Transitioning from HBO to WO master for international/foreign students
As a 1,5 generation immigrant, I find the Dutch Education system complex. It takes a long duration of time to finish high school/university for foreigners due to language, cultural and educational level barriers. Also, once you fall under a professional level rather than an academic degree which is a small university/group compared to the academic universities. It can be challenging to do an academic master for all international/foreign and Dutch native student. I will share my opinion as a Business Administration graduate.
Language & cultural barriers
By language barriers meaning that foreigners that do not speak Dutch coming outside of the Netherlands except for Dutch speakers from Canada, Indonesia, Surinam, South Africa and Vlanders. In my experience language and cultural barriers can be learned within three years of education in the Netherlands in high school or college. However, it takes longer for some due to lack of support and clarity in the education style. For someone like me with loads of supportive system from my Dutch family, I can integrate pretty fast.
Difference between HBO & WO
In the Netherlands, there are two different types of bachelor which are the HBO (professional and practical bachelor) and WO (scientific and theoretical bachelor). Both diplomas can allow students to do an academic master or professional master in the Netherlands and abroad. The most robust entry requirement is the academic master (WO).
The majority of students fall under the HBO level, and ambitious students that want to pursue a WO master are mostly restricted due to the impossible entry requirements. I am an HBO student that has gone through a stringent process of applying for masters and pre-master.
I have gathered some tips for students struggling to find the right masters.
Pre-master – Master Tips
- Firstly, be mentally prepared. Accept that the master takes between 2 years for HBO/WO students. For lenders, a two years masters mean an increase in student debt which might decrease your chancing in the housing market to get a mortgage. Although, there are some institutions that may provide some extra guidance https://www.fx.nl/blog/starter-op-de-huizenmarkt-dit-is-wel-mogelijk.
#Tip 1: Try to take a gap year to save and explore during those gap year while working.
- Sometimes it could take less than two years if you have a GMAT score of >550 or had done an academic minor. (Mindful GMAT has the cheapest GMAT preparation course with discounts). Applied science universities such as Zudy, hotel school Rotterdam or Breda Hogescholen offer these academic minor. Based on my research Maastricht University and Twente University accept a GMAT as the only entry requirement to pursue a master.
#Tip 2: Practice hard and get used to GMAT questions immediately
- To follow a pre-master HBO’ers need to have an average >7,5, which gives you higher perks so work hard during your 2 – 4 years because of the GPA counts from there. It is required by universities such as Utrecht University, University of Amsterdam and Erasmus University. Erasmus university accepts students to the program with a lower GPA an exception is done if one has a GMAT score of >600 or do a pre-master from another public university to gain admission there. Other universities without 7,5 gpa are universities such as Open University, Tilburg University, Radboud University, University of Groningen and Twente University.
#Tip 3: Work very hard during your 2nd & 3rd year to raise keep a GPA of >7,5
- Don’t choose a university because of its locations, your current job, or duration of study because it would be overwhelming to make a choice. Please make a choice based on what you are passionate about and on study that matches your HBO diploma.
Authentic You 