School education

In the Dutch system of education, the stage of pre-school education of children is, as it were, bypassed and more fully integrated into the school curriculum. The law requires that all children at the age of 5 enter the 1st grade (Groep 1) of the elementary school (Basisschool), but most children begin education at the age of 4 years. In fact, the first 2 classes of elementary school are a kindergarten (Kleuterschool) and there is no learning as such - children begin to learn writing, reading and arithmetic only from the 3rd grade. From the 7th grade, English is introduced into the educational program. Upon completion of studies in the 8th grade, students must take the Citotoets exam, from the results of which, as well as from the opinion of the teacher, the student will be given a recommendation on the most preferable choice of further direction of study.

Secondary school begins in grade 9. Since the Dutch education system does not separate junior and senior high school, grade 9 is considered "transitional" (brugklas) between primary and secondary school. The first 2 years of high school are also considered orientation years and allow students to change their profile upon graduation.

VMBO - voorbereidend middelbaar beroepsonderwijs - four year course vocational training, during which, in addition to studying general education subjects, a significant part of the time is devoted to professional training and internships. This profile is divided into 5 sub-profiles: Theoretische Leerweg and Kaderberoepsgerichte Leerweg - areas of study with a strong emphasis on theoretical subjects, the main task of which is to train middle managers. Gemengde leerweg is a cross between the first two profiles. Basisberoepsgerichte Leerweg and Praktijkonderwijs are profiles entirely focused on the training of skilled workers. After 4 years, graduates receive a VMBO diploma, or they can transfer to the HAVO course and complete their studies for another 1 year.

HAVO - hoger algemeen voortgezet onderwijs - general secondary education. The course with a total duration of 5 years consists of 2 phases - the first, Basisvorming, lasting 3 years, with the same program for all students and the second, Twede phase, during which the division into subprofiles begins. There are 4 sub-profiles: Cultuur en Maatschappij ("culture and society" - arts and languages), Economie en Maatschappij ("economics and society" - social sciences, history and economics), Natuur en Gezondheid ("nature and health" - natural sciences and subsequent medical education at the HBO stage), Natuur en Techniek ("nature and technology" - natural sciences). Students who have completed 5 years can receive a HAVO diploma, which gives them access to higher professional education, or complete their studies for 1 year on a VWO profile.

VWO - voorbereidend wetenschappelijk onderwijs - preparatory science education - offers students a more in-depth curriculum with the study of Latin and Greek, as well as the opportunity to take additional classes in philosophy and foreign languages. At the end of the 6-year journey, graduates receive VWO diplomas, which make it possible to enter research universities and, if desired, universities applied sciences.

MBOs (middelbaar beroepsonderwijs) are non-tertiary education institutions and offer 1 to 4 year courses to VMBO holders. Upon completion of 4 years of study, graduates can enter the University of Applied Sciences.

Higher education

Higher education in the Netherlands can be obtained in 2 types of educational institutions - research universities (universiteiten) and universities of applied sciences (hogescholen). This country joined the Bologna process in 2002 and then accepted European System Transferable Credits (ECTS). Thus, the entire stage of higher education consists of 3 cycles - bachelor's degree, and master's, doctoral studies.

To obtain a bachelor's degree at a research university, a student will need to overcome 3 years of study and earn 180 credits (60 per year). Depending on the chosen curriculum the graduate will be awarded a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science (BA/BSc) degree. To obtain a bachelor's degree at the University of Applied Sciences, it will take 1 year and 60 points more. Upon completion of the training, graduates will be awarded a bachelor's degree with a mention of the field of specialization (engineering, medicine, etc.)

A master's degree will take 1 to 2 years, which, according to ECTS, will require 60 to 120 credits. Graduates from research universities are awarded Master of Arts and Master of Science (MA/MSc) degrees, and graduates from universities of applied sciences are awarded Masters degrees in their chosen field.

The Doctor of Science degree is the highest academic degree. Obtaining it will take from 2 to 4 years and will necessarily require writing and defending a dissertation.

Higher education in the Netherlands is paid, and the cost of education for students from non-EU countries is somewhat higher. To a large extent, the cost depends on educational institution, and from the studied field of knowledge. Here are the average numbers:

· computer technology (bachelor's, master's) - ̉€6000-€8000, €8000-€9000;

· engineering (undergraduate, graduate) - €3000-€7000, €7000-€9000;

· medicine (bachelor's, master's) - €3000-€32000, €7000-€17000.

· BBA, MBA - €3500-€7500, €25000-€36000.

Admission

Requirements for the applicant of one or another higher educational institution Holland is often quite different. In general, for admission, you only need to have a certificate or diploma equivalent to a HAVO or VWO diploma. In the absence of such, enrollment is possible based on the results of entrance examinations. Depending on the language in which the course will be taught, you must provide documentary confirmation level of language proficiency. For English, this is TOEFL at least 550 or IELTS at least 6.

The most preferred method of obtaining a visa is the so-called "fast track". To take advantage of this opportunity, you need to contact the department of work with foreign students in the university of interest. Depending on the workload of the embassy in home country The term for issuing a visa may vary, but, as a rule, it is much less than the time for issuing a visa in person.

Foreign students from countries outside the European Union can obtain a work permit completely free of charge, however, you will need to choose one of the options - either permission to work 10 hours a week all year round or work full-time throughout the summer.

Depending on the city in which the university is located, as well as depending on the area in which the rental housing is located, the rent can vary significantly. The approximate minimum limit for the cost of one month of rental housing is €800-900. In addition, various expenses can reach €1000-€1500 per month. The cost of food can be up to €400-€500 per month depending on tastes and appetites. From seventy to one hundred euros will have to be paid for services cable television, Internet provider and operator cellular communication. Lunch in a mid-range restaurant will cost €10-€30. Beer - €3-€5. A pack of cigarettes - €2-€3.

Every year the universities of the Netherlands open their doors to thousands of students from all over the world, and every year their number is growing. Why is studying abroad in Holland so attractive to international students?

1. Study in English

Holland is a country of entrepreneurs and pioneers, which has given the world many famous scientists and Nobel laureates. They are famous for many achievements in various fields.

It is not surprising that it was the Netherlands that became the innovator and leader of continental Europe in the field of higher education in English.

Since the middle of the last century, universities in this country have been offering English-language undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate programs in various fields.

2. Diplomas are recognized all over the world

Dutch universities meet strict world standards and have an excellent reputation in all corners the globe. Higher education in the Netherlands is a fusion of academic traditions and a modern technological base, which allows for cutting-edge research and creates all the conditions for new discoveries.

A Dutch university diploma gives you the opportunity to start your own business or build successful career in an international company.

3. Modern education system

Universities in the Netherlands are constantly looking for new, more effective teaching methods.

An example of an innovative approach to education is Problem-Based Learning, a teaching method invented in Holland in the middle of the last century. In PBL, practice goes ahead of theory: students are given work tasks and try to solve them. They themselves determine which books to read and which experts to involve. The only criterion of efficiency is the solved problem. This approach teaches students independence and helps to prepare professionals who work for results.

Studying at a Dutch university takes place in constant communication between students and teachers, so graduates are able to work in a team, negotiate with colleagues and defend their point of view.

Universities in Holland are also trying non-standard ways selecting candidates for a program or grant, such as business competitions.

4. International atmosphere

Students from all over the world come to Holland to study, depending on the university and the program, the share of foreigners reaches 40-50%. This diversity helps to get acquainted with different languages ​​and traditions, so it is easier for graduates to get used to the international atmosphere of international companies.

Historically, the Dutch, trading all over the world, own many foreign languages. More than 95% of the inhabitants of the Netherlands speak English fluently, which makes studying, living and working in this country especially attractive for foreigners.

Due to the favorable tax climate in Holland, many foreign corporations open their branches in this country. This makes it possible for students of Dutch universities to take internships in international companies and make useful business contacts to find a job after graduation.

5. Reasonable prices

Tuition and other expenses in Holland are relatively low, especially when compared to other European countries. A year of residence here will cost an international student about 10,000 euros, including food and insurance.

Most of the cost of a bachelor's degree, and in a number of universities and a master's degree for students from the countries of the European Union, is compensated by the Dutch government, so for them it is only 2006 euros per year.

For students from countries outside the European Union, the cost of a bachelor's degree is from six, and a master's degree - from 7-8 thousand euros per year.

Many universities in the Netherlands offer a variety of scholarships to foreign students that reduce the cost of education. Sometimes these scholarships can also cover other expenses.

6. Holland - Gateway to Europe

Due to its central geographic and economic position, the Netherlands is often referred to as the gateway to Europe. Paris, Berlin, Brussels and London are only an hour away from Amsterdam, the Dutch capital.

This allows students of Dutch universities to get to know European culture, visit famous museums, concerts of pop stars and popular sports competitions.

The Dutch company Eurogates was created in order to make the Netherlands closer, and education in this country more accessible to all visitors to our site.

updated 07/10/2018

Lena van der Krausbes

I will start my review of the education system in the Netherlands with a few principles on which the entire system of Dutch education is based:

  • freedom of education
  • freedom of learning
  • compulsory education

Freedom of Education

This is one of key features guaranteed by Article 23 of the Constitution. What is freedom of education? It is the freedom to establish schools, organize teaching in them and determine the principles on which they are based - freedom of conscience and religion. That is, people living in the Netherlands have the right to open schools based on their religious, ideological or educational beliefs, as long as there are enough pupils and funded by the government. The result of this constitutional right is that parents and children in the Netherlands can choose from a huge number of public and private schools. Public schools are run by the municipal government or by a management committee appointed by the municipality for that purpose. They are open to all children regardless of religion or belief.
About 65% of all schoolchildren in the Netherlands attend private schools, which may be run by an association or foundation. Most of them are either Roman Catholic or Protestant, but there are also Jewish, Islamic, Hindu and Humanist schools. There are also private non-sectarian schools that are not based on any specific religious or ideological principles. Like some of the public schools, many private schools base their education on certain educational principles, like the Maria Montessori schools. Unlike public schools, which must accept all students, private schools may impose some restrictions and refuse to accept your child. As it happened, for example, in my case, when a Catholic school did not undertake to teach a Russian child, for fear of difficulties.

Freedom of learning

It means that schools are free to determine what is taught and how. The Ministry of Education, however, imposes a number of statutory standards regarding the quality of education. They define the subjects to be studied, the learning objectives and the content of the state examinations. There are also rules about the number of school periods per year, teacher training and teacher qualifications, the rights of parents and students, and so on. As a rule, schools are given considerable freedom in the choice of textbooks and teaching materials. But, of course, schools cannot avoid inspectors and inspections. These inspections are organized by the government and are important for schools, because the lower the rating, the fewer students will come, the less state subsidies will be. The results of inspections of primary and secondary schools are available, for example, on the Internet. Parents can read the reports, see the strengths and weak sides schools and choose the best for your child.
If you are interested in more detailed information about the quality of education in a particular Dutch school, I suggest you read the official information on the results of inspections.

Compulsory education

This is another principle. Compulsory education applies to children from 5 to 18 years old, then education becomes optional. Usually parents send their children to school from the age of 4. The municipal executor checks that children school age, registered as residents, were also registered as pupils at schools.
Another manifestation of this principle is that the child has no right to miss classes without good reason. Therefore, if you decide to go on vacation the day before the start of the holidays, for example, in order not to stand in many kilometers of traffic jams, no one from the school will allow you to pick up your child. If the parents keep the child at home without a good reason and do not report it to the school, they are committing a crime under Dutch law. Such parents will have to deal with the municipal executor, who may impose an administrative penalty. But what if the children are truant without the knowledge of their parents? You can be sure that the school will contact you immediately if your child does not show up and no one knows why.

Education system

In the Netherlands, as in most other countries, the education system is divided into three levels: primary, secondary and higher. To better understand all the subtleties, I suggest looking at the diagram. The arrows show the possibilities of transition from one level of education to another, depending on the acquired knowledge.

Let's explain this diagram. The arrows show the possibilities of transition from one level of education to another.

/ Elementary education

  • Education lasts 8 years and is organized for children aged 4 to 12;
  • Special Primary Education ( special onderwijs) organized for mentally retarded or handicapped children (ages 3 to 12). For older students in this category, there is also a special secondary education ( special voortgezet onderwijs).

Voortgezet onderwijs / Secondary education

  • Praktijk onderwijs / Practical education. Designed for children who are unable to learn any theory. This is the lowest level of secondary education. The maximum that one can count on after graduating from this school is a primitive job;
  • VMBO / Pre-Vocational Education. Children study for 4 years from 12 to 16 years old. Depending on the selected educational direction children receive not only practical, but also theoretical training;
  • HAVO / Senior general secondary education. Lasts 5 years from 12 to 17 years of age. After receiving a diploma, a child can enter a technical school or institute, but not a university;
  • VWO / Preparatory Science Education. Lasts 6 years from 12 to 18 years of age. The diploma gives the right to enter the university.

middelbareBeroepsonderwijs / Secondary vocational education

You can get it from the age of 16. Includes the following areas:

  • Training for an assistant (assistant), MBO level 1. Lasts from 6 months to 1 year;
  • Initial vocational training, MBO level 2. Lasts 2 years;
  • Professional training, MBO level 3. Lasts 3 years;
  • Middle Manager, MBO 4. Lasts 3-4 years;
  • Training for a specialist, MBO 4. Lasts 1 year.

Volwasseneeducation / Adult education

  • VAVO / Adult general secondary education

Hoger onderwijs / Higher education

  • HBO / Higher Professional Education;
  • WO / University education;
  • OU / Correspondence Education « Open University» .

In the following articles, I will talk in detail about the features of each stage of primary and secondary education.
See you!

The Netherlands is a state with a high level of academic culture. Studying in this country and a Dutch diploma open up broad prospects for research work and subsequent employment for students from all over the world.

The reasons why students choose education in the Netherlands are as follows:

  • Integration of the country into the Bologna process, which allows students to actively participate in exchange programs;
  • High quality of higher education and a world-class diploma;
  • Convenient geographical location of the Netherlands, membership in the European Union and the Schengen Agreement;
  • Opportunity to work part-time while studying;
  • A large number of English-language training programs, which the Netherlands was one of the first in Europe to introduce into routine practice;
  • A significant proportion of international students and teachers from all over the world;
  • The possibility of free education, incl. with reimbursement of expenses for food and accommodation at the expense of the state, university or various funds;
  • Almost universal knowledge of the local population in English;
  • High-quality material and technical base of universities;
  • Low crime rate in the country;
  • The possibility of official residence and employment in the Netherlands for 12 months after graduation.

The Netherlands consistently ranks in the top ten on the Human Development Index. Universities are annually included in the most authoritative academic rankings: QS, ARWU, THE. From 3 to 7 universities are in the top 100 in the world. According to Quacquarelli Symonds, the Delft University of Technology and the University of Amsterdam are ranked 54th and 58th respectively.

An important feature of school education is its division into HAVO (basic secondary) and VWO (pre-university). The certificate of the CIS countries corresponds to HAVO and gives the right to enter the bachelor's degree of applied universities without passing the entrance examinations. However, it is not enough in the case of an academic university: the applicant will need to complete 1 course of the institute in his country, pass exams or take preparatory courses.

The duration of training is standard for participants in the Bologna system:

  • For most undergraduate specialties, it is 3-4 years, magistracy - 1-2 years.
  • The longest educational programs at medical, pharmaceutical, stomatological faculties.

The academic year in the Netherlands lasts from September to June and consists of 2 semesters. Recruitment of students for many programs is carried out at the beginning of each of them. Classes are divided into practical and lecture. There are no exam sessions. Knowledge control is carried out immediately after studying the subject in writing. By the end of the course, the student must write a scientific paper.

The range of marks is from 0 to 10 points:

  • The minimum satisfactory score is 6;
  • 8 already allows you to qualify for a scholarship;
  • Grades below 6 and above 8 are extremely rare.

Types of universities and educational programs

The system of higher education in the Netherlands is built according to the Anglo-Saxon model, in which practical and research areas are clearly separated.


The vast majority of universities belong to one of the following types:

  1. Academic universities: classic institutions of education that great attention devote to scientific work;
  2. Universities of Applied Sciences: aimed at training students in a specific profession.

A higher education diploma can be obtained by completing:

  • higher specialized school(with an emphasis on practical activities);
  • Institute of International Education (focused on foreign students);
  • College;
  • business school.

In total, there are about 70 universities in the Netherlands various types, 70% of which is privately owned.

The Bologna system implies a 3-stage model of education:

  1. Undergraduate;
  2. Master's degree;
  3. Doctorate.

The task of the bachelor's degree is to master the profession of a practical orientation in 3-4 years. To complete it, you need to score 180 points according to the ECTS credit system (1 point - 36 hours of studying 1 discipline). At this stage, about 60% of students complete their studies, the rest enter master's programs.

Master's degree allows you to study scientific activity to gain in-depth knowledge in the chosen specialty. The duration of study in the magistracy is 1 year for the humanities, 2 for the natural sciences, 3 for the medical disciplines.

To obtain a master's degree, an additional 120 credits must be added to the points for a bachelor's degree.

Conditions for admission

Any applicant who has completed the 11th grade of the school can apply for admission to a Dutch university. Most universities of applied sciences hold a certificate competition. In academic universities, requirements may vary. In some cases, a certificate of completion of the first year of the local institute is required, in others - a certificate of passing the exam or passing entrance test at the university itself.


The only exam that every applicant will need is a language exam. When studying in English, the number of points IELTS must be at least 6 TOEFL- from 550 with the standard version of the test. In the specialty of the humanitarian orientation, the requirements are stricter. In the case of Dutch, an NT2 certificate must be obtained.

There are also no entrance exams. Enrollment of applicants takes place on the basis of a bachelor's degree, to which a document on graduation from a university in a CIS member country is equated. The decision on the compliance of academic programs remains with the admissions committee.

List of required documents

Important! The time for receiving documents is set separately by each university. Usually their submission to undergraduate studies begins with the beginning school year in September and continues until May 1. Documents are accepted to the magistracy until July 1.

The requirements for the list of documents for admission to the 1st stage of education vary slightly depending on the university.

Sample list:

  • Certificate of secondary education or certificate of graduation from school in the current year with translation;
  • Certificate of completion of the 1st course upon admission to an academic university with a translation;
  • Certificate of proficiency in Dutch or English;
  • Copy of the passport;
  • Photos;
  • Motivation letter.

Upon admission to the 2nd stage of education, the above documents must be added:

  • Diploma of higher education in the chosen specialty with translation;
  • Academic resume (with an emphasis on research work);
  • CV and portfolio;
  • Recommendations from the professorial staff.

After entering the university, the student must apply for a long-term study visa and a residence permit for study, which allows a foreigner to stay in the Netherlands for more than 90 days. The execution of these documents will require financial guarantees in the amount of at least 11,000 € or a grant / scholarship.

Cost of education

The cost of higher education in the Netherlands is significantly different for EU citizens and foreigners. For the latter, the prices are set by the universities themselves. For a bachelor's degree, depending on the specialty, it ranges from 6 to 10 thousand euros per year. Obtaining a master's degree is more expensive: 7-20 thousand euros. And the cost of some MBA courses reaches up to 50 thousand euros.

In addition to the basic price, it is often necessary to pay extra for textbooks, field seminars (up to 1000 € per year).

The possibility of free education. Scholarships, grants

In order to attract motivated students in the Netherlands, different kinds sponsorship, for which they are entitled to apply, incl. Foreign citizens.

Grants (Holland Scholarship, Orange Tulip Scholarship) and scholarships (GoEuro, Erasmus) are funded from various sources:

  • With funds from the European Union;
  • the Government of the Netherlands;
  • University.

The grant can not only partially or fully cover the cost of training, but also compensate for everyday expenses. Scholarships are usually awarded for 1 year great success in academic or scientific achievement and are extended with good academic performance.

Reference! Another possibility for a Russian or Ukrainian to compensate for the cost of education is a student loan, which is issued to some students by the government of the Netherlands.

Internship and exchange studies

Dutch participation in the Bologna system and numerous intergovernmental agreements, incl. with Russia and Ukraine, allow students to take part in exchange programs.

Accommodation and food options for students

Only 20% of students are provided with housing on university campuses. Preference is given to Year 1 students and exchange program participants. The rest are forced to solve the housing problem on their own. The minimum cost of renting a 1-room apartment in a residential area of ​​Amsterdam starts from 400 €.

The average cost of food is about 400 € per month.

According to the Dutch Immigration Service, the annual cost of living and daily needs of a student is close to 11,000 €.

The best universities in the country

top five top universities Holland includes:

  1. (Universiteit van Amsterdam, UvA). The largest educational institution in the country with a 400-year history. More than 30 thousand students study at 7 faculties. The leading areas are the humanities, social sciences and medicine.
  2. (Technische Universiteit Delft). Leading engineering university in the Netherlands, member of the IDEA League. The number of students is about 15 thousand, teachers - 2.5 thousand. The university is divided into 8 faculties, including architecture, aerospace, the faculty of civil engineering and earth sciences, etc. They form the 3TU Federation with the universities of Twente and Eindhoven.
  3. (Universiteit Utrecht). One of the richest universities in Holland: its annual budget is close to 1 billion euros. 30 thousand students (about 2000 foreign citizens) study at 10 faculties. Leading areas of education - humanitarian sciences And creative disciplines.
  4. (Rijksuniversiteit Groningen). Leads its history from the beginning of the XVII century. Member of the Coimbra Group, consists of 9 faculties. Specializes in research in the field of chemistry, ecology, biotechnology, medicine. The total number of students is over 30 thousand.
  5. (Universiteit Leiden). The oldest university in Holland, includes about 150 areas of study at 9 faculties and 40 institutes. Known for his research in medicine, archeology, social sciences.

Associated with cheese, tulips, legal prostitution and tolerance for soft drugs. However, this state is also quite famous for the quality of education, which is considered one of the best in Europe. Let's learn 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 this is the name of the combined territory of the two provinces of this state - North and South Holland. Here are just ten other similar provinces in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. In this regard, such a name can be used only when it is about this part of the country.

As for the political foundation, the Netherlands - a constitutional monarchy. At the head of the state is a king or queen from the Orange dynasty. In the hands of the monarchs - all executive power. At the same time, the main law of the country is the Constitution, adopted back in 1815 (edited in 1847, 1887 and 1983).

Official currency, as in most European countries, is the euro.

As for the economy, this country is one of the most developed. It has one of the best social systems in the world, albeit a very expensive one. A third of the country's budget is spent on providing social sphere. Despite this, parasites in the country are not in honor and the unemployment rate is only 4.7%.

It is worth noting that in the Netherlands such industries as mechanical engineering, aviation and shipbuilding are well developed; textile, furniture and pulp and paper industries; ferrous metallurgy, petrochemistry and, of course, agriculture. By the way, this country ranks second in the world in terms of food exports, with a total area (including islands in the Caribbean) of 41,543 km². Draw your own conclusions...

Having learned a little about the state itself, let's take a closer look at the education system in the Netherlands. After all, the success of any country directly depends on the qualifications of its workers. Schools and universities are responsible for this.

How education works in the Kingdom of the Netherlands

Similar to what we are used to, there are also the following areas:

  • Kindergartens.
  • Elementary education.
  • High school.
  • Universities.

Despite the outward similarity, education in the Netherlands is significantly different from what we are used to. How? Let's find out.

in the Netherlands

The first thing that shocks our emigrants is the age of the kids in kindergartens.

According to the law, maternity leave lasts only 3 months, after which she must either return to work or quit and stay 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, on average, work until the age of 65-67 - they do not have grandchildren.

Babysitting is an expensive pleasure, so most parents choose kindergartens.

Three-month-old babies are taken to a nursery, and when they master the science of staying on their feet, they are transferred to a full-fledged kindergarten (kinderdagverblijf).

Although it seems cruel to us to "throw" 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 with early years, 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 his own kind and is better socialized.

As for feeding, allergies and other features, parents discuss all this with the management of the institution and educators in advance. Moreover, for babies, dads and moms themselves bring food and set a schedule according to which they should be fed.

It is important to remember that the state partially pays for the kinderdagverblijf 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. Also, educators 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. In the rest - in these years he is left to himself.

In addition to kinderdagverblijf, in the system preschool education there are gastouders in the Netherlands. This is the name of family kindergartens. They can be opened by any resident, having passed the appropriate training in the courses and received 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 the institution, you need to sign up for it as early as possible. Ideally, during pregnancy.

Primary school (Basisschool)

Primary school education in the Netherlands consists of 8 grades (from 5 to 12 years).

Although the law provides for the start of education at Basisschool at the age of 5, 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" for the most part play, listen to stories and draw.

A full-fledged study of reading, writing and arithmetic begins in the 3rd grade, that is, at 6-8 years old. So basically 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. Until the age of 10, children are not actually given homework. And besides, most classes are not aimed at memorizing facts, but precisely at understanding them. By the way, English in this country begins to be taught only in the 7th grade.

At the age of 12, Dutch schoolchildren have a "judgment day" - the Citotoets exam. It is taken at the end of primary 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 subjects, but also receive training for a specific 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 gives more theoretical knowledge and opens up the opportunity to continue studying at HAVO or VWO after receiving a VMBO diploma. The Gemengde Leerweg sub-profile is something in between, while the Basisberoepsgerichte Leerweg and Praktijkonderwijs train skilled workers who, after receiving a diploma, can start their labor activity.

The existence of VMBO, on the one hand, allows schoolchildren who want to work not to sit at their desks, but at the age of 16 start earning and gaining some independence. This is especially important for children from troubled families who want to become independent as soon as possible.

On the other hand, not every person is able to decide on a profession at the age of 16. An interesting point: serious alcohol over 15% in the Netherlands can only be drunk from 18, and decisions about a career often have to be made at 16. Such justice in Dutch.

It is important to say that the state left a loophole for those who, after working for several years, realized that they wanted more and were ready to study further to achieve this. Especially for them there are institutions of additional professional training 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. After all, in addition to knowledge, it is necessary to have funds for study.

General secondary education HAVO

Calculated for 5 years. You can transfer here after VMBO and finish your studies for another 1 year.

The HAVO diploma gives access to higher professional education.

This course consists of 2 stages. At the first (3 years) for all schoolchildren, an identical general program.

At the second stage, it is necessary to decide on a profile that will further influence the student's profession. These are Cultuur en Maatschappij (the study of arts and languages), Economie en Maatschappij (specializes in the social sciences, history and economics), Natuur en Gezondheid (treats the natural sciences and also prepares for the study of medicine at the university), Natuur en Techniek (focuses on the natural sciences).

Secondary pre-university education VWO

Designed for the "chosen ones", that is, for those who are preparing to go to university. The duration of the program of this link in the secondary education of the Netherlands is one year longer than that of HAVO and 2 than that of VMBO. There is also an opportunity to transfer here with a HAVO diploma and finish your studies for another year.

What is taught at VWO? The first 2 years are a general program of 15 general education disciplines, and the next 4 years are the study of highly specialized subjects. An interesting feature is the provision of time for students to prepare themselves.

Upon completion, graduates have the opportunity to enter the university. It is interesting that, despite all the peculiarities, the students of the Netherlands graduate high school all at the same age of 18. So this system education with regards to age limits is very close to ours. At the same time, many migrants note more high level comfort in the relationship between teacher and student.

What are international schools?

Unlike many other countries, the system of education in English in the Netherlands is quite well developed. There are entire schools in which teaching is carried out in the language of the British. Moreover, their doors are cordially open not only for Dutch children, but also for foreigners. Enrollment here is based on the results of the interview and upon presentation of a certificate from the educational institution where the applicant previously studied. The Baccalaureate diploma obtained here will make it possible to enter not only English-speaking universities in the Netherlands, but also any other university in the world.

Such institutions adhere to the standards of the British education system and its programs, and are also closed (boarding houses).

As for funding, they are both private and public. However, to get here for free, you have to try very hard.

Higher education in the Netherlands

In 2002, the Kingdom joined. In this regard, HE consists of three stages, at the end of each of which the graduate receives a bachelor's, master's and doctoral 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.

The opportunity not to learn Dutch (which, except in the Netherlands, can be of little use anywhere), but to study in English is the reason why 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 from total students), but also teachers. To date, 40% of the teaching staff in the universities of the Kingdom are foreigners.

A little about the universities themselves and their advantages

As in all reasonable states, the focus is on vocational education in the Netherlands. Therefore, 39 out of 57 universities are training 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 is aimed at a practical solution various tasks in the chosen area.

To acquire practical knowledge, many universities of applied sciences actively use the Problem Based Learning (PBL) method, which allows students to learn by solving complex problems from real life.

Moreover, some enterprises enter into agreements with universities and organize work competitions among their students. Their winners in the future can get a job in the company or have an internship there now.

As for classical universities, there are only 18 of them. Their goal is to train scientists who will develop science in the Netherlands and cooperate with other researchers in the world. Don't let the training profile fool you. Despite the fact that such universities train theorists rather than practitioners, in reality, their students will have to work no less than their counterparts from applied universities.

Scientific degrees

Regardless of the direction of the university in the Netherlands, in order to obtain 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 one more year. Total - 5 years.

To obtain a master's degree after a bachelor's degree, you 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 master's studies in the same specialty as a bachelor's degree. Of course, there are exceptions, but to become one of them, you will have to prove your knowledge in new sphere and convince admission committee that she should allow you more than others.

Tuition fees

Education for foreigners The Netherlands is particularly attractive low cost compared to other countries.

For this reason, residents of neighboring European powers often come here to study. In this regard, immigrants from Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, Moldova and similar countries of the post-Soviet space will have the opportunity to communicate not only with the Dutch, but also with Germans, Italians, Spaniards, Americans, Mexicans and residents of different countries Africa.

So, how much will it cost to acquire a Dutch higher education?

The average cost of one year of study for a bachelor's degree ranges from 5 to 12 thousand euros. For the year of the master's degree, you will have to pay from 7 to 21 thousand. Please note that this does not include the cost of accommodation, flights and other essential needs.

It is noteworthy that the most expensive education is medicine (bachelor - 3-32 thousand per year, master - 7-17 thousand). It is not surprising that in the Netherlands, for all its development, there is not enough quality medical personnel and they are happy to host foreign specialists in this field.

Free Education Opportunities

In fairness, it should be noted 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 education 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 Russian Federation, regardless of their ethnic background) have the Orange Tulip Scholarship and the Holland Scholarship. Also available and but it is only for 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 may not always cover all the costs of education. So, in some cases, flights, meals, accommodation and others will have to be paid out of your own pocket. Therefore, it is worth considering the possibility of a part-time job in advance.

In some universities, for excellent academic performance, you can get a grant or scholarship, partially or fully compensating for tuition costs. Large research universities often pay housing for especially gifted students, as well as allocate a monthly allowance.

A bachelor's student 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 borderline age of the applicant for financial assistance- 35 years.

Although it seems to many that receiving a grant is something on the verge of fantasy, you can find many articles and testimonials 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 meet the requirements of the program.
  • Choose a bachelor's / master's program at a university.
  • Make sure that it meets the requirements of the given university (diplomas/certificates).
  • Apply for admission on the university website.
  • Collect a package of documents for a scholarship and send their scanned copies to an email box within the time period set by the chosen university. Information about it is usually on websites.

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 scholarship is based on the results of the competition).

What is needed for admission

If you are confident in your own knowledge and financial capabilities, you can submit 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 to be of insufficient level to the Dutch, in this case your enrollment will occur based on the results of the entrance exams.
  • Certificate of English proficiency at the level of IELTS (not lower than 6) or TOEFL (not lower than 550).

Going to the Netherlands to study, it is worth replenishing your bank account with 10 thousand euros - this is the amount for the accommodation of foreign students who arrived for the first time high school was set by the immigration office.

Employment after graduation

Having dealt with the system of education in the Netherlands, it is worth moving on to employment opportunities. So, any graduate, regardless of whether he is a citizen or a foreigner, receives a year from the state in order to find a job in the Kingdom. If after graduation he went abroad for 1-2 years, this period is suspended, and upon his return he can continue to look for a place.

It is important not to forget that if a foreigner does not find a job 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 couldn’t find a place in the Netherlands, you can try your hand at Germany, the USA, Great Britain and other countries. In any case, a diploma is only a piece of paper (in our case, laminated cardboard) serving as a pass, and getting a job and success in it entirely depend on its owner.