Undergraduate:
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Avans University of Applied Sciences was founded on 1 January 2004 following a merger of Hogeschool Brabant and Hogeschool 's-Hertogenbosch.

Avans University of Applied Sciences is located in three cities in the southern part of the Netherlands:
• Breda
• 's-Hertogenbosch
• Tilburg

At Avans around 20,000 students study 45 different courses that enable students to acquire the knowledge and skills they need to be successful in their careers and the life-long pursuit of knowledge. To achieve this, Avans offers a transparent, diversified, effective and, above all, inspiring learning and working environment that encourages self-development, knowledge exchange and mutual co-operation, where students are committed and can feel at home.

Avans University of Applied Sciences collaborates with a wide range of companies, professions and organizations as part of its teaching and research activities.

Why study in Avans?

Avans University of Applied Sciences has also been proclaimed the best major university of applied sciences in the Netherlands by the leading Dutch magazine Elsevier for already 2 years in a row.

Almost eighty thousand students at institutes of higher professional education assessed their study programmes by completing the National Student Survey. Avans has the most study programmes boasting above-average satisfaction. This puts Avans head and shoulders above the other universities of applied sciences in the Netherlands.

• Studying at Avans University of Applied Sciences means studying in a pleasant, ambitious environment with dedicated lecturers and staff, bright students, countless English-language study programmes and good contacts with the business community.
• Avans University of Applied Sciences ensures that foreign student will feel like at home in the Netherlands.
• Avans offers a professional team of student councellors to support students with all questions related studies and student life.
• Avans University of Applied Sciences arranges study buddies: students at Avans University of Applied Sciences who support newcomers from other countries.

Student life

There are several Student Associations to fulfill your student life in Avans. For example there are:

• S.V. Animoso is opened to all students attending Avans University of Applied Sciences. S.V. Animoso offers students fun and friendship during their studies in the city of Hertogenbosch. It is a society that likes to enjoy themselves with a beer in the hand.
• Alpha-Breda is a Christian students’ society for all university students. The core activity of Alpha-Breda is the weekly bible study. During these evenings students have a meal and sing together, and there is always plenty of opportunity to exchange ideas.
• Meronis means ENJOYING LIFE. And the members take this meaning very literally. Meronis is active within the Academy for Management and Administration and Legal Studies.

More about opportunities of student life you can read here

“The rest of the world is a big place”, say the Dutch, well aware of how small their country is. Although small in size, Holland has a rich cultural tradition.

The Netherlands is a kingdom. Its official name is the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Today, the Netherlands is also sometimes called 'Holland', a name that is derived from the names of the two western coastal provinces, North and South Holland.

For centuries the country has had an attitude of openness towards the rest of the world. Its cultural diversity has made Holland a place where knowledge, ideas and cultures from all over the world come together.
Although Dutch is the national language, the majority of the population (about 87%) also speaks English and very often another foreign language, such as German or French.

Holland lies on a flat, low delta and a quarter of the land lies below sea level. Because of its precarious location, it has one of the best barrier dams in the world. Several Dutch companies are involved in water conservation and land reclamation projects throughout the world.

Holland has a dense railway network that offers frequent service and is the quickest way to travel between city centres. If you live in a city the bicycle is the cheapest and easiest way to get around. Most Dutch people, regardless of their profession or status, have a bicycle.

Once you have arrived in Holland, you will discover that many European capitals are within easy reach. Berlin, Brussels and Paris are just a few hours away by train, and a short flight from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol will take you to London, Madrid or Rome.

Holland is a ‘self-service country’. The Dutch try to manage most things themselves, which makes them very independent and organized. Another distinctive characteristic of the Dutch is their openness and direct manner of acting and speaking. You will notice that you can say exactly what is on your mind. The Dutch are not easily offended.

Education in the Netherlands

The Dutch system of higher education enjoys a worldwide reputation for high quality. Experience shows that people who have studied at a Dutch higher education institution perform very well in other parts of the world. In addition, the Netherlands was the first non-English-speaking country to offer courses taught in English.

The Netherlands has two main types of higher education institutions: universities and universities of applied sciences. Universities focus on the independent practice of research-oriented work in an academic or professional setting. Universities of applied sciences are more practically oriented, preparing students directly for specific careers.

The Times Higher Education Supplement ranks 11 universities in Holland among the top 200 in the world. Holland has also received international acclaim for its groundbreaking Problem-Based Learning system. This system trains students to analyze and solve practical problems independently through emphasis on self-study and self-discipline.

The Netherlands systems of teaching and learning is based on “student-led learning”, with more practice and more career orientation. 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 majority of the programmes which are offered involve: real work placement, team projects, guest lectures and cases from the work field. It is believed that experience is the best teacher.
Financing your studies in the Netherlands

Education in Holland is not free, but tuition fees are reasonable compared with other countries.

The annual tuition fees for enrolment on a degree programme or course at a Dutch higher education institution start at approximately €1,600 for EU students. In general, tuition fees are higher for non-EU students.
Experience shows that to live and study in Holland, students need between €300 and €400 per month + accommodation which is around €300 per month.
Foreign students that would like to take paid work alongside their studies are allowed to do so.

Why study in the Netherlands?

1. More than 1,450 programmes in English. Holland is the first non-English speaking country which has been offering study programmes conducted in English and especially designed for foreign students who came to study in Holland.

2. Internationally recognized diplomas. The Netherlands has been recognized as the knowledge centre of long study traditions and well- known universities. Dutch international scientific research is placed in the very top ranks. Thanks to its high quality the Dutch education meets all standards and is acknowledged worldwide.

3. Multicultural environment. International students from all over the world come to study in Holland. The Netherlands is a unique non-English speaking country where 95% of the inhabitants speak English. This makes communication during your study in Holland comfortable and pleasant.

4. Low study costs. The tuition fees and other expenses for those who come to study in Holland from EU/EEA countries are relatively low compared to other European countries.

5. Holland — a gateway to Europe. Due to its central position, the Netherlands has been described as the Gateway to Europe. In reality, all famous European capitals are within easy reach: Paris and Berlin, Brussels and London are all situated within an hour flight from the Dutch capital - Amsterdam.

More information about studying in the Netherlands:
http://www.studyinholland.nl

Currency: €

Education: BA degree tuition is about € 1672

Accommodation: the rent is between € 350 and € 500 per month, depending on the size of the room. Gas, electricity and water are included.

Living expenses: experience shows that to live and study in Holland, students need between 300 and 400 € per month in addition to accommodation costs. The cheapest way to eat is to do your own cooking.

Other expenses: leisure, books, travel and other expenses. Bus tickets cost around €1.60 for a single fare in the city. You can consider buying a discount card for train tickets, which gives you 40% reduction in off-peak times. Many other discounts are offered to students by bars, restaurants, museums and cinemas.

Additional information regarding studying in the Netherlands: http://www.ib-groep.nl

Scholarship

Avans University of Applied Sciences is committed to recruiting talented and excellent students. Since 1 September 2009, university offers a scholarship programme for the best performing foreign students. Scholarships will be available to approximately 80 top-ranking eligible students for all Avans study programmes.

Information on how and where to apply for a scholarship, within the framework of cultural agreements between the Netherlands and your home country, or most other possible scholarships, is available from NUFFIC or the Netherlands Student Grantfinder, which provides information on a range of Dutch scholarships for foreign students.

In the Netherlands, students usually have their own room. Depending on the house where you are staying you may have to share the shower, lavatory, kitchen and living room with other students. It is common for men and women to live together in a shared house.

It is advisable to check what bills are included in the rent, as this may have a large impact on your budget. Some accommodations include gas, electricity, TV and internet in the rent, for others you are expected to pay them separately.

The website Studychoice.nl gives you information about average room rents in student cities. It also provides information about what quality to expect in which city.

Accommodation in Avans Hogeschool

There is no campus at Avans University of Applied Sciences. Students will therefore be living within the city of Breda,‘s-Hertogenbosch or Tilburg. Travelling to Avans will take 10 to 20 minutes. In the Netherlands it is very common to ride a bike to get around the city and to get to school.

The apartments accommodate 2-3 students. Each student has a private room and shares a kitchen, bathroom, toilet and sometimes a living room. A washing machine is available in each flat and all private rooms are equipped with the following items:

• Bed
• Duvet and pillow
• Bookcase
• Wardrobe
• Wastepaper basket
• Desk
• Chair
• Table lamp

Allocation of rooms

Students following different international study programmes at Avans and students of different nationalities and different sexes can be placed together in an apartment.

Cooking & cleaning

Cleaning and upkeep of the apartment is the responsibility of the student. Together with the other residents in an apartment, students are responsible for the hygienic conditions of the shared facilities.

As an international student in Holland, you might want to take a part-time job, just as Dutch students do. Besides helping to cover your costs, a job can also give you useful work experience, allow you to participate in Dutch society and make it easier for you to learn the language.

Citizens from EU/EEA member states, do not need a residence permit in order to be allowed to stay in the Netherlands, while doing their MSc. With the exception of Bulgaria and Romania and Non-EU/EFTA students, citizens from the rest of the EU-member states do not need a work permit to do a part-time job. Non-EU / EFTA should register with the IND once they have been in the Netherlands for more than 3 months. For more information consult the IND website, http://www.ind.nl On this website you will find a “residence wizard” through which you can find out about the rules for residency in the Netherlands for yourself.

Even if not directly needed, a residence permit can come in handy: sometimes employers ask for it before they enter into a contract with you, banks also ask for it when you open a bank account and other official institutions ask for this document as well. You may find a part-time job, but you have to keep in mind that you would not neglect your studies. You should keep in mind to have at least 4 months’ money before arriving as it may be difficult to find a student job.

How do I find a part-time job?

The easiest way to find a job is through an employment agency, or uitzendbureau. Some agencies specialize in jobs for students. The student affairs office at the Dutch institution where you are enrolled can provide addresses or may even have their own job agency. Of course you can also respond to advertisements or search for a job on the Internet.

The following websites may be helpful:

• www.undutchables.nl
• http://international.monsterboard.nl
• www.dutchisnotrequired.nl

Additional information about working in the Netherlands:

• http://www.werk.nl
• http://www.nuffic.nl