Why study in Holland?

Holland, or more formally The Netherlands, is an internationally oriented and innovative country located in the heart of Europe.
In Holland you will find an international environment, quality and diversity in education and research.

Over 1,150 programmes taught in English
Holland was the first non-English-speaking country to offer courses taught in English. The Dutch higher education institutions together offer about 1,150 international study programmes which are entirely taught in English. This makes Holland the front-runner in Continental Europe.

Quality and diversity in education and research

Higher education in Holland enjoys a worldwide reputation for its high quality. This is achieved through a national system of regulation and quality assurance.
Experience shows that people who have studied at a Dutch institution of higher education perform very well in other parts of the world.

World leading
Dutch higher education is world leading in areas like ICT, electrical engineering, business administration, agricultural studies, civil engineering, medicine, remote sensing and, arts & design.

Research
The high quality of the research and the dissertations that are defended in Holland does place it in the very top ranks. In fact, Dutch international scientific research is leading in Continental Europe. Holland occupies the fifth place in the world raking of numbers of publications per capita.

Multicultural and open society

Holland lies at the point where the German, British and French cultures meet. This is evident as soon as you turn on the television. In this well-cabled country, programming from the neighbouring countries and beyond can be received in nearly every household.

The Dutch are accustomed to dealing with people from around the world, and above all, to working with them. Groups of people with non-Dutch backgrounds have been living in Holland for decades as a result of historical ties with other parts of the world.

Multicultural diversity
Cinemas show films from around the world in their original languages. Alongside the usual church towers and synagogues, the minarets of mosques can increasingly be seen in the large cities. You can dance the salsa every bit as easily as in Latin America. And Asian, Mediterranean and fast foods are becoming as familiar as wholesome Dutch fare.

The majority of the Dutch people speak English and very often another foreign language, such as German or French.

International study environment

Holland was the first non-English-speaking country to offer courses taught in English. The Dutch higher education institutions together offer about 1,150 international study programmes and courses which are taught entirely in English. This makes Holland the front-runner in continental Europe.

The Dutch education system is interactive and focuses on teamwork, which makes it easy to meet other international students. By studying in Holland you will develop an open mind and increase your international orientation.