1,391 international study programmes

Holland was the first non-English-speaking country to offer courses taught in English. Dutch higher education institutions together offer a combined total of 1,391 international study programmes and courses of wich 1,376 are taught entirely in English. This makes Holland the frontrunner in continental Europe.

International study programmes and courses cover a broad range of fields. Curricula are intensive, taught at an advanced level, practice-oriented and designed to meet the expectations of students seeking specialized knowledge. The courses alternate theory withpractice in real or simulated work situations.Most programmes and courses lead to a bachelor’s, master’s or PhD degree, a diploma or certificate.

Excellent education and research

The Dutch system of higher education enjoys a worldwide reputation for high quality. This quality is achieved through a national system of regulation and quality assurance. The Times Higher Education Supplement even ranks 11 universities in Holland among the top 200 in the world. Holland has also received international acclaim for its groundbreakingProblem- Based Learning system, which trains students to analyze and solve practical problemsindependently through emphasis on self-study and self-discipline.

International study environment

For a small country like Holland, an international orientation – including in education and training – is a must for survival in our increasingly internationalized world. The Dutch education system is interactive and focuses on teamwork, which makes it easy to meet other international students. Studying in Holland means developing an open mind and increasing your international orientation.

The Dutch way of teaching

Respect for each individual’s opinions and convictions is a national virtue that gives strength to the fabric of Holland’s diverse and plural society. This is the foundation of the teaching method used at Dutch educational institutions. This teaching style can be describedas interactive and student-centred, providing students with the attention and freedom they need to develop their own opinions and creativity in applying their new knowledge. All programmes place a significantemphasis on writing papers, working in groups to analyze and solve specific problems, acquiring practical work experience through internships and conducting laboratory experiments.

Tuition fees

Education in Holland is not free, but tuition fees are reasonable compared to other countries.Annual tuition fees for enrolment in a degree programme or course at a Dutch higher education institution start at approximately 1,500 Euros for EU students. The costs of programmes or courses for non-EU students are generally higher.

www.studyinholland.nl

Admission requirements

International students wishing to apply for a programme at a higher education institution should first contact the institution that offers the programme. Students should also note several general points relating to admission requirements:
–International students must have a diploma judged equivalent to the minimum diploma required. There are also study programmes – in the arts for example – for which institutions set their own additional requirements.
–The main requirement for admission to a bachelor’s programme is a secondary school diploma at the appropriate level.
–Master’s programme applicants must have at least a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent. In certain popular fields the number of places is limited and admission quotas are set.
– It is essential that international students are able to speak, read and write English well. Students must have passed an English language test. IELTS and TOEFL are commonly accepted, but institutions may accept other tests as well. For the TOEFL the required scores are at least 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based) or 80 (internet-based); for the IELTS a score of at least 6 is required.

– Language requirements for individual programmes or courses are indicated in the database of international courses on our website:www.studyinholland.nl.

The high quality of higher education in Hollandis achieved through a national system of regulation and quality assurance. The Ministry of Education, Culture and Science is responsible for legislation pertaining to education.

www.minocw.nl The Ministry of Education, Culture and Science
www.qa-in.nl Quality assurance in Dutch higher education

Responsibility for accreditation has been allocated to the Accreditation Organization of the Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO). Students will be awarded recognized degrees only after completing an accredited degree programme. Only degree programmes can be accredited by the NVAO. Accredited programmes
will be listed in the Central Register of Higher Education Programmes (CROHO).
www.nvao.nl the Accreditation Organization of the Netherlands and Flanders.

Institutions may also offer bachelor’s, master’s or other programmes that have not been accredited by the NVAO, but by a body in another country. For example a master’s programme offered by a Dutch university of professional education, but validated by an accredited British university. In the database of international programmes and courses at  course catalogue, the status of each individual
programme is indicated by icons. www.internationalstudy.nl

Accreditation of degree programmes

A degree programme leads to a bachelor’s, master’s or PhD degree. The system of accreditation in higher education aims to guarantee that study programmes meet the highest standards. The law (the Higher Education and Research Act) requires that all degree programmes offered by universities and universities of applied Sciences are evaluated against a specific set of criteria. Bachelor’s and
master’s programmes that meet the criteria are accredited by the NVAO (i.e. officially recognized). PhD programmes are the responsibility of the university concerned and cannot be accredited by the NVAO.

Quality control of specialized courses

A specialized course does not lead to a degree, but to a certificate or diploma. As these courses do not lead to a bachelor’s or master’s degree, they cannot be submitted for accreditation by the NVAO. The fact that a specialized course has not been accredited does not therefore mean that it does not meet quality criteria.
The quality of specialized courses that are part of an accredited master’s programme is assured through the accreditation of the main programme. For other types of specialized courses, a procedure is currently being prepared so that institutions are able to declare that the course meets a minimum set of quality criteria.

Code of Conduct for institutions

On 1 May 2006, the Code of Conduct with respect to international students in Dutch higher education came into effect. This Code of Conduct is an initiative of the Dutch institutions, and sets out standards for Dutch higher education institutions in their dealings with international students. By signing the Code of Conduct, the institutions are offering international students a guarantee of the quality of their programmes, student recruitment, selection and counseling procedures. Only institutions that have signed up to the Code are allowed to recruit  international students.

Students from outside the EU, seeking a course at an institution of higher education that has not signed the Code of Conduct, will not be able to obtain visas. The full version of the Code of Conduct can be found atwww.internationalstudy.nl. This website provides a list of the institutions that have signed the Code and also provides information on what to do if you feel that your institution is not meeting the terms of the Code of Conduct.

Besides those universities who had signed CoC, some institutions, such as berlage institute, is called “organizations involved”,  which will receive grants from the Dutch Ministry of Culture. They are officially permitted to host foreign artists. If you’ve been selected by one of these organisations, you can o btain a visa and a residence permit for the Netherlands for the duration of your activities in the Netherlands.

Established in 1955, National Merit scholarship Corporation (NMSC) is an independent, not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance. NMSC is exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and contributions to NMSC are tax deductible by the donor. NMSC conducts the National Merit^®Scholarship Program and the National Achievement^® Scholarship Program–annual competitions for recognition and college undergraduate scholarships.

NMSC’s goals have remained constant since its inception:

• to identify and honor academically talented U.S. high school students;
• to stimulate increased support for their education; and
• to provide efficient and effective scholarship program management for organizations that wish to sponsor college undergraduate scholarships. [Read the rest of this entry...]

The National Achievement^® scholarship program is an academic competition established in 1964 to provide recognition for outstanding Black American high school students. Black students may enter both the National Achievement program and the National Merit^® program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT^®)and meeting other published requirements for participation. The two annual programs are conducted concurrently but operated and funded separately. A student’s standing is determined independently in each program. Black American students can qualify for recognition and be honored as Scholars in both the National Merit Program and the National Achievement Program, but can receive only one monetary award from NMSC.

Student Entry Requirements

To participate in the National Achievement^® Scholarship Program, a student must:

1. take the PSAT/NMSQT^® in the specified year of the high school program and no later thanthe third year in grades 9 through 12, regardless of grade classification or educational pattern;
2. request entry to the National Achievement Program by marking Section 14 on the PSAT/NMSQT answer sheet, thereby identifying himself or herself as a Black American who wishes to be considered in this competition as well as in the National Merit^® Scholarship Program;
3. be enrolled as a high school student, progressing normally toward graduation or completion of high school, and planning to enroll full time in college no later than the fall following completion of high school; and
4. be a citizen of the United States; or be a U.S. lawful permanent resident (or have applied for permanent residence, the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. [Read the rest of this entry...]

The National Merit^® scholarship program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955. high school students enter the National Merit program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit scholarship Qualifying Test(PSAT/NMSQT^®)–a test which serves as an initial screen of approximately 1.5 million entrants each year–and by meeting published program entry/participation requirements.

Student Entry Requirements

To participate in the National Merit^® Scholarship Program, a student must:

1. take the PSAT/NMSQT^® in the specified year of the high school program and no later thanthe third year in grades 9 through 12, regardless of grade classification or educational pattern;
2. be enrolled as a high school student, progressing normally toward graduation or completion of high school, and planning to enroll full time in college no later than the fall following completion of high school; and
3. be a citizen of the United States; or be a U.S. lawful permanent resident (or have applied for permanent residence, the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law.

Not now a U.S. citizen? Click here for documentation required from scholarship candidates who have not yet become U.S. citizens. (Adobe Acrobat Reader is required.) [Read the rest of this entry...]

Scholarships awarded through National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) programs are regarded as some of the highest academic honors attainable by U.S. high school students. Last year NMSC awarded scholarships valued at $52 million to more than 10,700 qualified students. Although NMSC underwrites more than a quarter of the scholarships with its own funds, most awards are provided by independent sponsor organizations.

• Corporations sponsor scholarships to recognize and encourage academically talented students, foster employee loyalty, initiate promising relationships with students, and identify potential candidates for internships and employment.
• Colleges and universities eagerly seek to enroll scholastically able students who have outstanding potential for future leadership. Many higher education institutions sponsor Merit scholarship^® awards for Finalists who will attend their institutions.

Currently, some 250 corporations, company foundations and businesses and about 200 colleges and universities provide National Merit Scholarship Corporation scholarships. All funds provided to NMSC by sponsors are used for scholarships and are tax-deductible contributions. [Read the rest of this entry...]

Prospect Airport Services is providing scholarships for deserving students.

QUESTIONS ANSWERS ABOUT THE program

Who is eligible for the scholarship?

Applicants must be full time or part time active employees of Prospect Airport Services in good standing with a clean work record, and must be must have been continuously employed by PAS for a period of one year prior to March 1st of the year of application submission. Applicants may be high school seniors, high school graduates or students currently enrolled in college. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale where available.
When does the program start?

The online applications will be available after February 15, 2010. Interested applicants may apply online at www.scholarshipprograms.org or request a paper application by contacting CSA by mail at P. O. Box 1465, Taylors, SC 29687 by phone at (864) 268-3363; or by email at ljenkinscsa@bellsouth.net.
When is the deadline for submission of materials? [Read the rest of this entry...]