Dutch Gateways to Employment Cork

In response to the increasing interest of Irish students in taking up the many opportunities to study, through English, in the Netherlands, nine of the Dutch Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) are visiting Cork and Dublin in May. These universities offer programmes in:

Physiotherapy
Game Design
Business
Law
IT
Engineering
Art & Design
Primary School Teaching
Hotel Management
Life Sciences
Global Management
Music
Music & Media Management
and many more

The Dutch Gateway events are evening events, commencing at 18.30, though students (and their families) are welcome to come later, and comprise:

18.30 – 19.30 Opportunity to meet universities 1:1 in a mini-exhibition
19.30 – 20.45 Presentations on Studying in the Netherlands
(inc Q & A session with universities and Irish students currently studying in the Netherlands)
20.45 – 21.30 Further opportunities to engage 1:1 with universities

The following universities will be attending: Hague UAS, HAN UAS, Hanze UAS, HZ UAS, InHolland UAS, Rotterdam Business School, Saxion UAS, Stenden UAS and Windesheim UAS.

Programmes in the UAS are overtly employment-focused with a much more practical, hands-on, project-based style than the more academic programmes at research universities. The UAS programmes usually include one or two internships. Irish students on these programmes are enjoying an approach to education that, though less academic and more practical, is still very high in quality.

Entry requirements are reasonable – 6 passes at Leaving Cert (2 at H4 or 2 ot H5): reflecting students’ right to an education in mainland Europe and sidestepping the need to obsess about Leaving Cert points. Importantly, students with a relevant QQI/FETAC Level 5 qualification qualify for degree programmes at UAS.

Tuition fees are low: Eur 2006 p.a., with a 35-year low-interest loan form the Dutch government, to pay these fees. There are other loans/grants available for living expenses. Also, if you qualify for a SUSI Maintenance Grant, you can take it with you. This all ensures that it is often less expensive to study in the Netherlands, than in Ireland.

So, if you are interested in a programme that directly prepares you for the employment markets of the 21st century, programmes which you have the right to join and can afford to attend, it is certainly worth considering the Universities of Applied Sciences.