University of Amsterdam: Amsterdam Merit Scholarship of € 6,000

The standard tuition fees of the Universiteit van Amsterdam apply to this programme. The tuition fee for the year of 2007-2008 was: EU/EEA students younger than 30 years: € 1,538 per year EU/EEA students 30 years and older: € 1,846 per year Non-EU/EEA students: € 9,000 per year. See information on scholarships below Non-EU/EEA students who are accepted to the BSc programme in Economics and Business will all receive an Amsterdam Merit Scholarship of € 6,000 in the first year. If those students obtain more than 80% (>50 ec) of their credits in their first year (2008-2009) of the BSc Economics and Business, they will also recieve the Amsterdam Merit Scholarship of € 6,000 in their second year (2009-2010). The same rule applies for the continuation of the scholarship in the third year.The Amsterdam Merit Scholarships will be awarded for a maximum period of 3 years.Transfer students who enter the second year of the programme will receive the scholarship for a maximum of two years. In certain cases it is possible for EU students to receive a monthly scholarship from the Dutch government (i.e. IB Group). Please check their website for further information. Further information on scholarships can be obtained from Nuffic, please refer to their website.//University of Amsterdam

Dutch National Agency for Lifelong Learning launched

The Lifelong Learning (LLL) Programme is an umbrella programme of the European Union to encourage cooperation between European education institutions and international mobility among students and school pupils. It covers the entire spectrum of learning from schools, to higher education, to vocational training, to adult education. The sectoral sub-programmes provide opportunities for practical training, study and teacher exchanges. The National Agency in the Netherlands is a partnership between Nuffic, the European Platform for Dutch Education and the Centre for Innovation in Vocational, Adult and Continuing Education (CINOP). The European Union fosters European mobility in education as part of its drive to make Europe the most innovative research area in the world. Photo: Joep Houterman, Director of the National Agency, talks with representatives from the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science and from the European Union.//Nuffic

CHN University: Seminars (student story#7)

Goedemiddag, dear ladies and gentlemen! Are you surprised because of such an unusual greeting? "Goedemiddag" means good afternoon but in dutch. I started to learn it not long ago. It is s very necessary here. If you read my article about trains you should have already known. Everything here is in Dutch and being here you’d better start learning it. That’s my advice. The main topic of my news is the seminar and how it is held it here. Here I mean exactly in the CHN University and I think as at the majority of the Dutch Universities. I have participated already at two seminars and can share with you my experience. The seminar is a class organized by students. Everything there, from the beginning up to the end is the work of the students. Seminars have a very considered structure. During the seminar we play different roles. First, we have a chair (chairman), who prepares and holds the seminar. Second, there are 2 summary writers who summarize the texts suggested. Third, a context writer is preparing a context of the whole material studied. Fourth, everybody is obliged to think for statements for the discussion. Finally, there is a blackboard writer who writes on a blackboard with a marker. Each seminar has it’s own system. It’s determined by the material we are going to discuss. For instance, it were some articles in the theoretical journals or books or site visit (about it in the next news). First of all, the chair introduces the topic and the structure. Then, the summary writers suggest their summaries. The context writer comes next with his context. Meanwhile the blackboard writer is writing statement on the blackboard. The statements are chosen from a big suggested variety by the whole group and discussed. The chair summarizes everything in the end. The teacher possesses equal rights with students. The tutors help the chair with organisation of the seminar and take parts in the discussion. They ask questions and share their opinion and knowledge during the lessons. From one side teachers are participating in the seminar. But from another, they help the chair to keep the seminar going, to let everybody express his opinion. Do you want to know about the seminar where I was a chair? How difficult it is to be? And what were my responsibilities? What did the teachers think about the seminar I organised? Then, my next news will be right for you! Tot ziens.

Tilburg University Scholarship Programme (TUSP) for the year 2008/2009

For the year 2008 - 2009 Tilburg University has a maximum of 50 TUSP scholarships available for excellent international students who are admitted to a Master’s programme at Tilburg University (MA, MSc or MPhil). Tilburg University Scholarships include: A partial tuition waiver of € 7.656,= for non-EEA students. Students pay only the low undergraduate fee of € 2.112 instead of the high graduate fee of € 9.768. EEA students pay the same fee as Dutch students, which is € 1.538. € 5.000,= for the covering of living expenses for one academic year, both for EEA and non-EEA students. To qualify for a Tilburg University Scholarship, candidates must fulfill the following admission requirements:

• Candidates must have graduated with excellent results in their Bachelor's programme
• Candidates must have scored at least 575 in the TOEFL paper based test, 233 in the TOEFL computer based test, or 90 in the TOEFL internet based test or alternatively 6.5 in the IELTS test
• Candidates should provide two independent letters of reference
• Candidates must have been admitted to one of the Master's programmes at Tilburg University
• Candidates must be able to comply with the conditions to obtain a Dutch visa (if applicable)

In order to apply for the Tilburg University Scholarship Programme, candidates must submit their application form by 15 April, 2008 latest. The sooner candidates send in their application, the more chances they have to be awarded a scholarship.

Tilburg University Scholarships are awarded for one academic year. Candidates applying for one of the MPhil programmes have to apply for the scholarship again for their second year of the MPhil programme. If the student should leave the programme prematurely, Tilburg University reserves the right to withdraw the scholarship. Application at Tilburg University Scholarship Programme (TUSP) Contact person: Ms Roos Ruijpers R.J.E.Rujipers[at]uvt.nlTilburg University Scholarship Programme (TUSP)

Scholarships of Tilburg University in 2007/2008 study year

For the academic year 2007/2008, Tilburg University has several scholarships available for international graduate students. The grants are awarded on academic merit. For more information on the criteria please click on one of the links below FEB MSc Scholarships (for non EU/EEA MSc students of FEB) CentER Mphil Scholarships (for Mphil students of CentER) The Dutch government has several grants for international students who pursue a Bachelor's or Master's degree in the Netherlands: Libertas scholarship (for students from Belarus or Zimbabwe) Grants for refugees and asylum seekers. The other scholarships available for international students studying at Tilburg University are: NFLSF scholarship (for students from Florida, United States of America) More information on grants can be found at www.grantfinder.nl. For the year 2008/2009 Tilburg University within Tilburg University Scholarship Programme (TUSP) offers has a maximum of 50 scholarships available for excellent international students who are admitted to a Master’s programme at Tilburg University (MA, MSc or MPhil). Click to learn more about TUSP. Tuition Fees An overview of tuition fees is provided here.

Assessment of highly skilled migrants is too ‘Dutch’

More weight is given to diplomas than to work experience, and the ability to speak Dutch is imperative. These are the findings of Astrid Scholten, who studied the use of portfolio assessments for highly skilled migrants in her doctoral thesis. She will be awarded the degree of doctor on 28 September 2007 at the University of Twente. The contrast is great. In the Netherlands, students, researchers and employees are encouraged to gain skills and experience abroad. Yet immigrants coming to the Netherlands face rules and regulations that are typical of the Dutch national context and culture. The upshot of this is that relevant work experience scores lower than having the ‘right’ diploma. And the bridge to finding suitable work is first and foremost the ability to communicate in Dutch. Scholten investigated how a portfolio instrument could be used to facilitate recognition of the competencies possessed by highly skilled migrants. For a number of years now, Nuffic – the Netherlands Organization for International Cooperation in Higher Education – has been calling for more attention for the recognition of prior learning in addition to the evaluation of academic qualifications. In fact, between 2000 and 2004, a number of pilot projects were conducted to see how portfolios could be used to assess, evaluate and recognize the competencies of highly skilled migrants. The subjects of the projects included secondary school teachers, medical doctors and refugees with diplomas that are not officially recognized in the Netherlands. The pilot projects are included in Scholten’s doctoral thesis as exploratory case studies. To enable comparison of the cases of teachers, doctors and refugees, Scholten presents them in terms of theoretical building blocks.//Nuffic.nl

TU DELFT: Bachelor’s programme in Aerospace Engineering

The field of aeronautics and space technology is part of our everyday lives.

• Do you know how many people and how much cargo are transported by air every year?
• Why does a Formula 1 car have wings? And how do they work?
• How can you build a windmill to generate maximum energy and a minimum of noise?
• How can you predict floods and earthquakes?

Admission requirements/previous education

• Pre-university diploma with pure mathematics and physics
• Pre-university education: natural sciences and technology subject cluster
• Pre-university education: natural and health sciences subject cluster supplemented with pure mathematics II
• Higher professional education: with a first-year diploma in a related discipline

Something for you? The Faculty of Aerospace Engineering has around 1600 students, and this makes it one of the largest faculties at TU Delft. This faculty enjoys an excellent international reputation and is unique in Europe. Its degree programme is exceptionally broad. Besides the focus on developing aircraft and spacecraft systems, the programme also devotes attention to applying these systems – earth observation, wind energy and sustainable energy for example. What’s more, the faculty has an extensive package of high-tech facilities. Within the study programme, much attention is given to teamwork and the development of communication skills. We educate professionals who can work well with others and function effectively within an internationally oriented field of activity. The atmosphere within the faculty is personal, open-minded and enthusiastic. What’s the course programme like? Aerospace Engineering is the only degree programme in which you start and graduate in the same field. Naturally, you take a lot of general theory courses at first, but you still get enough variation by sitting in on real aerospace lectures as well. Learning to work in teams is acquired straightaway during your first year. Your team gets a room with computer facilities so that you can work on an assignment together, complete with calculations and reports. This gets you prepared for your future working environment. During your second and third years, the foundation laid in your first year is expanded upon and applied. This is done by such means as laboratory courses. In one of these, you and five other students board our business jet, a Cessna Citation II – the faculty’s flying classroom – and take measurements while in the air. You finish off your third year with a major design synthesis exercise completed as a group in which you apply everything you’ve learned in the first three years. This assignment can range from designing an aircraft to planning a Mars mission. The Faculty of Aerospace Engineering is the only faculty at Delft that offers not only a Bachelor’s programme taught in Dutch but also a complete Bachelor’s programme taught in English. Where will you work? Due to the versatility of this degree programme, your education will be so broad that you can apply for a job at many places. About 40% of our graduates work in the aerospace sector, either here in the Netherlands or elsewhere. Around 60% do not work in the AE industry. This is because AE engineers are much in demand among large multinationals located in the Netherlands and abroad. You might be employed at Philips, Shell, TNO, or ABN AMRO, but you might also start working for a consulting or engineering firm. And you can always start your own company, of course. Contact information For more information about the degree programmes in Aerospace Engineering, please contact the information department at +31 15 2787192 or study@lr.tudelft.nl. More information For more information, visit the page of the TU Delft’s website dedicated to Bachelor of Science – Aerospace Engineering or the page dedicated toInformation activities. Information brochures about the Aerospace Engineering degree programme can be requested by visiting the Central information site at the Delft University of Technology or by sending an e-mail to info@tudelft.nl Tuition fees have not yet been set for 2008-2009, but, as a guide, the tuition fees for 2007-2008 are shown here: EU/EFTA nationals* born after August 31st 1977€ 1,538 per year EU/EFTA nationals born before Sept. 1st 1977€ 2,094 per year Non- EU/EFTA nationals€ 5,000 per year

Delft University:Tuition fees Bachelor & Master programmes

Tuition fees Bachelor programmes Tuition fees have not yet been set for 2008-2009, but, as a guide, the tuition fees for 2007-2008 are shown here: EU/EFTA nationals* born after August 31st 1977€ 1,538 per year EU/EFTA nationals born before Sept. 1st 1977€ 2,094 per year Non- EU/EFTA nationals€ 5,000 per year Fees are reviewed anually. This means fees may increase annually. Tuition fees Master programmes Tuition fees have not yet been set for 2008-2009 but, as a guide, the tuition fees for 2007-2008 are shown here: EU/EFTA nationals* born after August 31st 1977€ 1,538 per year EU/EFTA nationals born before September 1st 1977€ 2,094 per year Non-EU/EFTA nationals€ 8,310 per year Living and other expenses The cost of living and study, including food, accommodation, transport, books, obligatory health insurance is estimated at € 700 per month. In addition, you will need approximately € 1,500 to cover initial settling-in expenses. Study and work Although Dutch law allows foreign students to work part-time while studying, it stipulates that income from employment should be 'additional'. This means that you should be able to finance your studies without working! Non-EU/EFTA nationals are allowed to work a maximum of 10 hours per week or 3 months full-time during the summer holiday period that falls in June, July and August. Please note that your residence permit will be retracted if you work more. A work permit, to be applied for by the employer, is compulsory for Non-EU/EFTA nationals. Any employment you find should fit in with your studying schedule. Finding a (part time) job is not easy. Job centers (uitzendbureau's) may be willing to mediate in finding part-time jobs for students in the business and industry sectors. However, jobs are not always available and you may also come up against a language problem; most employers prefer personnel who speak the Dutch language fluently. You should also be aware of the fact that when working you are no longer entitled to a student health insurance (premium approximately € 40,- per month) but instead should take a employees health insurance (premium approximately € 85,- per month). *EU/EFTA countriesAustria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, The Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

TU Delft offers 40 English-language MSc programmes

The programme duration is two years. The first year comprises theoretical study, assignments and laboratory work. The second year is largely devoted to thesis work, which involves participating in one of the university's advanced research or design projects or taking an internship or research assignment within a company.

Problem-oriented, creative, innovative, learning by doing Our objective is to produce graduates who are critical independent thinkers so they later become engineers capable of independently solving problems. The curriculum focuses to a great extent on analysis and problem-solving in groups, and the writing of papers. During your study, guidance and assistance will be available at all times.

Read more about: honours tracks electives and minors academic calendar credits and assessment

Overview TU Delft's MSc programmes TU Delft offers the following master programmes in alphabetical order: Aerospace Engineering Applied Earth Sciences Applied Mathematics Applied Physics Architecture, Urbanism and Building Sciences Biochemical Engineering Biomedical Engineering Chemical Engineering Civil Engineering Computer Engineering Computer Science Construction Management & Engineering Design for Interaction Electrical Engineering Electrical Power Engineering (track) Microelectronics (track) Telecommunications (track) Embedded Systems Engineering & Policy Analysis Geomatics Integrated Product Design Life Science & Technology Management of Technology Marine Technology Materials Science & Engineering Mechanical Engineering Media & Knowledge Engineering Bioinformatics (track) NanoScience Offshore Engineering Science Education & Communication Strategic Product Design Systems & Control Systems Engineering, Policy Analysis & Management TU Delft Lerarenopleiding (TULO) Transport, Infrastructure & Logistics Joint and double degree MSc programmes TU Delft participates in some master programmes in cooperation with other universities and institutes: Applied Geophysics - IDEA league Coastal and Marine Engineering and Management - Erasmus Mundus master Construction Management & Engineering - 3TU, Dutch technology triumvirate Economics and Management of Network Industries - Erasmus Mundus master Embedded systems - 3TU, Dutch technology triumvirate Geographical Information Management and Applications (GIMA) Industrial Ecology - TU Delft, Leiden University and Erasmus University Rotterdam (all in the Netherlands) Nanoscience and Nanotechnology - Erasmus Mundus master Optics in Science and Technology - Erasmus Mundus master Sustainable Energy Technology - 3TU, Dutch technology triumvirate

University Twente: tuition fees for Masters 2007/2008

EU/EEA nationals and non-EU/EAA students who are entitled to Dutch government study grants (= dutch “studiefinanciering” from the IB-Groep), a tuition fee of app. € 1,519 per year · Non-EU/EAA nationals recognized by UAF as student refugees, a tuition fee app. € 1,519 per year · Non-EU/EAA nationals, € 8,310 per year for Master’s degree courses:- Applied Mathematics- Applied Physics- Biomedical Engineering- Business Information Technology- Chemical Engineering- Civil Engineering & Management- Clinical Technology- Computer Science- Electrical Engineering- Geo-informatics- Human Media Interaction- Industrial Design Engineering- Industrial Engineering & Management- Mechanical Engineering- Mechatronics- Nanotechnology- Science Education- Sustainable Energy Technology- Telematics · Non-EU/EAA nationals € 6,320 per year for Master’s degree courses- Business Administration- Communication Studies- Educational Science and Technology- Healthcare-management- Philosophy of Science, Technology and Society- Psychology - Public Administration- Research in Social Science- Social Science Education · Non-EU/EAA nationals € 4,740 per year for Master’s degree course- European Studies Programme fee:Please note that some programmes ask an additional programme fee. 1. Please note that, as UT is affected by government policy on education, the tuition fees are annually reconsidered. 2. EU countries: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. EEA countries: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.//Tuition fees for Masters at the University Twente

Dutch traines ( student story #5)

I am sitting in the train going to Amsterdam. It takes me 2 hours 16 min. I have come across many difficulties and specific features of Dutch railroad system and want to tell you about. Everything there in Dutch. All the stations are announced in Dutch language so if younot really good in it yet just look around. I had 2 funny accidents. I was sitting in the train going to my sweet Leeuwarden, relaxed, enjoying the landscape. But immediately after some announcements by a driver the people started to leave the train very quick. And it was not the last station, not yet the middle. Beeing smart enough I asked the people who stayed what is it going on here and the answer surprised me a lot. Part of the train was going to my destination and another – to another. Strange, isn’t it? Still didn’t get how it could be but Ijoined leaving people and moved to another wagon and the train left the next moment after the doors were closed after me. If you are going to travel a lot (as I do!) I advice you to by a reduction card. It cost about 60 euro but it worth it! It will save you 40% of a ticket price. You can use it every day from 9:00 and weekend any time. IF you are a student you can try to get a card wich will let you travel for free. But first you should get a residence permit and fill out a lot of papers so it can take half a year. And the most important thing on my opinion about Dutch trains is change of trains on your way. If you travel from or to a small city you will need to change your train may be even more then once. Between big cities there is a straight connection. When you buying a ticket just go to the ticket office and ask for a schedule. For changing you will have around 5 min. And you will need to run from one platform to another, so get ready =). And a couple words about the second accident. I forgot to change trains. Yeah, just forgot. And when I found it out I was at the last station and very far form my final destination. It was about 10 pm. Usually about 9 pm the last train is leaving. Being lucky I cought the train there to Leeuwarden and in 2 hours at midnight was there ( if I would not forget to change I would be there at 10 even!). And the controller didn’t make me even pay for another ticket!

University of Twente: European Studies programme

European Studies programme is the international variant of the Public Administration Bachelor’s degree programme. In the European Studies programme you study the interaction between world politics, European decision making and local developments. On the basis of current issues you learn to look beyond borders and develop solutions that take a diversity of interests into consideration. The content of this study programme also crosses borders, covering four disciplines: law, economics, political science and sociology. European Studies brings together the knowledge you need so that you can work in an internationally oriented environment in the future. European Studies is structured in accordance with the internationally accredited Bachelor-Master model. The course consists of two parts: a three-year Bachelor’s programme and a one-year Master’s programme. The European Studies Bachelor’s programme takes three years and concludes with a Bachelor’s diploma. This diploma gives you direct access to the labour market, but it is also your ticket to one or more Master’s degree courses. Both the Bachelor’s and the Master’s programmes are taught in English, which means that you not only get to master the English language, but meet fellow students from abroad as well. This brings you into an environment with various cultural backgrounds. Most students choose to follow the European Studies Master’s programme after they have received their Bachelor’s degree. European Studies graduates can be found in all positions with a European dimension. Most of them (about 60%) end up in government functions, either at national level or at sub-national level (municipalities, provinces, Länder). Because of the impact of Europe on national regulations and policies, knowledge of how Europe works is needed more than ever before. Other graduates find a job at one of the many institutions of the European Union or obtain a staff position at another international organisation. About 40% chooses a career in business or consultancy. Many policy decisions in national and international business have a European dimension for which European expertise is needed. You can also pursue a career in journalism or science. In general, knowledge of the EU’s inner workings has become a key requirement for many jobs, and – with the increasing complexity of the European system – the demand for specialists in this field continues to grow. This explains why about 95% of the graduates of the Master’s programme all find a suitable job within three months. Duration - 3 years. Cost of programme - € 3,804. Read more: European Studies programme Future after finishing this programme: Bsc European Studies. Read story of the alumni European Studies programme.