Application Process for Studying in the Netherlands
When preparing for study in the Netherlands, the question of when the Dutch universities need which application documents determines how to proceed. Depending on the study program, the contact point for applications is either the Studielink enrollment platform or the university itself. In both cases, the application process for studying in the Netherlands is clearly regulated and largely online.
Checklist for the application process
- Select university and study program in the Netherlands
- Information about admission requirements, seek
- Registration for language and, if applicable, admission tests
- Note the application deadline (s)
- Register at Studielink
- Compilation of the application documents :
- Application form
- Proof of the (subject) high school diploma including courses of the upper level
- Transcript of Records
- If necessary, sworn translation of the Bachelor and / or Master’s certificate
- Course wish list ( semester abroad and summer sessions )
- Letter of motivation and recommendation (especially for courses with restricted admission)
- Submit the full application online to the university via Studielink
- If necessary, also apply directly to the university
- Participation in the decentralized selection process for courses with restricted admission
- If you are accepted: acceptance of the study place, payment of the tuition fees and enrollment at the university
Components of the application to study in the Netherlands
Have you decided on a university and a study program in the Netherlands? Then the next step is to prepare the application documents to meet the deadline. The Dutch universities indicate on their website which documents they need in which language for admission.
It is advisable to register early for studying in the Netherlands with the central Studielink matriculation system. The online platform accompanies prospective students through the application process and provides information about missing documents. As a rule, applicants for a bachelor’s or master’s degree only submit proof of the required degree and the required language skills. For courses with restricted admission, letters of motivation and recommendation are also included.
Those who complete a supplementary language course or a language test at the university also usually register via Studielink. Applicants who take a language test outside the Dutch university should organize it early on so that they can prepare in peace.
With the personal user profile at Studielink it is possible to manage the application and, if necessary, to delete it again. On the enrollment application, applicants enter the desired study period, the university, the course and the place of study online. Please note that Studielink lists the courses by their Dutch name.
Detailed information regarding registration via Studielink for the decentralized selection procedure or admission tests for applicants without a high school diploma can be found at the respective Dutch universities. For a few degree programs, these require an additional direct application.
Shorter study trips: Study Abroad and Summer Sessions
The application process for studying in the Netherlands is also clear for a semester abroad or a summer session. In these cases, the application is made directly to the university. In addition to their Abitur certificate, students submit a transcript of records and proof of language proficiency. In addition, in this step you indicate your choice of course and the desired accommodation. In some cases, letters of motivation are required. As with the decentralized selection process for a full course, the universities aim to find the right students for the few available places.
Application deadlines for studying in the Netherlands
Despite the largely uniform use of Studielink for applications to study in the Netherlands, the respective application deadlines of the universities vary. As a rule, it is possible to apply for the following academic year from September or October at the earliest. The universities usually accept missing documents until shortly before the start of the course.
The application deadline for non-admission courses is often July 1st, so it is advisable to start preparing about six months in advance. Sufficient lead time is also helpful for a semester abroad in the Netherlands. Here the deadlines are usually in April and October. Preparatory language courses mostly take place in summer during the lecture-free period.
For degree programs with restricted admission, the application deadline is usually January 15, so that the decentralized selection process can be carried out in good time. In some cases, the universities set individual deadlines so that applicants should inform themselves in good time.
Admission to higher education in the Netherlands
At the end of the application process for studying in the Netherlands, a country that belongs to European Union according to elaineqho, you will be admitted to the university. Applicants for degree programs with no admission usually receive an information package by post within four weeks. Enrollment at the university and paying the tuition fees are almost immediately possible, as there is no separate confirmation of admission via Studielink.
For courses with restricted admission, participants in the decentralized selection process will usually receive their results in Studielink on April 15. If successful, the admitted applicants accept the offered study place and enroll at the university.
A maximum of four applications via Studielink are permitted for an academic year. Those who take part in the decentralized selection process can apply for up to two programs at the same time. These are either two different courses at one university or the same course at two different universities. Another exception applies to particularly popular places in medicine, dentistry, dental care and physiotherapy. Only one application is allowed here. Participation in the decentralized selection process is possible up to three times.
