If your child is planning to study an IB programme in the Netherlands, but you aren’t sure what sort of financial assistance is available, this article is for you. 👇
The International Baccalaureate (IB) is known for its holistic, career-focused approach to education, making it a firm favourite with university admissions offices around the globe.
A world-class IB diploma often comes with a price tag, however, and some IB-awarding schools have fees rivalling those of three-year Dutch university programmes.
But geen stress (no worries), because IB scholarships do exist in the Netherlands. (And all it takes is some brains, drive, and a solid application to land one!)
Where can I find IB scholarships in the Netherlands?
Unlike university scholarships, most IB scholarships in the Netherlands are awarded by international schools.
The main purpose of these scholarships is to attract talented students who might otherwise be unable to afford a place at these educational institutions.
The good news? This means that international schools in the Netherlands are actively on the hunt for bright, motivated students to join their IB programmes — and they’re willing to help cover some admissions fees to sweeten the deal. 💸
Psst… Rotterdam’s Nord Anglia International School has opened their Academic Scholarship Programme!
Intended for IB diploma students aged 15-18 who excel “academically, creatively, and personally”, it’s an excellent opportunity to study at one of the Netherlands’ most prestigious international schools — without breaking the bank.
Here’s what schools look for in IB scholarship applicants
Naturally, scholarships to prestigious international schools come with some strings attached.
Top international schools in the Netherlands look for scholarship applicants who have:
- A track record of academic excellence: Your child needn’t be a budding Einstein, but schools want confirmation that they can handle the rigours of an IB programme.
- Involvement in a variety of extracurricular activities: Scholarship committees love well-rounded students, especially those who display passion and drive both in and out of the classroom.
- An IB-worthy personality: While an IB programme requires bright thinkers, its heavy study load means that schools will be looking for prospective pupils with the resilience and ambition needed to ace their courses.
- A killer application: Beefing up your child’s academic results with a strong motivation letter and glowing references from their current school will help impress scholarship-awarding bodies.
If you’re helping your child with their IB scholarship applications, don’t be afraid to stand out from the crowd! This is one programme that rewards out-of-the-box thinkers, especially those with results that demonstrate what an asset they’d be to a future school.
What are your best tips for nailing IB scholarship applications? Tell us all about them in the comments below!