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PREPARATORY YEAR HIGHER EDUCATION

ROTTERDAM

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Table of contents Introduction .......................................................................................... 3 Admission requirements ...................................................................... 3 Study at polytechnic or university ........................................................ 4 Enrolment and intake........................................................................... 5 Programme Preparatory Year.............................................................. 6 Dutch ................................................................................................... 7 Supporting subjects and activities ....................................................... 8 The subjects of the specific program ................................................... 9

English....................................................................................................................10 Mathematics ...........................................................................................................12 Economics..............................................................................................................16

Structure of the Preparatory Year...................................................... 18 Didactics and coaching...................................................................... 18 Costs for the Preparatory Year .......................................................... 18 Other information ............................................................................... 19 Coordination and contact addresses ................................................. 20 This information is subject to alterations. No rights can be derived from this brochure. This is a publication (2016) of the project team Preparatory Year for Higher Education Rotterdam.

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Introduction If you have a diploma from education abroad and want to take up a study at polytechnic or university, you will be faced with one or more admission examinations. In addition to that proper preparation for the study is important. Preparation for and relevance to the prospective study are connected elements in the Preparatory Year. The subjects Arithmetic, Mathematics and English will be tested before the start of the lessons. Lessons start in September and end in July. When you start at level A0 it is possible to ask for another half year prolongation to reach level B2. Starting later in the year is possible under certain circumstances (more information on this on page 6). Lessons are held every day between 8:45 and 12:00 hour and/or between 12.45 and 16:00 hour. Participation in other disciplines obviously enhances the number of course hours. The programme involves on average 20 or 25 hours of lessons per week. In addition you have 10 hours a week homework. The participating educational organizations are: - Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam (EUR) - Hogeschool Rotterdam (HR) - Hogeschool INHolland

The lessons are given at Albeda College Mathenesserlaan 321, Rotterdam

Admission requirements You can participate in the Preparatory Year if you meet the following requirements:

1. In case of a temporary stay in The Netherlands you must have a valid study visa or an Au-pair visa. If you are a student from a country in the European Union and you are in The Netherlands to study you need a valid residence permit.

2. You hold a diploma obtained abroad that has been deemed to be entirely or largely

equivalent to a Dutch diploma of secondary professional education (MBO-4), higher general secondary education (HAVO) or pre-university education (VWO) and that secures admission to a polytechnic or university in your country.

3. You applied for the Preparatory year Rotterdam HBO/WO via Albeda College, the University

Rotterdam (HRO), University InHolland or the Erasmus University (EUR).

4. At the start of the lessons you have to be 18 years or older.

5. If you start in the Preparatory Year at level 0, you need to master the English, French, Spanish or German language. You also need to consider that to reach level B2 you have to go to school half a year extra, which implies extra costs.

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Study at polytechnic or university At a polytechnic or university the foreign student will be faced with new forms of education. The purpose of the Preparatory Year is to prepare you in one year (or one year and a half) for your future study. Studying successfully at a polytechnic or university requires independence to a great extent. You have to plan, study and find out many aspects on your own. Of course you know from personal experience in your native country what studying involves. But studying at a polytechnic or university in The Netherlands often means switching over substantially and therefore a lot of attention is given to this switch. The Preparatory Year also prepares you for the admission examinations of polytechnic or university that you may be required to take. Branches of study In order to meet the diversity of studies at polytechnic or university, the Preparatory Year offers 4 branches of study: - Economics - Health - Behaviour and society - Technology

Every branch of study has a compulsory basic programme which is relevant to all participants. Besides this basic programme there is a specific programme with subjects aimed at prospective studies in higher education. Studies in the field of economics EUR: Business administration/Management, Economics, Econometrics, Economics and

computer science, Policies and management in Public health organizations, etc. InHolland: Accountancy, Business economics, Commercial economics, International business

and languages, Management, Economics and Law, Communication, Business Studies, etc.

HR: Small business, General and technical services, Asian trade Management, Accountancy, Business administrative computer science, Logistics and economics, MER (= Management, Economics and Law), Commercial economics, Business economics, etc.

Studies in the field of health EUR: Medicine HR: Physiotherapy, Speech therapy, Nursing, Teacher training, College for nursing, Health

Care etc. Studies in the field of behaviour and society EUR: Public administration, Sociology, Dutch Law, Tax Law, Social History, Art and culture

sciences, Philosophy, Psychology, etc. InHolland: Cultural and social education, Social work and services, Human resources

management, Social and legal services, Social and pedagogic work, Teacher training College for Primary Education, etc.

HR: Exploratory first year welfare, Cultural and social education, Human resources Management, Social work and services, Pedagogics, Teacher training College for Primary and Secondary Education, etc.

Studies in the field of technology HR: Architecture, Electrical engineering, Computer sciences, Mechanical engineering,

Laboratory Polytechnic, etc. The above-mentioned studies are only a selection of the total number of studies. For further details we would like to refer you to the participating educational organizations.

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Albeda College organizes the Preparatory Year in cooperation with these participating educational organizations: Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam (EUR), Hogeschool INHolland and Hogeschool Rotterdam (HR).

Enrolment and intake Enrolment To enrol in the Preparatory Year, you will have to make these arrangements:

1. You make an appointment for the Preparatory Year at Albeda College. Amongst other things you will be asked to motivate your choice for Preparatory Year.

2. As a potential student of the Preparatory Year you will also have to apply to the college or university of your choice (see the list of contact persons at the end of this document). This college or university will then evaluate your foreign diploma and advice you about your admission to your chosen degree programme and about your enrolment in the Preparatory Year. This advice includes which subjects you will have to take in addition to Dutch in order to graduate from the degree programme you have chosen. This advice also includes the subjects for which you will have to take an admission examination at the end of your Preparatory Year.

3. If the advice you receive indicates that you are eligible for enrolment in that college or university, Albeda College will arrange in cooperation with this university for a declaration that you are admissible.

Intake for the preparatory year Besides the intake interview there will also be an intake test, which is aimed at measuring your academic skills and level of Dutch language proficiency. In the end the teachers will make a decision about your admission in an admission meeting. These decisions can be:

1. Start in the Preparatory Year on level A2/B1* 2. Start in the Preparatory Year on level 0 (absolute beginners)

* When there are enough participants, there will be a group starting at A2 and another group starting at B1. The intake for the subjects Arithmetic, Mathematics and English will take place before the start of the lessons. Test results will determine whether a student will be able to follow that particular subject. In order to be able to attend the lessons of a particular subject, you should meet the following minimum level in Dutch: English: Dutch level 0 Mathematics: Dutch level A1 Arithmetic: Dutch level A2 Economics: Dutch level A2 The opinion of the admission meeting relates to the subjects in which entrance examinations for higher education institutions must be taken. Registration for these courses at the College VAVO Rijnmond therefore takes place after the intake. Last date of enrollment for the VAVO subjects: beginning of September. Starting later in the Preparatory Year It is possible to start later than in September in the Preparatory Year. The enrolment and intake is the same as in September. The intaker of the Preparory Year of Albeda College will decide on your admission. In order to join with the running course the results of the intake tests should be on a higher level.

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Please note! If you enter the Preparatory Year after September you will have less time to prepare you for your prospective study. The number of (still) available places also plays a role in your admission. Registration for the supporting subjects must be settled before September. Programme Preparatory Year - Dutch language level 0 The Preparatory Year is a full time education of one year. When the starting level is A0, you probably need one year and a half. The main subject is Dutch with on average 15 lessons a week. The total curriculum of each branch of study consists of 2 parts: the first part is the basic programme Dutch and the second part is the specific programme. Branches of study Economics Health Behaviour Technology

and society Basic programme Dutch Dutch Dutch Dutch Informatics Informatics Informatics Informatics Study skills Study skills Study skills Study skills Orientation Orientation Orientation Orientation Excursions Excursions Excursions Excursions Specific programme English English English English

Mathematics Mathematics Mathematics Mathematics (university) - Dutch language level A2/B1 The Preparatory Year is a full time education of one year. Weekly there are lessons and workshops for a few compulsory subjects. The main subject is Dutch with on average 14 lessons a week. The total curriculum of each branch of study consists of 2 parts: the first part is the basic programme and the second part is the specific programme. Branches of study Economics Health Behaviour Technology and society Basic programme Dutch Dutch Dutch Dutch Informatics Informatics Informatics Informatics Study skills Study skills Study skills Study skills Orientation Orientation Orientation Orientation Excursions Excursions Excursions Excursions Specific programme English English English English Mathematics Mathematics Social studies Mathematics Economics Biology Mathematics

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Dutch Dutch lessons are provided by Albeda College. All prospective students are required to complete Dutch. Depending on your level you will start in a beginners group or a group for intermediates. Dutch (from level 0) The Preparatory Year prepares you for a study at Hogeschool Rotterdam, Hogeschool INHolland or Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam. The course of Dutch prepares you for The National Exam of Dutch as a Second Language (Staatsexamen NT2 Programma II) for these 4 abilities: speaking, writing, reading and listening. You will also learn how to plan and organize your study, work independently and work in small groups. Furthermore you’ll learn how to give a presentation before a group and how to write a paper. Besides this you will do a project with other students. All these items are relevant to your prospective study at polytechnic or university. The programme for Dutch is a Uvery intensiveU programme. Foreknowledge: Level 0 Number of hours per week: 20 hours of lessons and 16 hours of homework per week

And 4 hours per week selfstudy in the Open Learning Centre Final exam: Staatsexamen NT2 II Certificate: Letter mentioning your results of the Staatsexamen NT2 II from the

‘Staatsexamencommissie’. If you have only passed a part you obtain a certificate for that part of the Staatsexamen. If you have passed all 4 parts you will receive a diploma

Dutch (from level A2/B1) The Preparatory Year prepares you for a study at Hogeschool Rotterdam, Hogeschool INHolland or Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam. The course of Dutch prepares you for The National Exam of Dutch as a Second Language (Staatsexamen NT2 Programma II) for these 4 abilities: speaking, writing, reading and listening. You will also learn how to plan and organize your study, work independently and work in small groups. Furthermore you’ll learn how to give a presentation before a group and how to write a paper. Besides this you will do a project with other student. All these items are relevant to your prospective study at polytechnic or university. The programme for Dutch is a very intensive programme. Foreknowledge: Level A2/B1* Intake test: Test of Albeda College. If you fail this test you can be placed in a

beginners group (level 0) and than you’ll follow a restricted specific programme. You can prepare yourself for the intake test by studying Code 1, 2 and Delftse methode (the green book) – among other study materials for NT2

Number of hours per week: 20 hours of lessons and 16 hours of homework per week And 4 hours per week selfstudy in the Open Learning Centre

Final exam: Staatsexamen NT2 Programma II. Certificate: Letter mentioning your results of the Staatsexamen NT2 Programma II

from the ‘Staatsexamencommission’. If you have only passed a part you obtain a certificate for that part of the Staatsexamen. If you have passed all 4 parts you will receive a diploma

* When there are enough participants, there will be a group starting at A2 and another group starting at B1.

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Supporting subjects and activities Training of Study skills A great deal of attention is paid to the Study skills, to plan and organize your study. A number of these abilities are taught in the Dutch lessons. Various aspects will be trained for instance: proper use of memory, planning, giving a presentation, using (audio-visual) aids, phrasing questions and listening. The focus will be on practising these abilities aimed at your additional other subjects. Arithmetic Students that follow the trajectory Dutch at A2 / B1, also get Arithmetic. Arithmetic is offered at Meijerink level 2F and 3F, depending on the initial level of the student. Informatics MS Office: Word, Powerpoint and / or Excel. Prerequisites Some knowledge of Windows and MS Word is desirable Exemption Exemption is possible, at the discretion of the teacher Speech therapy Prospective students can visit the speech therapist to work on pronunciation problems. Orientation on society, study and profession This orientation is mainly directed at possibilities for study but orientation on society and profession are also important aspects of it. It will be a direct orientation by means of fact-finding visits to educational organizations, attending trial lectures and classes at polytechnic or university and information from the coordinators of the participating institutes. Conversation lessons Prospective students who reach a certain level of Dutch, can participate in weekly conversation classes. If you decide to join, attendance is compulsory.

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The subjects of the specific program For all program lines, education in Dutch, Informatics and Arithmetic is provided by Albeda College. All other courses are provided by the Rijnmond VAVO College. The specific program is consistent with the future training and the entrance examinations of the institutions of higher education. Below are descriptions of the programs of the subjects English, Mathematics and Economics. The VAVO Rijnmond College creates classes for these subjects, especially for prospective students of the Preparatory Year. The content of the classes at the Preparatory year groups is similar but will certainly differ at times. Other subjects such as Social Studies, French or German, can also be attended, but the VAVO Rijnmond College creates no special classes for these subjects. Prospective students of the Preparatory Year will be in the same classroom as regular VAVO students. Registry for additional courses at the VAVO Rijnmondcollege is only possible until September.

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English It is possible to attend lessons in English at the VAVO Rijnmondcollege. You can register until September, if classes aren’t full. Depending on prior knowledge and goal you prepare yourself for the TOEFL test or entrance exam English of the Erasmus University. English for University Foreknowledge HAVO 5 and/or TOEFL score 400 Final test Final test TOEFL / English Admission Examination of the faculty / university. The

admission of the English faculty / university consists of making a summary and writing an opinion on an English text.

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English for Polytechnic Foreknowledge HAVO 5 and/or TOEFL score 350 Final test TOEFL

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Mathematics It is possible to attend lessons in Mathematics at the VAVO Rijnmondcollege. You can register until September, if classes aren’t full and if you master level B1 for Dutch. Depending on prior knowledge and goal you follow one of the curricula described below. Mathematics A for University The course prepares for the Mathematics A admission tests of the Erasmus University. Foreknowledge HAVO 5

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Mathematics A for Polytechnic The course prepares you for the Mathematics A admission tests of the various Polytechnic institutions. Foreknowledge MAVO 4

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Mathematics B for University The course prepares for the Mathematics A admission tests of the Erasmus University. Foreknowledge: HAVO 5

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Mathematics B for Polytechnic The course prepares you for the Mathematics A admission tests of the various Polytechnic institutions. Foreknowledge MAVO 4

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Economics It is possible to attend lessons in Economics at the VAVO Rijnmondcollege. You can register until September, if classes aren’t full and if you master level B1 for Dutch. Depending on prior knowledge and goal you follow one of the curricula described below. Economics for University Foreknowledge HAVO 5

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Economics for Polytechnic Foreknowledge MAVO 4

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Structure of the Preparatory Year The school year is made up of two terms. Lessons are given weekly in class according to a time table. The subjects in the first term may differ from the subjects in the second term.

Didactics and coaching The teachers of the different subjects organise the lessons. These lessons can have various forms depending on the subject and the subject matters. Besides lessons and class discussions you will work together with other students in small groups and you will have to carry out assignments independently either at school or at home. During the whole Preparatory Year there are various tests and evaluations. For certain subjects the group will be divided into smaller groups related to the prospective study at polytechnic or university. Every student can count on assistance and coaching but students will also have to study independently and carry out assignments on their own.

Costs for the Preparatory Year The costs for the preparatory Year can be different dependant on for example the place where you live. That’s why we inform you about this during the intake.

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Other information Study while retaining unemployment benefit In certain cases you can submit an application at Social Services for studying in the Preparatory Year while retaining your unemployment benefit. In this case you can be released from the obligation to apply for jobs. Student grants The Preparatory Year is UnotU included in the Dutch Law for Student Grants. Consequently it is impossible to apply for a basic grant, supplementary grant or a student card for public transport. UAF (University Assistance Fund) A refugee student can apply for a compensation of study costs at the student asylum fund of UAF. (You can find the address on the last page). Such an application must be submitted long in advance. On enrolment at Albeda College students have to produce a letter from UAF. Rules of the Preparatory Year It is compulsory to attend the lessons and to do the homework. Regularly tests are taken to see whether you have obtained the necessary level. If the total scores for motivation, presence and/or test results are negative you can be expelled from the Preparatory Year.

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Coordination and contact addresses Important addresses and names of the coordinators Albeda College Branche Educatie Informatiepunt inburgering@albeda.nl Contact person: Janna van der Sluijs Mathenesserlaan 321 3021 HL Rotterdam Tel. 010 - 2214108 Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam (EUR) Office foreign preparatory training / Admissions Office EUR Contact person: Mrs. A. J. Veerman Room A 18 (secretariat) Burgemeester Oudlaan 50 3062 PA Rotterdam Tel. 010 – 4081786 (from 13:30 – 16:00 hour) Hogeschool Rotterdam (HR) Studenten Service Center (for admission Schakeljaar) Museumpark 40 2e floor Hoogbouw 3015 CX Rotterdam Tel. 010 - 2414049 Department Study information (afdeling studievoorlichting) Museumpark 40 3015 CX Rotterdam Tel. 010 – 2414400 Hogeschool INHolland Department Study information (afdeling studieadviescentrum) Posthumalaan 90 3072 AG Rotterdam Tel. 010 – 4392002 Service office IB-groep Postal address: Postbus 50103, 9702 GC, Groningen Visiting address: Wilhelminakade 1131a, Rotterdam Tel. 050 - 5997755 The Foundation for Refugee Students UAF Contact: Mrs. Lea Kayiganwa Wilhelminapark 38 3508 SK Utrecht Tel. 030 – 2520835