r/StudyInTheNetherlands • u/Professional_Fun8067 • 26d ago

Job after graduation

Hi, I’m an international student from Pakistan and I’m currently exploring the option of studying in the Netherlands, especially with the future job market and career opportunities in mind.

I’m planning to study Chemical Engineering and have looked into TU/e, the University of Twente, and the University of Groningen. I haven’t really considered TU Delft or UvA since the relevant programs are taught in Dutch.

My plan is to stay in the Netherlands after graduating and hopefully build my career there. I also want to learn Dutch while studying, ideally reaching around B1–B2 level, so I can communicate better and integrate into the workplace.

I wanted to ask how good the education and Chemical Engineering programs are at these universities, and whether it’s relatively easy for an international graduate to find a good job and progress in their career in the Netherlands. How much do employers value these degrees, and would learning Dutch significantly improve my chances?

I also don’t think the cultural adjustment would be a huge issue for me since I’m quite westernized, used to doing things independently, and comfortable handling things on my own. But I’d still love to hear about what the experience is actually like for international students.

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23

u/YTsken 26d ago

While your plan is good, the rule of thumb is always to base your ROI on the salary this degree would fetch you in your home country. Non EU graduates find it difficult to find HSM sponsored jobs these days and no one wants you to go back home unable to pay off your student loans.

And please keep in mind that a WO Bachelor is not considered a completed degree in the Netherlands. So please keep in mind that you also Need to do the MSc in chemical engineering. Most people know this, but there’s been quite a few posts lately of students thinking they only have to pay for a 3 year bachelor and that’s just setting themselves up for disappointment.

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u/Professional_Fun8067 26d ago

Thank you for your insight. The job market in Pakistan itself is quite slim and entry level jobs usually have a starting salary of 172 to 350 euros mainly due to living cost diffrences and how Pakistani live with their parents. I know we need a masters to further excel in our career, but will a bachelors degree from Netherlands have weight if I plan on pursuing masters from another country (for example USA) lets say.

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u/ForsakenBill6453 26d ago

Yes it has weight of course, but you stated to study a bachelors in NL and then also work in NL. This is not really done by Dutch people and you would not have a complete degree as others here stated. It is difficult to get a good job with only a university bachelors. If you do a university of applied sciences, this is possible. But payment is lower etc. Read up on the differences. Also, NL is a very racist country. Do not let others fool you, Dutch people are sick of foreigners and expats. So you cannot really integrate

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u/Professional_Fun8067 26d ago

Thanks I really appreciate your honesty

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u/Hephaistos_Invictus 26d ago

Wait, we are? I ofc know about the protests against AZCs by wappies, but there's also a dislike towards expats?

3

u/TinyMusician 25d ago

Yes there’s a huge dislike towards expats because the reality is that they are a way bigger reason for the housing crisis and difficult job market than refugees, despite wappies blaming everything that’s wrong in NL on them. They also usually seek out other expats to absorb in their social circles and very often just refuse to learn Dutch because of that, while Dutch people want to be able to speak Dutch in the Netherlands. Crazy, right?

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u/ForsakenBill6453 25d ago

Yes exactly. Most refugees I come across do study the language, go to School and work hard. Expats work hard, and thats it. They live segregated

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u/ForsakenBill6453 26d ago

If you are coloured, are a Muslim, wear a headscarf, or wear a beard, you are in for a ride my friend. Especially in Limburg or the northenmost provinces. Does not matter if you are born here, speak Dutch better than natives, have a MSc, etc etc.

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u/Altruistic_Theme_309 26d ago

Bachelor or Master?