Another Dutchie here. I'd go for the degree if you have no real immediate need to start making some money. I did my CS degree at the UvA (graduated in '07) and

Another Dutchie here. I'd go for the degree if you have no real immediate need to start making some money. I did my CS degree at the UvA (graduated in '07) and enjoyed every moment of it. Worked quite a bit on the side too (so you can actually make some money). I think most programmes these days have a certain amount of credit's you have to earn outside the scope of your "major"; so lot's of opportunities to diversify (i.e. take a business oriented/psychology class or two). edit: To answer question number 4: Don't worry about the Dutch student loans with DUO. They offer great payback schemes. So you'll be out of debt in "no-time". Student loans at banks are a different story, but even they are manageable.