Studying in the Netherlands

Studying in the Netherlands — comprehensive preparation for applying to Dutch universities

Are you dreaming of your child studying in one of the most innovative educational systems in Europe? Studying in the Netherlands is a choice made by a growing number of Polish students, but the application process itself can be overwhelming — from language certificates, through choosing the right type of institution, to deadlines in the Studielink system. Parents and students often don’t know how a research university differs from a university of applied sciences, what IELTS score is realistically required, or how to build a candidate profile that will stand out among thousands of applications from across Europe.

At MonPat Education, we guide students through the entire process — from the initial assessment of their potential to the moment they receive their acceptance letter. Our mentors are graduates of Cambridge, Oxford, and other leading universities worldwide, and many of them have personally gone through the Dutch admissions process. That’s why you can be confident that the first consultation is free, and every subsequent session brings your child closer to a real goal — not to a list of generic tips found online.

Who is this programme for?

The Studying in the Netherlands programme is aimed at students in years 1–3 of secondary school who are consciously planning to study abroad and want to study in English within one of the most practice-oriented educational systems in Europe. It works particularly well for IB and Polish matura students targeting fields such as business, economics, engineering, psychology, life sciences, or social sciences. It is also an ideal choice for those who want a genuine competitive advantage — because good grades alone are not enough.

Many students with excellent results are rejected at the application stage simply because they were never taught to think in an academic way. Dutch admissions committees look at the way a candidate thinks, their motivation, and their fit with the programme — not just their school report. Our preparation helps build a candidate profile that understands the subject matter more deeply than school requires, thinks analytically about problems, and can confidently analyse unfamiliar topics.

Why is thorough preparation for applying in the Netherlands so important?

Admissions to universities in the Netherlands may seem straightforward at first glance, but that impression can be misleading. Candidates from Poland typically need a school-leaving certificate and a language certificate — most commonly an IELTS score of at least 6.0 or a TOEFL score above 550 points. For programmes taught in Dutch, passing the NT2 exam (Dutch as a Second Language) is required. This sounds simple enough — until numerus fixus restrictions, motivation letters, additional entrance tests, and tight decision deadlines appear and can undo a year’s worth of work.

The Dutch system is built around two distinct tracks: research universities — focused on theory and academic work, with three-year bachelor’s programmes — and universities of applied sciences — focused on practice and project-based learning, where a bachelor’s degree takes four years. Choosing the wrong track doesn’t just cost a year; it sets you on an entirely different career trajectory after graduation. Master’s programmes last between one and two years, and some institutions offer a foundation year for students who need to bring their language or academic level up to standard.

In the long run, a good decision pays dividends throughout an entire career. Better preparation leads to a better university, and a better university means a stronger network and greater career opportunities — in international corporations, European institutions, and markets that remain closed to graduates of local universities. Dutch degrees are recognised globally, and Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, and The Hague are among Europe’s largest business hubs.

Why do parents and students choose MonPat Education?

We work on an individual basis, because no two applications are the same. After each session, the student receives brief feedback, and the parent is informed of exactly where their child stands in the process — without needing to ask. Every student receives a clear action plan in the form of a roadmap with concrete milestones: when to sit the IELTS, when we start refining the motivation letter, and by when the Studielink application must be ready.

Between sessions we stay in touch — answering questions, sharing materials, and flagging changes in university requirements. Our mentors know the Dutch system from the inside, because they have been through it themselves or work with people who assess admissions there. As a result, students train to meet real requirements — not imagined ones.

What the Studying in the Netherlands programme covers

• Student profile assessment — an honest evaluation of strengths, gaps, and realistic chances at specific universities
• University selection — guidance on choosing between a research university and a university of applied sciences, and matching specific programmes to the candidate’s profile
• Application strategy — an action plan that accounts for deadlines, numerus fixus restrictions, and the requirements of individual programmes
• Preparation for language exams — IELTS Academic, TOEFL, and NT2 where required
• Work on the motivation letter and personal statement — often through multiple iterations, until the text genuinely reflects the candidate
• Mock interviews and preparation for additional tests required by specific programmes
• Building an academic portfolio — projects, competitions, and extracurricular activities that strengthen the application
• A 1–3 year plan for students who start the process early and want to build a strong candidate profile
• Help with accommodation and settling into a new country after receiving an acceptance

Studying in the Netherlands is part of a bigger picture

Applying to study abroad in the Netherlands is rarely the first step — it usually follows earlier educational decisions. That is why at MonPat Education we approach the process holistically. If your child is still in middle school or at the beginning of secondary school, it is worth considering preparation for the IB programme — because the International Baccalaureate significantly eases admissions to Dutch research universities and is directly recognised across the entire system. For students already enrolled in the IB programme, we offer subject-specific support across individual IB DP components.

For Polish matura students, we provide English tutoring as well as dedicated IELTS Academic and TOEFL courses — without a language certificate, applying in the Netherlands is simply not possible. If your child is also considering other destinations, we offer a full range of services for studying in the United Kingdom, Denmark, Ireland, Italy, and the United States — so you can compare options and choose the one that is truly the right fit, rather than simply taking the path of least resistance.

If your child is unsure which field to pursue, we also invite you to a consultation on choosing the right field of study — this is often the most important step to take before deciding on a country.

The first consultation is free — it is a good opportunity to calmly discuss your child’s situation, get a realistic picture of what the Netherlands application process looks like, and determine whether our programme is the right answer to what you need right now.