THE HAGUE - The Dutch Ministry of Education has issued an information folder for students on the Caribbean islands about studying in MBO or higher education in the Netherlands.
The information is intended for final exam students and students in the Caribbean Netherlands, Aruba, Curaçao and St Maarten who want to follow a course in the Netherlands at MBO, college or university. The information is about choice of study, registration and student finance.
The Dutch universities of applied sciences and universities must take into account the interests of prospective students from the Caribbean Netherlands, Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten during their selection, for example by offering the option of participating in the selection procedures remotely.
Sign Up
Students who already know what they want to study should register via Studielink.nl. This requires a DigiD, a digital proof of identity. In the European Netherlands, anyone can arrange this via www.digid.nl.
Students from the islands do not have a BSN citizen service number and must choose the option Create Studielink account without DigiD on Studielink.
The previous education can be added manually by indicating whether the diploma has already been or will be obtained and in which country. All Caribbean kingdom parts can be found separately in the country list.
For programs with selection, a so-called numerus fixus, the student must be registered no later than 15 January 2023. The final registration dates for the other programs with selection (for example, the art programs) can be found on the website of the university of applied sciences or university. Please note: the final registration date for these programs is sometimes even 15 January. You can register for the other programs no later than May 1, 2023, before 7:00 PM Caribbean time.
Assistance
Caribbean students in the Netherlands can encounter problems at the start of their studies. These are sometimes bottlenecks such as applying for a citizen service number or health insurance, sometimes it is the language and culture. Finding accommodation can also be difficult.
The countries Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten and the Netherlands are working together to make the transition smoother. In all four countries, therefore, help or guidance with the transition to the Netherlands is offered, for example by the government and/or by private organizations. Sometimes you have to pay for this, sometimes it's free.