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Pursuing your education in prominent study destinations like China and the Netherlands allows you to stand out. It is because these nations have a track record of offering world-class education via their top-ranked universities, turning you into a competent professional. If you need clarification on whether you should choose China or the Netherlands to pursue your studies, then you are at the right place. We will clear all your confusion regarding China vs Netherlands in this blog. We will compare both countries based on various aspects and grant +2 points to the one which is better in that particular aspect.
Towards the end of this blog, we will compute the total scores and the country with the highest score will be deemed the winner in our China vs Netherlands.
| Parameters | China | Netherlands |
| Area | 9.597 Million KM² | 41,850 KM² |
| Currency | Chinese Yuan (¥) | Euro (€) |
| Capital | Beijing | Amsterdam |
| Total Higher Education Providers | 3,012 | 145 |
| Total Indian Students Studying | 23,000 | 55 |
| Average Cost of Living | ¥4,047.3 | €800 – €1000 Per Month |
| Average Cost of Studying | ¥18,249 – ¥72,996 Per Year | €6,000 – €20,000 Per Year |
| Popular Job Sectors | Technology, Accountancy and Finance, Teaching, Medicine, Marketing, and Manufacturing | IT professional, Engineering jobs, Finance sector, and Healthcare jobs. |
| Permitted Part-Time Working Hours | 24 Hours Per Week | 16 Hours Per Week |
This Blog Includes:
Top-Ranked Universities: China vs Netherlands
Both China and the Netherlands house some of the most prestigious universities in the world, offering top-notch education and extensive career opportunities. Let’s see what are some of the highest-ranked universities in China and the Netherlands.
Universities in China
The table given below lists some of the top-ranked universities in China:
| Top Universities in China | QS World University Rankings 2024 | Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 |
| Peking University | 17 | 14 |
| Tsinghua University | 25 | 12 |
| Zhejiang University | 44 | 55 |
| Fudan University | 50 | 44 |
| Shanghai Jiao Tong University | 51 | 43 |
| University of Science and Technology of China | 137 | 57 |
| Nanjing University | 141 | 73 |
| Wuhan University | 194 | 164 |
| Tongji University | 216 | 185 |
| Harbin Institute of Technology | 256 | 168 |
Universities in the Netherlands
Here are some of the most prestigious universities in the Netherlands:
| Top Universities in the Netherlands | QS World University Rankings 2024 | Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023 |
| Delft University of Technology | 47 | 70 |
| University of Amsterdam | 53 | 60 |
| Utrecht University | 107 | 66 |
| Eindhoven University of Technology | 124 | 201–250 |
| Leiden University | 126 | 77 |
| University of Groningen | 139 | 75 |
| Wageningen University and Research Centre | 151 | 59 |
| Erasmus University Rotterdam | 176 | 80 |
| Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam | 207 | 121 |
| University of Twente | 210 | 251–300 |
| Radboud University | 222 | 139 |
| Maastricht University | 256 | 145 |
| Tilburg University | 371 | 251–300 |
Which Country is Better?
The comparison above implies that Chinese universities are ranked higher than the Netherlands universities. Hence, we will award +2 points to China in this round of China vs Netherlands.
Also Read: Chinese Education System
Admission Requirements
Let’s look at the admission requirements at the universities in China and the Netherlands before you decide to jump into the admission process.
Admission Requirements For China
You need to provide the necessary documents listed below to be considered eligible for admission into Chinese universities:
- Personal statement
- Passport copy
- A photo (passport size)
- Physical examination form- medical results
- Official transcripts
- 2 recommendation letters (should be written and signed by your teachers/professors and contain their contact details)
- Bank statement
- Graduation certificate (s)
Admission Requirements For the Netherlands
You have to submit certain mandatory documents when applying for admission to universities in the Netherlands, which are as follows:
- Motivation Letter,
- TOEFL results (at least 550 for paper-based or 213 for internet-based) or IELTS (minimum score of 6),
- GMAT (minimum 550) or GRE (minimum 310 to 330) score,
- Proof of funds,
- Mark sheets of Class 10, 12, and the bachelor’s degree (if applicable),
- Results of Dutch language test Staatsexamen NT2 only for enrolment for programs in Dutch,
- Two letters of recommendation (LOR) from the employer/manager (if you have work experience),
- The student must score a minimum of 75% in class 12,
- Portfolio (in case of students applying for art and design courses or architecture programs),
- Resume,
- Others (Certificates/achievements at the state and national level and extracurricular activities),
- A copy of your passport, and
- Health insurance.
Which Country is Better?
The above comparison shows that getting into Chinese universities is easier than getting into the Netherlands universities. As a result, we will give +2 points to China in this round of China vs Netherlands.
Tuition Fees
Please bear in mind the educational costs charged by the universities you are applying to so that you can plan your budget accordingly. Let’s look at the tuition costs charged by the universities in China and the Netherlands.
Tuition Fees in China
The table below shows the average tuition fees charged by Chinese universities as per their websites:
| Study Program | Average Annual Tuition Fee |
| Undergraduate | ¥15,000 to ¥60,000 |
| Postgraduate | ¥18,000 to ¥90,000 |
| Doctoral | ¥20,000 to ¥50,000 |
Tuition Fees in the Netherlands
Have a look at the average tuition costs at the universities in the Netherlands according to their websites:
| Study Program | Average Annual Tuition Fee |
| Undergraduate | €6,000 – €15,000 |
| Postgraduate | €8,000 – €20,000 |
| Doctoral | €6,000 – €20,000 |
Which Country is Better?
The tables above show that tuition costs are lower in the universities in China when compared to the universities in the Netherlands. So, China will receive +2 points in this round of China vs Netherlands.
Living Expenses
Another important factor you should include in your planning is the cost of living. So, in this section, we will compare China and the Netherlands based on their living expenses.
Cost of Living in China
The living costs in China according to Numbeo are given in the table below:
| Monthly Rent | ¥2,191.31 – ¥7,900.84 |
| Average Apartment Price (Price per Square Metre) | ¥33,742.16 – ¥58,250.61 |
| Average Cost of an Inexpensive Restaurant Meal | ¥25 |
| Average Transportation Cost (Monthly) | ¥200 |
| Average Cost of Utility (Monthly) | ¥584.12 |
Cost of Living in the Netherlands
The cost of living in the Netherlands as per Numbeo is shown in the table below:
| Monthly Rent | €967.26 – €1,817.26 |
| Average Apartment Price (Price per Square Metre) | €3,669.49 – €5,044.22 |
| Average Cost of an Inexpensive Restaurant Meal | €15 |
| Average Transportation Cost (Monthly) | €80.95 |
| Average Cost of Utility (Monthly) | €277.51 |
Which Country is Better?
The living expenses are lower in China than in the Netherlands, so we will grant +2 points to China in this round of China vs Netherlands.
Also Read: Scholarships for MBBS in China
Work Permit and PR
Countries with an easy process for granting work permits and PR allow international students to find employment after graduation and eventually settle there. So, let’s see which country has an easier princess for awarding work permits and permanent residency.
Work Permit in China
Here is how the work permit is awarded in China:
Eligibility Criteria to Get a Work Permit in China
The candidates are needed to provide the documents listed below to apply for a Chinese work permit:
- A valid passport,
- A completed application form,
- Reference letter,
- An approval document for commercial performances,
- A passport-sized photograph,
- Medical examination report from an authorized hospital,
- Clean criminal record,
- Registration Certificate of Resident Representative Offices of Enterprises from Foreign Countries,
- TEFL/TESOL certificate authenticated by the Chinese embassy or consulate (applicable only for teaching positions),
- Foreigners Work Permit notification letter issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of the PRC, and
- Issued by the Chinese government authorities for Cultural Affairs.
To receive a notification letter, your employer must submit the documents listed below to the Labour Bureau:
- Degree or diploma (legalised and authenticated),
- Your resume,
- Proof of at least two years of work experience in the relevant field,
- Verification of education or professional qualifications,
- Information concerning any accompanying members,
- A copy of the job contract,
- Verification of employment history, and
- Physical examination record.
Steps to Apply for a Chinese Work Permit
Follow the steps listed below to obtain a Chinese Work Permit:
Step 1: First of all, you need to have been offered a job proposal in China.
Step 2: Once you have successfully gotten a job, gather and prepare all the mandatory documentation.
Step 3: Now, proceed by applying for a work visa at a Chinese embassy, and make the payment of application fees.
Step 4: Finally, you will be awarded your work visa after you have completed the whole application process.
The time for the processing of the Chinese work visa is typically around 4 working days.
PR in China
You can be offered a permanent residency visa regardless of your employer or post if you:
- Make sure that you make the timely payment of your income taxes (¥120,000 or over per year),
- Get a salary of more than ¥600,000 on an annual basis, and
- Have worked in Shanghai for more than four years and don’t have any criminal record in the country of your residence.
Work Permit in the Netherlands
The work permit in the Netherlands is granted as shown below:
Eligibility Criteria for a Work Permit in the Netherlands:
- The applicant must have a valid employment contract with a Dutch employer.
- The employer of the candidate must show that the vacant post could not be filled by a Dutch or other EU/EEA national.
In case the applicants are above 23 years of age, they are required to earn at least the minimum wage.
Apply for a Netherlands Work Permit
You have to apply for a visa in person at a Dutch embassy, mission, or consulate in your country. In case you can’t do so, you can reach out to a Dutch mission situated in another country. The Netherlands work permit usually takes around 2 weeks to 90 days to process.
PR in the Netherlands
Non-EEA residents who lived in the Netherlands for more than 5 years can apply for a permanent residency.
Which Country is Better?
The above comparison shows that the process of getting a work permit and PR is easier in the Netherlands than in China. Hence, we will award +2 points to the Netherlands in this round of China vs Netherlands.
Also Read: PhD in the Netherlands
Average Salaries: China vs Netherlands
The average salary of a fresh graduate in China is ¥10,342 a month as per TeamedUp China, whereas the average annual salary for a graduate in the Netherlands is €46,665 as per WeAreDevelopers.
Which Country is Better?
The average salary in the Netherlands is more than the average salary in China. As a result, the Netherlands will be awarded +2 points in this round of China vs Netherlands.
Other Major Elements
In this section, we will discuss some other small considerations you need to keep in mind while choosing your study-abroad destination.
Climate
In China, the east, south and southwest are usually warm, humid and rainy, and the north is normally dry and windy. Coming to the Netherlands, the country has a mild maritime climate. It witnesses warm winters and chilly summers. It doesn’t have any dry seasons and sees precipitation throughout the year.
Safety
China is safe for the most part, just ensure you are aware of the local culture and know where you are going. Serious crimes against foreigners are rare. The Netherlands is known to be a very safe country. The nation’s government ensures a public alert system on terrorism and communicates threat-level changes online and via local media.
Culture for International Students
International students often report a very gratifying and great experience in China. With that being said, you may be required to culturally adapt and know the local language if you want a better experience. In the case of the Netherlands, the nation is renowned for being open to international students. Moreover, the Netherlands has a very diverse culture and its residents are very kind.
Also Read: Part-Time Job Opportunities In Netherlands
After computing the total scores, we find that China has received 8 points, whereas the Netherlands has been awarded 4 points. Hence, China has won our China vs Netherlands contest. But please bear in mind that both countries are excellent for pursuing education and your choice depends on your personal preferences and budget.
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FAQs
Ans: Yes, China houses some of the top-ranked universities that offer world-class education.
Ans: Yes, the Dutch education system receives praise globally. The country not only provides high-quality education but also a plethora of employment opportunities to the graduates.
Ans: People prefer studying in China due to its excellence in offering education, especially in the areas of science, engineering, technology, and math.
So, this was all about China vs Netherlands. Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad.
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