Choosing a degree programme in the Netherlands: how to pick a programme or degree that is right for you

Every year, many first-year students drop out of their programmes. This is often because the programme is not the right fit for them after all. Sometimes you are not yet sure which programme aligns with your interests, talents, and learning style

As a result, many young people feel overwhelmed when choosing a degree programme. That is why it is important to get to know yourself better first. Once you do, you will be better able to figure out which degree programme is right for you.

A degree programme is not just a good fit for you because you find the subject interesting. You also need to consider:

• The manner of learning

• The subjects

• The required language proficiency level

• The type of work you can do later on.

• And whether there are enough jobs in that field.

Here is an example: maybe you are interested in psychology. But if you study psychology, you will often have to conduct research, learn statistics, and read a lot of texts. Or maybe you are interested in engineering. In that case, you will need to figure out what suits you better: hands-on building or learning more about theory and maths. A degree programme that is right for you, therefore, aligns with:

• Your interests

• Your personality

• Your learning style

• Your current language proficiency level

• Your strengths

• Your hopes for the future

• The environment where you learn best: a practical or theoretical programme

That is why it is important to assess two things:

• Yourself: What do you enjoy? What are you good at? How do you like to learn?

• The programme: What courses will you take? How are classes taught? Will you do a lot of reading, collaborate with others, conduct research, or focus on hands-on work?

So choosing the right degree programme is not just about saying, "I like this subject." Choosing the right degree programme means: "This programme fits who I am, how I learn, and what I would like to do in the future."

Many people think you have to find one big passion. But it does not always work that way. Interest can also grow. Sometimes you do not really like something at first, but as you learn more about it, it can become interesting after all. You can develop an interest in something because you:

• Learn more about it

• Get better at it

• Have a good experience

• Notice that you are curious about it.

Do not just focus on what you like. Also pay attention to moments when you notice that you:

• Take the initiative to find out more

• Ask a lot of questions

• Forget the time

• Enjoy explaining something to someone else

• Want to understand a difficult topic anyway

• Often think about the subject

• Get curious when someone talks about a field of study.

One important sign is this: you keep coming back to the same topic. If you like something just once, that does not necessarily mean it is a lasting interest. But if you keep coming back to the same topic, that is something worth exploring further.

When choosing a degree programme, you often start by looking at a subject area. For example: journalism or media. But a subject area does not tell the whole story. There are, in fact, many programmes related to journalism and media. For example, journalism, communication, media editing, audiovisual media, creative business, or documentary filmmaking. That is why it is important to figure out exactly what you enjoy doing.

Are you interested in a career in journalism or media? If so, ask yourself:

• Do I want to write news stories and interview people?

• Do I want to make videos or documentaries?

• Do I want to work with social media?

• Do I want to tell stories through images and sound?

• Do I want to investigate and verify the facts?

• Do I want to help organisations with their communication?

Each answer corresponds to a different programme. So do not just look at the subject; also consider the activities you enjoy. That way, you will be better able to figure out which programme is right for you.

When choosing a degree programme, you often look at the content of the curriculum. But the learning approach is also important. Sometimes two programmes seem similar because they cover the same subject. Yet they can be very different. In one programme, you might get a lot of theory, a lot of independent reading, or classes in large groups. In another programme, you might have a lot of projects, practical assignments, internships, or classes in smaller groups. That is why Programme A might not be a good fit for you, while Programme B is. Even if the programmes are on the same subject.

So, keep two things in mind:

1. Is the content right for me? Do I find the courses and topics interesting?

2. Is this learning style a good fit for me? Do I enjoy learning from books and theory? Or do I prefer to learn by doing, collaborating and completing an internship?

MBO is for secondary vocational education. You will mainly be trained for a hands-on profession, such as a caregiver, mechanic, teaching assistant or security guard.

HBO is for higher professional education. You study for a career at a higher level. For example, as a nurse, teacher, social worker or communications consultant.

WO is for academic education. This refers to education at university level. There, you learn more about theory and research. For example, law, medicine, psychology or history.

Read more here about studying in the Netherlands and the different levels.

Sometimes you do not have to spend years just going to school first. In some professions, you can combine work and learning.

Read more about hands-on learning in this article.

1. Look for information on reliable websites

There are helpful websites that can assist you in choosing a degree programme.

For MBO programmes, you can visit KiesMBO.nl

For HBO and university programmes, check out Studiekeuze123.nl

Be sure to check the school’s own website as well. It often contains the latest information about the programme, the courses, the costs and the admission requirements.

2. Take a degree choice test

A degree choice test can help. This type of test gives you ideas about programmes or careers that might be a good fit for you.

But keep in mind: a test does not make the choice for you. Use the results as a starting point. Then take the time to carefully consider whether the programme is really a good fit for you.

3. Go to open days

An open day is very helpful when choosing a degree programme. It gives you a chance to visit the school and get a feel for the atmosphere. During an open day, you can talk to lecturers and students. You can also ask questions about the programme.

You can also attend a shadow day. During this event, you will spend a day or part of a day shadowing students. This will help you determine whether the programme is a good fit for you.

Good questions to ask during an open day

At an open day, many people will speak positively about the programme. So be sure to ask questions that will help you better understand what the programme is really like.

Some good questions include:

• Can you show me a first-year assignment?

• Which courses do first-year students often find difficult?

• Why do some students drop out of this programme?

• What does a typical school day look like?

• How many hours a week do you have classes?

• How much independent study do you need to do?

• How much group work is there?

• What would you have liked to know before you started?

Be sure to talk to students who are already in their second or third year. They can often give you a good idea of what the programme is really like.

Learn more about open days at colleges and universities.

Learn more about open days for MBO programmes

4. Take a look at the real world, too

Do not just read information on websites. Also go out and see what a career is really like.

• Visiting a workplace

• Spending a day shadowing someone who does the work

• Going to a job fair or career fair

• Talking to people who are already in the profession.

This is important because a programme described on a website sometimes sounds different from what it is actually like. That is why shadowing a student is often more valuable than just reading about a programme.

Some organisations and companies also offer their own training programmes or apprenticeship tracks. For example, at NS, you can enroll in a training programme to become a train driver or conductor

Some car repair shops also offer in-house training programmes. There, you can learn to become a car mechanic, for example. Many healthcare institutions also offer work-study programmes. These allow you to work and learn in the healthcare field.

With the police, you also combine learning with hands-on work

Choosing a degree programme takes time. That is normal. Start by considering your interests. Then choose a field of study. Compare programmes. Take a close look at the admission requirements. Attend open days. Ask for help if you are unsure. That way, step by step, you will make a choice that is a better fit for you. Make sure you apply on time so you can start your studies.