Living in the Netherlands
The Netherlands is becoming an increasingly popular study destination among Luxembourgish students. Since almost every degree programme can be followed in English, you will also study with people from all over the world. If you want to complete your studies entirely in Dutch, or if you are enrolled in an English-taught programme but want to take your exams in Dutch, this is also possible, but only under certain conditions. Here you will find important information you should know if you want to study in the Netherlands.
Prerequired Tests
Language certificate
In order to be able to study in the Netherlands, it is important to have a good level of English. This applies to speaking, reading, and writing. In order to prove these skills, some universities may require a language test. Most often, Dutch universities accept the IELTS or TOEFL test (including the TOEFL iBT Home Edition). However, other tests may also be requested, such as the Cambridge English Test.
It is best to check in advance with the university of your choice whether they require such a test, and if so, which of the different tests are accepted — and also which ones are not accepted.
You can find more information about the different tests here:
Proof of other skills
Depending on which bachelor’s programme you apply for, you may need to provide proof of other skills. For example, for a Bachelor of Science you may be required to take a mathematics test. This depends on the respective university, so make sure to check early enough with the university of your choice.
Registration at the municipality
EU students do not need to apply for a separate residence permit in the Netherlands. A valid passport or identity card is sufficient. However, if you stay in the Netherlands for more than four months, you must register in the Basic Registration of Persons (“Basisregistratie Personen” or BRP) at the municipality where you live. You can easily do this with your identity card or passport. You will then receive a so-called “citizen service number” (“burgerservicenummer”), which you need in order to carry out administrative procedures in the Netherlands.
You can find more information on the website of the municipality where you live or under:
Health Insurance
As a student, you do not need to take out health insurance in the Netherlands, even if you receive a letter requesting you to do so. However, you should inform the relevant authority that you are insured from Luxembourg; otherwise, you may risk having to pay a fine.
If you work in the Netherlands, however, you must take out Dutch health insurance.
Bicycle
Because public transport is quite expensive in the Netherlands, it is almost an absolute must to get around your university town by bike. It is also important to get a good lock to prevent your bike from being stolen by dishonest people.
In general, this is an advantage for students in the country, since the cycling infrastructure in Dutch cities is very well developed.
Public Transport
If you use the train or bus, you should get an OV-chipkaart. This is a card that allows you to conveniently check in and out on the bus or at the train station, so that you only pay for the journey you actually take.
Students with Dutch nationality are entitled to the “Student Travel Product”. This allows them to travel for free or with a 40% discount. However, this benefit is not only available to Dutch students, but also to international students who work in the Netherlands.
Problem-Based-Learning (PBL)
One of the things that attracts many people to the Netherlands is its distinctive university system. Instead of large lectures and exercise classes, students often have so-called tutorials and lectures.
Tutorials are discussion-based classes in which students go through the material they have prepared at home. This allows for a more dynamic way of learning. Lectures are similar to traditional lectures, but they mainly serve as a recap of what is discussed in tutorials. This system is widespread across the Netherlands in many degree programmes and differs from the classic frontal teaching approach.
In addition, each of the two semesters is divided into three periods:
Period 1: beginning of September – end of October
Period 2: end of October – mid-December
Period 3: beginning of January – end of January
Period 4: beginning of February – mid-April
Period 5: mid-April – beginning of June
Period 6: beginning of June – beginning of July
There is also a summer break of around two months, a Christmas break of two weeks and a Carnival break of one week.
