In Part One of this series, I introduced what makes universities in the Netherlands such a compelling option for international students, and shared my firsthand visits to the Hotel School of The Hague, Leiden University, Utrecht University, and Erasmus University Rotterdam. If you haven’t read that yet, start there — it provides important context for understanding how the Dutch system works.
In Part Two, we continue the tour. And honestly, some of the most memorable stops were still ahead.
What You Need to Know Before We Dive In
One of the things that strikes families most when they begin exploring English-language universities in the Netherlands is the sheer variety. This is not a one-size-fits-all system. Liberal arts and sciences colleges, research universities, applied science universities, and technology powerhouses all coexist within a relatively small country — and each serves a distinctly different kind of learner. By the end of this post, I hope that picture becomes much clearer.
University College Roosevelt: A Hidden Gem in a Medieval City
Wednesday began with one of the most delightful surprises of the entire tour: University College Roosevelt, part of Utrecht University, located in the charming city of Middelburg. We were welcomed into the historic city hall — construction began in 1452, completed in 1520, and still considered one of the finest Gothic buildings in the Netherlands. The university college itself is dispersed throughout the town, which gives the entire experience a wonderful sense of place.
What impressed me most, as it did throughout the week, was the quality of student engagement. We finished the evening in a medieval banquet hall, and my dinner partner was a student from Spain who spoke at length about why he is extremely happy with his decision to study there. I left genuinely excited to tell one of my own students about it; I can already picture her there.
For families exploring English-language universities in the Netherlands, University College Roosevelt belongs on the radar — particularly for students who want a tight-knit, intellectually rigorous community in a setting that feels nothing like a typical university campus.
HZ University of Applied Sciences: Experiential Learning at Its Best
Wednesday afternoon introduced us to a completely different kind of institution — HZ University of Applied Sciences. This was a revelation. Experiential learning is front and center here, and the students I met enthusiastically walked each of us through their current projects and future goals. Two internships are required during the program, and graduate employment rates are remarkable among those who choose to enter the workforce directly.
For students who learn by doing — who thrive in labs, real-world projects, and professional environments rather than lecture halls — HZ is exactly the kind of English-language university in the Netherlands that often gets overlooked in favor of more well-known research institutions. It shouldn’t be.
Tilburg University: Where Modern Architecture Meets Academic Depth
Thursday morning we made an early start for Tilburg University, and it turned out to be another gem. The campus is genuinely stunning — modern architecture integrated seamlessly with the surrounding forest in a way that feels intentional and alive. Strong programs in business, economics, data science, law, public governance, social sciences, and the humanities make Tilburg a serious academic destination for students who want intellectual depth in a beautiful, less urban setting.
This is not a university that gets talked about as much as it deserves among international families. Tilburg is worth knowing about.
Eindhoven University of Technology: A STEM Powerhouse in Europe’s Brainport
That afternoon — through sun, rain, hail, and snow, all in the same few hours (very Dutch) — we visited Eindhoven University of Technology, known as TU/e. This is a research university with serious credentials in STEM fields and a deep, symbiotic relationship with the high-tech companies clustered in the Eindhoven region, often called Europe’s “brainport.”
The numbers speak for themselves: 57% of the student body is international, drawn from around the world by TU/e’s Challenge-Based Learning model and its exceptional graduate employment outcomes. For international students pursuing engineering, technology, or data-driven fields, this is one of the most compelling English-language universities in the Netherlands — and arguably in Europe.
University College Maastricht: Problem-Based Learning in One of Europe’s Most Charming Cities
Our final stop on Friday was University College Maastricht, and the city itself made an immediate impression. Maastricht has a reputation for charm, and it fully delivered. The university college is woven into the fabric of the city, with cobblestone streets, church bells, and centuries of history as the daily backdrop — alongside very modern research facilities that form part of Maastricht University.
We had the opportunity to participate in a Problem-Based Learning simulation, and it was one of the most powerful illustrations of active, student-driven education I have encountered. Students are challenged to engage, think critically, and collaborate in ways that many traditional university settings simply don’t demand. I came away thinking of specific students for whom this model would be genuinely transformative.
If your student dreams of walking to class along cobblestone streets and learning in an environment that challenges them to think differently, Maastricht belongs on your list.
The Student Who Thrives in the Dutch System — And the One Who Doesn’t
This is perhaps the most important section of this two-part series, and I can only speak to it confidently because I’ve now spent significant time on these campuses talking to real students.
The student who does best at English-language universities in the Netherlands is highly independent, self-motivated, intellectually curious, and proactive. Dutch universities expect maturity — in academics, in living situations, and in navigating life in a foreign country. The students I met who were genuinely thriving shared those qualities, along with an openness to diversity, new experiences, and building a life in a different culture.
The student who will struggle is the one who needs significant structure and institutional support, who finds living abroad genuinely destabilizing, or who requires a high level of learning or mental health support. The Dutch public system can involve long waits for services, and students who need consistent, accessible support should weigh that carefully before committing.
This is exactly the kind of honest, nuanced guidance that gets lost in brochures and rankings — and exactly why firsthand research matters.
What This Means for Your Family
The Netherlands offers some of the most diverse and underrated English-language university options in Europe — from medieval liberal arts and sciences colleges to STEM research powerhouses to experiential applied science programs. No single institution is right for every student, and the differences between them are significant enough that choosing without guidance is a real risk.
If your student is internationally mobile, academically motivated, and open to a European university experience, this is a conversation worth having.
This is Part Two of our series on English-language universities in the Netherlands. Read Part One here. Ready to explore whether the Netherlands belongs on your student’s list?
Written by Rebecca Grappo, founder and International University Counselor at RNG International Educational Consultants. Rebecca has visited universities across the United States, Europe, the UK, and beyond, bringing firsthand knowledge — not assumptions — to every family she serves.
