What can you expect from your Dutch study experience?
The Netherlands has become a popular destination for international students studying overseas. With its international feel, famously open-minded culture and many ex-pat communities, it is no wonder that there are currently students from more than 160 countries studying in the Netherlands.
The Dutch higher education system is of excellent quality, and Erasmus University Rotterdam is currently ranked #80 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings (2022). Dutch universities have the highest number of English-taught programmes in continental Europe and cater to students from many nationalities.
The cost of studying in the Netherlands is generally much more affordable than in some English-speaking countries, such as the United Kingdom and the United States of America, with lower tuition fees and living costs. Several scholarships and grants could help you with the expenses of studying abroad. You may want to read our dedicated scholarships page to see some of the available external funding options and their requirements. With top-ranking universities, affordable tuition fees, and an international feel, it is no surprise that currently, 1 in 10 students studying at a Dutch university come from overseas.
The opportunities for students in the Netherlands don’t stop on graduation day. As an international graduate, you could be eligible for a one-year residency permit giving you time to find a job and start your career in one of the happiest, safest and wealthiest countries in the world.
Studying in Rotterdam
Next to being the Netherlands’ second-largest city, Rotterdam’s unique history is of particular interest to those studying urban development. It's a city with a daring urban vision that is not afraid to experiment. One example is the floating forest, which is an innovative way of making cities more sustainable.
Campus Woudestein
The Woudestein campus is only 15 minutes away from the city centre by bike. It offers excellent facilities such as a state-of-the-art university library, restaurants, a theatre, a sports complex and a congress centre. Curious about the campus? Explore it through our virtual experience for a sneak peek of the campus and study facilities. Did we mention you get to ride a virtual bike around Rotterdam?
What can you expect from your IHS study experience?
Our programmes are challenging and intense. We offer IHS students numerous ways to learn and develop professionally through a mix of lectures, field visits, real-life case studies, career workshops and more. Throughout the year, the Alumni Relations office organises various events and workshops to keep you informed on the latest developments and trends in urban management and development careers. A good example is the "Life beyond IHS" event. This is an event organised yearly for IHS students to get practical career advice and insights on maximising the potential of their professional network. Regular speakers at this event are representatives of the Holland Alumni Network, The Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) and alumni. They share their experience in finding new career paths after graduating from IHS. This is a key event for current students, who can learn valuable information about career services and portals, Search Year Visa and start-up schemes in the Netherlands, and tips and tricks about job hunting or studying further.
But we also work hard to make your study experience enjoyable by organising comprehensive introduction days during which all practicalities for your stay in the Netherlands will be arranged, including social and cultural evenings, sports competitions and more.
What does Rotterdam offer?
It has been claimed that in the Netherlands, the number of bikes exceeds the number of people. So it will come as no surprise that as a city, Rotterdam is fully adapted to suit cyclists with dedicated bike lanes and bike parking to make journeys safer and faster. Popular spots to explore on two wheels include the city centre, the waterfront, the port of Rotterdam and the many parks and green areas both in and around the city.
Sports fans are well catered for in Rotterdam, which is home to ‘Stadion Feijenoord’ or, as the locals call it, 'De Kuip’. This is where the football club Feyenoord is based and used for concerts and other events. For hockey fans, the Hockey Club Rotterdam (HCR) is the largest field hockey club in the Netherlands. There is also the Willem-Alexander Rowing Course, which caters to rowing, canoeing, triathlon, cycling and swimming.
Rotterdam plays host to several annual sporting events. It is on the ATP world tennis tour route, and the annual Rotterdam marathon is ranked as one of the top ten marathons in the world.
With an ever-changing cultural landscape, Rotterdam hosts various cultural events, exhibitions, and festivals. From film festivals to sporting events, orchestra performances to food markets, there is something to suit every taste and lifestyle.
Rotterdam has a rich maritime culture, which is apparent in its museums and the actual port, which can be explored by bike, boat or foot. Rotterdam has some excellent contemporary art galleries for art lovers, including the Nederlands Fotomuseum, Witte de With Centre and TENT. There is also an abundance of theatres with performances in everything from comedy to ballet.
In Rotterdam, even the shopping areas are architecturally inspiring as the award-winning Markthal - a horseshoe-shaped building made of steel and glass - is becoming a “must-see” tourist attraction. As for the shops themselves, Rotterdam has everything from high street to high end and boutiques to concept stores. You will also find that markets are selling fresh produce in different suburbs around the city on most days of the week, and the Markthal itself is home to many upmarket food stalls.
As with any international city, Rotterdam offers a range of cuisines from around the world through its diverse range of restaurants, food stalls, cafes and coffee shops. If you are looking to try the local delicacies, you can’t go wrong with stroopwafels, kroketten and, of course, the wide varieties of Dutch cheese.
Rotterdam is ideally located for those who want to explore further afield. The main station Rotterdam Centraal will connect you with other major cities in the Netherlands and the neighbouring countries of Germany, Belgium and France. The canal-lined streets of Amsterdam, historical Utrecht and the government city Den Haag are all reachable in less than an hour by train. Famous tourist attractions such as the tulip fields of Keukenhof and the windmills of Kinderdijk are both within an hour’s drive.
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