Should I pick a Dutch research university or an applied sciences one for finance internships?

Yes, Dutch universities support finance internships in different ways, but you should not assume a placement is compulsory. Check programme by programme how an internship fits, whether it earns credits and who helps you find the employer.

How Dutch finance programmes handle internships

Points to check before you choose a Dutch finance programme

• Ask whether your programme is at a research university or a university of applied sciences, since placement requirements can differ.
• Compact master's programmes leave little room for a long internship, so look for a thesis internship option or a plan for the summer.
• Ask whether the internship earns credits and whether the university signs a formal agreement with the employer.
• Check the language needs. Programmes are taught in English, yet some local finance roles prefer Dutch.
• Read the official post-study work rules on the Dutch immigration authority website, because they decide how easily an internship can lead to a job.

My Advice

Choose on how the programme treats internships, not on ranking alone. Write to the programme coordinator and ask three things: whether an internship is credited, how many students did one last year and which firms hosted them. Their answers show what you can realistically expect.

This information is available on: rsm.nl