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For Dutch students

Does studying in English sound exciting to you? On this page you will find what to expect, the differences with a Dutch-taught programme, and how to decide which option suits you best.

See all English-taught programmes

What to expect

If you choose an English-taught programme, your lectures, projects and exams will all be in English. You will be in an international classroom with students from many different countries. This means you work together with other cultures and learn to look at things from new perspectives. Your English will improve quickly, often already in the first months.

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The benefits and the challenges

An English-taught programme offers many opportunities: you develop your language skills, build an international network and prepare for a labour market where English is becoming more and more important. Of course, it can also be exciting and challenging at the start. Reading academic texts, writing reports or giving presentations may take extra energy until you get used to it.

Benefits

  • Your English improves every day
  • You build an international network
  • You prepare for a global career

Challenges

  • Studying in another language takes extra energy
  • Reading and writing in English may take more time
  • Presenting in English van feel difficult at first

Frequently asked questions from Dutch students

With a havo or vwo diploma, your English is usually at the right level to start. In some cases, a language test is required. If you are unsure, there are options for extra support.

Most students find it fun and very interesting. Everyone needs to adjust to a new language and environment, so you are not alone. Many students make friends quickly because they share the same experience.

An English-taught programme opens doors. You can work at international companies in the Netherlands or abroad. Employers value the fact that you speak fluent English and have experience in an international environment.

How to make your choice

Think about your future and what gives you energy. Do you want to work abroad, or at an international company in the Netherlands? Do you enjoy speaking English and want to improve your skills? Then an English-taught programme might be the right fit for you.
Would you prefer a familiar start with more focus on the content than on the language? Then a Dutch-taught programme might be the better choice.

Next step: explore our programmes

Whichever path you choose, Fontys offers high-quality education and plenty of opportunities. The most important thing is to choose a study that feels right for you.

See all English-taught programmes See all Dutch-taught programmes

Having the chance to work with people from all over the world makes you more open-minded and better prepared for international work.

Yassine

Dutch student who chose to study in English

My name is Yassine, and I was born and raised in the Netherlands. I chose to study in English because I wanted to experience a new way of studying and challenge myself in an international environment. I also preferred the teaching style in an English programme, as it gave me more structure and freedom that really fit my needs.

When school started, I realised that the environment was completely different from what I was used to. Instead of a class full of Dutch-speaking students with a lot of similarities, I found myself in an international class with a lot of variety. In the end, this made me enjoy school much more, because I got to know many classmates from all around the world and even had the opportunity to work on group projects with them.

The moment you get to know your classmates, you feel more comfortable, and you start learning about new cultures without even realising it. The way others behave, think, and work can really surprise you in a good way. For me, it feels so natural and even nicer to be able to work with people from different cultures and countries. You even get used to speaking English all the time—even with fellow Dutch students. After the first year, it already felt like a normal school life. Fontys provides a lot of open spaces and projects, so you can always work together. In my opinion, it is a great experience to be able to study with such a diverse group of classmates.

Without a doubt, I have learned so much from them. The way they think about things and how they work in their own countries can really be an eye-opener. It is also a valuable experience for the future. Having the chance to work with people from all over the world makes you more open-minded and better prepared for international work. I am really enjoying school, and a big part of that is because of the people I study with. I know this will benefit me for sure.

The only thing that really surprised me was how many international students Fontys has, even from Asia and America. At first, I did not expect that. Most classes do not have many Dutch students, so you are really mixed with internationals. It can be a little challenging in the beginning to get used to speaking only English to your classmates and also to the non-Dutch teachers. Sometimes you forget a word or cannot explain something well, but those are the moments you learn the most. That is why I would recommend considering this option, because it has many benefits and is a great experience overall.