Application Guide to universities in the netherlands for indian students

Best Universities to Apply for Higher Education in Netherlands

With some of the oldest universities in the world, the Netherlands is gaining a lot of attention for its advanced educational infrastructure. Several universities in this European country have earned global accreditation and higher rankings for scientific discovery and research. For Master's in Netherlands for Indian students, here are the best universities to apply.

University of Amsterdam 

For more than a century, this university offers numerous degree courses. The admissions at this university are competitive, with an acceptance rate of 4%. The university admits some of the most brilliant students worldwide.

Wageningen University & Research  

It is a public university located in Wageningen, Netherlands. The institution is a globally-recognized center for life sciences and agricultural research. The university focuses its research on social, commercial, and scientific issues.

Leiden University 

Established in 1575, Leiden University is one of Europe's leading international research universities. Being a prestigious European university, it plays a significant role in teaching and academic research.

Maastricht University

The Maastricht University is a prominent public university in the Netherlands. The university is famous for its problem-based learning system and international orientation courses. The university brings together students from varied backgrounds.

University of Groningen 

The University of Groningen is the most prestigious in the Netherlands. It is a public research university established in 1614. This educational institute has consistently ranked among the top 100 universities in the world.

Students aspiring to seek admission to reputed universities in the Netherlands should know about the application process correctly.

Online Application Platforms for University Application in the Netherlands

For Master's in Netherlands for Indian students, aspirants should be aware of the application procedure and online platforms. One should also know where to apply for degrees in the Netherlands with local restrictions. For some degree courses, students can apply through the Studielink portal.

This portal allows students to apply for up to four courses at a time. It is the official registration and application portal for educational programs at Dutch higher education institutions. If a student gets rejected by one university, they can apply to another.

From 2019, aspirants can apply to Numerus fixus programs via the Studielink portal. Students aspiring to study in the Netherlands should know about Numerus fixus programs properly. For some degree programs, the educational institution has a stipulated capacity.

It implies that a limited number of positions are available. It is known as numerus fixus. For each academic year, aspirants can apply for a maximum of two numerus fixus programs. The universities in the Netherlands decide the number of times students can participate in selecting a specific program.

The Dutch Ministry of Education can set a quote for university degrees. Students can also apply directly to university websites after minutely analyzing the entry requirements for the desired study programs.     

Foreign Entrance Test Required to Acquire Application in Netherlands Universities

The Netherlands is among the best countries to pursue higher studies in Europe. Due to the country's ultramodern educational infrastructure and top-quality education system, the Netherlands is the go-to country for international students.

However, students aspiring to study in the Netherlands should know about the entrance tests. The two most common languages for instruction in Netherlands universities are Dutch and English. Here are some of the foreign entrance tests students should be aware of.   

NT2

The NT2 is a Dutch language proficiency exam for non-native speakers who want to study or work in the Netherlands. The NT2 exam is of two types.

• Program 1 is for students who want to study at the school level or pursue vocational work
• Program 2 is for aspirants seeking higher education in the Netherlands

The exam is divided into four parts: reading, writing, speaking, and listening.

CNaVT

The application process to study in Netherlands for Indian students involves appearing for the CNaVT examination. This exam certifies Dutch as a foreign language worldwide. The Center for Language and Education develops the CNaVT examination. It is organized worldwide for aspirants looking to improve their proficiency in Dutch.  

IELTS

For university admissions in the Netherlands, students should appear for the IELTS examinations. It is the most prevalent language proficiency assessment. It is accepted by more than 11000 organizations, educational institutes, and immigration bodies worldwide.  

TOEFL 

TOEFL, also known as the Test of English as a Foreign Language, is another examination that students should appear for. The test analyzes the ability to speak and understand English in terms of reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The Educational Testing Service conducts TOEFL.

Cambridge Assessment English  

To get admission to the Netherlands universities, students should appear for this examination. Conducted by the University of Cambridge, it is a certification accepted by most Dutch universities. Students should appear for either of the two below-mentioned exams.

• C1 is the advanced version of this examination
• C2 tests the proficiency of students in English

GMAT 

Students seeking admission to business schools in the Netherlands should appear for the GMAT exam. The GMAT exam analyzes the skills that's relevant to business programs. The Graduate Management Admission Council, also known as(GMAC), organizes GMAT.

GRE 

The GRE is a multiple-choice, standardized exam. This test is required for admission to graduate business programs and graduate programs. The GRE test measures quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning and analytical writing skills. Students seeking admission to the top universities in the Netherlands for graduate and business programs should appear for this test.  

The 21+ Test 

Students may have to appear for the 21+ test for admission to undergraduate courses. Aspirants may have to appear for this entrance test if they don't meet the eligibility criteria set by the Bachelor's program. One should note that this test can only be taken in the Netherlands.  

Understanding the Eligibility Criteria to Apply to Netherlands Universities

Before applying to the Netherlands universities, it's essential to know the eligibility to study in Netherlands for Indian students. Aspirants should note that most universities in the Netherlands require an IELTS score of more than 6.5.

Furthermore, if students are planning to pursue a Master's degree, they should score more than 70% in their undergraduate exams. For Bachelor's degree in the Netherlands, aspirants should have secondary school certification. For Master's courses, students should have good grades in their undergraduate programs. Moreover, students should prepare thoroughly for entrance and language proficiency tests.

For non-EU and EEA postgraduates, an orientation year is available. During this time period, they may work freely or do an internship. Employers don't have to apply for a work permit to hire aspirants.

Guidance to Complete the Application Process to Netherlands Universities

Candidates must know about the application process properly for hassle-free admission to Netherlands universities. Here are some of the following steps to apply to universities seamlessly.

• Selection of a Program 

Students should start by selecting a degree that's right for them. Moreover, choosing the level of studies they're looking for is essential.

•  Preparing the Paperwork 

Aspirants should be careful while preparing the paperwork for admission to Netherlands universities. Some of the standard paperwork required during the application process is the motivation letter, portfolio of previous work, recommendation letter, etc.

• Learning about the Specific Admission Requirements 

Based on the university, students may require specific documents. Therefore, it is always recommended that aspirants should refer to the university website to learn about admission requirements. If there are any doubts, students should consult the appropriate university office promptly.

• Submission of Application 

The application process after finding the desired course of study is straightforward for aspirants. The Dutch universities have two main intakes- starting in September and February every year. Students can also apply through the Studielink portal for some degree programs in Dutch universities.

The entry process at most universities in the Netherlands is entirely different. This is because prospective students may have to attend an interview in person. Moreover, all students are required to live on campus.

Therefore, there is a limit to the number of students a university in the Netherlands can take. Usually, the applicants are invited to attend interviews in February. Students applying to the numerus fixus courses could receive an offer within four weeks of applying.

Application Opening and Closing Dates of Top Universities in the Netherlands

The general application deadlines for the universities in the Netherlands are as follows.

• 15 January for numerus fixus programs
• 1 May for all other degree courses

The following table highlights the application opening and closing dates of the top universities in the Netherlands.

The reputed universities in the Netherlands offer numerous degree programs in the English language. Indian students should know about the eligibility criteria and other entrance test requirements to make the admission process seamless. By learning about the application process, students won’t have to face any difficulty during admissions.