<p>Actually I think a lot of people do recognize Holland’s strength in academics. I mean, the fact that university students are pretty much all in the top 10% of their reference group generally means that those in university really are quite capable. It’s not like Canada (and the US?) where about 50% of high school grads go to university after.</p>
<p>Dutch universities do well in international rankings, and Amsterdam is absolutely overflowing with international students and grad students all over the place. As far as I know, Amsterdam is best known for its faculty of economics (top 10 in Europe, top 50 in the world). It’s also well known for math and law, and apparently other stuff too that i’m not familiar with.</p>
<p>I think you’re right about how for most programs in the Netherlands if you meet the requirements then you’re in. There are a few programs though that are competitive. In my program everyone seems to be gunning for top grad schools. 80% of the class is international students and all the classes are taught in English. The application process requires an entrance exam, and all short-listed applicants are interviewed by the program director. And of course they look at your grades too. Other programs that are competitive are the M.Phil at the Tinbergen Institute, and a few programs at Erasmus, Utrecht and Leiden I think. </p>
<p>I can understand foreigners not wanting to study at Erasmus though. I find 98% of Rotterdam absolutely hideous. That includes the university. I mean, I can’t really imagine anyone choosing Rotterdam over Amsterdam except if they want to study medicine or business. But Amsterdam does have recruitment events with all the big 4 accounting firms, top consultancies and also investment banks.</p>
<p>Funding at Dutch unis varies a lot by department I think. Some faculties at my school are immaculate, while others look much less impressive. That’s just physically, but I imagine it is somewhat a reflection of the overall amount of money available in different faculties.</p>
<p>A lot of the foreign students who come to Amsterdam come for the drugs, but some are into the history and culture too. Sometimes it seems like UvA has half the foreign students in the entire country, because there really are tons. I think most exchange students who come pick Amsterdam because the city is so famous though, not really because of the school. Also it’s probably the only Dutch city most Americans and Canadians have heard of. The UvA campuses also happen to be situated downtown next to canals, and it’s about 400 times nicer than the VU.</p>