Subscription 
Netherlands or Holland!-
Everyone today is eager to pursue higher education in some foreign universities, adding a special feather to their academic pursuit in life.
Studying in Netherlands or Holand would be an experience beyond explanation, with most of its educational institutions located close to mother nature and education in par excellence with top universities of the world.
About Netherlands: Netherlands is a kingdom whose official name is the Kingdom of Netherlands. Today, Netherlands is also otherwise called ’Holland‘, a name that derived from the names of the two western coastal provinces, North and South Holland that were the most developed and wealthiest part of the country in 17th century and played a dominant role in the country's history.
Dutch is the national language of Netherlands, but majority of the population also speak English and very often another foreign language, such as German or French.
Why study in Holland?
-
More than 1,500 international study programmes and courses offered in English
-
Great International study environment
-
The Dutch education system is interactive and focuses on teamwork that makes it easy to meet other international students
-
Holland offers a multicultural and open society where many non-Dutch people also can be found
-
The Dutch system of higher education enjoys a worldwide reputation for its high quality. This quality is achieved through a national system of regulation and quality assurance
-
13 Universities have been ranked among the top 200 in the world by the Times Higher Education Supplement
-
The Dutch Education system emphasises on Problem based Learning that encourages self-study and self-discipline
-
Holland occupies a central position in Europe, thereby facilitating many exchange programs and study tours
-
The cost of living and tuition fees are very reasonable. The student is thus assured of the value for money
-
Student communities are an integral part of Dutch higher Education that helps in bringing about good interaction with the other students in the Universities.
Dutch Education System:
Holland has two main types of higher education institutions: research universities and universities of applied sciences.
Research universities focus on the independent practice of research-oriented work in an academic or professional setting.
Universities of applied sciences offer professional programmes in the applied arts and sciences that prepare students for specific careers.
A third, smaller branch of higher education is provided by institutes for international education, which offer programmes designed especially for international students.
Research Universities:
These institutions essentially train students in academic study and research. However, many study programmes also have a professional component and most graduates actually find work outside the research community.
There are eighteen research universities in Holland that offer international programmes and courses. The majority of these are government-funded, but there are also some private research universities.
Universities of Applied Sciences:
The country has 43 government-funded universities of applied sciences in which, around 365,000 students are currently enrolled.
Acquiring practical work experience through internships is an integral part of professional study programmes in these Universities.
Institutes for International Education:
Institutes for international education (IE) offer advanced training and courses in a wide range of fields. Most of these are part of a research university.
There are six large IE institutes which focus on the exchange of knowledge in a setting of small, intercultural groups. Teachers with extensive experience working in developing countries facilitate students to in their endeavor.
IE institutes offer various types of education including short courses, master's programmes and sometimes PhD programmes
Exchange Programmes:
Dutch Higher Education Institutions have exchange programmes with other Institutes in and around the world. Studying in Holland through these exchange programmes is the easiest and most economical way of studying abroad.
Tuition Fees:
Bachelor Degree - Tuition fee (average): € 4,000 – € 9,000
Master Degree - Tuition fee (average): € 8,000 – € 18,000
Scholarships:
Dutch Government attempts to make higher education more accessible by subsidizing on tuition fees and the like. Apart from this, students are also provided with many possibilities for obtaining funding. There are many scholarships open to students who wish to study in Holland like the Huygens Scholarship Programme, The Netherlands Fellowship Programme, and so on.
PhD in Holland:
Holland, ranks 2nd worldwide in number of publications per researcher and ranks 4th worldwide in impact of research publication. Ten Dutch research universities are ranked in the top 200 of the Times Higher Education Supplement 2009.Twelve Dutch research universities are ranked in the top 500 of the QS World University Rankings 2010. Twelve Dutch research universities are ranked in the top 500 of the Academic Ranking of World Universities 2010. All this, go together to make Holland the ideal destination for a PhD.
In Holland, research is carried out by research universities, research institutes and by companies. Only the 14 research universities can award PhD-degrees. However, since other research institutes generally work in close collaboration with these universities, they can also provide positions to PhD candidates.
Doing a PhD in Holland is a hands-on activity and involves little course work. PhD students start doing research from day one. This allows them to develop their own ideas and priorities in their research while having close contact with their supervisor. This is what makes a PhD from India, different from one in Holland.
Visas and residence permits
Entering Holland for study purposes, Indian students, like inhabitants from most countries need an MVV, an entry visa. This is a sticker placed in your passport at the Dutch embassy in India, but it must be applied for well in advance. Students will require an ‘authorization for temporary stay.’ The regular application procedure for an MVV may take three to six months, sometimes even longer. The Dutch host institution can also apply for an MVV on the students’ behalf using a fast-track procedure.
Insurance, Residence Permits
Dutch law requires everyone living in Holland to be covered by health insurance. If the insurance you have in your own country provides full cover for medical costs while you are in Holland, you should bring with you a statement (in English) detailing the insurance cover. If you do not have adequate cover, you will have to take out insurance.
Nuffic Neso Desk India:
Nuffic Nesos are Netherlands Education Support Offices, Nuffic's overseas offices. Its primary tasks are the generic promotion of Dutch higher education and the enhancement of cooperation between higher education institutions in the Netherlands and institutions in the Nuffic Neso regions.
The offices also serve as a channel for information and provide support and liaison for the academic communities of the Netherlands and of the country they are situated in. They provide information and guidance regarding the choice of an international course or programme of education or training. For students interested in studying in the Netherlands, approaching the Nuffic Neso Desks India is the right way to go.
