For years some of the Dutch secondary schools in the Maastricht Region rank in the top ten best schools in the Netherlands. Some of them have international programmes suitable for non-Dutch speakers. Two international schools in the region provide for international education: the Afnorth International School in Brunssum meeting Anglosaxon and German educational requirements, and recently United World College Maastricht (UWC). UWC was founded by merging two existing schools, International School Maastricht (ISM), and the International Primary School Joppenhof teaching the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma. Also the Maastricht Region is home to two well-regarded institutes for higher education: Maastricht University (UM) and Zuyd University (Hogeschool Zuyd). Aachen University of Technology, one of the largest and best-performing universities in Europe, is just around the corner.

Foundation for International Education in the Netherlands

(Stichting Internationaal Onderwijs)
Offers a listing of all international departments in Dutch schools, as well as all independent international schools in the Netherlands.

Language courses and other (adult) education

The Maastricht Region borders on Germany and on both French and Flemish speaking Belgium. Include the international students and you will hear various languages and dialects being spoken daily. Apart from intensive language courses on offer at Maastricht University, various institutes have classes depending on your needs. Syntra Limburg in Belgium is said to provide the cheaper options. Most cities in the region have institutions offering arts and culture education.

Schools in the Netherlands offer high-quality education. The philosophy behind Dutch education reflects Dutch society and aims to encourage students to be open-minded, and able to think and learn in a creative manner. Children have to go to school from age 5 to age 16.

Education in The Netherlands consists of the following levels:
• Pre-Primary Education
• Primary Education (Basisschool)
• Secondary Education (VMBO, HAVO, VWO)
• Tertiary Education:
   - Vocational Education (MBO and company schools)
   - University of Applied Sciences (HBO)
   - Research University (Universiteit)

Source: Expat Guide Holland