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Gain insights into the Netherlands higher education framework, academic culture, teaching methods, and grading system to prepare for your studies.
2 years
A short practical degree at a university of applied sciences.
3 years (research university) or 4 years (applied sciences)
180 or 240 credits.
1 to 3 years
Most take 1 or 2 years (60 or 120 credits). A few take 3 years (180 credits), at a research university.
4 years
At a research university.
Two kinds of university: research universities (WO) and universities of applied sciences (HBO, more practical). Credits count your study time: 60 credits is one full year.
The Netherlands has research universities and universities of applied sciences. Both offer bachelor's and master's degrees.
Research-based programmes. Examples: Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), University of Amsterdam (UvA), Leiden University, Utrecht University, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), the University of Groningen and Maastricht University.
•Altogether some 240,000 students.
Programmes focused on using knowledge in practice.
•Altogether some 446,000 students.
•Internships are a big part of the study.
At universities of applied sciences.
3 years at a research university, 4 at a university of applied sciences.
Most take 1 or 2 years (60 or 120 credits). Engineering, science and research master's often take 2 years.
At a research university.
Classes are built around you. You think, ask questions and say what you think.
Much of your study is in groups, where you work out problems together.
You meet many other international students.
Internships or lab experiments, depending on your field.
At universities of applied sciences, internships are an important part of study.
The Netherlands uses a 10-point scale. 10 is the highest and 6 is the lowest pass.
| Letter Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| 10 | Outstanding (very rare) |
| 9 | Very good (very rare) |
| 8 | Good |
| 7 | More than satisfactory |
| 6 | Satisfactory (lowest pass) |
| 5 | Almost satisfactory |
| 4 | Unsatisfactory |
Dutch programmes count study time in credits (also called EC). A full year is 60 credits.
A one-year master's is 60 credits. Two-year master's are 120 credits.
A Dutch body called NVAO checks and approves (accredits) programmes. To get a residence permit to study, your programme must be approved.
The IND (the Dutch immigration office) gives a study permit only for an approved programme. NVAO or a quality body on the EQAR list (a European register) must have approved it.
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