Admission Requirements for Bachelors Degree in Netherlands

Bachelor’s degree programmes are taught in English and Dutch in Holland. A typical Bachelor’s degree programme in Holland lasts for 4 years and equals 240 credits. Students who wish to study undergraduate courses in the Netherlands should learn to communicate and write well in English. They must have passed the English language test as well. For admission into Bachelor’s degree programmes, students must pass the English language test. IELTS and TOEFL are generally accepted but other institutions may accept other tests as well. Language requirements for individual programmes and courses can be found on the database of the international study programmes. 

Admission Requirements for Dutch Colleges

 Basic requirement for admission into Bachelor’s degree is a secondary school diploma. The level and equivalence of different diplomas is established by individual institutions. For specific popular subjects as well as disciplines, number of places and quotas are restricted. Additional admission requirements are present for study programmes of certain disciplines such as arts. 

Students who have not yet attained eligibility for a programme of their specific choice have the option of going in for a preparatory year. Conditional letters of acceptance are provided by Dutch higher educational institutions and immigration law permits students to study in this country for one year before the start of the course. Preparatory courses can be pursued during this period so that students can pass exams of these institutions. Following this, the conditional letter of acceptance can be turned into a definite one.

 Basic Criteria for the Undergraduate Degrees

Following are some of the basic requirements for the admission in undergraduate degree programme in Holland  include:  
  • Secondary/High School Diploma or Certificate showing lit of subjects and hours per subject for Bachelor’s programmes
  • English Language Proficiency Tests: IELTS/ TOEFL results for non-native speakers of the English language. Many universities also accept other language proficiency tests such as Cambridge Advanced English (CAE). Required scores equal 55 for paper based or 213 for computer based TOEFL. For IELTS test, a minimum score of at least 6 is needed. 
  • Scores of the Dutch language test NT2 which is required for enrolment into Dutch programmes. The linguistic requirements for individual courses are provided in the database of the international study programmes. 

Courses Offered at Dutch Universities

Universities of applied sciences offer Bachelor’s degrees in numerous disciplines including economics, health, fine arts, agriculture and more. Apart from this, there are a various programmes within each discipline that can vary in content from one institution to another. The programme provides students with important skills and competencies for jobs in particular fields. Practical experience is provided within these courses through internships. Students can enrol in a master’s degree following education at undergraduate levels. 

Admission Procedure for Dutch Universities 

There are no entrance exam requirements for most of the universities in the Netherlands. The admission  procedure commences when students apply to the university’s international office with their supporting documents. Prior to application, students should check the qualifying requirements as well as application deadlines established by the universities. 

Instructions for application are provided on the application pages of the university website. Students can see the documents required and prepare them to initiate the admission process. There are currently two modes of application at Dutch universities:

Through the first method, universities ask candidates to apply through the website by means of online application modules. Examples of such universities in the Netherlands include Leiden University and Groningen.
Some Universities use “Studielink”. This is a web based enrolment system for universities in Holland. Students who want to enrol at Dutch higher educational institutions have to register on this enrolment system. Examples of universities which use Studielink include Inholland University and the Hague University.  

Universities can also request the student to register via Studielink first and then also apply through the university website. Following registration on Studielink or the university website, students get the confirmation email declaring that the application procedure has commenced.

Admission Calendar

Most Dutch universities have enrolment sessions twice a year in the Fall semester (September) and Spring semester(February). Application deadlines are set by the universities in the Netherlands for those students who require enrolment in degree programmes. Deadlines are rigid and students must wait for the next intake period if they miss a deadline. Universities assess the application of students as well as the documents they have submitted  and decide on whether the admission will be given or not. Some students are also required to pass an intake assessment. 

International Students in Dutch Bachelor’s Degree Programmes

International students opt for Bachelor’s degree in Dutch universities and colleges because they are oriented towards gaining access to the bets professional, academic and practical courses for further career advancement. Many international students visit the Netherlands for higher studies. Dutch higher educational institutions receives thousands of international students from all over the globe, according to Study in Holland.

Numerous documents have to be arranged for the admission if your are foreign students including insurance and financial papers along with visa and residence permit for international students. Due to this reason, non EU students have to commence applications 2 to 3 months earlier as compared to EU students. 

International Students Admission Requirements

Documents such as the CV(resume), reference letter(s) and letter of introduction along with information about candidate’s background and motivation for studying in the Netherlands are also required. Xerox of these documents should be translated into English as well as France, German and Spanish. These should have been certified by the school or a notary.

For latest updates see Universities in Netherlands
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