Academic System

Netherlands' higher education system is a binary system that includes two types of studies: research oriented education, offered by research universities and professional higher education, offered by universities of professional education. Broadly, Universities, Technical Universities, agriculture Universities, Universities of Professional Education, Open Universities, Institute for International Education are catering a high-quality higher education to the students.

Usually, students take eight to ten years to complete their higher education. It includes three to four years for a Bachelor Degree, one to two years for a Master Degree and minimum of four years for a Ph.D. Study programmes are measured in credits. Each student has maximum of 60 credits each year. The academic year begins in the month of September and ends in the month of June. The language of instruction is Dutch however many international programmes are taught in English.

Accomodation

Since Netherlands is a crowded country, getting a suitable accommodation is always a problem for all international as well as national students. Universities rarely provide housing facilities therefore students themselves have to search for rooms to live. Netherlands only offer shared rooms, there are neither apartments nor private dormitories. Due to the acute shortage of accommodation, rentals charged are also high, especially in big cities, and most of the rooms have already been occupied by students. So, sharing of rooms is the best way to get a suitable accommodation. Sharing by a group of students makes these accommodation affordable and safe to live.

Climate

Netherlands have a temperate climatic condition. Due to the collision of the high-pressure air masses and the low-pressure polar winds, Netherlands have a very unpredictable weather. Summers are warm with an average temperature of 17 degree Celsius. Precipitation is highest during summers and autumn though it falls throughout the year with only 25 clear days each year. Spring season is the most pleasant season. It has a warm weather and receives lowest rainfall. Winters are very cold with an average temperature below freezing point. Precipitation is high throughout the season and enjoys around 60 days of snowfall

Visa Regulations

For those students who wish to study a course for a maximum duration of three months, only a valid 'short stay visa' is required. But, in case of long duration courses, students have to apply for a residence permit. To do this, students must report to the local immigration authorities within five days of arrival with the required documentation. A residence permit is valid for the whole duration of the course. It is also possible to extend the permit even after the completion of the course. EU or EEA students do not require a residence permit and they can stay and study in Netherlands for the complete duration of the course. All international students have a permission to work alongside their studies. This work must be either seasonal or less than 10 hours a week and the work permit must be applied by the employer. There are no restrictions for EU, EEA or Swiss nationals.

Public Transport

Netherlands have very extensive and much used public transportation system. Railway tracks are spread all over the country connecting major cities, towns, airports and bus terminals. It provides fast and reliable services. By the end of 2008, The Netherlandse Spoorwegen: the national train company will launch a digital transport pass service for a comfortable and fast journey. Both regional and city buses are operating throughout the country. Generally, people use buses for traveling to short distances. Due to the extensive network of train, long distance buses are few. Schiphol airport in Amsterdam is the primary airport of Netherlands and the fourth largest in whole Europe. Almost all international flights in Netherlands lands at this airport. It also acts as the hub for other national flights.

National holidays