The Netherlands gets its name from
the fact that around a quarter of this small northwestern European nation lies
below sea level. Beyond its traditional associations (think windmills, tulips
and clogs), it is one of the most developed and wealthy nations in the world,
with a largely urban population.
One of the most densely populated countries in
Europe, it’s known for its tolerant and liberal ethos, and boasts a wealth of
great student cities – none of which are more than a bicycle ride (the nation’s
preferred mode of transport) away from some picturesque countryside.
Click on the tabs below to find out about top universities in the Netherlands, popular student cities, and how to get started with applications, costs and visas.
Universities in the
Netherlands
The Netherlands is
home to one of the world’s oldest and most highly respected systems of higher
education, dating back to the 16th century. The QS World University Rankings® 2018 includes
13 universities in the Netherlands, all ranked within the world's top 400,
and an impressive eight of these are within the global top 150. The nation’s
highest-ranking institution is Delft University of
Technology at 54th in the world, with the University of
Amsterdam and Eindhoven University of Technology not too far
behind, at 58th and 104th respectively.
Combine this high
quality with relatively favorable tuition rates and plenty of English language
courses (the Dutch are generally known for their fluency in English as a second
language) and you can begin to see why the Netherlands is one of continental
Europe’s most popular choices for international study.
The top
six Dutch universities in the QS World University Rankings 2018 are:
Delft University of
Technology (TU Delft)
The country’s
oldest and largest public technical university, Delft University of Technology was founded in 1842, and is
currently ranked 54th in the world, overtaking the University of Amsterdam as
the highest-ranked Dutch university in 2018. Also known as TU Delft, it teaches
about 19,600 students, with a focus on engineering disciplines, computer
science, mathematics, applied sciences, and policy and management in
technology. Prometheus, a figure from Greek mythology, is an important symbol
of TU Delft, and his statue stands in the center of the newly renovated
Mekelpark campus. In the 2017 edition of the QS World University Rankings by
Subject, TU Delft places within the global top five for architecture.
University of
Amsterdam
The University of Amsterdam is the country’s largest higher
education institution, with around 31,500 students enrolled. Established in
1632, it’s the third oldest university in the Netherlands, and the second
highest-ranked, at 58th in the QS World University Rankings. Within Europe, it’s
the 15th best university. It teaches undergraduate and graduate
programs across a broad spectrum of subjects, with a large selection of
English-taught master’s degrees, and a few English-taught bachelor’s
degrees.
Eindhoven
University of Technology
Ranked 104th in the world,
Eindhoven University of Technology – as its name
would suggest – is especially well-reputed in the engineering and technical
fields, and also ranks among the world’s leading universities for architecture. Eindhoven
conducts high levels of research, and is located in close proximity to several
tech-focused companies, including Philips, ASML and DAF. The university
maintains close contacts with many of these companies, and produces almost
3,000 scientific publications, 140 PhD-awards, and 40 patents every year.
Leiden University
The oldest university in the Netherlands, Leiden University was founded in 1575 by William I, Prince of Orange, an ancestor of the Netherlands’ monarchy. The institution is currently ranked joint 109th in the world alongside Utrecht University. It has around 26,900 students, who study a broad range of subjects from bachelor’s up to PhD level. The university houses more than 40 research institutes and has links with many national and international leaders, including former US President John Adams, two Secretary Generals of NATO, as well as 16 Nobel Prize winners.
Utrecht University
Established in 1636, Utrecht University is another of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Europe. The QS World University Rankings 2018 place Utrecht University joint 109th in the world with Leiden University and therefore joint fourth in the country. Currently almost 30,400 students are enrolled across the university’s seven faculties, which makes it one of the largest universities in the Netherlands as well. The university claims 12 Nobel Prize laureates among its former students and staff, alongside 13 Spinoza Prize laureates.
University of Groningen
The sixth-ranked university in the Netherlands is the University of Groningen, placed 113th in the world according to the latest QS World University Rankings. Established in 1614, it was one of the Netherlands’ first few universities, and has a long history of leadership, including claims to the country’s first female student, first female lecturer, the first Dutch astronaut and the first president of the European Central Bank. About 27,000 students are currently enrolled, and, like other top universities in the Netherlands, it’s a popular choice for international students.
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