Dutch universities can be considered one of the best destinations for studying abroad. The official language of this country is Dutch, which is very similar to German. But among the universities of the Netherlands, there are leading and well-known universities in the world, where it is possible to study in English. Therefore, there are many favorable choices for international students and this is one of the important advantages of studying in the Netherlands.
One of the reasons international students pay attention to Dutch universities is the favorable choice that exists to find a leading university with the possibility of studying in English.
Paying attention to the global ranking of universities helps students to compare the quality of higher education institutions around the world and to identify the best universities in the Netherlands. Using this comparison, you will be able to find scientific articles and international programs in separate indicators such as the learning environment. If you are looking for more explanations and a more complete introduction to Dutch universities, stay with us until the end of this article.
The best universities in the Netherlands to study
Delft University of Technology
Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) is the largest and one of the first public technical universities, i.e. one of the oldest universities in the Netherlands.
This university was first established as a royal academy for civil engineers, which was limited to training government employees who worked for a certain company (Dutch East India Company). After World War II, the number of students at Delft University increased dramatically. Although the main building of the university is built in the center of the city, currently a complex named “Mekelpark” has been designed in the vicinity of the city of Delft in order to transfer all parts of the university.
It is interesting to note that grass has been used as a natural insulation on the roof of Delft University Library. This university has about 20,000 students, almost a quarter of which are international students.
In the world ranking of universities, Delft University of Technology is among the first 20 universities in engineering and technology and among the first 50 universities in biological sciences.
University of Amsterdam
The University of Amsterdam (UVA), founded in 1632, is the third oldest university in the Netherlands. The University of Amsterdam has about 30,000 students, making it the most populous university in the Netherlands.
This university is among the top 50 universities in the ranking of world universities and has higher ranks, especially in the fields of arts, humanities, and social sciences. The University of Amsterdam has been able to attract more than 300 international students from more than 100 countries, and about 150 courses are taught in English. The location of the main campus of the university in the center of Amsterdam and the presence of several buildings of the university complex scattered around the city can create a good connection and unity between students and local people.
According to the scientific publications and research budget at the University of Amsterdam, this university is considered one of the largest research universities in Europe. The central library of the university contains more than 4 million books and thousands of manuscripts, letters, maps, and other rare works. The University of Amsterdam has opened five museums so far.
Wageningen University and Research Center
Wageningen University is one of the best institutions in the world in the fields of life sciences and social sciences, with a focus on specializations in agricultural and environmental sciences. This university is among the top 50 universities in the ranking of world universities. In biological sciences, it is among the top 20 universities in the world. Fewer than 10,000 students are enrolled in all undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees at Wageningen University.
The language of teaching in some undergraduate courses is partly in Dutch and partly in English. However, a total of 40 undergraduate and graduate courses are offered exclusively in English. This university attracts a significant number of international students. For this reason, about 20% of all its students are from abroad.
At Wageningen University, 20 different courses are offered at the undergraduate level, including courses related to business, international development, and health sciences. 29 courses are taught in the master’s degree and are taught entirely in English. The duration of all courses is two full years.
The city of Wageningen is located in the center of the Netherlands, but not far from Amsterdam and the border with Germany. Wageningen University’s slogan for focusing on social and business problems is: “Towards discovering the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”.
Erasmus University Rotterdam
Education and research at Erasmus University Rotterdam have 4 broad scientific areas focusing on health, wealth, government, and culture. At this university, students study in a completely international environment where both professors and students from different countries are present. At the undergraduate level, most programs are based on teaching in Dutch, but there are also a number of international programs designed to be taught in English that prepare students for international careers in the fields of business, communication, and media. About 40% of the students of this university are international students.
At Erasmus University Rotterdam, the programs in most of the higher degrees, such as research-oriented master’s, teaching-oriented master’s, research, and doctorate, are based on teaching in English.
This university has four campuses. Of course, most of the facilities are located in the Woudestein Campus, which is also known as the “heart of the university”. There is also a cultural center on the university campus, including a theater and an exhibition area. Students in the city of Rotterdam are a special minority, and many multinational employers based in the city look to the university to hire talented graduates.
University of Leiden
Leiden University was founded in 1575 and is the oldest university among Dutch universities. The university has maintained ties with members of the Dutch royal family, who have often attended as students there. In addition to many prominent intellectual and cultural figures, many politicians and leaders also studied at this university. Philosophers such as Spinoza and Descartes were present at Leiden University during the Golden Age of Holland. So far, 16 Nobel Prize winners, including Albert Einstein and Enrico Fermi, have joined this university.
More than 200 courses are taught in English in both undergraduate and postgraduate courses. 20,000 students from 100 different countries study at this university. Despite being old and rooted, Leiden University is known for its innovation and use of unconventional teaching styles that focus on teamwork and individual learning.
