How to choose

Step 1. Think carefully about what you enjoy doing
When choosing a study programme it is important to pick a subject that you actually enjoy. After all, you will need the motivation to attend your course every day and you will spend an average of three years studying the same subject. Find out if you can study something you already do as a hobby, or look into all the options within your areas of interest. You should also determine your priorities: is your ultimate aim a well-paid job or a job that you love doing? Make a list of the things you find important. You can use the English Studychoice brochure or the Dutch version of the Studychoice brochure to do this.

Step 2. Take a test on the internet
If you still have no idea what you want to do, or you want to compare your ideas with those of an advisor, you can take an online study choice test. These tests do not perform miracles and are not always equally reliable, but they can help you to come up with some new ideas. It's a good idea to take a few different tests. There are many tests that you have to pay for, however there are also a number of free tests available.   

Step 3. Attend open days
If you get the chance, you should go along to an open day at a university of applied sciences or research university. Not only will you receive a huge amount of information, but you will also get a sense of the atmosphere and get to know the lecturers, students and location. Before you go, make a list of questions you want to ask and study programmes you are interested in. If you have a preference for one particular course, it is a good idea to attend open days at different institutions that offer this study programme. Ask plenty of questions, and try to find out the differences between the programmes at the different institutions and which is best suited to you. You can also visit a study fair in your country to see if Dutch universities of applied science or research universities are present. See the website of Nuffic for upcoming events.

Step 4. Tag along for a day
Once the previous steps have helped you to choose a number of study programmes, it is a good idea to spend a day shadowing someone who actually does the job you are interested in. This will give you the chance to see whether you enjoy it, and to ask the person all your questions about the job and the study programme he or she took in order to enter this profession.

Step 5. Talk to your careers counsellor or an advisor
If you are finding it difficult to make a choice, this is a good time to talk to a student advisor. This could be the careers counsellor at your own school, or you could contact an official student advisor. These people can usually tell you about a huge number of study programmes and have plenty of ideas. A student advisor will look at your interests and choices to help you find the study programme that is best suited to you.

Step 6. More tips in the Studychoice brochure
The Studychoice brochure is crammed full of tips and experiences that can help you to choose a study programme. View the Studychoice brochure (PDF) in English or Dutch.

Studychoice checklist

Have you done everything? Tick the steps you have completed to keep track of your progress!

O  I have made a list of things I am good at and that I enjoy.
O  I have taken online interest tests
O  I have made a list of at least four criteria that are important to me
O  I have had a discussion with my careers counsellor
O  I have someone who I talk to regularly about my study choice
O  I have compared 2 to 5 study programmes at www.studychoice.nl
O  I have obtained serious information on at least 3 study programmes
O  I have spent a day shadowing someone who actually does the job I am interested in