Education abroad: why study in Holland at Leiden University

Leiden is one of the most broad-based universities in the Netherlands, offering more than 80 master’s programmes with some 270 specialisation to choose from. A number of departments have cooperation agreements with other universities, such as the TU Delft, the University of Amsterdam, Vrije Universiteit and Utrecht University, so there’s every opportunity for you to follow courses at other universities in the area. And, if you want still more choice, some departments also offer the possibility of conducting part of your master’s study abroad. Leiden University, the oldest university in the Netherlands, has for centuries enjoyed an excellent reputation worldwide. A Leiden master’s diploma provides you with a firm basis for entering the employment market both at home and internationally. What makes Leiden so special? Strong emphasis on the quality of education and research Master’s students are closely involved in the research carried out within their department: a number of departments and programmes focus specifically on preparing the master’s student for a career as a scientific researcher. Broad range of programmes 270 specialist programmes within 80 disciplines, but there are also opportunities to put together your own individual programme outside this range. International reputation Not only do research and education in Leiden enjoy a prominent reputation internationally, Leiden students have many opportunities to conduct part of their study abroad, and each year close to a thousand international students come to study in Leiden. Individual attention for master’s students In the master’s programme, teaching is on a smaller scale. This more individual approach allows you to get the maximum benefit from your master’s study. Centrally located in the Randstad, the busy heart of the Netherlands The other universities in the Randstad are a stone’s throw away. This is handy for Leiden students who want to take a particular subject at another university. And also for students from other cities, who come to Leiden to follow classes or a master’s programme without giving up their room in their own city. University as integral part of the city In Leiden, the university is in the heart of the city. The faculties are all within walking distance of the Central Station, and most are in the historic city centre. The city has a warm and friendly atmosphere and its canal-lined streets abound with attractive cafés and terraces where you and your fellow students can gather after lectures to continue your discussions in a relaxed social environment. A multi-cultural learning environment Classes are made up of students from a broad range of cultural backgrounds. High perception of personal safety Leiden is a student city where students feel safe and secure Highly qualified teaching staff Leiden University courses are taught by professors and assistant professors, and generally not by PhD and post-doc students.//Leiden University

Holland: Tourist numbers top 10 million last year

The number of foreign tourists visiting the Netherlands reached a record 10.7 million last year, according to the latest tourist board report published. The Germans were the biggest group of visitors (2.8 million), followed by the British (1.9 million) and Americans (over 1 million). Of Dutch holiday-makers, half stayed in the Netherlands. Of those that went abroad, France, Spain, Turkey and Greece remained the favourite destinations. The most popular attraction in the Netherlands was a boat trip through the Amsterdam canals. Attraction park the Efteling in the south of the country came in second, followed by Amsterdam's Van Gogh Museum.//DutchNews.nl

CHN University: classes started ( student story #4)

Yeah! Let the classes begin! But before let me introduce you my group. It consists of 12 students for now, we are still waiting for 2 students. Sorry, but still don’t remember all their names. But let me tell you what I found out already. There are: one girl from Poland, girls from Germany – Anna and Sarah, girls from China, a couple guys from Netherlands. And only these 2 guys and 2 girls were studying before in CHN and got Bachelor degree. Others, as me, just started. Please forgive me if I forgot somebody. Besides students from my group I already met people from all over the world: Ukraine, Burkina Faso, Kenya, Mexico, Panama, Thailand, Indonesia, Taiwan and many others. I found 2 boys and 2 girls from Russia. Marat, from Volgograd is studying 4 year in Bachelor program and he is a host in Hestia. Konstantin got his Master Degree and working in CHN. So... time for classes. After a couple opening speeches we had a first studying day with 4 lectures. The name of the subject is the same – service, but it was taught by 3 different teachers. All the lecturers are using computers for their presentations. And the greatest thing is that lectures are sent to you by e-mail and you don’t need to write them down! Before classes you are given a module book with all necessary info, schedule, names of teachers and other important books. All the changes in schedule are sent to you by e-mail in advance. Everything is so organized! Teachers are not just give you the information to learn and a home task but they make you think during the lecture. They provide you with different opinions on the same problem and ask what your thoughts about it are. They do not just tell you this is right and this is wrong but want you to find it out. Lecturers do not persuade you but give you the freedom of choice. Do you like it? I DO!

Tilburg University: MSc in Financial Management

The Master's programme in Financial Management offers you an education in Business Administration with a focus on Financial Management, i.e. the planning, executing, and controlling of a firm’s financial policy. During the course of the programme, you have to solve practical cases using international scientific literature. You will become familiar with the diverse set of tasks and responsibilities of a financial manager like the valuation of investment projects and the valuation of firms, the determination of a firm’s cost of capital, strategic decisions concerning mergers and acquisitions, and raising capital (debt and/or equity). A financial manager is also (partly) responsible for the firm’s treasury management. In this respect, risk management using derivative securities is important as well as cash management. Finally, a financial manager needs a profound knowledge of financial analysis and corporate governance, which includes issues like regulation, disclosure requirements and governance mechanisms. Admission requirements In order to have access to the Master's programme in Financial Management, you need a solid basis in the following areas: Mathematics and Statistics (24 ECTS) Academic Training (24 ECTS) Economics (18 ECTS) Management or Marketing (12 ECTS) Accounting (12 ECTS) Finance (12 ECTS) If you meet these requirements, you have a good chance of being accepted to the master's programme in Financial Management.//Tilburg University

Tilburg University: MSc in Financial Management

The Master's programme in Financial Management offers you an education in Business Administration with a focus on Financial Management, i.e. the planning, executing, and controlling of a firm’s financial policy. During the course of the programme, you have to solve practical cases using international scientific literature. You will become familiar with the diverse set of tasks and responsibilities of a financial manager like the valuation of investment projects and the valuation of firms, the determination of a firm’s cost of capital, strategic decisions concerning mergers and acquisitions, and raising capital (debt and/or equity). A financial manager is also (partly) responsible for the firm’s treasury management. In this respect, risk management using derivative securities is important as well as cash management. Finally, a financial manager needs a profound knowledge of financial analysis and corporate governance, which includes issues like regulation, disclosure requirements and governance mechanisms. Admission requirements In order to have access to the Master's programme in Financial Management, you need a solid basis in the following areas:

Mathematics and Statistics (24 ECTS) Academic Training (24 ECTS) Economics (18 ECTS) Management or Marketing (12 ECTS) Accounting (12 ECTS) Finance (12 ECTS)

If you meet these requirements, you have a good chance of being accepted to the master's programme in Financial Management.//Tilburg University

Leiden University: MSc in ICT in Business

Rapid changes in information and communication technology (ICT) and its applications over the last years have caused major changes for individuals, organizations and industries. The internet, and information systems and communication technology in general, have radically impacted our personal and professional lives and challenged our thinking on physical, geographical and industry boundaries, on distance, speed and communication. ICT has become a vital part of the competitive strategies of many companies. The popular Master of Science programme ICT in Business is offered by the Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science (LIACS), with partners in the field of management. The Computer Science Institute of Leiden University has a strong tradition in combining the theoretical, applied and experimental approaches to the subject field. This is reflected in the research profile of the institute and the curriculum it offers to students. LIACS has numerous international collaborations and maintains excellent contacts with other Dutch university research groups, as well as with Dutch industry. LIACS is housed just outside the centre of Leiden, amidst other research institutes and high-tech firms. More information can be found on our website at www.liacs.nl. Objectives The Master of Science ICT in Business aims at providing a deeper understanding of the issues, challenges and opportunities in this area, with a specific focus on the alignment of ICT and management. The program builds on a solid foundation in computer science, that students bring from their Bachelor’s education and expands this knowledge and augments it with concepts and methods from the field of management. All students with a Master of Science degree are admissible to a PhD programme.

Academic requirements A BSc degree from Leiden University in Computer Science or a or equivalent. Students holding such degree will directly be admitted to the programme. In the case of related studies, the Admission Committee will judge the equivalence of previous training. Non-native speakers of English are required to submit proof of sufficient proficiency in English: IELTS level ≥6,5 or TOEFL ≥ 570/230. Dutch students with VWO level English are exempt from this requirement

The admission process may include an interview by the Admissions Committee. //Leiden University

University Twente: European Studies Bachelor Programme

Why did you choose European Studies? Elisabeth: “European Studies is a multidisciplinary study which combines four directions: political science, sociology, economics and law. As a consequence it broadens our view of Europe, which is no longer an invisible complex, but shapes our lives in many areas and enables us to take several and varying perspectives on the EU. European Studies gives good basic knowledge about the EU and international relations etc. which is required more and more. Additionally the European Union is more present than ever in our live and therefore it is really interesting to understand the process and events we are going to expect.” What is your favourite course and why? Elisabeth: “There are many different courses that are interesting. I would say each course is on its own very interesting and useful. Due to the fact that they cover the same topic: “European Union” from different perspectives it is anyway a good motivation to engage in the course. But the courses I really like were ‘Sociology’, ‘European Political Integration’ and ‘the Institutional development of the European Union’ since they present the European Union visible and enables us to see the process which is going on.” Where do you come from? Elisabeth: “I am from Germany from a little town close to the border, it is called Steinfurt.” Where do you live now (and how)? Elisabeth: “live in a student-house, very close to the center.It is really ‘gezellig’”. What do you like to do besides your study? Elisabeth: “There are many things like doing sport, meeting friends, reading, listening to music, relaxing, doing nothing. But in principle I would say I am very active haha….” What was your first impression of Enschede? Elisabeth: “Well, I knew Enschede before due to the fact that I came here a few times for shopping and was in the cafés at the Oude Markt and therefore I thought it was really nice. …” And the first time on campus? Elisabeth: “When I first was at the University I was really impressed of the Campus and the many possibilities that are offered here (like sport, culture etc.). My impression was and is still totally positive!” What's is your opinion on Enschede as a "student city"? Elisabeth: “I think Enschede is a nice city for students, due to the fact that something is always going on. Especially on Thursday evening when there is student-evening in the city. The city is anyway nice, especially in the summer-sitting in one of the cafés at the Oude Markt is really good.” “Additionally you can reach everything with your bicycle and can do a lot of other activities beside studying. That’s why I like studying here!”//University Twetne: European Studies programme

Holland: New train punctuality record of 94.4%

Dutch Rail (NS) has achieved a new punctuality record with 94.4% of trains running on time on August 7, reports the Volkskrant. Punctuality is measured in the Netherlands as arriving within three minutes of the time stated on the train timetable. The NS target is for a 86% punctuality rate. The European definition for ‘on time’ allows a five minute delay in train times. Measured against this, NS scored a punctuality level of 97.7% on August 7. ‘Punctuality of 100% is impossible,’ a spokesman for NS told the paper.//DutchNews.nl

TU Delft: Undergraduate/Bachelor study programmes

TU Delft offers three-year Bachelor of Science (BSc) programmes, focussing on mathematics, mechanics and physics. You will attend lectures and apply what you learn in projects. Right from the start you will be working in a team on assignments under the supervision of lecturers. A test or project concludes the Bachelor programme. Credit point system TU Delft uses the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) employed by all universities in the European Union. One year consists of 60 ECTS credits, the total Bachelor programme consists of 180 ECTS. Language of instruction The Bachelor programmes are taught in Dutch, except for Aerospace Engineering which is taught in both Dutch and English. The Institute of Technology & Communication provides Dutch language courses for foreigners. Bachelor programmes TU Delft offers the following Bachelor programmes: Aerospace Engineering (en & nl)) Applied Earth Sciences Applied Mathematics Applied Physics Architecture Civil Engineering Computer Science Electrical Engineering Industrial Design Engineering Life Science & Technology Marine Technology Mechanical Engineering Molecular Science & Technology Systems Engineering, Policy Analysis & Management

CHN: First week at university (student story#3)

The whole day full of lectures from 8 30 up to 15 45. And you think I am tired? Not at all. I am more than excited and already thinking about my seminar on Friday.Let me give you a short tour around CHN building. It has 3 floors, but due to Dutch system only 2, cause they consider 1 floor as “0” or background floor. The rooms have 3 digital numbers. The first one stands for floor and 2 last ones – real room number. The most crowdy and busy is the “0”floor though almost all the classes are hold in 2 others. There we have ‘Salle e manger’ (French name of canteen), student’s shop, lockers, snack and drink bar, many computers with free internet for students, always full international office, information center, job center, hair salon (where you can get a haircut by students), ABN-Amro bank, housing office to arrange accommodation for new comers, hotel Wyswert, a lot of other rooms and auditoriums and of course library. I want to draw your attention on it. It’s called studielandschap (study landscape from Dutch). It’s occupying 2 floors. We had a digital tour around with a test afterwards. But it’s so giant and has so many different studying materials as DVD’s, video and tape recordings, dissertation, books, journals and so on so I still didn’t get clearly what and how and for how long I can borrow. And it’s only the tour around the background floor. Want to know more? Wait for my next report!

The number of international students in the Netherlands continues to rise

The number of international students in higher education in the Netherlands continues to rise. There are now 49,750 of them, an increase of 1,250 on last academic year. Around 37,000 of them are enrolled on government-funded study programmes. Germany is by far the most common country of origin, accounting for about 35% of international students on government-funded programmes. China and Belgium take second and third place, respectively. This and other interesting information can be found in the monitor on International Mobility in Education in the Netherlands, an annual study conducted by Nuffic together with the European Platform and Cinop, the centre for expertise in the innovation of vocational and adult education. The monitor is available in Dutch and English, see 'Downloads'. The importance of internationalization is also growing in secondary education. Almost 70% of schools participate is some form of mobility programme. Around 10% of schoolchildren take part in an exchange during their time at school. Germany is the most popular destination country, followed by Belgium and France. However, the popularity of Spain and Turkey is rising sharply. Dutch schools are not always successful when trying to organize an exchange with the UK, as UK institutions tend to prefer partnerships with Spain, Italy and France. International mobility is minimal in primary education, with only 6% of Dutch primary schools involved in some way. The number of people taking part in mobility programmes in the professional education sector is also lagging behind. Despite a doubling over the last four years, only just over half of one percent of students go abroad to study or do a work placement. This makes the Netherlands an average performer in Europe. The doubling was achieved despite the fact that work placement scholarships from the EU’s Leonardo programme were halved. Most institutions made up the difference from their own funds. BAND is a bilateral programme between the Netherlands and Germany, and has recovered following a fall in the number of participating students and teachers in 2005. The most recent information on the number of Dutch students in a foreign country relates to the 2003-2004 academic year. This is because the enrolment data from the destination countries is first collected centrally for processing. This enables the OECD to make reliable estimates on outbound mobility in the member countries (relates only to study programmes registered by central government). The figures show that in 2003-2004, around 13,000 Dutch students were enrolled at higher education institutions in a foreign country. Only 2,750 of them were studying outside Europe. Besides the 13,000 enrolled students, another 5,250 students went abroad to take part in an exchange. The United Kingdom is the most popular study destination, followed by Belgium, Germany and the United States. For the first time, the report attempts to measure the number of Dutch students who went to school outside the Netherlands. In many cases, these are the children of expatriates, emigrants or international couples. Around 7,500 were counted, although problems with the reliability of counting this category means that there may in fact be as many as 37,500.//Nuffic

Nyenrode Business University & Tilburg university come to Moscow in October

Nyenrode Business Universiteit and Tilburg University will be participating in the World MBA Tour on Tuesday, 9 October in Moscow, which will be held from 6pm- 9pm at Radisson SAS Slavyanskaya Hotel. To register for the fair prospective students have to click on the following link World MBA Tour register.

CHN: housing

Because of Dutch immigration laws international students coming from non-European countries (non-EU students) are obliged to have a permanent address/residence (woonadres) the moment they arrive in The Netherlands. For this reason CHN and other universities in Leeuwarden made an arrangement with the private housing company `Housing Office Friesland' (this means that these facilities are not property of the CHN) to provide furnished accommodation for international students during their first year in Leeuwarden . After finishing this obligatory first year contract students are free to find another room to live in the city of Leeuwarden. More details about living in Dutch student houses can be found in the CHN Handbook for incoming international Students//CHN

Saxion Universities: Bachelors in Accounting and Finance

This Final-Year international degree course has been specially created for international students in their final stage of studies in business, and specifically accountancy. Students are awarded a Bachelors degree in Accounting and Finance, after completion of the course and completion of studies. Throughout the year students work on practical assignments in which they apply knowledge and skills gained from theory combined with practical experience and situated learning. The course will be completed by the final assignment. Graduation by means of an assignment is a test of capability: the students will have to show that they are able to complete an assignment and to produce a professional written report. As a specialist in accounting and finance you will fill a managerial position in the field of economics management. You will learn to collect, analyse and present business economic information on the basis of which enterprising decisions can be taken. After graduation you can choose from a wide range of professional roles among which is controller, financial policy maker, assistant accounting, business assistant or organization expert. Requirements Before you can be admitted to the Finance and Accounting bachelor degree course you need to have a secondary school certificate and a minimum of three years of higher education in a related field. Do you have a foreign degree? In this case the Saxion Hogeschool will determine the value of your degree and compare it to the Dutch certificate to determine its level. It should be the equivalent of the Dutch certificate, e.g. the German Abitur (allgemeine Hochschulreife), the Britisch GCE A-levels or GSCE grades A, B or C, the French baccalaur�at, or the American High School (top stream or plus 1 year�s college) and the equivalent of three years HBO. If it equals the Dutch certificates, you can be admitted to the course. All students who wish to register for this degree course should have taken subjects such as Economics and/or Mathematics at their secondary schools. All students who wish to start this final year need to have a good command of English. If you do not have the Dutch nationality, we require:

• A minimum of three years higher education in a related (business) field.
• either a IELTS test score of 6.0 or a TOEFL test-score of 550 (Computerbased 213 test-score)

Without either of these test results, an application will not be considered!

Costs: Course Fee € 4,780 Total Package Fee € 9,780 Saxion Universities