For most of us, the Netherlands (Holland) is associated with cheese, tulips, legal prostitution, and tolerance of soft drugs. However, this state is also very famous for the quality of education, which is considered one of the best in Europe. Let's find out about the features of the education system in the Netherlands, as well as what properties foreigners need to have in order to be able to study in this country.
Kingdom of the Netherlands and its features
Speaking about this country, it is often called "Holland", which is not entirely true. The fact is that the so-called combined territory of two provinces of this state is called - Northern and Southern Holland. Here are just ten more such provinces in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. In this regard, a similar name can be used only when it is said about this part of the country.
As for the political structure, the Netherlands is a constitutional monarchy. At the head of state is the king or queen of the Oran dynasty. In the hands of the monarchs is the entire executive branch. Moreover, the main law of the country is the Constitution, adopted as early as 1815 (edited in 1847, 1887 and 1983).
The official currency, as in most European countries, is the euro.
As for the economy, this country is one of the most developed. She has one of the best social systems in the world, albeit a very expensive one. A third of the country's total budget goes to the provision of social services. Despite this, parasites in the country are not honored and the unemployment rate is only 4.7%.
It is worth noting that in the Netherlands such industries as machine, aircraft and shipbuilding are well developed; textile, furniture and pulp and paper industries; ferrous metallurgy, petrochemicals and, of course, agriculture. By the way, this country takes the second place in the world in food export with a total size of the territory (including islands in the Caribbean) 41 543 km². Draw your own conclusions ...
Having learned a little about the state itself, let's look at a more detailed education system in the Netherlands. After all, the success of any country directly depends on the qualifications of its employees. And schools and universities are responsible for this.
How does education in the Kingdom of the Netherlands work?
Like our usual, there are also the following areas:
- Kindergartens.
- Elementary education.
- High school.
- Universities.
Despite the external similarities, education in the Netherlands is significantly different from what we are used to. Than? Let's find out.
Early childhood education in the Netherlands
The first thing that shockes our emigrants is the age of the kids in kindergartens.
According to the law, mother’s maternity leave lasts only 3 months, after which she must either return to work or quit and sit at home.
As a rule, most choose the first option. In this case, you should find someone who will sit with the baby. You should not count on grandparents, since the Dutch work on average up to 65-67 years - they are not grandchildren.
Babysitting is expensive, so most parents choose kindergartens.
Three-month-old babies are taken to a nursery, and when they master the science of standing on their feet, they are transferred to a full-fledged kindergarten (kinderdagverblijf).
Although it seems cruel to us to “abandon” a child of three months old, sending him to strangers. However, many of our compatriots living in the Netherlands leave excellent reviews about their kindergartens. They say that here the crumbs are surrounded by attention and care and from an early age, more precisely, months, learn to communicate with their own kind. In their opinion, this is a huge advantage compared to the domestic tradition of leaving a child at home for 1-3 years. After all, the baby constantly sees not adults, but their own kind and is better socialized.
As for feeding, allergies and other features - all this is discussed by parents with the management of the institution and carers in advance. Moreover, for babies, fathers and mothers themselves bring food and set a schedule according to which they should be fed.
It is important to remember that the state partially incurs payment kinderdagverblif if both parents work.
In such institutions, babies, as a rule, stay from 3 months to 4-5 years. There is no academic curriculum for this period. Most of the time is spent on games. Teachers also take care of accustoming their wards to order. As soon as a child can walk, he is taught to clean up after himself and keep his things in the right place. The rest - in these years he is left to his own devices.
In addition to kinderdagverblijf, there are gastouders in the early childhood education system in the Netherlands. So called family kindergartens. Any resident can open them, having passed the appropriate training in the courses and obtained a license.
As a rule, these are nannies who simultaneously collect 5-6 children at home or in a specialized apartment.
It is worth remembering that regardless of the choice of institution, you need to register in it as soon as possible. Ideally, even during pregnancy.
Elementary School (Basisschool)
Primary school education in the Netherlands consists of 8 grades (from 5 to 12 years old).
Although the law provides for the beginning of training at Basisschool at 5 years old, some parents transfer their children here a year earlier.
Compared to our 6-7 year old first graders, 4-5 year olds seem too young. In fact, in such a "school" the first two classes are the same as the older groups in our kindergartens. During these years, "schoolchildren" mostly play, listen to stories and draw.
Full-fledged training in reading, writing and arithmetic begins in the 3rd grade, that is, at 6-8 years. So, in fact, at the same age as in our schools.
In the future, the set of subjects is close to ours, but the academic load is many times less. Up to 10 years, children are not actually given homework. And besides, most of the activities are not aimed at memorizing the facts, but rather at understanding them. By the way, English in this country begin to learn only in the 7th grade.
At the age of 12, Dutch schoolchildren have a “doomsday” - the Citotoets exam. He surrenders at the end of elementary school and the future of the child depends on its results. After all, now he has to decide which type of secondary school he will have to go to: VMBO, HAVO or VWO.
VMBO High School
This is the name of preparatory secondary vocational education in the Netherlands. It lasts 4 years, during which schoolchildren study not only general education subjects, but also receive training for a certain working profession, and also undergo internships at enterprises.
VMBO, depending on the chosen specialization, is divided into 5 profiles. Studying at Theoretische Leerweg and Kaderberoepsgerichte Leerweg provides more theoretical knowledge and opens the possibility after continuing with a VMBO diploma to continue studying at HAVO or VWO. The sub-profile of Gemengde Leerweg is a cross-section, while Basisberoepsgerichte Leerweg and Praktijkonderwijs train skilled workers who can start their career after graduation.
The existence of VMBO, on the one hand, allows schoolchildren who want to work not to sit around their desks, but to start earning money and gain some independence at the age of 16. This is especially important for children from problem families who seek to become independent as early as possible.
On the other hand, not everyone is capable of deciding on a profession at the age of 16. An interesting point: serious alcohol is stronger than 15% in the Netherlands you can drink only from 18, and you often have to make career decisions at 16. This is Dutch justice.
It is important to say that the state has left a loophole for those who, having worked for several years, realized that they want more and are ready to study further to achieve this. Especially for them there are institutions of continuing professional education MBO. Their program is designed for 4 years, after which the graduate will have the right to enter the University of Applied Sciences, if, of course, he can. Indeed, in addition to knowledge, it is necessary to have funds for study.
General secondary education HAVO
Designed for 5 years. You can transfer here after VMBO and finish your studies for another 1 year.
HAVO diploma provides access to higher professional education.
This course consists of 2 stages. At the first (3 years) for all students an identical general program.
On the second, you need to decide on a profile that will subsequently affect the student’s profession. These are Cultuur en Maatschappij (study of art and languages), Economie en Maatschappij (specializing in social sciences, history and economics), Natuur en Gezondheid (studying natural sciences, and also preparing to study medicine at the university), Natuur en Techniek (focusing on natural sciences).
VWO pre-university education
Designed for the "chosen", that is, for those who are preparing to go to university. The duration of the program of this link in secondary education in the Netherlands is one year longer than for HAVO and 2 than for VMBO. There is also the opportunity to transfer here, having a HAVO diploma, and retrain for another year.
What is taught at VWO? The first 2 years is a general program of 15 general subjects, and the next 4 years are the study of highly specialized subjects. An interesting feature is the provision of students time for self-study.
Upon completion, graduates are given the opportunity to go to university. It is interesting that, despite all the peculiarities, the Dutch schoolchildren finish high school all at the same 18 years. So this education system with regard to age boundaries is very close to ours. However, many immigrants note a higher level of comfort in the relationship between teacher and student.
What are international schools?
Unlike many other countries, the English education system in the Netherlands is quite well developed. There are whole schools in which teaching is in the British language. Moreover, their doors are cordially open not only to Dutch children, but also to foreigners. Enrollment here is based on the results of the interview and upon presentation of a certificate from the educational institution where the applicant has previously studied. The diploma obtained here at the International Baccalaureate level will make it possible to enter not only the English-speaking universities of the Netherlands, but also to any other university in the world.
Such institutions adhere to the standards of the British educational system and its programs, and are also closed (boarding houses).
As for financing, they are both private and public. However, to get here for free, you will have to work hard.
Higher education in the Netherlands
In 2002, the Kingdom joined the Bologna process. In this regard, VO consists of three stages, at the end of each of which the graduate receives a bachelor, master and doctor diploma.
However, unlike other countries, in the Netherlands there is a clear division of universities into 2 categories: research or classical (universiteiten) and applied or polytechnic (hogescholen). In almost any of them, regardless of category, there are training programs suitable for foreigners.
In addition to the above, there is also a third category - universities of international education, where teaching is conducted in English. It is noteworthy that they train different specialists. There are 6 such institutions out of 57 generally available in the country.
The opportunity not to learn Dutch (which, except in the Netherlands, can be of little use anywhere), but to study in English - this is the reason due to which, in recent decades, education for foreigners in the Netherlands has become very attractive. Another advantage is that in other English-speaking countries, the cost of studying is many times higher, and the quality is not only not better, but sometimes even inferior.
It is noteworthy that the Dutch welcome not only foreign students (15% per year of the total number of students), but also teachers. Today, 40% of the teaching staff in the universities of the Kingdom are foreigners.
A little bit about the universities themselves and their advantages
As in all reasonable countries, emphasis is placed on vocational education in the Netherlands. Therefore, 39 of 57 universities train specialists who are ready for practical work immediately after graduation.
The entire learning process is focused on practical activities. And even the scientific or research work of students is not theoretical, but applied in nature and aimed at the practical solution of various problems in the chosen field.
To acquire practical knowledge in many universities of applied sciences, the Problem Based Learning (PBL) method is actively used, which allows students to learn by solving complex problems from real life.
Moreover, some enterprises enter into agreements with universities and organize work contests among their students. Their winners in the future can get a job in the company or already have an internship there.
As for the classical universities, there are only 18. Their goal is to prepare scientists who will develop science in the Netherlands and collaborate with other researchers in the world. Do not be fooled by the training profile. Despite the fact that such universities train theoreticians rather than practitioners, in reality their students will have to work no less than their colleagues from applied universities.
Scientific degrees
Regardless of the orientation of the university in the Netherlands, to get a bachelor's degree, you will have to study for 3 years (+ a year of practice for applied specialties). If the chosen profession is related to medicine or technology - add another year. Total - 5 years.
To obtain a master’s degree after a bachelor’s, you’ll have to unlearn another 1-2 years, and with doctoral studies it all depends on the specialization and characteristics of a particular university.
It is worth noting that the education system in the Netherlands provides for graduate studies in the same specialty as a bachelor's degree. Of course, there are exceptions, but in order to become one of them, you will have to prove your knowledge in a new field and convince the admissions committee that it should allow you more than others.
Cost of study
Education for foreigners in the Netherlands is particularly attractive at a low cost compared to other countries.
For this reason, the inhabitants of neighboring European powers often come here to study. In this regard, immigrants from Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, Moldova and similar post-Soviet countries will have the opportunity to communicate not only with the Dutch, but also with Germans, Italians, Spaniards, Americans, Mexicans and inhabitants of different countries of Africa.
So, how much will it cost to acquire Dutch higher education?
The average cost of one year of study for a bachelor ranges from 5 to 12 thousand euros. For a year of master's degree, you will have to give from 7 to 21 thousand. Please note that this does not include the cost of accommodation, flights and other urgent needs.
It is noteworthy that the most expensive is training in medicine (bachelor - 3-32 thousand per year, master - 7-17 thousand). It is not surprising that in the Netherlands, for all their development, there is a lack of high-quality medical personnel and they are happy to host foreign specialists in this field.
Free Learning Opportunities
In fairness, it is worth noting that for foreigners there is an opportunity to get a free education in the Netherlands, but it is extremely small. Yes, in the state itself there are several programs for financing the training of gifted students from abroad. In addition, almost all universities have their own scholarships to support undergraduate or graduate students.
So, free education in the Netherlands for Russians (we are talking about citizens of the Russian Federation, regardless of who they are by ethnic origin) is the Orange Tulip Scholarship and Holland Scholarship programs. Erasmus Mundus is also available , but it is intended only for a master's degree.
Citizens of Ukraine can also receive a scholarship under the same Erasmus Mundus program, as well as DELTA or HSP.
When applying for a specific grant, it is important not to forget that it cannot always cover all the costs of training. So, in some cases, you will have to pay for flights, meals, accommodation and others from your own pocket. Therefore, it is worth considering in advance the possibility of a side job.
In some universities, for excellent academic performance, you can get a grant or a scholarship that partially or fully compensates for the cost of training. Especially gifted students at large research universities often pay for housing, and also provide monthly content.
A student for a bachelor can apply for a grant of 1/2 of his studies, and a future master - up to 3/4 + compensation for housing costs.
It is worth remembering that the border age of the applicant for financial assistance is 35 years.
Although many people think that getting a grant is something on the brink of science fiction, you can find many articles and feedback from those who have been educated with their help.
Regardless of the program, scholarship applicants usually have to take the following steps:
- Make sure that the applicant and his university are suitable for the requirements of the program.
- Choose a bachelor / master program at the university.
- Make sure that it meets the requirements of the university (diplomas / certificates).
- Apply for admission to the university website.
- Collect a package of documents for the scholarship and send their scanned copies to the electronic box by the deadline set by the chosen university. Data about it is usually on the sites.
If everything is done correctly, then you can expect a positive response or an invitation to participate in the next stage of the competition (if the grant is awarded based on the results of the competition).
What you need for admission
If you are confident in your own knowledge and financial capabilities, you can apply for a package of documents to a selected Dutch university. It should include:
- High school diploma or HAVO / VWO equivalent diploma. Naturally, all this is in English. If for some reason your diploma or certificate seems insufficient to the Dutch, then your enrollment will be based on the results of entrance exams.
- Certificate of English proficiency at the level of IELTS (at least 6) or TOEFL (at least 550).
Going to the Netherlands to study, you should replenish your bank account with 10 thousand euros - this is the amount for the residence of foreign students who arrived for the first time was established by the immigration service.
Employment after graduation
Having dealt with the training system in the Netherlands, it is worth moving on to job opportunities. So, any graduate, regardless of whether he is a citizen or a foreigner, receives a year from the state to find work in the Kingdom. If after graduation he went abroad for 1-2 years, this period is suspended, and upon returning he can continue to look for a place.
It is important not to forget that if a foreigner does not find work after a year, he will have to leave the country.
It is worth knowing that Dutch diplomas are highly valued in all countries of the world, so if you can’t find a place in the Netherlands, you can try your hand in Germany, the USA, Great Britain and other countries. In any case, a diploma is just a piece of paper (in our case, laminated cardboard), which serves as a pass, and getting a job and success in it entirely depends on its holder.