Academic culture

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Our academic culture is quite distinct when compared to universities in other countries. What to expect as a new student coming from abroad?

As a newcomer in the Netherlands, you will experience that many things are different than in your own country: climate, lifestyle, traffic, food, clothing and religion, for example. The education culture and grading system may also not be the same as what you are used to.

Interaction in class

You will experience little hierarchy. Your lecturers tend to be easily approachable: their door is always open! Students usually only receive feedback when the work they deliver is unsatisfactory. Not getting feedback on work done is usually a good sign. Professors expect you to work independently, also during project work. Your best teachers are often your fellow students.

Dutch people in general and academics in particular tend to be very opinionated. They enjoy a good discussion, passionately challenging and criticising each other's ideas. Your professors appreciate these inspired discussions in class, as they are usually seen as marks of highly involved and interested students.

Maya, Bachelor's student in Psychology

Asking questions is seen as being interested in the topic, not as being disrespectful towards the lecturer. It is all about the content and optimal learning. You are expected to reflect on the knowledge presented so that you develop your own opinion and look for possible weaknesses in what was presented. Also, you are expected to be self-reliant. If something is bothering you, you are expected to take the initiative to find a solution. For example, when a lecture is disappointing or there are some unusual twists in the curriculum, you are expected to discuss it openly. You have to take the first step and contact your professor, study adviser or study association for help. Waiting until you are 'rescued' will get you nowhere.

Active learning

We teach you an active way of learning whereby you are challenged to continuously ask questions that you try to answer by studying. What am I going to learn? What do I know already about this question? Does what I read answer my question? Do I agree with it? What am I missing? Are alternative solutions? What are the consequences? Memorisation and understanding are seen as valuable, but only as first steps in the learning process. More emphasis is placed on the development of your academic and professional skills.

For example, if a professor asks you a question, you are expected to actively pursue multiple solution directions, not the right and perfect solution. The process of finding a solution, dealing with new information and creativity are paramount. The quality of the actual solution is often less important.

Ten point grading system

The grading system used in the Netherlands, both in secondary and higher education, is based on a scale from 1 (very bad) to 10 (excellent). The lowest grade is a 6; 9s are rarely given and 10s are extremely rare. Grades 1-3 are almost never used.

Grade

Meaning

10

Outstanding *

9

Very good *

8

Good

7

More than satisfactory

6

Satisfactory

5

Almost satisfactory

4

Unsatisfactory

3

Very unsatisfactory *

2

Poor *

1

Very Poor *

* The grades 1-3 are hardly ever awarded and 9 and 10 are very rare.

Study credits

The workload of students at Dutch research universities, offering Science Degrees, is expressed in EC. Also named ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System), which is widely used throughout the European Union. In the Netherlands, each credit represents 28 hours of work. You need to acquire 60 credits each year.

You will be awarded ECs for each assignment you pass. Your programme assigns fixed numbers of hours to each assignment, project report or exam. In the first year, you need to get at least 45 out of 60 points to be able to continue to the second year.

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