IB: International Baccalaureate in Netherlands for international students

Today, many people want to visit the Netherlands, and for good reason. Food lovers will enjoy the famous Dutch dairy products, fresh fruits and vegetables, delicious desserts and seafood. The country ranks second in the world in terms of food exports (after the United States) and certainly has something to surprise and delight the taste buds of the most exacting gourmets.

If art is thing, then enjoy a pleasant stroll through the museums and exhibitions of the Netherlands. Vermeer, Rembrandt and Van Gogh all worked here.

Endless fields of tulips, rows of windmills, cozy narrow city streets - can see it all by renting (or buying) a bicycle and feel completely safe because the Netherlands is one of the most "bike-friendly" countries in the world! By the way, an interesting fact: in Amsterdam, the country's capital, there are more bicycles than people.

However, one of the most important virtues of this country is education. The Netherlands is known for its love of all kinds of educational experiments, which makes this country one of the most progressive and liberal countries in terms of education (and not only). The Netherlands was the first of all non-English speaking countries to introduce English language education and still attracts a large number of foreign students. More than 90% of Dutch people speak English fluently. Only the Swedes are ahead of them in this respect.

Relatively cheap but high quality education; the opportunity to learn in English at all levels of the education system; security and well-being are all reasons to choose the Netherlands; best schools and colleges in Netherlands with IB for or child's education!

Education in the Netherlands is compulsory for children between the ages of 5 and 16-18.

The Dutch system is different in that it does not have the intermediate steps between primary and high school. Therefore, school is divided into only two stages:

1. Lower secondary (8 grades, 1 optional)
2. Middle/High School (4, 5 or 6 years of study)

In the Netherlands, schools can be public, special, general special and private. The first 3 are funded by the state and are free of charge. Studying in a private school in the Netherlands is rare.

Special schools are schools with a special religious focus. Although in practice, they are not very different from the general ones. General - special - schools with a neutral attitude towards religion (all religions are equal).

At the end of elementary school, children take CITO exams (Citotoets), and based on the teacher's results it is recommended which course the student chooses next. It is important to note that these are only recommendations and the final decision is up to the parents and the child.

The following programs are available:

• VWO (6 years, direct to university)
• HAVO (5 years, direct entry to the Institute of Applied Sciences)
• VMBO (4 years, leading to vocational education)

The first two types of the program are subtypes of general secondary education and the third is the only type of secondary vocational education.

All 3 types of programs are combined, because in the first 2 years the children study a basic set of general subjects, while in the 3rd year they choose a profile.

Asiya Watson

Client Relationship Manager at Hult EF Corporate Education

What other factors should be considered when choosing a school, besides teacher qualifications?

Look into the campus facilities, like sports fields and gyms, and the quality of the boarding accommodations, including room conditions and occupancy rates. Consider the diversity of the student body, the educational programs offered (especially regarding diplomas and graduation), the list of universities graduates typically attend, the school's reputation, and the backgrounds of the staff. The school's location is also a key factor.

Originally founded in response to the lack of flexibility in the school systems available at the time, the IB (International Baccalaureate) Organization has grown to become one of the most respected international programs recognized in over 100 countries around the world. Many major universities in the UK and North America value prospective students with an IB Diploma. In an article in the Daily Telegraph, John Claugthon, the retiring principal of King Edward's School, articulates some of the reasons why schools around the world choose to offer the IB Diploma. He points to the breadth of the program as one of the main motivations: "IB schools believe that the old system of a narrowly specialized world will no longer work."

Many schools for IB in Netherlands, and a growing number are revising their admissions criteria to attract more IB graduates. Among other examples, Claugthon mentions King's College London and notes that 20 percent of the university's new undergraduates are IB students. If looking for an education that inspires and challenges but also requires effort, then an IB school is the ideal choice. Education experts around the world agree on the many benefits of studying abroad. The choice of country will depend on personal preference, but any destination will allow students to experience new cultures, meet international friends, create more independence and confidence, develop new language skills, promote social networks and increase future career opportunities.

The Dutch enjoy a high quality of life - and they have the facts to back it up: according to the OECD's Good Life Index, Dutch people have a life satisfaction score of 7 out of 7. In addition, the Netherlands ranks fifth in the Human Development Report, which rates countries on criteria such as long and healthy lives, access to knowledge and a decent standard of living. Important fact: Dutch children are known as the happiest children in the world! Below, will find the best International Baccalaureate schools in all of the Netherlands. 

There are several reasons why foreigners want to study in the Netherlands:

• A wide range of English language education programs
• Modern education system and flexible programs focused on informal learning process and freedom of choice for students based on their goals and interests
• High quality education that meets international standards
• Diplomas earned in the Netherlands are recognized worldwide, and the Certificate of Completion of Secondary Education provides a great advantage for applying to leading higher education institutions abroad.
• A country full of creative pioneers, entrepreneurs, great scientists, and Nobel Prize winners is a progressive leader on the European continent and is known for its major achievements in various professional fields, so it is a great pride to receive an education here!

To study in the Netherlands - a country where more than 100,000 foreigners from all over the world come - need to prepare carefully, because the educational programs here are conducted in three languages:

• English,
• German,
• Dutch.

The state's higher education system is one of the strongest, with leading educational institutions developing high-quality, relevant programs for students, while taking into account the positive experiences of other countries. Popular Dutch universities practice knowledge sharing by attracting foreign professors known for their scientific achievements, which is a great advantage for the educational process.

The school issues student visas, so it is not possible to do it . In order to prove financial independence, the foreigner must have approximately 10,400 euros in his or her bank account - this amount should be enough to live in the country for one year. If the student passes half of the credits before the end of the year, the visa will be revoked. Once visitors find a place to live, they will receive a social security number from the local municipality. Two types of insurance are required, at a total cost of about 471 euros per year.

Once have received diploma, the visa will no longer be valid: in order to stay in the country, will need to apply for another type of visa "work year for qualified specialists". It costs 641 Euros. If find a well-paying job in profession, can obtain a highly skilled immigrant visa. The cost of this visa is 938 Euros.

The price for one year of study at an IB school can start from 40,000 Euros.

There are also preparatory courses available in the Netherlands, with prices ranging from €1,250 to €15,300.

On average, a Bachelor's program costs €6,000-12,000 and a Master's program costs €8,000-20,000.