How should I help my child choose a study programme?

All about studying at VU Amsterdam

• How can I help my child choose a study programme?

  Congratulations, your child wants to go to university! There is a lot involved in this decision. On these pages, we will elaborate on the following topics:  

  • the conversations you can have as a parent or guardian; 
  • the different educational paths; 
  • taking a gap year; 
  • finances; 
  • ways to get to know the university; 
  • student wellbeing and why you should choose VU Amsterdam.  

  There is also a lot of information available from the Dutch government to help your child choose the right study programme. But how do you best support your child in this exciting but sometimes stressful process?  

  No stress!

  Every parent wants the best for their child. Maybe this process is new because you did not attend university yourself. Or perhaps you want your child to have as good an experience at university as you did. Keep the conversations relaxed and ask how you can best help. 

  Take a step back

  Young adults like to make their own choices and find their own way. So, if you interfere too much, your child might start to pull away and stop involving you in the process. That would be a shame, because you know your child better than anyone else and you can provide valuable input in this process. So above all, take the time to listen and resist the temptation to steer them or take charge.  

  One of the core values of VU Amsterdam is to encourage independence. When a student is making a decision, it is important that they learn to take responsibility throughout the process. If your child has a question that you do not know the answer to, you can consult the page with frequently asked questions. If you still cannot find an answer, let your future student contact us. They will learn the most this way. Our student desk primarily deals with prospective students, not parents.  

  Curiosity and wonder

  According to statistics, a large portion of the population ends up in jobs that are not directly related to their university degree. This does not mean that choosing the right study programme is not important. A study programme is a starting point, not an end goal. The best starting point for your child is to pursue a study programme in a field about which they have a sense of wonder and that constantly stimulates their curiosity. This will give you, as a parent, the best guarantee that your child will start their studies motivated and will stay that way.  

  Recognise the signs

  Think back to when your child was small and open-minded. What are some of their interests and preferences that may have faded along the way? Do you remember why that happened? These are great topics to discuss with your child when looking for possible areas of interest. Sometimes areas of interest are so obvious that your child might not see them. Then, it helps if you talk to your child about these signs. Pay particular attention to what this does to your child. Do their eyes light up and do they become enthusiastic? These are signs that your child is on the right track. A personality test can also help if your child needs some extra insight into this. 

  Conflicting interests

  You may think you have the same interests as your child, but your interests could be conflicting. You would like your child to choose a good study programme followed by a brilliant career, with a good salary and an excellent job. Your child is probably not looking as far ahead as you would like, and they don’t have to. They are primarily focused on discovering a nice study programme, enjoying student life and making new friends — all important things in your child's development. Remember, we see students succeeding the most in their studies when they are comfortable in their own skin and they enjoy studying.  

  Don't write anything off in advance

  Practical issues, such as educational costs, travel time and accommodation can get in the way of your child's choice of study programmes. First, give your child a chance to figure out what they want. Then figure out how to make that possible together. If you encourage your child in this way, it will strengthen your mutual bond and give your child the support they need so much at this stage (but often will not ask for). 

• Educational paths to VU Amsterdam

  Higher is not necessarily better. Our Dutch education minister advises that education should no longer be seen as a ladder where one form of education is higher than another, but as a range of equal opportunities in which you can still go in any direction. If your child has a practical mind, perhaps higher vocational education would be a much better starting point than university education. By thinking about this together, you can ensure that your child gets to the right place faster. The most important thing for your child is to be true to themselves and explore what they would like to do. In this section, we discuss the differences between a university and a university of applied sciences (also called an ‘HBO’ institute in the Netherlands) and the possible educational paths your child can take to study at VU Amsterdam. 

  Research university vs. university of applied sciences 

  At a research university, such as VU Amsterdam, students learn how to conduct research. They learn to analyse complex issues, substantiate arguments and write in a scientific way. Students also conduct scientific research themselves. Self-study is a bigger part of the education programme than at a university of applied sciences. A degree programme at VU Amsterdam is therefore much more theoretical than a programme at a university of applied sciences. There is less structure and more freedom, which requires an independent attitude with a lot of discipline. Another main difference is the duration of the programmes: a programme at a research university takes three years, whereas at a university of applied sciences the duration is four years. Below you can find some more of the main differences between a university and a university of applied sciences: 

  University (academic education)	University of applied sciences (higher vocational education)
  learning to do research	learning for a profession
  profession is not yet clear	profession is clear
  primarily theoretical	primarily practical
  discovering and sharing new knowledge	applying existing knowledge in practice
  skills for research and academia	skills and attitude for a profession
  fewer subjects, more depth	many different subjects
  subject matter concentrated, covered at high speed	subject matter spread out
  subject matter spread out	a lot of group teaching
  often in large lecture halls	often in classroom settings
  you will be trained for a function	you will be trained for a profession

  (Source: Studiekeuzespecial 2020/2021 VvSL (Association of School Deans and Career Counsellors) 

  Route 1: towards a VU Bachelor's programme 

  If your child likes the idea of university-based learning, they can apply for a Bachelor's degree at VU Amsterdam after graduating from secondary school (if they have a pre-university diploma equivalent to a Dutch VWO diploma). This is the shortest route to university education. If your child is unsure whether university is a good fit or is more practical-minded, they can follow higher vocational education first. Students who do not have a pre-university diploma can also apply for a university Bachelor's degree after obtaining a first-year diploma of higher vocational education (called an ‘HBO propedeuse’ in the Netherlands). 

  Route 2: from higher vocational education to a VU Master's programme 

  If your child is practical-minded, higher vocational education is a great choice. It will give them a practical basis for a profession, which involves several internships, working on multiple projects and many practical assignments. Afterwards, your child can still gain a deeper understanding of the theory behind their practical knowledge with a Master's degree at VU Amsterdam.  

  If the Bachelor's degree does not meet the admission requirements of the Master's programme, a student must first follow a Pre-master's programme or bridging programme. This is a tailor-made programme that ensures that the student becomes accustomed to a more academic way of studying and starts a Master's programme without being behind.   

• Gap year

  Most students will start their studies immediately after their preliminary education. However, there are also students who take a gap year first. There is something to be said for both choices. One third of first-year students become stalled in their first year. A gap year can help your child be better prepared to start their studies.  

  Risks of a gap year

  As a parent, you may be reluctant about a gap year because you fear it will be a waste of time. In our experience, most parents see the biggest risks as their child not spending this time well and still not knowing what they want to study or not making a well-considered choice after the gap year. Good preparation helps to limit these risks, so that the gap year becomes a valuable experience and increases the chances of succeeding at university.  

  To reassure you, students who have taken a gap year are just as successful at their studies as those who have not. Read below about the best ways to help your child reach a good decision. 

  Be a good listener

  Your child may have several reasons for wanting to take a gap year. Perhaps they need more time to choose the right study programme. Or maybe your child does not feel like attending university (yet) and does not feel ready. Whatever the reason, it is important to listen carefully and not let your objections or fears get in the way. When it is clear what is going on, you can be of much better help. Ask your child what skills they want to learn during their gap year. It may be good for your child to become more independent and responsible, to work on their motivation or mental health, to make a well-considered choice about their study programme or to earn money to pay for their studies. The question is: What is right for your child and what does your child need to be motivated from the start of their studies?  

  Make the gap year purposeful

  This is very important because this is where you sit down with your child to make a plan. This will prevent your child from finishing the year without making any progress, because a job and some travelling alone will not get you there. If your child has not yet chosen a study programme, plan time to visit Open Days or attend Taster Days. If your child wants to travel, work out together how this can be done and what it will cost. There are many organisations and coaches who can help you organise a gap year.   

  Want to know more about a gap year and how to make it purposeful? Read more at TussenjaarKenniscentrum.nl.  

• The financial side of studying

  When your child starts their studies at university, the financial side of things can sometimes be a major obstacle. Consequently, most parents these days have to contribute financially to help their child make ends meet. This is especially true now with rising prices, the lack of affordable student accommodation and the changes in financial aid. The best way to help your child is to create an overview and make a financial plan together. This eliminates a lot of uncertainty and helps avoid disappointment.  

  Main costs

  The main costs your child will face as a student are: 

  • tuition fees; 
  • study costs, such as book fees and study materials; 
  • living expenses, such as room rent, groceries, insurance, phone, public transport, sports, etc. 

  Tuition fees

  Two types of tuition fees apply to a study programme: 

  • statutory rate; 
  • institutional rate. 

  If your child meets certain conditions, they will pay the statutory rate, which is the same for all Dutch universities. If your child does not meet these conditions, the higher institutional rate applies (there are some exceptions). The institutional rate varies from one educational institution in the Netherlands to another.  

   You can find VU Amsterdam’s tuition fee rates via the following links: 

  • Bachelor’s programmes 
  • Master’s programmes 
  • Pre-master’s programmes 

  Study costs

  These costs vary from programme to programme. Please contact the study programme for more information. 

  Cost of living 

  This cost category has the most variables and largely depends on whether your child will move into student accommodations or stay at home. This webpage (in Dutch) of Nibud, the National Institute for Family Finance Information, is especially for students. It explains everything about the financial aspects involved in studying, such as student grants, accommodation, student loans, working and insurance. You can also download a handy Excel file (in Dutch) that makes it easy to draw up a budget. 

  Student grants

  Financial assistance for your child's higher education is available through the government agency Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs (DUO). Currently, the student loan system consists of the following parts: 

  • tuition fees loan 
  • student travel product 
  • supplementary grants 
  • interest-bearing loans 

  At the VU website we also provide some information about scholarships for Master's students.  

  More information about finances can be found here.  

  Application

  You can apply for a study grant at DUO. You can also find all other information you need here. Using this calculator (in dutch), you can calculate the amount of the student grant and also see immediately how much your child will have to repay after their studies. The interest on the loan is determined every year and should also be calculated into your costs. Even though this may seem far away, study debt can affect future income, for example if your child wants to buy a house. Important: always apply for the supplementary grant. DUO calculates whether your child is entitled to this grant. 

  Repayment

  Currently, the interest-bearing loan and tuition fees loan must be repaid in full to DUO after the study programme is completed. If your child graduates within 10 years, the supplementary grant and cost of the student travel product will be waived.  

  Profile Fund for students with support needs 

  VU Amsterdam has a fund available for students who need extra support, for example as a result of a physical or sensory disability (spinal cord injury, hearing problems, etc.), chronic illness (diabetes, Crohn's disease, etc.), pregnancy or other functional limitations, such as dyslexia, autism and psychological problems. The costs for this support are paid from VU Amsterdam’s Profile Fund. You can apply for this support at VU Amsterdam. 

  For more information about studying at VU Amsterdam with a disability, click here.

  Basic grant to return in 2023/2024

  The loan system is currently being reviewed by the Dutch government and there are plans to reintroduce the basic grant as a performance grant in the 2023/2024 academic year. More information will follow when there is more clarity on this. 

• What help does VU Amsterdam offer for choosing a study programme

  To best help your child choose a study programme, VU Amsterdam has created a seven-step plan with several tools:

  • VU Study Choice Check
  • Bachelor’s Day
  • Taster Day and Student for a Day at VU Amsterdam

  Look at the pages above and ask your child where you can help. Offer to go to the Bachelor’s Day together, but also give your child space to go alone or with friends.

• Discover our study programmes

  Depending on their qualifications, your child can choose between two types of study programmes at VU Amsterdam:
  
  Bachelor’s programmes
  
  Master’s programmes  

  Bachelor's programmes

  Bachelor's programmes last three years and your child can apply if they have completed pre-university education (secondary education that is equivalent to a Dutch VWO diploma). Of course, we will check whether the profile of their previous education matches their chosen study programme. Your child can also move on to a Bachelor's programme after the first year of higher vocational education. In that case, a transfer programme is available to make the transition as smooth as possible.  

  VU Amsterdam currently offers 56 Bachelor's programmes, which you can view here: Bachelor's programmes at VU Amsterdam. Of 30 of these Bachelor’s programmes, the language of instruction is English. 

  Master's programmes

  Master's programmes last between one and two years and require a completed university Bachelor's degree. It is possible to follow a university Master's programme after higher vocational education, but this requires a Pre-master's programme.  

  For more information about becoming a Master's student at VU Amsterdam, check here: VU Amsterdam Master's overview.  

  For a list of our Master's and Pre-master’s programmes, check here: List of Master's and Pre-master’s programmes at VU Amsterdam. 

  For more information on our Pre-master's programmes, check here: VU Amsterdam Pre-master's overview. 

• Open Days, Taster Days and Student for a Day

  There are three different ways to get a good idea of what it is like to study at VU Amsterdam: 

  • Open Days 
  • Student for a Day 
  • Taster Days 

  Open Days

  This is the most accessible way to get acquainted with VU Amsterdam. Join your child and get to know different study programmes and get a feel for the atmosphere. See the graphic for the dates for the next Open Day. Preparation is important to get the most out of an Open Day. Ask your child about this when they have registered for one.  

  Need help preparing? 

  Below are three links that can help your child prepare well for the Open Day:  

  • Preparing well for an Open Day (in Dutch) 
  • Smart questions for an Open Day (in Dutch) 
  • Blog with preparation tips for an Open Day (in Dutch) 
  • Questions to ask at an Open Day (in English) 

  Student for a day

  Does your child have some study programmes in mind? As a Student for a Day, they get the chance to experience what it is like to study at VU Amsterdam. Your child will attend a lecture (with other students), complete an assignment, ask questions to teachers and students, and take a tour of the VU campus.  

  Taster days

  During Taster Days, they get even more in-depth experience of studying at VU Amsterdam. Your child is matched with a current student of their chosen study programme for a few hours and will follow live lecture that is combined with a tutorial, a group meeting and a Q&A with the teacher and student. The student will also provide information about student life and their experiences at VU Amsterdam.

  In our overview of activities, you can see when your child can participate in a Student for a Day or Taster Day for each study programme . 

  For more information, visit: Student for a Day and Taster Days. 

• Safety, wellbeing and development of your child

  When your child starts studying at VU Amsterdam, it can be nerve-wracking for you as a parent. We make every effort to create a safe and enjoyable learning environment for your child, where they can be themselves and get all the help and support they need.  

  We have a special student development programme, where we do our best to make your child's time at university the best it can be. We offer various student support services, such as our academic advisors, student counsellors and student psychological counsellor.  

  There is also a Student Wellbeing Point, where trained VU students help fellow students in an informal and anonymous setting with questions about wellbeing or refer them to the right person inside or outside VU Amsterdam. You can find more information on student wellbeing here. 

• Why VU Amsterdam

  Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam encourages students to make the most of themselves. This goes further than simply earning credits. By getting a degree, students lay a solid foundation, but VU Amsterdam has the ambition of training students to become professionals who are willing to take responsibility and to participate meaningfully in a dynamic, diverse, complex and globalised society. VU Amsterdam actively contributes to important social issues for a better Netherlands and a better world. 

  Within VU Amsterdam, students themselves are responsible for a successful education, but they are certainly not alone in this. The university has mentors, tutors, teachers, academic advisors, student counsellors and student psychologists who can guide them. Teachers motivate students to get as much out of themselves as possible. Students also have opportunities to study abroad, to gain administrative experience with a study association, or to participate in debates and other interesting activities on campus.

Maybe you were looking for this as well?