Higher education in the Netherlands: types of universities

Study in Holland

Teachingin English in Europeis available in Holland. Netherlands Universities are known all over the world for their high level of teaching, research activities and academic rankings. According to QS Ranking, 12 Dutch higher education institutions are in the global top 300, with 2 of them in the top 100. Today in the Netherlands there are about 2100 programs (at all universities) for international students, which are taught in English. This country offers the largest number of courses in English in comparison with other countries of continental Europe.

Students from Ukraine can enter the universities of the Netherlands and study in Holland after the 11th grade or after receiving a bachelor’s degree from a Ukrainian university.

Higher education in Holland is known for its binary system. This means that students can choose to study at one of two types of universities, two types of study:

Research Universities – research universities;

Universities of Applied Sciences – universities of applied sciences;

The main difference in the two systems of education, in the approach to teaching and opportunities for scientific and research activities, and of course in offered specialties. Science universities focus on a research-based approach to teaching academic subjects and preparing for professional work. The University of Applied Sciences provides professional training for students for further careers.
There is a third type of university that offers programs directly for foreign students – institute of international education. But it is less popular among international students, as it offers more narrowly focused specialties.

Let’s take a closer look at the two main types of universities that our students are interested in.

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES

Teaching in these types of institutions focuses on a scientific approach to the study of academic subjects. Many programs also include vocational training to prepare future graduates for practical work. Scientific universities in Holland vary in size. From 6,000 to 30,000 students. Today there are about 240,000 students in research universities.

Stages of study at research universities in the Netherlands:
• Bachelor of Arts (BA) – Bachelor of Arts: program duration 3 years;• Bachelor of Sciences (BSc) – Bachelor of Science: duration of the program 3 years;
• Master of Arts (MA) – Master of Arts: duration of study 1- 2 years;
• Master of Sciences (MSc) – Master of Science: duration of study 1-2 years;
• Professional Doctorate in Engineering (PDEng) – Doctorate in Engineering: 2 years;
• PhD – Doctorate: 4 years;

List of research universities that offer study programs and courses in in English:

Application for admission to scientific universities in Holland after the 11th grade of secondary school in Ukraine is not accepted! Scientific universities do not recognize our certificate as a complete secondary education. There are no exceptions, even for the smartest students!

Delft University of Technology
Eindhoven University of Technology
Erasmus University Rotterdam
Leiden University
Maastricht University
Nyenrode Business Universiteit
Open University
Radboud University Nijmegen
The Protestant Theological University
TIAS School for Business and Society
Tilburg University
University of Amsterdam
University of Groningen
University of Humanistic Studies
University of Twente
Utrecht University
VU University Amsterdam
Wageningen University and Research Centre

What students from Ukraine need to know about applying to research universities in the Netherlands:

The minimum age for admission to a bachelor’s program is 18;

School graduates in Ukraine need to go through an additional year of preparation for admission to the first year, this is due to the discrepancy between the level of secondary education;

Graduates of Ukrainian universities can go directly to the universities of Holland for master’s programs, the main requirement is a high level of English;

For admission to a bachelor’s or master’s program, some universities conduct additional testing or interviews with applicants;

UNIVERSITIES OF APPLIED SCIENCES

The main goal of studying at universities of applied sciences is to prepare a student to professional activity, training is focused on the practical application of knowledge in life. Most universities include an internship program that gives students the opportunity to put their knowledge into practice. Universities of applied sciences have between 20,000 and 40,000 students. Today, about 416,000 students study at universities of applied sciences throughout the Netherlands.

Stages of study at universities of applied sciences in the Netherlands:
• Bachelor (B) – Bachelor: duration of study 4 years;
• Master (M) – Master: duration of study 1-2 years;

List of universities of applied sciences that offer bachelor’s and master’s programs in English:
Amsterdam School of the Arts
Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences
ArtEZ Institute of the Arts
Avans Hogeschool, University of Applied Sciences
Azusa Theological Seminary
Business School Netherlands
Business School Notenboom
Christelijke Hogeschool Ede
Christian University of Applied Sciences
Codarts, University for the Arts
Design Academy Eindhoven
Driestar Hogeschool
EuroPort Business School
Fontys University of Applied Sciences
Gerrit Rietveld Academie
HAN University of Applied Sciences
Hanze University Groningen, University of Applied Sciences
HAS Den Bosch University of Applied Sciences
Hogeschool Edith Stein
HKU University of the Arts Utrecht
HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht
HZ University of Applied Sciences
Hotelschool The Hague
Inholland University of Applied Sciences
Kath olieke Pabo Zwolle, Teacher Training Institute
New Business School Amsterdam
NHL University of Applied Sciences
NHTV Breda University of Applied Sciences
Rotterdam University, University of Applied Sciences
Saxion University of Applied SciencesSTC-Group
Stenden University of Applied Sciences
The Hague University of Applied Sciences
TIO University of Applied Sciences
University of Applied Sciences Leiden
University of the Arts, The Hague
Van Hall Larenstein, University of Applied Sciences
Vilentum University of Applied Sciences
Webster University, University of Applied Sciences
Windesheim University of Applied Sciences
Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences
Zuyd University of Applied Sciences

What students from Ukraine need to know about applying to universities of applied sciences:

The minimum age for admission to the first year is 17 years. You should also take into account the requirements of the university for the age of applicants;

For admission to the first year of the university, in most cases there is no need to take a preparatory course for entering the university, but there are universities in which the preparatory course is an integral part of education for students from Ukraine;

Students, graduates of Ukrainian universities can directly enter the master’s program provided that they have a high level of English;

The duration of study at the bachelor’s program is 4 years, and cannot be reduced;

CURRICULUM PROGRAMS IN THE UNIVERSITIES OF THE HOLLAND

Preparatory programs: Studying in Holland on such programs is mainly designed for those who want to improve their English or mathematics. Depending on the level of preparation of the student, the duration of the programs can be from 1 to 12 months. Preparatory programs at some universities are the main part of the higher education program, especially for students from Ukraine, because our secondary education lasts 11 years, not 12 as in Holland.

Bachelor’s degree: the program is designed for 3 years of study. A graduate receives a bachelor’s degree after 3 years of study, a doctoral degree similar to an international master’s degree, students receive under the condition of studying under the “indivisible master” program, where bachelor’s and master’s programs are combined into a single 5-year program. In universities of applied sciences, the duration of bachelor’s programs is 4 years.

Master’s: Programs are offered by universities, international institutes, less often by vocational schools. Studying in Holland on such a program is designed for 1-2 years. Upon completion of the program, an international diploma is issued, recognized in any country in the world.

MBA: Programs are distinguished by a variety of choices ─ full, combined with distance learning, according to the American or European model. Depending on the type of program, training lasts from 10 months to 2 years or more. Some universities require work experience for admission to the MBA program.

Postgraduate programs: Education in the Netherlands requires the availability of such programs in higher education institutions of all types. Designed for those who want to improve their skills, respectively, depending on the initial level of training of the student, they can last from 1 year to 4 years.

EDUSTEPS recommendation:

Students from Ukraine (graduates of schools and universities) can study in the Netherlands in English at two types of universities: University of Applied Sciences, Research University. The choice of an educational institution will primarily depend on your specialty and purpose. If you want to get an academic education, then a research university is suitable for you, but if you want to master a certain profession, enter the University of Applied Sciences.

EDUSTEPS educational agency specializes in enrolling students from Ukraine to universities in the Netherlands. We provide a full range of enrollment services, from selecting a study program to obtaining a student visa. More detailed information about the agency’s services can be found on the Services page. For admission to universities in the Netherlands, the PREMIUM package will suit you.

Benefits you will get when enrolling in universities in the Netherlands with EDUSTEPS

Have you chosen a university in the Netherlands and a major? Then this enrollment plan is for you:

Are you ready to choose an educational institution in Holland and start the enrollment process? – Sign up for an individual consultation with our specialist who will help you take the first step towards Higher education in the Netherlands.