Neso Certificate
29 Aug 2008
It is required by the Dutch government that after February 1, 2004, Chinese students who wish to study in the Netherlands are required to register to the Netherlands Education Support Office (Neso) in Beijing for a "Neso Certificate".
The "Neso Certificate" is a document that provides an assessment of your English language proficiency as well as of the educational degrees and diplomas that are required to gain admission to a Dutch institution of higher education.
Why is Neso Certificate needed? How will this influence your application to study in the Netherlands? And what are the exact steps you have to take? Please read this facts sheet carefully, it will answer all of your questions.
Chinese students in the Netherlands
In 2001, the Netherlands government initiated a pro-active policy to promote educational exchanges between China and the Netherlands. The number of Chinese students studied in the Netherlands has subsequently risen from a few hundred to more than 10000 by the year 2007! With over1300 international programmes and courses taught entirely in English, the Netherlands Ministry of Education, Culture and Sciences and the Dutch institutions of higher education very much welcome Chinese students to take part in the Dutch higher education system
Why is Neso Certificate needed?
With the rapid increase in the number of Chinese students as well as in the number of study opportunities in the Netherlands, it is naturally of great importance that you are able to make a choice for an institution and a study programme that is most suitable for you and that meets your expectations and requirements. It is also of importance that you possess the right language skills and educational background in order to be able to follow that programme and conclude it with success. It is the objective of ensuring that you and all other Chinese students going to the Netherlands are sufficiently qualified to pursue your studies. This way you enhance your chances to have a successful and meaningful stay in the Netherlands.
The "Neso Certificate"
Your host institution in the Netherlands will have to submit a "Neso Certificate" to the Dutch visa authority in order to apply for your Study MVV. A "Neso Certificate" is a document issued by Neso China that provides an assessment of your English language proficiency and of the validity of the diplomas and degrees. You need those documents in order to seek admission to a Dutch institution of higher education. The registration for a "Neso Certificate" does NOT replace the regular application procedures of the Dutch universities and institutions of higher education. Please note that you need to register for the "Neso Certificate" by yourself, but Neso China will issue the Certificate directly to your host institution in the Netherlands. You will not receive the Neso Certificate or a copy of it.