High quality international master courses

The educational system in Holland is one of the best in Europe. The educational landscape is very diverse and characterized by high quality which is warranted by a national regulation institution. Due to the historically strong international focus of the Dutch, most master programmes are taught in English. Moreover, the educational institutes in the Netherlands were the first in the world to offer international courses in a non-English-speaking country. Consequently, the years of experience of teaching international students have led to a high level of service and study support for international students.

Top 5 reasons to study in Holland:

• High quality international master programmes
• Experienced support services for international students
• Dutch universities score highly in international rankings
• Innovative and international environment centrally in Europe
• Unique way of teaching: Problem-Based-Learning 

More than 800 international master programmes in Qompas Masters »
Direct search for Dutch master programmes »

Dutch universities in international rankings

• The Times Higher Education ranking 2008 places 11 Dutch educational institutes at the top 200 universities of the world. Highest placed is the University of Amsterdam at place 55.
• The Webometrics Ranking of World's Universities 2008, one of the largest web-based quality education researches, shows 8 universities in the top 100 of Europe. The University of Utrecht scores the highest rank (8).
• The Academic Ranking of World Universities 2008 of the Shanghai Jiao Tong University selects 9 Dutch universities in their Europe top 100.

What does Holland have to offer?

Studying abroad, whether for an exchange year or a full degree program, is an opportunity that should not be missed. Living in a new culture, experiencing a different education style and enjoying another way of living adds enormously to your personal development. If you decide to study in Holland you will experience the unique character and warm welcome of the Dutch inhabitants.

Even as a relatively small country in Europe, Holland has no problem to have its own unique identity. Located centrally in Europe and with one of the largest seaports of the world, the atmosphere of Holland is very international-oriented and innovative. Numerous multinationals have chosen Holland as a subsidiary location, offering a large amount of international career opportunities.

The country with more than 16 million inhabitants offers lively cities and peaceful family towns. The world renown capital Amsterdam welcomes every year more than 5 million tourists who enjoy the canals, numerous monuments and musea. Holland offers with its central location several close connections to European cities. You will be able to explore all corners of the continent!

Being a student in the Netherlands is serious business! The Dutch student life is unique with a rich background of traditions. You can expect a warm welcome of Dutch students and numerous of social activities to get acquainted with your new environment. The international atmosphere at Dutch educational institutes furthermore ensures that you will get in contact with other international students as well as students from Dutch-origins.

Are you ready for a unique way of teaching?

The Dutch education system enjoys a worldwide reputation for offering a student-centered teaching approach that is very interactive and stimulates group work. Professors and educational professionals are focused on helping students develop their own academic opinion. Leading in this is Problem-based learning (PBL), a student-centered instructional strategy in which students collaboratively solve problems and reflect on their experiences. Students are required to use self-study and self-discipline to achieve the maximum of their potential. The business world has reacted extremely positive to this new way of teaching. 

Strong government focus on quality

The Dutch system for higher education differs from other countries in Europe. Most of the institutes are government funded and therefore fees vary for EU-students and students from outside the European Union. Institutes that receive government subsidies are closely monitored by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science to assure high quality educational programmes and internationally recognized degrees. The educational institutes that are founded with private capital are also subject to quality controls before being allowed to award offical degrees and titles to their graduates. The Accreditation Organization of the Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO) is responsible for assigning accreditation rights to all Dutch institutes. Consequently, all educational institutes are government-approved.

Meet the Dutch educational institutes

In Holland a dual system with two main types of higher education levels exist. You can obtain international acknowledge degrees at Research Universities and the Universities of Applied Sciences / Business Schools. Due to the signing of the Bologna treaty almost all Dutch bachelor, master and PHD degrees are certified in Europe and accepted globally.

Research Universities offer an academic study programme that prepares students for both an academic career and a business profession. Besides general universities there are also specialized research universities that focus on either engineering or agriculture. The second type of education is offered by Universities of Applied Sciences/Business Schools (in Dutch: Hogescholen) which focus their educational programmes on the practical application of knowledge. A strong integration of education and business practice are a central part of the curriculum. Most students are required to acquire professional experience during their studies through internships and business projects.

Direct to all listed institutions in Qompas Masters »

Overview of Research Universities (14) » 

Overview of Business Schools (5) » 

Overview of Universities of Applied Sciences (13) » 

Obtain an international degree in Holland!

Almost all official degrees and titles of higher educational programmes in Holland are acknowledged in Europe and many other parts of the world. A major contribution to this development was the signing of the Bologna process by 29 European countries in 1999. This treaty created more equality between academic degree standards and quality assurances within higher education programmes in Europe.

The Bologna process resulted in three educational titles that require the same qualifications and credits throughout Europe. The Bachelor degree is obtained after 180-240 ECTS credits, the Master degree requires 90-120 credits and the Doctoral degree is assigned to PHD students (no ECTS credits specified). Another commonly used international title is the Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree. This title has its roots in the United States of America and has received worldwide recognition. MBA-programmes are often only available for professionals with several years of management experience.

Search through the MBA database of Qompas TopDegree »

All MBA institutions in Holland »

All MBA programmes » 

Research Universities:

Universities of Applied Sciences 

Business Schools

How to find your master?

Making the decision to study abroad is not easy. However, deciding to study a master programme in Holland is a very exciting adventure. Hundreds of Dutch master programmes are available. How do you pick the best suiting programme? Qompas Masters helps you with finding your perfect match by following 4 steps. 

Quick start your Masters search »

Get in contact with local Netherlands Education Support Offices »

Step 1: Find the master of your interest

The starting point of many important decisions is a thorough self-analysis. Make a list of your ambitions and interest by looking back at your previous educational choices and extra curricular activities. Try to analyze what your wishes and demands are for your ideal master programme. Furthermore, it is recommended to also include desired competences in your self-analysis. Which skills do you want to acquire? Which talents do you want to develop? The end result of this step is a short list with your most important selection criteria which you can use while exploring your options.

Step 2: Orientate on your options

Now you are ready to explore the large offer of master programmes available! Qompas offers the largest database of international master programmes in Holland. The Dutch Research Universities and Business Schools/Universities of Applied Sciences offer over a 1,000 master programmes which can all be found in the Qompas Masters. Search our database with our Ask & Match technology to find all the programmes that match your wishes. You can focus on a specific institute or search for all programmes that fit with your previous education. Moreover, it is possible to select search criteria as a field of interest or part-time / full-time programmes.

Step 3: Compare master programmes

The search result is ordered on how well the programmes fit your selection criteria. The percentage score portrays the match result. The presentations of the educational institutes in general and the master programmes in specific contain all the information that you need to orientate yourself. The information is kept up-to-date and is as complete as possible. You can find for example details on programmes, titles, admission requirements and tuition fees. With one press of a button you can compare several programmes with each other. Just select two or more programmes in your search result to compare what the institutions have to offer and programme details.

Step 4: Make a decision

Write down the key points of your in-depth exploration in Step 3 and compare this overview with the selection criteria that you drew up in Step 1. Did you find enough information for each master programme? In case you still have a few unanswered questions, it is very easy to come into contact with the educational institutes via Qompas Masters.

Within the presentations of institutes and master programmes it is possible to apply for informational brochures. The brochure service of Qompas Masters is free of charge and you will receive the brochures at your own home address! Furthermore, you can send all your questions directly to the contact person of each master programme. This option is also directly available within the presentations. With all information at hand you will be able to make a well-supported decision for a Dutch master programme.

Quick start your Master search!

• Institutions in the programme A–Z »

• Masters in Law »

• Masters in Mathematics and Computer Science »

• Masters in Econometrics »

• Overview of Master of Science programmes (with MSc. Title) »

Contact local support offices

The Dutch government offers support to international students in several home-countries with local offices of the Nuffic network. The staff will provide you with detailed information about the Dutch higher education system.

Netherlands Education Support Offices (NESO) locations:

• NESO desk Brazil, Brasília
• NESO desk China, Beijing
• NESO desk India, Ahmedabad and Chennai
• NESO desk Indonesia, Jakarta and Surabaya
• NESO desk South Korea, Seoul
• NESO desk Mexico, Mexico City
• NESO desk Russia, Moscow
• NESO desk Taipei
• NESO desk Thailand, Bangkok
• NESO desk Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City

Admission to Dutch master programmes

If you have a bachelor degree and no or little work experience you can apply for a so-called master programme. Tuition fees at Dutch institutions are subsidized by the national government of the Netherlands. Therefore, a difference exists between the fees for EU and non-EU students exist. The admission requirements are set by each educational institute and can vary per master programme. However, in general there are four frequently used admission topics: language skills, mathematical skill, motivation and references.

Potential students with work experience looking for a professional master or MBA programme are advised to continue their search on Qompas TopDegree.

Tuition fees for Dutch master programmes » 

Application deadlines » 

Acceptable level of English language

To be admitted to a Dutch master programme you often have to pass an English language test. The educational institutes want to verify if your comprehension of the language is sufficient. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) evaluates your ability to use and understand English in an academic setting. A total score of 74.2 for undergraduate admissions and 82.6 for graduate admissions may be an admission requirement for non-native English speakers at many colleges and universities that offer English-taught courses. Please check the specific base-score for each institute.

Testing your mathematical skills

Another globally used test is the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) that measures verbal, mathematical and analytical writing skills. Educational institutes use the outcome of the test to assess if your intellectual capacity is sufficient to start the master programme. The GMAT score ranges between 200 and 800 points. Often scores higher than 550-650 are applicable for admission. Please check the specific base-score for each institute.

Do you have a persuasive motivation?

For some master programmes the amount of available admissions are limited, while many students want to start the programme. In such a situation the admission requirements are often sharpened to assure that only the best students are selected for the programme. An important role is depicted for the motivational essay that all applicants have to write. Why do you deserve a seat in the college room? How can you convince the Board of Admission? A well-written essay with strong arguments and personal anecdotes might be your key to being admitted to the master programme.

Impressive references

A final element that is often used in admission requirements is presenting a list of references. You can be asked to provide the contact details or a letter of recommendation from academic or business professionals. References can be used for background checks or to acquire a better insight in your personality and ambition. 

Tuition fees for Dutch master programmes

Tuition fees at Dutch institutions are subsidized by the national government of the Netherlands. The annual tuition fees for enrolment in a master degree programme start at approximately 1500 euro for EU students. However, for non-EU students the fees can range between 2000 euro and 12,500 euro a year depending on the popularity of the study field and reputation of the institute.

You can lower your the admission cost of your master programme by applying for scholarships, grants or private funds. Furthermore, it might be possible to enter an exchange programme between your current university and a Dutch university. The international student centers of the university provide more information about your options.

Find tuition fees of Dutch master programmes on Qompas Masters »

Read more about scholarships and grants »

Application deadlines

Take careful notion of the application deadlines for admittance. The academic study year in Holland runs from the end of August until the end of June. For some master programmes it is possible to start twice a year, in September and February. However, it is more common for educational institutes to have a single starting date in September is most common. Usually application deadlines are set around April or May.

Financial support for international students

Studying at university is a major investment and might for some be a big financial burden to carry. However, the career prospect of graduated students with a master degree is excellent. Soft loans, scholarships of charitable organizations and study grants of universities are available to support young people in their career ambition. However, start early with your application since the competition among students is fierce!

Financial institutions offer soft student loans to support young people in their career ambition. Several charitable organizations help students by providing funding. These scholarships are often linked to specific countries, universities or study areas. Another way to receive financial support is to receive a study grant of the university that your are applying with. The competition among educational institutions to attract the most talented students is fierce. By giving grants to the best students universities are able to select promising academics and researchers. The amount of money that is available in a scholarship or grant varies per educational and charitable institution. It can include only the tuition fee or also support the student’s living expenses. 
 

Applying for scholarships

The process of applying for a scholarship can be quite time-consuming. Each scholarship has its own requirements and time-line. Some scholarship programmes can require a submission of your application as far as nine months in advance. Therefore it is wise to come into contact with the funding organizations as early as possible.

The application of scholarships and grants often requires students to show a certain proof of excellence. Part of the requirements can be academic publications, business or social-relevant work experience and high-level references. Due to the strong competition among applicants it is very important to respect all requirements and application deadlines.

Overview of Dutch scholarship programs

The Netherlands organization for international cooperation in higher education (NUFFIC) brings together a range of Dutch scholarships for international students who wish to come to the Netherlands. The search engine “Grantfinder” helps you to find eligible scholarships.

Worldwide

• Erasmus Mundus: programme of the European Union aimed to improve the quality of European higher education and encourage international cooperation. Read more »
• Ford-IFP: programme supports students with the ambition to contribute to greater economic development and social justice worldwide. Read more »
• HSP Huygens Programme: The Ministry for Education, Culture and Science in the Netherlands grants scholarships to excellent students who want to finish their bachelor or master studies. Read more »
• Jean Monet Fellowships Program: joint scholarship of the European Commission and the Republic of Turkey aimed at Turkish young professionals in the public and private sector. Read more »
• Tempus Programme: aims to strengthen partnerships among countries in the European Union by helping the partners to restructure their higher education systems. Read more »

Asia

• Y.C. Lo Scholarship Programme Taiwan: postgraduate programmes at Dutch universities. Read more »
• StuNed Scholarship Programme: available for Indonesian professionals with two or more years of working experience in NGO’s. Read more »
• China Programme: joint effort of Dutch universities and companies to support Chinese students. Read more »
• DUO-Korea Fellowship: exchange programme among Dutch and Korean universities. Read more »
• DUO-Singapore Fellowship: exchange programme among Dutch and Singaporean universities. Read more »
• DUO-Thailand Fellowship: exchange programme among Dutch and Thai universities. Read more »

Europe

• Erasmus Programme: supports mobility of higher education in Europe. Only available for students from participating institutions. Read more »
• Netherlands Fellowship Programme Macedonia: available for Macedonian students with an interest in the integration of the Republic of Macedonia into the European Union. Read more »

North-America

• ISEP: International Student Exchange Programme places American students in a wide range of countries by means of exchange programmes. Read more »
• Fulbright Scholarships: available for American graduate students and researchers. Read more »
• Transatlantic Degree Consortia: provides students with the opportunity to study both in the United States and in Europe with the aim of achieving a double degree. Read more »

Other regions

• The Netherlands Fellowship Programmes: Funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs the programme supports the study efforts of employees in 57 developing countries. Read more »
• Libertas Support Fund: scholarship supports politically engaged students who, for political reasons, are unable to study in their country of origin. Read more »
• MENA Scholarship Programme: scholarships available for short courses for organizations and institutions in Algeria, Iraq, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman and Syria. Read more »