Studying
Getting started for studying
Well there are around 1,450 international study programmes and courses taught in English to go for! Search the Database of Dutch Higher Education on www.nuffic.nl
It is essential for foreign students to be able to speak, read and write English well. Students must have passed an English language test. IELTS and TOEFL are commonly accepted, but institutions may accept other tests as well. The required scores are at least 550 (paper based) or 213 (computer based) for TOEFL. For IELTS a score of at least 6 is required.
The basic requirements for foreign students are that they have done the secondary education in their own country that guarantees possibilities to continue in university. Also, each university can have its own requirements such as the level of the Dutch language or subjects studied in secondary school. If you want to study a degree in Dutch you need to pass the NT2-test, which is Dutch as a second language [ Nederlands als tweede taal].
Have a look at Staatsexamen NT2 for your State Examination for Dutch which is taken under the auspices of the Dutch Ministery of Education, Culture and Sciences. The exams are devided into four sections (reading, listening, oral, writing) and are all individually examined.The NT2 Diploma can only be obtained in the Netherlands and costs € 90,- for all four sections. Places are Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, Breda, Eindhoven and Zwolle. Application can be done directly on the www.ib-group.nl homepage or via the IB-Group Infoline 050 599 77 55. It can take up to six weeks between application and exam due to the payment process!
Only the www.taalunie.nl can arrange for the Dutch exam to be taken as a foreign language. Some universities around Europe organize this exam once a year. Ask your nearest university faculty of Germanic languages.
The famous Taalklas tv programme: www.taalklas.nl
This started as a television programme for migrants and today offers a free basic course for basic vocabulary and common situations. Type in your (first) name under registreren and you get a 6 digit code you will need to log on.
2BDutch - watch videos with subtitles: www.2bdutch.nl
Watch this videos about History, Humour, Kids, Music and Politics - they offer you a good introduction to the Dutch language inclusive subtitles in English, Portugês, Deutsch, Français and Español!
The online Crash-course Dutch for distance learners: www.learndutch.org
Dutch Municipal Personal Records Database(GBA) via: www.studielink.nl
With the establishment of Studielink, the written application and enrolment is replaced with an electronic application and enrolment. To make this possible, Studielink needs to ascertain your identity beforehand through your personal details as registered in the Dutch Municipal Personal Records Database(GBA).
Studielink allows you to arrange your application for (re-)enrolment, cancellation or change of address at a single location on-line, via the
Internet. After having received the so-called verification code [ dutch verificatiecodebrief] you will have to enter it only once at the studielink page and then login in with username and password in the future.
Evaluation of diplomas and qualifications in secondary-level vocational education
Diploma's of seconadary and higher education can be evaluated at www.nuffic.nl (Preperation & Stay / Preparing your stay / Diploma evaluation).
As well as evaluating the diploma, Nuffic is also able to determine whether a programme or an educational institution is officially recognized and assesses the authenticity of diplomas.
The department for international credential evaluation (IDW) of Colo can compare your diploma that was awarded in a foreign country with the Dutch qualifications of vocational education (credential evaluation): www.colo.nl