Grading System and Health Insurance in the Netherlands
Grading System
The universities in the Netherlands use traditionally a 10-point grading system, which applies even in the higher education. Since the highest grades correspond to absolute perfection, students rarely get them. That is hardly achievable even for doctoral students.
The grading system in the Netherlands is therefore a good example that the transfer of grades to another country-specific system is not always possible one-to-one. The percentage distribution of the grades plays an essential role for fair recognition.
Dutch notes
While studying in the Netherlands, students take courses in order to collect the required credit points for their desired degree. Like most European countries, the Dutch study system includes the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). A certain number of credit points corresponds to the workload of a course. Students usually collect 60 ECTS within an academic year.
Students receive numerical grades for the performance records of the respective courses. The range extends from 1 to 10. The two highest grades, 9 and 10, are only given in exceptional cases. Especially in oral exams, essays or tests with open questions, these are almost inaccessible. The same applies to the worst grade 1. As a rule, the lecturers grade good performance with a 6 or 7. Anyone who receives a grade lower than 6 has failed.
The grading system in the Netherlands in comparison
| Numerical note | Grade | Importance |
| 10 | Uitmuntend | Outstanding |
| 9 | Zeer goed | Very good |
| 8th | Goed | Well |
| 7th | Ruim voldoende | More than satisfactory |
| 6th | Voldoende | Satisfying |
| 5 | Bijna voldoende | Almost satisfactory |
| 4th | Onvoldoende | Insufficient |
| 3 | Zeer onvoldoende | Very inadequate |
| 2 | Bad | Inadequate |
| 1 | Zeer bad | Very poor |
Health Insurance
When packing your suitcase for studying in the Netherlands, a country that belongs to European Union according to iamhigher, you don’t just need a good first-aid kit. The European health insurance card is essential for the use of medical treatment on site. This is located on the back of the German insurance card and usually offers sufficient protection for EU citizens in the event of illness. Health insurance for studying in the Netherlands is required by law.
Health system in the Netherlands
The Dutch government has been reforming the country’s health system continuously since the mid-1970s. The aim is to offer high quality at low cost and to avoid unnecessary treatments as far as possible. For this reason, visits to the doctor in the Netherlands should only be attempted if the symptoms are serious. In order to keep health costs low in the long term, the country is investing in disease prevention measures and vaccination protection.
Since January 1, 2006, there is no longer a distinction between statutory and private health insurance in the Netherlands. The statutory health insurance funds have been transformed into organizations under private law, so that Dutch citizens have more freedom of choice. You take out basic insurance at a statutory standard rate. In addition, there is an income-related contribution to long-term care insurance and co-payments, for example for prescriptions. A voluntary private supplementary insurance covers further benefits.
In the Netherlands, the family doctor is the first point of contact for complaints. This then refers the patients to a specialist, who mostly practice in hospitals. Important to know: A registration is absolutely necessary before the first visit, as the doctors only treat a certain contingent of patients.
European Health Insurance Card
To visit a doctor in the Netherlands, EU citizens need the European health insurance card. This means that owners are entitled to benefits in kind from the health insurance company when they stay in an EU member state. The Dutch doctor recognizes the card like a national certificate. In the Netherlands, the treatment sometimes incurs costs that patients pay on site.
Reliable health insurance in the Netherlands
When applying, students should ask their insurer directly whether their health insurance is sufficient for studying in the Netherlands. As a rule, German insurance cover applies in the Netherlands, especially if the main place of residence is still in Germany. The protection through family insurance for students under the age of 25 also remains.
Students over 30 years of age and those who are employed in the Netherlands need Dutch health insurance. Registration with the relevant regional health insurance fund is required for this.
When studying in the Netherlands, additional health insurance is only advisable in exceptional cases. This applies, for example, if certain services are required that are not available from Dutch or German insurers.
