Studying Political Sciences in the Netherlands means studying in international cities such as Maastricht, wherein 1993 the agreement that founded the European Union was signed, and The Hague home to several organizations including the EUROPOL and the International Court of Justice.
Studying Political Sciences in the Netherlands means studying in innovative and inclusive universities that are continuously improving their services and adapting themselves to new challenges such as being sustainable.
Studying Political Sciences in the Netherlands means studying in universities that consistently show their commitment to inclusion and diversity. Maastricht University for example offers Diversity and Inclusivity Grants and within its building, there are gender-neutral bathrooms.
Finally, studying Political Sciences in the Netherlands means that you will have an excellent academic preparation considering that all the research universities (WO) offer a combination of substantive, qualitative, and quantitative skills courses.
Dutch Universities hence represent the perfect solution if you want to pursue an English- taught undergraduate study at a reasonable price.
However, what would studying Political Sciences in the Netherlands look like?
In the Netherlands, international students account for 23% of the total student body therefore you will certainly meet people from many different parts of the world and build many friendships. Most of the universities implement a bottom-up approach to learning, in which seminars are predilected over frontal lectures.
Characteristic of Maastricht University is the Problem-Based Learning system, in which for all courses students have tutorials, namely small working groups of 10-15 students. Every student, therefore, has the possibility and should contribute to the discussion which is only monitored by the teacher. In this way, not only you will learn to be more proactive but also to work independently and within a team.
Now that you feel ready to move and study in the Netherlands, do you meet the admission requirements? Let’s check it together!
First, it is necessary to have a Diploma that matches specific criteria; thus, you must check on the university website which diploma is accepted from the country you are from. Nevertheless, universities are very inclusive and some of them such as Maastricht University still offer students the possibility to qualify by passing an entrance exam even if they do not have the required diploma.
Second, since you are going to study in English having at least a B2 level is indispensable to be able to understand the readings you will be assigned to and follow the lectures. Yet, the specific requirements depend on the university. Some universities, such as Maastricht University do not ask you for a certificate when applying if you had English in high school.
However, a test will be conducted during the first week of the studies to certify your English level is good enough. I believe this method to be quite user-friendly, considering that English certifications may be expensive for some people, or maybe during your last year of high school you as a full-time student do not find the time to follow an English course.
And after this political sciences bachelor’s degree?
An undergraduate degree in politics from a Dutch university will not only equip you with a diploma from some of the most competitive universities in the world but definitely with strong analytical skills that are desirable to enter the job market.
You will be more than prepared to follow a master’s degree or even directly enter the job market in several fields. You could both work in the private or public sector, become a politician, a policy advisor/analyst, or even a consultant.
The most important thing is to build your expertise in a field you are passionate about, be it agriculture or trade policy. Finally, you need to be committed to the reach of your personal, academic, and career goals! Studying Political Sciences in the Netherlands means studying in an international and stimulating environment that pushes you to your limits!
Are you ready for this challenge?