However, it seems a little difficult to understand the unique higher education system in this country. But don't worry, I have compiled the basic knowledge of Dutch higher education system for you, so that you can start your study abroad plan more smoothly. Let's get to know each other.
1, type of Dutch higher education institutions
According to the Bologna Agreement in 2002, higher education in the Netherlands is based on a degree system divided into three stages: bachelor's degree, master's degree and doctor's degree. Higher education courses are provided by two types of institutions: professional-oriented institutions and research-oriented institutions. The Dutch higher education system is compatible with the credit system of ECTS.
There is also a small-scale international education college in the Netherlands, which provides advanced training and programs for international students. Such international educational institutions offer short courses, master's courses and sometimes doctoral courses.
Higher Vocational Education in Heger
HBO institutions provide courses for specific occupations, providing students with theoretical and practical preparation to meet the needs of specific workplaces. Awarded bachelor's and master's degrees.
The undergraduate course of HBO takes full-time students four years to complete, while the master's degree usually takes only 1-2 years. It takes three years to get a master's degree in medicine in HBO. HBO institutions offer courses in the most general and applied research fields. Typical research fields are applied arts and sciences, teaching, music and social work. Because the study project is based on the market demand, students usually need to complete internship training or take internship as part of their degree.
If HBO students want to transfer to a university after obtaining an undergraduate degree, they need to complete an extra year of "master's preparatory course", during which they will study key undergraduate courses related to the target master's degree. According to students' academic achievements in this transitional year, they may be admitted to the master's program of the university.
Wetenschaplijk Onderwijs(WO): University education
In the Netherlands, the word "university" does not refer to the general concept of higher education: it refers to a special type of institution that grants specific academic qualifications. Both institutions offer academic-based courses, providing students with opportunities to pursue bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. Entering these institutions is usually very competitive.
Bachelor's and master's programs focus on specific research areas of general art or science. For example, a student may get a bachelor's degree in philosophy or a master's degree in business studies.
A bachelor's degree usually takes three years to complete (equivalent to 180 ECTS credits). Master's study generally takes one year (60 ECTS), and it takes a long time to choose master's courses in teaching, medicine, dentistry and research. A doctorate may take four years to invest.
2. Dutch school grading system
The grading standards for Dutch students are 1- 10, 1 very poor, and 10 very good. The minimum passing score is 6,9, 10, 1-3 is rarely used.
3. Dutch academic culture
Dutch higher education enjoys a high reputation in the research field, but the evaluation of closed-book examination is not so strict. Usually, only one-third of the content of a course module will be weighted in the exam, and other parts will be evaluated between the performance of seminars, unique tasks, group assignments and other assignments.
Dutch teaching is student-centered and emphasizes the interaction between students and teachers. The school emphasizes the importance of teamwork and encourages students to be open to new ideas and tolerant of others' ideas. Team cooperative learning aims to force students to manage courses independently while developing self-discipline skills, rather than relying on the guidance of professors. Meet the needs and opinions of other students to develop key interpersonal skills, which are usually applicable to various "real world" situations.
Dutch higher education encourages students to speak freely in class, and don't be shy to express their views, as long as they can be confirmed. Dutch culture advocates directness, so students who are too timid to speak out may give people the wrong impression that they don't take their homework seriously.