Great Place to Live
Holland is one of the safest countries in the world, according to the 2018 Global Peace index and belongs to the top 10 happiest countries in the world.
Holland’s many international students come from more than 160 different countries. Dutch society is diverse and inclusive. It is strongly connected to other cultures, the business community and the world. The Dutch are open-minded and direct, so it is easy to meet them and exchange ideas. You could get by without speaking a word of the local language.
When you come to Holland to study you will probably expect that many things are different than in your home country: climate, lifestyle, traffic, food, clothes and religion for example.
Also, Holland is the gateway to Europe! In just three hours you can be in Paris. London and Berlin are just a five or six hour train ride away.
Academic Excellence
Dutch universities offer the largest number of English-taught programmes in continental Europe. More than 2,100 programmes are taught entirely in English. 11 Dutch research universities rank among the top 200 universities in the world according to the Times Higher Education World university rankings 2020. Also, 95% of the Dutch speak English, so it’s easy to communicate in daily life.
Excellent career opportunities
Holland is the 18th largest economy in the world. Some of the world’s biggest multinationals, including Philips, Heineken, KLM, Shell, ING and Unilever, are Dutch. Holland is a world leader in many areas of expertise, including agriculture, water management, art & design, logistics and sustainable energy.
Intakes
Typically, academic calendars begin every September. Scholarships are available and competitive students are advised to begin the application process early on.
A number of private higher education provider offering courses in management, hospitality have multiple intakes in a year.
Employment
You can either work for a maximum of 16 hours a week during the year, or you can work fulltime during the months of June, July and August, but only with a work permit. Your employer has to apply for your work permit (TWV) at least 5 weeks prior to the start of your employment. The application is free of charge. You cannot apply for the permit yourself, but you can ask your employer for a copy.
The Dutch government wants to attract knowledge and retain talent. International graduates can therefore apply for an orientation year. This is a residence permit of one year to find a job, or start a business within three years of graduation. Join our Holland Alumni network to increase your chances on the job market.