11 Medical Schools in the Netherlands for International Students

Several medical schools within the Netherlands take in international students; programs are often taught in English, especially those tracks for international students studying medicine. Here are some major universities:

Medical Schools in the Netherlands for International Students

1. University of Groningen

Program: Bachelor of Medicine-International Track in Medicine, ITM

Language: English

Overview: This is one of the few Dutch universities offering a full English-taught Bachelor’s degree in Medicine. Admission is highly competitive, but the program at this university is open for application to international students. This ITM is followed by a Master’s program taught in Dutch that the students must complete to be fully qualified doctors in the Netherlands.

Website: University of Groningen – ITM

2. Maastricht University

Program: International Track in Medicine

Language: English

Overview: The Medicine program is provided as an international Bachelor’s course. In order to practice medicine in the Netherlands students follow the Master’s in Dutch—problem-based learning with an international approach.

Website: Maastricht University – Medicine

3. Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC)

Program: Bachelor and Master in Medicine, language Dutch is required after Bachelor’s

Language: English-initial Bachelor’s, Dutch Master’s

Overview: LUMC does offer an international perspective during the Bachelor’s phase, but the entire program and medical practice training are in Dutch.

Website: Leiden University Medical Center

4. Radboud University Nijmegen

Program: Medicine, bachelor’s and master’s

Language: The primary language is Dutch, but some courses may be in English.

Overview: International students are welcomed, but proficiency in Dutch is required to progress in clinical training and internships.

Website: Radboud University

5. Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU)

Program: Medicine, bachelor’s and master’s

Language: The primary language of instruction is Dutch.

Overview: The Bachelor’s curriculum subjects are taught in English, but during the clinical training, students need a high proficiency in Dutch.

Website: Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

6. University of Amsterdam (UvA) – Amsterdam UMC

Program: Medicine (Bachelors and Masters)

Language: Mainly Dutch

Overview: A complete medical program, starting with the Bachelor’s and going on to the Master’s degrees, is provided at the University of Amsterdam together with Amsterdam UMC. The Bachelor’s degree may have some parts taught in English, but clinical training and further continuation toward the Master’s phase need fluency in Dutch.

Website: University of Amsterdam – Amsterdam UMC

7. Erasmus University Rotterdam – Erasmus Medical Center

Program: Medicine – Bachelor’s/Master’s

Language: Dutch

Overview: Erasmus Medical Center is one of the most prestigious medical schools in Europe. In general, the program is taught in Dutch; thus, international students must provide evidence of passing the Dutch proficiency test. A few opportunities exist for international students through exchange programs.

Website: Erasmus MC

8. Utrecht University – University Medical Center Utrecht (UMC)

Program: Medicine – Bachelor and Master

Language: Dutch

Overview: A good quality of education in medicine is provided within Utrecht University, but the whole program is in Dutch. International students need to learn Dutch, especially for clinical traineeships and internships.

Website: UMC Utrecht

9. Tilburg University – Collaboration with Maastricht University

Program: Global Health Bachelor Language: English

Overview: Tilburg University has a Bachelor’s program in Global Health in collaboration with Maastricht University. While this is not a medical program per se, it does deal with public health issues around the world, and students can then go into more specialized graduate programs either in medicine or public health.

Website: Tilburg University

10. Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (HvA)

Program: European School of Physiotherapy

Language: English

Overview: Not a full medical school, but HvA does offer one specific English-taught Bachelor’s degree that may be of interest to students considering health-related programs; it’s a Physiotherapy major. This is closer to physical therapy than general medicine.

Web page: HvA – Physiotherapy

11. Hanze University of Applied Sciences – Groningen

Course: European Master in Sustainable Energy System Management

Language: English

Summary: Hanze UAS doesn’t have a full medical program, but it has many health-related degrees like Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy. It’s also a good option when someone wants to pursue international studies related to health.

Website: Hanze UAS

The extra options below have health-related fields or double collaborations that could be suitable for international students, mainly those who would like to study in Dutch and/or start with health-related programs other than traditional medical tracks.

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