Packed with wall-to-wall, tall old townhouses that line what feels like endless canals, the rustic charm of cities in the Netherlands is enough of an excuse in itself to make it your study destination of choice.
But aside from being easy on the eyes, the Netherlands has many key strengths that truly set it apart as a top place to live, study or even kickstart your graduate career. So, why should you study abroad in the Netherlands? Read on to find out.
Quality of life
One look down a canal-lined street in any Dutch city is enough to explain why the nation consistently boasts such high scores in international quality-of-life surveys.
Ranking fifth in the 2023 UN World Happiness Report, the Netherlands differentiates itself from other countries by offering its residents easy access to high-quality healthcare, education and housing. The celebration of work-life balance and inclusiveness also contributes to the nation's overall happiness.
The Netherlands is also one of the world's safest countries, ranking 16th globally in the 2023 Global Peace Index (GPI). The GPI covers 99.7% of the global population and measures a country's state of peace by metrics such as the level of societal safety, security and the extent of ongoing domestic and international conflict.
An international environment
The Netherlands stands out as a vibrant and welcoming study destination, attracting students from across the globe. The country is home to international students from nearly 170 different nations, forming a diverse and inclusive community.
Dutch society is celebrated for its open-mindedness and directness, making it easy for newcomers to connect, share ideas and immerse themselves in this international environment. Remarkably, around 95% of the local population speaks English, making everyday life, studies and work exceptionally convenient for international students and foreigners.
The Netherlands prides itself on being an open and tolerant society, actively promoting free expression of opinions and ideas. The country's strong economic ties and international connectivity further solidify its status as an attractive destination for aspiring scholars.
Gateway to Europe
The Dutch are also spoiled in their unique location in northern Europe. Not only is the Netherlands a key hub of international trade and ties both within and outside of the EU, but it also makes it easy to travel around the continent on weekends or during holiday breaks.
The Port of Rotterdam is the largest seaport in Europe, handling over 90.1 million tons of cargo - more than the combined amount handled by Antwerp, Bremen and Hamburg.
Often referred to as the 'gateway to Europe,' Amsterdam is strategically located in the most well-equipped logistics triangle in mainland Europe, with Schiphol Airport being the third largest cargo airport in Europe.
The Netherlands is known for its strong economy and frequent international trade. Over the years, it has maintained its position as one of the world's top trading nations, which is great news for those who have recently graduated with degrees in logistics and transportation, international relations, business and agriculture - a booming industry in the Netherlands.
Dutch innovation
The Netherlands is renowned for its forward-thinking, creative and innovative culture. Ranking fifth in the 2022 Global Innovation Index, the Netherlands is the birthplace of the stock exchange, telescope, submarine, chocolate bar, compact disc and electrocardiograph (ECG).
The Netherlands is also the origin of technological gems such as glow-in-the-dark roads and Blendle, a pay-per-share news platform nicknamed ‘the iTunes of the news industry.’
Dutch universities also particularly shine when it comes to technical subjects such as engineering. Delft University of Technology ranks third globally for Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering in the 2023 QS World University Rankings by Subject and 15th for Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Eindhoven University of Technology is within the top 45 in both categories.
If you are interested in finding out more about popular subjects available at Dutch universities, check out our article about the three fields to study in the Netherlands.
Whether you are a tech enthusiast, a creative whiz, or simply bursting with ideas you can’t wait to bring to fruition, the resources at your fingertips will leave you wanting for nothing.
Student-centred learning
At Dutch universities, the teaching style is student-centred, with a key focus on teamwork and interactivity between students and lecturers. You will be encouraged, or even expected to be able to formulate your own opinion, share it and in turn engage with opinions ventured by others.
While teamwork is valued as a key learning tool, you will be first and foremost taught to manage your academic progress and show initiative in following course content. Student-lecturer relations are typically quite informal, and you will always be encouraged to ask questions in class or even follow up with a particular professor on your own.
Unlike the academic cultures in many other countries, the education system of the Netherlands does not consider competition between students to be important. Ranking students in a class is not commonplace, and students’ work is based solely on its merit on a scale of 1-10 as opposed to on a bell curve against other grades within a given cohort.
You will have the freedom to exercise your creativity and develop a critical mindset without the pressure of competing with others or worrying about harsh grading scales. Additionally, you will have access to plenty of resources and support to help you achieve and maintain strong academic progress.
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