¶ Education in the Netherlands
Complete guide to education options in the Netherlands for DAFT holders and their families
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The Netherlands offers a world-class education system with excellent options for both international students and families. Whether you're considering higher education for yourself or schooling options for your children, the Dutch education system provides high-quality, internationally recognized programs with many English-taught options.
For international, non-Dutch speaking families with children, one of the first decisions that needs to be made is whether education will take place in Dutch or in another language (most commonly available is English).
If children are staying more than three years, and are under the age of 11ish, learning Dutch via a newcomer program (see below) is very common. Most children learn Dutch within 1 year at that age.
For older children or teenagers or who are not planning on staying more than a few years, it can be a more complicated decision making process based on long term education goals, planned time away from your country of origin, long term integration goals, and the personal choice of the student themselves. For most older kids, graduation is often delayed as learning Dutch to a secondary school level is more challenging. Some families don't mind this and other feel strongly about their kid not graduating as they planned.
In the Dutch school system, about 1/4th of kids repeat a year at some point in their education, so it is not uncommon for kids to have a peer group with a wider age range than in a U.S. school. It is also permissable to finish one type of diloma and continue you on to the next one (VMBO-t to HAVO for example).
| Level |
Dutch Name |
Age Range |
Duration |
| Daycare/Pre-school |
Kinderopvang |
0-4 years |
Optional |
| Primary School |
Basisschool |
4-12 years |
8 years (Groups 1-8) |
| Secondary School |
Middelbare school |
12-18 years |
4-6 years |
| Vocational Training |
MBO |
16+ years |
2-4 years |
| Higher Professional Education |
HBO |
18+ years |
3-4 years |
| Research University |
Universiteit |
18+ years |
3-6 years |
- Academic Year: Late August/September to June/July
-Varies by region: https://www.government.nl/topics/school-holidays
- School Days: Monday to Friday
- Primary School Hours: 8:30-15:00 (sometimes half day on Wednesday)
- Secondary School Hours: 8:30-16:00/17:00
¶ Primary and Secondary Education
Options:
- Public Schools: Religiously neutral, free
- Special Schools: Religious-based (Catholic, Protestant, Islamic, Jewish)
- Private Schools: Limited, mainly for special needs or international students
- International Schools: English-taught, higher fees
Key Features:
- School attendance mandatory from age 5
- Most children start at age 4, just after their 4th birthday. Common to start midyear.
- Often Groep 1/2 is combined.
- Groups 1-8 system
- Often walkable for kids, definitely bikeable. Often small, with 1-2 of each section (One groep 3 class for example).
- Limited homework (under 30 minutes daily)
- In Groep 8, a final "advice" will be given to a child relating to their secondary school options.
The Dutch Secondary school system is a streaming or tracked system. Children are given a preliminary and then final "Advies" or Advice in their last year of primary school. This decides which type of secondaryfor secondary school students may attend. The advice is based on student academic performance, teacher assessment and standardized aptitude assessment (Cito is one example). However, the word "advice" is a little bit of a misnomer as it is not a suggestion, but rather students are only able to attend schools at or "below" the advice they received. For example, a child receiving HAVO advice could select a VMBO school or a HAVO school, but not a VWO school.
Excellent description: https://www.nuffic.nl/en/education-systems/the-netherlands/primary-and-secondary-education
Three Main Types:
For each of these routes there are general or core subjects and then the student will select a profile or more specialized set of subjects in which they will take examls. All secondary students have to take leaving exams to receive their diploma.
-
VMBO (4 years) - Pre-vocational
-
HAVO (5 years) - Higher general
-
VWO (6 years) - Pre-university
- Prepares for research universities
- Most academic
- Further divided into Atheneum or Gymnasium (which requires Latin/Greek)
Major International Schools:
- Amsterdam International Community School
- International School of Amsterdam
- The Hague International School
- International School Eindhoven
- Rotterdam International Secondary School
Costs:
- Government-subsidized: €3,600-€6,000 per year
- Private: €12,000-€24,000 per year
- Additional fees: Application, deposits, materials
Curricula Offered:
- International Baccalaureate (IB)
- British curriculum (GCSE/A-levels)
- American curriculum
- Dutch bilingual programs (aimed for native Dutch speakers to learn English)
For Non-Dutch Speaking Children:
- Newcomer Classes: One to two year intensive Dutch program, also called "taalklas" or "taalschool". After age 6, children who do not speak Dutch must first attend this type of program before starting Dutch public school.
- International Transition Classes: "ISK" Taalklas/newcomer program for ages 12-18. Bridge to Dutch system for secondary students. See ISK explanation video: https://youtu.be/hatFhErbcvc?si=r9Rql9Oan7JA6fT4
- Bilingual Schools: 30-50% English instruction, commonly called "Tweetalig Onderwijs" or "TTO"
- Language Support: Available in most schools, often through NT2 programs "Nederlands als Tweede Taal".
Characteristics:
- Focus: Practical, professional training
- Duration: 3-4 years (Bachelor), 1-2 years (Master)
- Approach: Applied research, internships, industry connections
- Career Path: Direct entry to professional roles
Top HBO Institutions:
- Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences
- The Hague University of Applied Sciences
- Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences
- Fontys University of Applied Sciences
- Saxion University of Applied Sciences
Characteristics:
- Focus: Academic research and theory
- Duration: 3 years (Bachelor), 1-2 years (Master)
- Approach: Independent study, research emphasis
- Career Path: Academic careers, research, advanced professional roles
Top Research Universities:
- University of Amsterdam (UvA)
- Delft University of Technology
- Leiden University
- Utrecht University
- Erasmus University Rotterdam
- University of Groningen
- Wageningen University & Research
Availability:
- Bachelor's: 300+ English-taught programs
- Master's: 1,300+ English-taught programs
- Fields: Business, engineering, life sciences, humanities, social sciences
Popular Programs:
- International Business
- Computer Science
- Engineering
- Life Sciences
- Economics
- Psychology
- Medicine (limited English options)
¶ Costs and Funding
- Statutory Fee: €2,530 per year (all universities)
- Part-time: €2,156 per year
- Bachelor's: €9,000-€20,000 per year
- Master's: €12,000-€30,000 per year
- Medicine/Dentistry: Up to €30,000+ per year
Monthly Expenses (Students):
- Total: €800-€1,200 per month
- Accommodation: €400-€800 per month
- Food: €200-€400 per month
- Transportation: €50-€100 per month
- Books/Materials: €50-€100 per month
- Personal: €100-€200 per month
¶ Scholarships and Financial Aid
Available Scholarships:
- NL Scholarship: €5,000 for non-EEA students
- University-specific: Merit-based scholarships
- Orange Tulip Scholarship: For various nationalities
- Erasmus+ Grants: For exchange students
Student Work:
- EU/EEA Students: Unlimited work hours
- Non-EU/EEA Students: 16 hours/week or full-time during holidays
- Wages: €9-€15 per hour
Timeline:
- Application Deadline: January 15 (most programs)
- Some Programs: May 1 deadline
- Late Applications: Possible but limited spots
Required Documents:
- Completed application form
- Academic transcripts
- English proficiency test (IELTS/TOEFL)
- Letter of motivation
- Letters of recommendation
- CV/Resume
- Portfolio (for creative programs)
Application Platforms:
- Studielink: Dutch national application system
- University portals: Direct applications
Minimum Scores:
- IELTS: 6.0-7.0 (depending on program)
- TOEFL: 80-100 (depending on program)
- Cambridge: CAE/CPE accepted
Exemptions:
- Native English speakers
- Previous education in English
- International Baccalaureate
- Some specific qualifications
NUFFIC Services:
- Diploma Evaluation: Compare foreign qualifications to Dutch standards
- Statement of Comparability: Official recognition document
- Cost: €200-€300 per evaluation
- Timeline: 4-6 weeks
When Needed:
- University applications
- Job applications
- Professional licensing
- Further education
Regulated Professions:
- Medicine, dentistry, nursing
- Law, teaching
- Engineering, architecture
- Specific licensing requirements
¶ Adult Education and Continuing Education
Options:
- Language Schools: Private courses (€1,400-€2,000 for 12 weeks)
- Community Centers: Lower-cost options
- Online Courses: Flexible scheduling
- University Courses: Academic credit options
Popular Language Schools:
- NedLes (Amsterdam)
- Talencoach (Amsterdam)
- BSN Language Centre (The Hague)
- DNA Languages (The Hague)
Continuing Education:
- Executive Education: Business schools offer short courses
- Professional Certificates: Industry-specific training
- Online Learning: Coursera, edX partnerships with Dutch universities
- Company Training: Employer-sponsored programs
For International Students:
- Student Services: Academic and personal support
- Career Services: Job placement assistance
- International Offices: Visa and practical support
- Student Associations: Social and networking opportunities
For Families:
- School Choice: Municipality assistance
- Special Needs: Support services available
- After-School Care: Available at most schools
- Transportation: Many schools within cycling distance
Civic Integration:
- Dutch Language: Basic level required for some programs
- Cultural Orientation: Understanding Dutch society
- Skills Assessment: Recognition of prior learning
Consider:
- Career Goals: HBO for professional focus, university for research
- Language Preference: English vs. Dutch instruction
- Location: City size, cost of living, lifestyle
- Program Reputation: Rankings and employer recognition
School Selection:
- Visit Schools: Attend open days
- Consider Commute: Cycling distance preferred
- Language Support: Availability of Dutch as second language
- International Community: Other expat families
- Future Plans: Transferability if moving
Budget Considerations:
- Tuition Fees: Plan for annual increases
- Living Costs: Vary significantly by city
- Health Insurance: Mandatory for students
- Emergency Fund: Unexpected expenses
¶ Common Challenges and Solutions
- Solution: Intensive Dutch courses, bilingual programs
- Timeline: Basic conversational Dutch in 6-12 months
- Solution: Academic integration programs, study skills courses
- Support: University student services
- Solution: Join international student organizations, participate in activities
- Timeline: 6-12 months for significant adjustment
- Solution: Apply early, consider alternative cities, use university housing services
- Timeline: Start searching 6 months before study start
¶ Resources and Support
- Study in NL: Official information portal
- DUO: Student finance authority
- Nuffic: International education organization
- International Student Services: Every university has dedicated support
- Academic Advisors: Program-specific guidance
- Career Centers: Job placement and internship assistance
- International Student Organizations: Networking and social activities
- Expat Groups: Family and community support
- Professional Associations: Industry-specific networking
Emergency Education Contacts:
- Municipality Education Department: School enrollment assistance
- University International Office: Student support services
- Nuffic: +31 70 426 0260 (qualification recognition)
Key Websites:
This guide provides comprehensive information about education in the Netherlands. For specific questions about your situation, consult with educational institutions directly or seek professional advice.
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