Studying engineering sciences in the Netherlands
The Netherlands
The Netherlands is an internationally oriented and innovative country located in the heart of Europe. With a population of some 16 million, approximately 500,000 persons have some form of higher education. Once in the Netherlands you will discover that many European capitals are within easy reach. Brussels is two hours by train, and a short flight from Amsterdam will take you to London, Paris, Madrid or Berlin.
International study programmes in English
The Netherlands was the first non-English-speaking country in Europe to offer academic programmes taught in English. Currently, the collective Dutch higher education institutions offer more than 1,000 international study programmes through the medium of English so studying engineering in the Netherlands has never been easier. These programmes cover a broad range of fields. This makes it an ideal destination for students who are looking to enrich their knowledge through studying engineering abroad. Curricula are intensive, at an advanced level, practically oriented, and designed to meet the expectations of students seeking specialised knowledge. The courses alternate theory with practice in real or simulated work situations. Most study programmes and courses lead to a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, a PhD degree, a diploma or certificate. (www.nuffic.nl)
High academic standard
Higher education in the Netherlands enjoys a worldwide reputation for its superior quality. This is achieved through a national system of regulation and quality assurance. The Netherlands has also received international acclaim for its problem-based learning system, which trains students to analyse and solve practical problems independently.
Higher Education System
The Netherlands has 14 universities where some 170,000 students are enrolled. The institutes of higher education accommodate a degree structure including bachelor's and master's degrees. Students wishing to take a Master degree programme must have a Bachelor degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline. Master's programmes in engineering and math/natural sciences take two years of study to complete. A master's degree programme is characterised by increased specialisation and the development and implementation of research skills, resulting in a master's thesis. University graduates obtain the degree entitled ‘Master of Science’.
Value for money
Studying engineering in the Netherlands is not free, but tuition fees are reasonable. The latest Worldwide Cost of Living Survey shows that the cost of living in Amsterdam is modest compared with cities like New York, London, Paris and Beijing.
Universities of Engineering Sciences in the Netherlands
You can study engineering at the three Dutch universities of Engineering Sciences, namely TU Delft, TU Eindhoven and the University of Twente who collaborate under the umbrella of the 3TU Institute of Science & Technology to enlarge their impact on the Dutch knowledge based economy. Collectively, through the formation of Centres of Excellence and Centres of Competence, they combine strengths and determine the focus and thrust of their cutting edge research programmes.
Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)
TU Delft is the oldest and largest university of Engineering Sciences in the Netherlands. Its population comprises 4,200 members of personnel of which 2,400 are scientific staff. 13,500 students enjoy both undergraduate and graduate education.
In the 2005 Times Higher Education Supplement World University Rankings, TU Delft ranked number 15 among Europe’s top 50 Universities of Technology. TU Delft proudly occupies this position in the company of Europe’s best universities of engineering sciences.
Education at TU Delft is focused on the academic forming of Bachelor and Master of Science students in the engineering sciences such that its graduates are well prepared for the international job market. The profile of both the BSc and MSc programmes is characterised by the coupling of far-reaching, subject specific knowledge with academic forming. The development of technical knowledge and products and the transfer of this knowledge to society is an important starting point for the content and didactic form of the curriculum. TU Delft sees education and research as intricately linked and focuses on enabling students to learn to design innovative technological systems.
In addition to the national accreditation system, many of TU Delft’s education programmes are also recognized by international organizations, such as the American Board of Engineering & Technology (ABET).
TU Delft’s research portfolio is brought together in fourteen Delft Research Centres. The research centres focus on particular societal issues and address them from a multidisciplinary perspective. Research permanently continues within the faculties, research institutes and research schools. Each year, the University’s collective research results in an average output of 185 PhD dissertations and over 4,000 publications in various scientific journals. Research and education are interlinked. This is most notable in the MSc programmes that are research-driven and challenge MSc students to make their individual contributions. TU Delft also maintains good ties with industry. Many technology-based companies have been established in close proximity to the university.
The fostering of creative and independent thinking
TU Delft places strong emphasis on encouraging and stimulating students to become creative and independent thinkers so that they will later become engineers capable of independently solving complex problems. TU Delft views her students as young professionals who, through the means of research learn to contribute to the knowledge development of their specific disciplines.
In order to foster this attitude, much of the academic curriculum revolves around analysis and project-group problem solving activities which are linked to report and paper writing activities. Learning by rote is not encouraged! It is the task of the lecturer to assemble and structure the material whilst the student learns how to filter, absorb and apply that information. The role of the lecturer is therefore more that of assisting, inspiring and guiding rather than that of merely dictating a series of lectures. At TU Delft much importance is placed upon the opinions of individual students who are encouraged to actively work together with fellow students and lecturers for the duration of the programme. Student-staff relations at TU Delft tend to be relaxed and quite informal.
International environment
Internationalisation is a key component of TU Delft’s strategy and international students play a central role in its actualisation. Postgraduate programmes are taught in English and more than ten percent of the entire student population comes from abroad, representing some 90 nationalities. TU Delft’s international reputation is excellent and is underpinned by the university’s strategic and operational alliances with many of the world’s leading universities of technology.
TU Delft is a founding member of the IDEA LEAGUE – a strategic alliance of five major European universities of technology, together with Imperial College London, Paris Tech, ETH, Zurich and Aachen in Germany.
If you would like to study engineering in the Netherlands, why not consider TU Delft which is currently offering 16 Bachelor of Science Programmes and more than 30 two-year Master of Science Programmes where the tuition is entirely in English. (www.studyat.tudelft.nl)
