Why Study in the Netherlands?

Studying in the Netherlands is a top choice for international students. Every year, the country welcomes international students from over 150 countries worldwide and offers them quality education with many job opportunities. Let’s look at all the aspects of studying in the Netherlands from the perspective of international students.

• Post Work Permit in the Netherlands: International students get a Post-Study Work Permit in the Netherlands after completing their degree from the Universities in the Netherlands. International Graduates need post-study work permissions – called the Search/Orientation Year or ‘Zoekjaar’ in Dutch. As per new regulations in effect from March 1, 2016, students must apply for this permit within three years after completing their degree program.

• Part-Time Options: Part-time work option in the Netherlands is available for international students, and they can only work either no more than 10 hours a week throughout the year or full-time in June, July, and August – but not both. Part-time work will help students manage the cost of studying and living in the Netherlands. As soon as you have a (part-time) job, you are required to have Dutch public health insurance. Some of the part-time work options for students in the Netherlands are given as follows:
  • Cashier at Supermarket
  • Hotel Receptionist
  • Tutoring

• Student Visa Fee in the Netherlands: Visa application option and cost: International students need a visa and work permit to enter the Netherlands for study or research purposes. The Netherlands student visa process has two steps:
  • The MVV or an Entry Visa to enter the Netherlands
  • The VRV – or the Residence Permit – is granted to students within a month of their reaching the country
  • The cost of a student visa in the Netherlands is EUR 210.

• Top job sectors & Economy: The Netherlands has become an attractive place for international students. As of 2023, the three sectors with the largest number of employees were health and social work, wholesale and retail trade, and other business support services. Some of the other in-demand job sectors in the Netherlands in the same year were Manufacturing, Education, Information and Communication, Agriculture, etc. There were over 1.4 million jobs in the health and social work sector in The Netherlands. In May 2022, the employed labor force in The Netherlands amounted to around 9.56 million individuals. Some of the popular job sectors in the Netherlands are given as follows:
  • Engineering
  • IT Specialists
  • Healthcare Specialists
  • Finance
  • Energy Sector

Top Universities in the Netherlands: The Netherlands boasts an extensive network of higher education institutions, encompassing more than 30 universities and colleges dispersed throughout the country. A significant concentration of these academic institutions can be found in major cities like Amsterdam, Delft, Rotterdam, and Groningen. For prospective students seeking admission to the top-ranking universities and colleges in the Netherlands, the submission of standardized test scores such as TOEFL, IELTS, and PTE is a common requirement. The Netherlands offers a diverse array of popular academic programs, catering to various interests and career aspirations. Some of the most sought-after courses include MIM (Master in Management), BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration), MS (Master of Science), BE/BTech (Bachelor of Engineering/Bachelor of Technology), BSc (Bachelor of Science), and MA (Master of Arts).

Notably, the Netherlands has attracted a significant number of Indian students, with figures from the Ministry of External Affairs India indicating that around 3,200 Indian students have enrolled to pursue their studies in this vibrant European nation.