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the Netherlands
The Education System
Primary Education
In the Netherlands children are allowed to start school at the age of four, but are not legally required to do so until the age of five. Primary education lasts eight years (of which seven are compulsory), in the last year of which students are advised as to the type of secondary education they should pursue.
Secondary Education
Secondary education, which begins at the age of 12 and is compulsory until the age of 16, is offered at several levels. Two levels of general education grant admission to higher education; HAVO (comparable to HK's Form 5) and VWO (comparable to HK's Form 7). The VWO curriculum prepares pupils for university, and only the VWO diploma grants access to research universities. The HAVO diploma is the minimum requirement for access to universities of applied sciences.
The language of teaching used in secondary schools is mainly Dutch. Some secondary schools though are more internationally focussed and teach in English.
Basically secondary schools in the Netherlands only welcome international students who moved to the Netherlands, due to the profession of their parents (EX-pats).
Higher Education
The higher education system in the Netherlands is organised around the 3-cycle degree system of Bachelor, Master and PhD degrees. There are over 100 Institutes of Higher Education in the Netherlands that can be classified into three types: 'Research Universities', 'Universities of Applied Sciences' and International Education Institutes (IO).
Research Universities
The 14 research based Universities in the Netherlands include comprehensive universities, universities specialising in engineering, technology & agriculture, and the Open University. They are primarily offering research-oriented programmes. Bachelor's programs require the completion of 180 ECTS credits (3 years) and graduates obtain the internationally recognised degree Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Science (BA / BSc), depending on the discipline. Master Programs require completion of 60, 90, or 120 ECTS credits (1, 1.5, or 2 years). In engineering, agriculture, mathematics and the natural sciences, 120 ECTS credits are always required. Graduates obtain the degree of Master of Arts or Master of Science (MA/MSc) which is recognised world-wide.
All research based universities are entitled to award the country's highest academic degree, the doctorate / PhD. The doctorate is primarily a research degree, for which a dissertation based on original research must be written and publicly defended. The minimum amount of time required to complete a doctorate is four years of which parts of the research can be done in the home country.
Universities of Applied Sciences
"Universities of Applied Sciences" include general institutions as well as institutions specialising in fields such as fine and performing arts, journalism, or teacher training. The 60 Universities of professional education are offering programmes of higher professional level which prepare students for particular professions. These programs tend to be more pragmatic and practically oriented than programs offered by research based universities.
A Bachelor's program requires completion of 240 ECTS credits (4 years) including a year of internship, and graduates obtain a degree indicating the field of study (f.e. Bachelor of Engineering or Bachelor of Nursing). Master programs require completion of 60 to 120 ECTS credits and graduates obtain a degree indicating the field of study (for example, Master of Social Work, MSW).
IO
Besides these above mentioned two types of institutes, the higher education system includes a third branch, with a relatively small number of students, known as International Education (IO). IO offers advanced, post-graduate training courses originally designed for people from developing countries whose professions require highly specialised knowledge. The emphasis of the programs offered can be either on research or on the practical application of knowledge. There are 15 IO Institutes in the Netherlands. The programs are mainly on a post-graduate level (MSc / MPhil).
Diagram of the Dutch Education System
International Study Programs conducted in English
The Universities (of Applied Sciences) are more often implementing English as their language of teaching the programs and courses. For the academic year 2010-2011 there are nearly 1462 English taught programs for international students to choose from. For a full listing of the English taught programs please refer to http://www.nuffic.nl/international-students/study-options/ispac_search_form for further information.
Students must have passed an English language test (TOEFL iBT / IELTS). The minimum required scores are 80 for TOEFL iBT or 6.0 for IELTS.
Quality Assurance
There are over 100 Institutes of Higher Education in the Netherlands. The standard of high quality in education is guaranteed by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OC&W) through adopting an effective system of quality assurance. Only accredited programmes are eligible for government funding, and students will receive financial aid and graduate with a recognised degree only after having completed an accredited degree programme. All International Programs offered in the Netherlands are accredited.
Admission Requirements
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For bachelor degrees at least the certificates of graduation from Form 5 (Universities of Applied Sciences) or Form 7 (Research Universities) are required. |
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Post-graduate studies vary in their entrance requirements but a bachelor degree is a minimum requirement. For additional requirements please refer to the http://www.nuffic.nl/ or http://www.nesochina.org website which contain a full list of the offered programs and their admission requirements. |
Study Visa, Residence Permits
HKSAR / HKBNO passport holders who intend to go to the Netherlands for studying for more than 3 months are required to obtain an Authorisation for Temporary Stay (MVV) and study visa before travelling to Holland. For further details please contact:
Consulate General of the Netherlands
Visa department
Suite 5702, 57/F, Cheung Kong Center
2 Queen's Road Central, Hong Kong
Opening Hours Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 13:00 pm and 14:00 pm-16:00 pm
Enquiries via telephone : 2522 5127
Enquiries via Fax : 2868 5388
Work permit
In order to follow an internship or work placement in the Netherlands, students from outside the EU need a work permit in addition to their entry visa. Your employer must apply for this permit for you. You also need a work permit if you want to decide to work alongside your studies. You are allowed to either work on a part-time basis up to ten hours a week year-round, or on a full-time basis during the months of June, July and August (summer vacation). For more information about all of these procedures, please visit website: www.nuffic.nl/immigration.
Enquiries
This leaflet gives only general guidelines for studying in the Netherlands. Further information is available at:
Website : www.nuffic.nl
Website : www.nesochina.org
Forum : http://bbs.nesochina.org
Careers Guidance Team
Education Bureau
10/11
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