Two major changes in the Dutch study abroad policy

This article analyzes the two major changes in the Dutch study abroad policy, hoping to provide reference for students who want to study in the Netherlands.

Currently, there are about 8,000 Chinese students studying in the Netherlands. The number of students studying undergraduate and master's programs is roughly equal, ranking second among overseas students. Dutch education focuses on practical applications and provides paid internship opportunities. Graduates often become the best choices for major multinational companies. In addition, the cost of studying abroad is low, so it attracts more and more Chinese students.

Change 1: Stop recruiting students from “three schools”

Currently, the number of Chinese students studying in the Netherlands is growing rapidly at a rate of more than 30 per year. For this reason, Dutch institutions have to increase enrollment threshold to control the number of enrollments.

In 2010, the Netherlands will officially stop recruiting students from "three schools" (ie, students from vocational schools, technical schools and technical secondary schools) and will only recruit ordinary high school graduates. "Students from the three schools" must take the college entrance examination in the future, and their scores must reach the admission score of the third batch of undergraduates in that year before they are eligible to apply for Dutch undergraduate institutions. In addition, some research universities in the Netherlands will also increase their admission requirements. For undergraduate and postgraduate admissions in Delft and Eindhoven, the IELTS requirement will be raised to 6.5.

Change 2: Greater scholarships

In order to attract more outstanding students, the Netherlands has increased its admission requirements while also increasing scholarships, especially for Chinese students. "Favorable treatment", the benefits of staying in the Netherlands continue to increase.

For example, in the AMS scholarship at the University of Amsterdam, one-third of the more than 100 award-winning students in 2009 were from China. There is also the "Orange Tulip" Scholarship (OTS) specially established for Chinese students, with a total amount of up to 6 million yuan, which can fund nearly 60 Chinese students to study in the Netherlands. This year, the number of sponsors of the scholarship has increased to 15 universities and 5 well-known enterprises, and the scope of awarding courses has also been expanded from the original master's courses to master's, bachelor's and associate's degree programs. It is reported that the application for the Orange Tulip Scholarship is currently in progress and closes on April 1.

Extended reading: Netherlands cancels scholarship policy

School scholarships have always been the key to student competition. With this money, international students can reduce a lot of living expenses and other life pressures, but What if bursaries are cancelled?

According to the British "Independent" report, parents from the Netherlands are increasingly worried about the upcoming school season because bursaries have been canceled and replaced by a student loan system.

Nibud, the Dutch national budget research center, surveyed 3,000 students and found that after the cancellation of basic bursaries, 60% of students planned to raise more tuition fees. 53% of students said they would work-study. 34% of students said that going to college would cost them all their savings. About 35% of the students originally planned to live in school dormitories, but decided to live at home in order to reduce the burden of debt repayment. Living near the school costs around ￡717 per month, while students living at home spend ￡391 per month.

The Dutch news network NL Times published data from the education executive agency DUO. 595,000 students have applied for student loans. Among the students who have graduated, about 32,000 are unable to repay, which means the government has received less than 66.4 million yuan. GBP.

Jet Bussemaker, Minister of Education of the Netherlands, spoke on behalf of the national press and assured the public that the country will do its best to ensure that the system does not abuse power. Repayment options will be flexible. Debt evasion will be severely punished.

The cancellation of bursaries has put students in trouble to a great extent. More students are beginning to find ways to raise tuition fees. The work-study phenomenon may appear more in the Netherlands. ;