The university ranks no.1 in the QS world ranking for water management courses. That's the reason for my application to this university. Monetary-wise, the expenses are less when compared to the USA and Australia (Where I had my other admissions from). My interest always lied in wastewater treatment and reuse. Hence, I really wanted to do masters in this stream. Politically as well, The Netherlands has zero racism. You are allowed to be yourself without people judging you. The crime rates are so less that they are starting to close prisons. It was also one of the key parameters in choosing the university.
Course Curriculum :
Technical universities such as mine focus more on research and little on-field applications. It was a different but extremely useful learning. More fundamental research and in-depth scientific concepts were understood better with laboratory practice in addition to classroom teaching. We involve in academic membership which is completely different from what is found in India. We get to talk to the professionals ourselves and build contacts in the professional environment outside the university.
Exams :
Except for Aerospace Engineering and Computer Science, GRE is not needed. It is enough to clear English Language Competency Exams IELTS 8.0
Placement :
It was easy to get a job in your relevant field (pre-covid), however, you have to learn Dutch (the local language). It is possible to live without learning the language as almost everyone speaks English. But as an unstated rule, industries prefer people who speak the language proficiently. As far as research is concerned, it is possible to get a Ph.D but dutch isn't a must. One can look for opportunities in The Netherlands as well as 21 Schengen countries including Germany, France, etc. A fresher who is unmarried and is less than 30 years, will be paid 2400 euros/month (take home after taxes), for a job and 1800/month (after tax) for a PhD. Technically, you are on your own to find jobs. There are no placements as you find in Indian universities. But job markets are arranged for students. Rest are in the hands of students to get contact and interviews.
Internship :
No, I did my project in India for which I was not paid. But it is possible to obtain an internship where you'll get paid from 400-500 euros/month. Linkedin will be a good option to look out for internships or contact seniors in their respective fields for reference.
Events :
The City of Delft is around 8km and almost 70% of the city is the university. It spreads over a large area and every individual faculty has their own state-of-the-art facilities. My tracks, environmental engineering falls under civil engineering and geosciences. We have many tracks in the department and each track has at least 2 clubs out of which one is exclusive to the track and the other is multidisciplinary. Hence, we get to know the works in other departments and keep our individuality in our own clubs. We have an exclusive campus for sports which has its own gym, indoor football court, indoor basketball court, indoor cricket court, indoor badminton& table tennis court, tennis fields with both clay and grass turf, and handball and football fields. The sports center is equipped with a shower and change facility. They have a unique center for music and fine arts where students can take classes to learn European music or fusion music, learn yoga, karate, taekwondo, boxing, etc. They have a centralized ac/heating system on all campuses for the summer and winter seasons. Wifi is centralized. Each individual gets an id and password. The best part is, this wifi can be accessed in other technical universities in other parts of The Netherlands.
Fees :
Lastly, the total fees for tuition and stay per year would be 30,000 euros per year. It is 18,000 for tuition and 12000 for stay and other expenses. Other expenses can change according to the lifestyle you wish to choose. (From 8500 euros/yr to 12000/yr)
Scholarship :
No, I didn't receive any scholarship.
Faculty :
The teachers are kind and friendly. You have to call them by their first name and with no prefix/suffix (i.e., no Dr., No sir/madam). Hence, they have become more like family than staff-student. You can approach any professor/associate professor/assistant professor anytime by fixing an appointment in their free time. Most of them (once you start your thesis), would even share their mobile numbers for you to call/WhatsApp them anytime you face any difficulty. You can share any kind of professional or non-study-related problems with them or with a separate student counselor who can guide you through tough times/homesickness, etc.
Hostel :
There are no university hostels. We look for rooms outside which the university helps. It is possible to take a private studio for yourself or shared accommodations. We will be allowed to take a rental allowance upon taking private accommodation. But it is not possible upon availing shared accommodation. The rent would be 350 euros/month - 550 euros/month depending on the accommodation and living area selected.
