There are a number of things you need to know before entering the job market in the Netherlands, such as: the make-up of the Dutch employment market, finding a job here as an expatriate, Dutch labor law, the Dutch social security system etc.
In the Netherlands, the majority of international schools are partly subsidized by the Dutch Ministry of Education. These fees range from € 3,000 to € 5,000 for primary schools and from € 5,000 to € 7,000 for secondary schools.
In general, Dutch and private international schools only have English-language education, but the so-called ’Foreign National Schools’, such as the French, German, Japanese and Korean schools, teach their national curricula in their native tongue.
Primary International Education Primary education starts at the age of 4 and continues up until the age of 11 or 12. The Dutch international primary schools and the private regular international schools use either the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) or the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (IBPYP).
Secondary International Education During the first four to five years of international secondary education, the Dutch international secondary schools prepare their students for either the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (IBMYP) or the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE). The IGCSE is the globally recognized equivalent of the British GCSE and the Dutch HAVO.
Students who have successfully completed the IBMYP or the IGCSE can be admitted to the two-year International Baccalaureate Diploma program (IBDP). The IB- diploma is widely recognized as providing a well-balanced pre-university education. It is an accepted entrance qualification for top universities around the world.
Private schools of foreign national schools may have different curricula for both junior and senior secondary school.
Secondary Level Vocational Schools If a student has successfully completed the IGCSE or IBMYP (Middle School), but is not admitted to the IB-Diploma Program, the MBO (3-4 years of intermediate vocational training) might be a good option. In the Netherlands students can follow several English-language programs in e.g. Business and Hospitality (www.mbo-raad.nl).
The IB Organization is currently developing a new curriculum, the IBCC, as an alternative of the IB-DP for the final two high school years.
Fees and Taxes Many companies pay or reimburse the tuition fees for expat children – no income tax is due over this.
Waiting List Make sure to find out whether the school of your choice has a waiting list.
For a list of all international schools in the Netherlands, visit www.educaide.nl.
You can find an overview of the schools that offer the IB-program on www.ibo.org .
GOING TO UNIVERSITY
The higher education system in the Netherlands is based on a bachelor’s, master’s and Ph.D degree and makes a distinction between research-oriented education (WO) and professional higher education (HBO).
Universities If you have an IB-Diploma or the Dutch VWO-diploma, you can go to university (WO, or universiteit). It has a bachelor’s or undergraduate phase that lasts three years and a master’s or graduate phase that lasts one to two years. Many Dutch universities have partner institutions in other EU countries, so that you can follow part of your course abroad. For more information on your options, visit www.studyin.nl.
Universities of Applied Sciences If you have an IB-Diploma or the Dutch HAVO/VWO-diploma (and in some cases the IGCSE or MBO-Diploma), you can enroll in the so-called ‘universities of applied sciences’ (HBO, or Hogeschool). These programs prepare you for particular professions and are more practically-oriented than programs offered by research universities. Many offer programs in English. Visit www.hbo-raad.nl for more information.
Requirements To determine whether your diploma qualifies, you can have it evaluated by the IDW. www.idw.nl
Doctorate The doctor’s degree is offered only by research universities and takes a minimum of four years.
International Education There are more than 1,560 international courses on offer, ranging from two-week courses, to bachelor’s to master’s – 1,543 of which are taught in English. To find an overview, visit www.nuffic.nl, or www.studyinholland.nl.
To find out whether the course or program is of the right quality visit www.nvao.nl.
Tuition There are two types of higher-education institutions: government-funded and government-approved. Studying at a government-funded institution will cost anywhere upwards from € 1,672 a year, for EU/EEA/Swiss/Surinam-students. Students of all other nationalities generally pay higher fees. The tuition fees at government-approved, but not funded, institutions can cost anywhere between € 1,200 and upwards of € 15,000 or more, depending on the length and level of the program.
Scholarships and Grants You can find more about student grants on ScholarshipPortal.eu. For scholarships and restitution of tuition fees, visit www.grantfinder.nl to see if you qualify. Refugees and asylum seekers can approach Stichting UAF Steunpunt (www.uaf.nl).
Under conditions, non-Dutch nationals, who legally reside in the Netherlands, have a right to studiefinanciering. If you do, you also have a right to the Studenten OV-chipkaart, with which you can travel by public transportation for free either during the weekend or on weekdays.
EU/EEA/Swiss nationals who do not qualify for studiefinanciering can apply for a tuition fee loan, to be repaid upon completing their studies.
Visit www.duo.nl, international visitors, for more information on above topics.
Housing For housing, visit: www.studentenkamers.nl (where you click on the town or city in which you are looking for a place to live), http://studenten.startpagina.nl (to click on the university at which you will be studying, then select the housing organization, if they have one), www.kamerweb.nl, and www.kamerhulp.nl. Though the information may be in Dutch, they are fairly simple to navigate. Housing is huisvesting, huur means rent, and anything with the word kamers – meaning ‘rooms’ – also refers to housing.
Finances and Insurance Several banks have special programs for students. Also, as of January 1, 2006, all legal residents of the Netherlands are required to arrange (basic) health care insurance. Most institutes of higher education have a collective insurance for students.
USEFUL REFERENCES
ORGANIZATIONS MINISTERIE VAN ONDERWIJS, CULTUUR EN WETENSCHAP
The Ministry of Education, Culture and Science www.minocw.nl/english
VERENIGING VAN UNIVERSITEITEN (VSNU)
The Association of Universities in The Netherlands www.vsnu.nl
DIENST UITVOERING ONDERWIJS (previously the IB-Groep)
Productgroep Studiefinanciering www.ib-groep.nl
THE ROYAL TROPICAL INSTITUTE (KIT)
An independent center of knowledge and expertise in the areas of international and intercultural cooperation www.kit.nl
WEBSITES Study in the Netherlands www.studyinholland.nl
International Schools www.intschools.nl: National organization for Dutch schools with an international stream www.sio.nl: Stichting Internationaal Onderwijs (International Education Foundation) website with a list of all international schools (see also further on)
The Official Masterguide
for a complete overview of the master’s degrees available in the Netherlands. www.theofficialmasterguide.nl
Visa for Students www.study-visa-holland.nl
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS FULBRIGHT CENTER
Netherlands America Commission for Educational Exchange www.fulbright.nl
AIESEC
Enables contact between students and companies to do an international internship in over 100 countries. AIESEC is located in 10 main university cities in the Netherlands www.aiesec.nl
AEGEE
A network of 253 student organizations in 42 countries with over 17,000 members www.aegee.nl
INTERNATIONAL VOCATIONAL EDUCATION MBO-RAAD
Organization of secondary vocational education
For more information on English Language MBO programs that are offered in your region check: www.mbo-raad.nl
HBO-RAAD
Organization of tertiary vocational education www.hbo-raad.nl
IVETA
International Vocational Education And Training Association www.iveta.org
Find All Higher Education in the Netherlands: www.educationfair.nl
NUFFIC, the Netherlands Organization for International Cooperation in Higher Education
For information on higher education
P.O. Box 29777, 2502 LT The Hague
Kortenaerkade 11, The Hague
Tel.: 070 426 02 60 www.nuffic.nl - www.studyinholland.nl
EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION The EAIE is a non-profit organization whose main aim is the stimulation and facilitation of the internationalisation of higher education in Europe and around the world www.eaie.org
The Randstad Area British School of Amsterdam
Anthonie van Dijckstraat 1, 1077 ME Amsterdam
Tel.: 020 679 78 40 www.britams.nl
Amsterdam International Community School
Prinses Irenestraat 59, 1077 WV Amsterdam
Tel.: 020 577 12 40 www.aics.eu
International School of Amsterdam
Sportlaan 45, 1185 TB Amstelveen
Tel.: 020 347 11 11 www.isa.nl
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ALMERE
Primary International Department at Letterland
Roland Holststraat 58, 1321 RX Almere
Tel.: 036 536 72 40 www.letterland.nl
Secondary Department at International School Almere (Het Baken)
Heliumweg 61, 1362 JA Almere - Poort
Tel: 036 845 35 00 www.internationalschoolalmere.nl
European School Bergen
Molenweidtje 5, 1862 BC Bergen N.H.
Tel.: 072 589 01 09 www.europeanschool.nl
International School Hilversum “Alberdingk Thijm”
Emmastraat 56 - 58, 1213 AL Hilversum
Tel.: 035 672 99 31 www.klg.nl/ish
Violenschool International Department
Rembrandtlaan 30, 1213 BH Hilversum
Tel.: 035 621 60 53 www.ipsviolen.nl
Rijnlands Lyceum Oegstgeest International School
Apollolaan 1, 2341 BA Oegstgeest
Tel.: 071 519 35 55 www.isrlo.nl
Elckerlyc Montessori Primary School with International Stream
Klimopzoom 41, 2353 RE Leiderdorp
Tel.: 071 589 29 45 www.elckerlyc.net
American School of The Hague
Rijksstraatweg 200, 2241 BX Wassenaar
Tel.: 070 512 10 60 www.ash.nl
International Department of Haagsche School Vereeniging
Nassaulaan 26, 2514 JT The Hague
Tel.: 070 36 385 31 www.hsvdenhaag.nl
International School of The Hague
Wijndaelerduin 1, 2554 BX The Hague
Primary School, tel.: 070 338 45 67
Secondary School, tel.: 070 328 14 50 www.ishthehague.nl
British School in the Netherlands
Admissions Office: Vrouw Avenweg 640, 2493 WZ The Hague,tel.: 070 315 40 77
Junior School Vlaskamp: Vlaskamp 19, 2592 AA The Hague, tel.: 070 333 81 11
Junior School Diamanthorst: Diamanthorst 16, 2592 GH The Hague, tel.: 070 315 76 20
Junior School Leidschenveen: Vrouw Avenweg 640, 2493 WZ The Hague, tel.: 070 315 40 40
Senior School: Jan van Hooflaan 3, 2252 BG Voorschoten, tel.: 071 560 22 22 www.britishschool.nl
American International School of Rotterdam (AISR)
Verhulstlaan 21, 3055 WJ Rotterdam
Tel.: 010 422 53 51 www.aisr.nl
Rotterdam International Secondary School (RISS)
Blijberg: Dutch and International Departments
Gordelweg 216-217, 3039 GA Rotterdam
Tel.: 010 466 96 29 www.blijberg.nl
Wolfert van Borselen
Bentincklaan 280, 3039 KK Rotterdam
Tel.: 010 46 735 22 / 46 603 22 www.wolfert.nl
Outside the Randstad AFNORTH International School
Ferdinand Bolstraat 1, 6445 EE Brunssum
Tel.: 045 527 82 20 www.afnorthschool.com
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL BREDA
Mendelssohnlaan 1, 4837 CV Breda
Tel.: 064 172 99 84 www.isbreda.nl
International Department of Groningse Schoolvereniging
Sweelincklaan 4, 9722 JV Groningen
Tel.: 050 527 08 18
Arnhem International School
Primary Department : Dr. Aletta Jacobs School, Slochterenweg 27, 6835 CD Arnhem,
tel.: 026 323 07 29,
Secondary Department: Lorentz College, Groningensingel 1245, 6835 HZ Arnhem,
tel.: 026 320 01 10 www.arnheminternationalschool.nl
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL TWENTE
Staringstraat 15, 7514 DE Enschede
Tel.: 053 436 8109 www.prinseschool.net
International School Eerde
Kasteellaan 1, 7731 PJ Ommen
Tel.: 0529 45 14 52 www.eerde.nl
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL GRONINGEN
Primary Department: Groningse Schoolvereniging
Sweelincklaan 4, 9722 JV Groningen
Tel.: 050 527 0818 www.g-s-v.nl
Secondary Department: St. Maartens College
Hemmenlaan, 9751 NS Haren
Tel.: 050 534 0084 www.maartenscollege.nl
Helen Sharman British School
Lottingstraat 17, 9406 LX Assen
Tel.: 0592 344 590 www.britishschool.nl
United World College Maastricht
Primary Department
Nijverheidsweg 25a, 6227 AL Maastricht
Tel.: 043 367 11 00 www.uwcmaastricht.com
United World College Maastricht
Secondary Department
Nijverheidsweg 25, 6227 AL Maastricht
Tel.: 043 367 46 66 www.uwcmaastricht.com
International Secondary School Eindhoven
Henegouwenlaan 2A, 5628 WK Eindhoven
Tel.: 040 264 59 99 www.dse.nl
Other-Language Schools
CHINESE LANGUAGE SCHOOLS
Chinese language education www.chineesonderwijs.nl
DEUTSCHE INTERNATIONALE SCHULE
Van Bleiswijkstraat 125, 2582 LB The Hague
Tel.: 070 354 94 54 www.disdh.nl
LE LYCÉE FRANÇAIS VINCENT VAN GOGH
Scheveningseweg 237, 2584 AA The Hague
Tel.: 070 306 69 20 www.lyceevangogh.nl
LE LYCÉE FRANÇAIS VINCENT VAN GOGH
Rustenburgerstraat 246, 1073 GK Amsterdam
Tel.: 020 644 65 07 www.lyceevangogh.nl
THE JAPANESE SCHOOL OF AMSTERDAM
Karel Klinkenbergstraat 137, 1061 AL Amsterdam
Tel.: 020 611 81 36 www.jsa.nl
STICHTING THE JAPANESE SCHOOL OF ROTTERDAM
Verhulstlaan 19, 3055 WJ Rotterdam
Tel.: 010 422 12 11 www.jsrotte.nl
INDONESIAN SCHOOL
Rijksstraatweg 679, 2245 CB Wassenaar
Tel.: 070 517 88 75 www.sekolahindonesia.nl
More on these subjects can be found in The Holland Handbook 2011 - 2012
