Information for parents
As a parent, how can you help with the process of choosing a programme?
Your child is currently involved in choosing a degree programme and that can be a daunting process. For many young people, the transition from secondary school to university is a major life event involving acedemic, social and personal changes. As a parent, you have a significant role in this. You are often your child's most important adviser. How can you help your child choose a programme? Given the staggering number of degree programmes available in higher education, your child might be unsure about what he or she wants to do.
Ask questions, remain objective and get your child to make an effort
It is important that your child takes the initiative in the study choice process. As a parent, you can provide support by asking questions, outlining situations, and attending informational activities together. Try not to form judgments, as the choice ultimately lies with your child. The more time and attention they give to it, the more efficiently the decision-making process will proceed.
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It's important to keep the conversation with your child as informal as possible and ask probing questions.
- Which subjects interest you? What makes them so interesting?
- What are you good at and less good at? What’s the evidence for that? What do you get compliments for?
- What do you enjoy doing? Can you say what energises you?
- Which degree programmes correspond to your interests and qualities?
- Which job or profession interests you? What exactly appeals to you about it?
- Would you like to do this programme at a university of applied sciences (HBO) or at a more academic university?
- Which school subjects do you like best/least and why? What do you find easy to do?
- How much time do you think you will need to spend on these degree programmes? Which other things do you want to continue doing (such as sports/hobbies/part-time job)?
- What’s stopping you from making a final decision? What information are you missing?
What else can parents do?
- You could engage with the secondary school by speaking at a careers guidance evening, for instance.
- You could have a pupil shadow you at work.
- Talk about your own programme choice and what your pitfalls and qualities were.
- Go with your child to informational activities.
- Before you go, think of the questions you both want answers to.
Selection procedure and Mandatory Matching
Programmes at the TU Delft may be subject to a selection procedure or Mandatory Matching. Some studies have a limit (numerus clausus) on the number of new students that can be admitted each year. Therefore, students are required to complete a selection procedure. All steps can be completed remotely from anywhere in the world. The deadline for application for programmes with a selection procedure is the 15th January (international and national students). The procedure differs for each programme. More information can be found on the programme page.
For some other programmes, a Mandatory Matching is required. Programmes will not always correspond to what prospective students expect. To prevent incorrect expectations, the Mandatory Matching contains a Matching Day. On that day prospective students will have the opportunity to experience (online) what a day in the life of a student is like for your programme. Once enrolled, you will receive more information on the Mandatory Matching. The deadline for these studies is April 1st for students with an international secondary school diploma. For students with a Dutch diploma, this deadline is the 1st of May. (The 1st of September is the official deadline for applications, but if you register between April 1st/the 1st of May and the first of September, the study-programme is allowed to reject your application, and you may not be able to follow the Mandatory Matching.) More information on deadlines can be found on this page.
What are the costs of studying at TU Delft?
There are many different costs involved with studying, such as tuition, housing and groceries. It might be a good idea to look at these costs together with your child.
Tuition
The tuition fee is set on an annual basis by the Dutch government. It is the same for all government financed universities in the Netherlands. The tuition fee will differ for non-EU/EFTA students. For up to date information on tuition and deadlines, follow this page. Next to the tuition fee, you will also have to get study books and materials. The costs of such differs for each study. More information can be found on the programme page.
Other expenses
Next to tuition, there are other expenses such as rent, visa, public transport, groceries, sports subscriptions and leisure activities. For a rough estimation of living expenses, follow this page. All students with a Dutch nationality are entitled to the student travel product. This pass allows students to use public transportation free of cost (during certain hours, for more information, follow this link). Other non-Dutch nationals might also be eligible. Check your eligibility. Calculating the expenses for your child specifically can be done here (Dutch website).
Students with a Dutch nationality are also entitled to student finance. This allows students to take out a tuition fees loan. Some students are also entitled to a supplementary grant if their parents are unable to contribute much to the students education. The tuition fees loan is a student debt that has to be repaid after the study is finished, but the supplementary grant become a gift if the diploma is obtained within 10 years. For more information on how all of this works and whether you are eligible or not, follow this link.
Extra support
There are multiple organisations providing extra support to students at the TU Delft:
- Horizon: Desk for studying with a disability or extra support questions
- Student Onbeperkt: (Translates to Student Unlimited) Get in touch with other students with a disability, exchange tips and tricks and collaborate with the TU Delft on policy about studying with a disability
- Academic counsellors: First point of contact for all TU Delft students looking for assistance on study related issues or coaching and training on study skills
- Studentpsychologists: TU Delft psychologists offer short-term, individual counselling
Interesting websites (only in Dutch):
Parents: https://www.studiekeuze123.nl/wat-ga-jij-kiezen/ouders
Study check: https://www.studiekeuze123.nl/studiekeuzetesten
Practical information: https://www.tudelft.nl/onderwijs/studievoorlichting/praktische-zaken
Admission and application: https://www.tudelft.nl/onderwijs/toelating-en-aanmelding