We used to have something like Hogeschool, they were called Polytechnics but they were all converted to universities in 1992. There are a few technical colleges around but I think they're something else again. It's complicated.

Thanks for the good luck. What was your dissertation about? Mine involves natural language processing, trying to find a method of determining what language a given piece of text is in. I am looking forward to getting stuck in on it, basically the field is a combination of machine learning, linguistics (in moderation) and dealing with large sets of data.

I have considered looking at Continental Europe, the fact that they don't charge astronomical tuition fees is a real advantage (universities in the UK can charge up to £10,000 for a one year MSc)! Are there any in the Netherlands that you could recommend? I have a friend who is doing a gap year at the University of Amsterdam so I think I will ask her to show me around the campus and the city when I visit.

I studied German at secondary school and I am planning to do an evening class this year so there is a real possibility of me moving to Germany to do my MSc. Hell, the more I think about it the dumber the idea of studying in England seems...