Students at an international school in China can apply to universities across Europe, but each country runs its own system. The Netherlands and Germany are two of the most common choices for students looking for degrees in English or low-cost public universities. In the Netherlands, most applications go through the national Studielink portal, with deadlines of 15 January for limited-place programmes and usually 1 May for others. In Germany, a US-style high school diploma is assessed against specific subject requirements, and AP exams can open direct admission for some fields. Because rules differ by country, university and programme, the official guidance for each one is the final word.
This guide from Qingdao No. 1 International School of Shandong Province (QISS) explains how applying to universities in Europe works for international school students, using the Netherlands and Germany as the main examples.
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Why Students Consider Europe
European universities attract international school students for several reasons: many programmes are taught in English, public universities in several countries charge lower tuition than many universities elsewhere, and degrees are recognised internationally. Bachelor’s degrees in much of Europe take three years, although this varies by country and programme.
Applying to Universities in the Netherlands
The Netherlands offers many bachelor’s programmes taught in English at research universities and universities of applied sciences. The Dutch government’s international study site, Study in NL, explains the steps.
Studielink and Deadlines
Most applications start in Studielink, the national application system. According to Studielink’s deadlines page:
- Numerus fixus programmes, which have a limited number of places, close on 15 January.
- Most other programmes have a standard deadline of 1 May, although universities may set earlier dates for international students.
For numerus fixus programmes with more applicants than places, selection runs between January and April, and Studielink issues ranking numbers on 15 April. Students who do not live in the Netherlands use a Studielink username and password rather than the Dutch DigiD login.
Entry Requirements and Permits
Each Dutch university decides whether a student’s diploma meets its requirements, and some programmes ask for specific subjects such as mathematics. Students from outside the European Union usually also need a residence permit to study, and the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service explains the rules on its study residence permit page.
Applying to Universities in Germany
Germany’s public universities offer many programmes, though most bachelor’s degrees are taught in German. The key question for an international school student is whether their diploma gives direct access to a German university.
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Talk to admissions →How Germany Assesses a US-Style Diploma
The DAAD admission requirements database explains how a US high school diploma is assessed. In summary:
- General admission depends on completing a set number of academic courses across Grades 9 to 12 in specified subjects, and SAT and ACT scores are no longer used for admission.
- AP exams can give direct admission to certain fields. The DAAD lists a set of AP subjects, including calculus, a natural science and a language, each with a minimum score of 3, and the AP results must come from College Board.
- Studienkolleg: students who do not qualify directly can take a preparatory course followed by a university qualification exam. Studienkolleg teaching is in German.
The admissions service uni-assist summarises the rules for US diplomas on its country information page, and many German universities use uni-assist to check international applications.
Language Requirements
German-taught programmes require proof of German, while English-taught programmes ask for English test scores such as TOEFL or IELTS. Our guide to IELTS and TOEFL for university explains the main English tests.
Planning a European Application
A practical timeline for a student at an international school in China:
- Grade 10 and 11: shortlist countries and programmes, and check each programme’s subject and language requirements.
- Grade 11: plan AP courses carefully if Germany is on the list, since the subject combination matters.
- Grade 12, autumn: prepare documents and register on Studielink or uni-assist as needed.
- Before 15 January: submit applications for Dutch numerus fixus programmes.
- By spring: complete other applications and arrange residence permits after admission.
Many students apply to Europe alongside other countries. Our guides to UK universities through UCAS, universities in Japan and Australian universities cover other common destinations.
Planning European Applications With QISS
The QISS University and College Admissions Counseling Center helps students apply to universities in the USA, Canada, the UK, Europe, Australia, Korea and Japan, preparing balanced college lists and running essay writing workshops. QISS is a member of NACAC and IACAC.
QISS follows a US curriculum with AP courses and is accredited by WASC and CIS. Students sit their AP exams on campus at our SAT and AP test center, which matters for students planning to use AP results for admission in Germany. If your family would like to talk about university options in Europe, you are welcome to visit our campus.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can international school students apply to universities in Europe?
Yes. Students at international schools in China apply to universities across Europe, but each country and university sets its own entry rules. Check the official guidance for each programme, because subject and language requirements vary.
What are the Studielink deadlines for the Netherlands?
Studielink lists 15 January as the deadline for numerus fixus programmes, which have limited places, and 1 May as the standard deadline for most other programmes. Some universities set earlier dates for international students, so check each programme.
Does a US high school diploma give access to German universities?
It can. Germany checks whether a US-style diploma includes enough academic courses in specified subjects across Grades 9 to 12. The DAAD admission database and uni-assist explain the exact rules, and SAT or ACT scores are no longer used for this.
Can AP exams help with German university admission?
Yes. The DAAD lists a combination of AP exams, including calculus, a natural science and a language, each with a minimum score of 3, that can give direct admission to certain fields of study. The scores must be sent by College Board.
Do I need to speak German to study in Germany?
For German-taught programmes, yes, and you will need proof of German. Some programmes are taught in English and ask for English test scores such as TOEFL or IELTS instead. Studienkolleg preparatory courses are taught in German.
