Netherlands Guide: Education

Find information about universities, admission processes, tuition fees and how the education system works. You will also find information about other learning opportunities in further education.

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  Introduction

  The Dutch education system

  In the Netherlands, 3,5 million pupils and students go to school every day in more than 8700 schools. Education is provided mainly in Dutch, but there are several schools that are focused on teaching pupils in English.

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  Primary and secondary education

  Sending your kids to school

  As a parent, you can choose to send your child to an international school in the Netherlands or opt for the Dutch schools, where your child will become more familiar with the Dutch language and culture.

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  State versus private

  The difference between state & private schools

  As in many countries, the Netherlands have both state schools and private/public schools. The main difference is that state schools don’t require students to have a certain religion or belief.

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  Higher education

  Universities in the Netherlands

  Since 2002, the Netherlands use the Bachelor and Master system for their higher education, which means that the degrees can be compared internationally. This makes it easier for people from other countries to have their degree recognised in the Netherlands.

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  Foreign degrees

  Recognition of degrees in the Netherlands

  Foreign degrees can be easily evaluated to see whether they qualify as a Dutch degree.

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