities. The national language is Dutch, but the Netherlands has the second highest level of English proficiency in continental Europe, aft er Sweden. With little to no language barrier, the Netherlands is an excellent study destination.

The Dutch way of teaching

The Dutch teaching style is interactive and student-centered.

Teamwork

Dutch education focuses on teamwork, which makes it easy to meet other international students. For a large part of your studies you will be working in groups to analyse and solve specific problems. You will also get a chance to get practical work experience through internships or do experiments in laboratories, depending on the field of study.

Interaction in class

Interaction in class is highly appreciated. You are expected to think about the knowledge that is presented to you and develop and express your own opinion. You are free to ask questions and be critical of what lecturers or fellow students say. Use your own creativity to apply your newly-gained knowledge.

Working after your studies

Curious about what comes next after your studies in the Netherlands? The Dutch education system looks beyond offering good quality study programmes. It is a common belief in the Netherlands that offering a good study climate alone is not enough, but that students need to be given the tools to start a great career after receiving their diplomas. It is therefore no surprise that large international recruitment agencies see graduates from Dutch institutions as highly interesting and highly employable.

Staying in the Netherlands to find a job

If you chose a technical degree or a degree in education, your chances to get employed in the Netherlands increase. Learning Dutch will also greatly enhance your opportunities on the labour market in the country. Following this link, you find an interactive dashbard with the stayrates of international students. Here you can see with what degrees graduates are more often able to stay and find employment: Stayrates of international graduates | Nuffic

The Netherlands also has a thriving start-up scene. The surge of successful entrepreneurial endeavors has made the region one of Europe's hottest start-up hubs. Explore the valuable insights provided by Welcome to NL, offering a practical guide to the landscape of innovation, entrepreneurship, and opportunities in the Netherlands.

International orientation

That international orientation will be underscored by the fact that every year the Netherlands welcomes students from over 160 different countries. Moreover, Dutch society is strongly connected to other cultures and the international business community. The Dutch are also open-minded and direct, making it easy to meet them and exchange ideas. Language need never be a problem in the Netherlands. Dutch universities offer the largest number of English-taught programmes in continental Europe. And with 95 per cent of Dutch people being able to speak English, you’ll never be lost for words here.

City life and nature

The Netherlands is quite a small country, and that is part of its charm. Amazing places and experiences are within reach. For those who favour city life, major cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Utrecht are all close to Leiden and The Hague. They make for great destinations for day or weekend trips, with abundant opportunities to enjoy music, theatre, restaurants, cafés, architecture and art. But if you’d rather find relaxation and inspiration in nature, you also have many options. You could spend time at one of the sandy beaches that stretch along the Netherlands’ North Sea coast dotted across the country.

Happy people

As if all these weren’t reasons enough, the Netherlands is also one of the best countries in the world in which to live, as well as being a gateway to Europe. According to the 2016 Global Peace index, the Netherlands is one of the world’s safest countries and the OECD’s Better Life Index cites it as one of the happiest. Finally, thanks to the country’s location and excellent transport links, most of Europe’s capital cities are no more than a few hours away.

In the heart of Europe

Although the Netherlands has a lot to offer, you may want to take some international trips as well. In that case, you can easily travel by train or plane to Europe’s major cities: the Netherlands is right at the heart of Europe.With Schiphol International airport just a short train ride away from Leiden and The Hague, exciting European cities like London, Paris, Antwerp and Berlin are within easy reach.There are plenty of cheap flight deals available, so a weekend trip does not have to be expensive. But if you’d rather travel by train, there are regular departures to Belgium and France from both Leiden and the Hague.