News item | 13-10-2022 | 08:46
The government wants the Netherlands to be better represented in the European Union (EU) and for more Dutch people to opt for a European career. That is why ten Dutch students can receive an allowance if they register for a master’s degree at the College of Europe. Read below about the conditions and the selection.
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What is the College of Europe?
It College of Europe (Europe College) is a university institute in Bruges and Warsaw. With several postgraduates (masters), the college is an important springboard for anyone wanting to work in the EU. View the range of master’s programs at the College of Europe (English).
What does the compensation entail?
For the academic year 2023-2024, a full master’s program on campus in Bruges and Warsaw costs 27,000 euros. With the allowance, the Netherlands offers ten students the opportunity to reduce that amount by 19,000 euros, so that only room and board have to be paid for themselves. The cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the College of Europe is planned for the next 5 years. So there will also be an allowance available in coming academic years.
How do you qualify for the allowance?
With a Dutch nationality you automatically qualify for the allowance. The college will eventually inform the selected students. Via the website of the College of Europe you can register for one of the study programs. To do this, you must submit a motivation letter and various documents, among other things. You can register from October 13, 2022 to January 18, 2023.
What are the selection criteria of the College of Europe?
The College of Europe itself is responsible for the selection of Dutch nationals who will receive the allowance. From the end of the registration period (after January 18, 2023) there will be two selection rounds. The first round revolves around your submitted motivation letter, academic and professional background, references and language skills. The second round is a 15 to 20 minute interview. On the basis of a points system, the best ten Dutch students are selected for the allowance.
Why is the allowance there?
According to the European Commission, relatively few Dutch people work within institutions of the European Union. The government wants to change this by lowering the threshold for the College of Europe. Because the EU functions best when every member state is sufficiently represented. If more people think and work from a Dutch perspective within the EU, this will ensure a better connection with the Dutch and the Dutch goals. In this way we can make the Dutch sound resound more strongly.