CAN I STUDY FOR FREE IN THE NETHERLANDS? WHAT IS THE COST?

The Netherlands known informally as Holland is a country mainly located in Western Europe and partly in the Caribbean. The Netherlands is known for its beautiful natural canals, cheese markets, diverse cultures, etc. The citizens of the Netherlands are very welcoming towards international students and are often happy to help. The locals here are all very well educated and as of 2015, the literacy rate has never dropped below 99%. All that can be credited to the learning environment here. The majority of Universities here try to strike a balance between work life and social life which has thus resulted in a very fruitful and relatively stress-free student life.

The Netherlands focuses on its students being tested on their overall intelligence and their application-based skills. The public universities in the Netherlands don't provide free education but the Dutch government does provide education at subsidized rates to all students. The Netherlands has many private and public Universities. Public Universities here also charge basic tuition fees. Public universities make it possible to provide a somewhat pocket-friendly education as they focus more on education rather than a glorified campus and other high-tech equipment. Both private and public universities ask you to pay tuition fees. The cost of education in public schools ranges from 6,000 to 16,000 Euros per annum whereas the private universities are not funded by the Dutch government but instead are run by the donations and investment of private individuals hence it is not possible to provide tuition for free for private universities and often end up charging a surplus. Studying in private universities in the Netherlands will cost you a fortune but even more so if you do not plan or are unaware of the expenses that you will have to incur. The tuition fees are still affordable as compared to other universities abroad. The quality of education is amazing in private universities and the minimum semester fees in private universities range somewhere between 20,000 to 35,000 Euros per annum depending on the university and course of your choice, fees for MBA and Doctoral degrees are particularly high here. The Delft University of Technology, University of Amsterdam, Eindhoven University of Technology, Leiden University, etc are some of the best Universities around here. If you are confused about whether to enroll in a private or a public university then don’t be both kinds of universities impart quality education, but most international students choose public universities as they are more affordable than private universities and colleges. In any case even though one is not able to meet the demand for these admission fees, there is always an ample availability of scholarships for resident and international students, besides scholarships tuition fees and loans is also available. The scholarships are provided by both the Dutch government itself and the individual universities you apply to. You can get financial aid to help them drastically reduce your tuition cost, that is a way to make your cost of education even more affordable and maybe even free.

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Whenever one is planning to study abroad, one is asked to have all the necessary documents. One should essentially contact the international office of the university you are applying to and ask whether your previous degree is valid in the Netherlands. To get into any university in the Netherlands it is advisable to have a TOEFL or IELTS score of a minimum of 6 to show your proficiency in the English language, also one should have overall good performance in the previous degree you did, a GMAT or GRE score of a minimum of 7-7.5 which are internationally recognized tests which ensure that applicants are prepared for the challenges of advanced education. A good command of Dutch is also a prerequisite if your program demands it. Most universities also offer you courses in Dutch as a second language for you to prove your mastery over the language.

While studying in the Netherlands, an international student also has to think about his/her living arrangements. Living in the Netherlands is relatively cheaper than its Western European counterparts, despite offering an equal standard of food, infrastructure, civic utilities, and public transportation. Housing covers a large part of the Netherlands’ cost of living for the international public, due to the high demand for good quality rental houses or apartments, especially influencing the cost of living in Amsterdam. Amsterdam is one of the best places to stay in the Netherlands and has a score of 89 on the cost of living index. The cost of renting an apartment here is somewhere north of 1000 Euros excluding the cost of other essentials and utilities. For students and bachelors having a low budget, house sharing is the best option. For transport, it is advisable that any student citizen or not should invest in a bicycle for ease of transportation. A bicycle is generally more cost-effective as compared to public transport and having one’s vehicle.

The Netherlands is a good place to boost one’s social life as the people here often host parties and like to make friends. Each year several international students come here to receive education and better their lives. Some of the best courses offered by the Netherlands are MBA, Engineering, Fashion designing, Psychology, etc.

In conclusion, the Netherlands is a very safe option for studying abroad which appeals to and resonates with most people. A fine study abroad destination, one can be sure to learn something of value in the Netherlands.