Study Destination

Study in the Netherlands

The Netherlands is one of Europe's most popular international-study destinations. It offers a large selection of English-taught degrees, internationally recognised qualifications and a practical teaching style that encourages research, teamwork and independent thinking.

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At a glance

Quick Facts

Tuition fees (bachelor's): €9,000 – €20,000 / year
Tuition fees (master's): €12,000 – €30,000 / year
Living cost: €1,000 – €1,500 / month
Teaching language: English, Dutch
Working while studying: Up to 16 hours per week, or full time in June, July and August

Why Netherlands

Why Study in the Netherlands?

Wide selection of English-taught programmes
Internationally recognised universities and qualifications
Innovative, research-based and practical teaching
Strong connections between universities and industry
Multicultural and generally English-speaking society
Central location for travelling within Europe
Opportunities for internships and part-time employment
One-year post-study orientation permit for eligible graduates
Strong programmes in engineering, business, technology and sustainability

Costs

Tuition & Living Cost

For eligible EU/EEA students, the statutory tuition fee is €2,694 for the 2026-2027 academic year. Non-EU/EEA students normally pay an institutional fee established by the university. Typical indicative ranges are:

Study level	Approximate annual tuition
Bachelor's degree	€9,000 – €20,000
Master's degree	€12,000 – €30,000
Medicine, business and specialist programmes	Potentially higher

Fees vary substantially by university, nationality and subject.

What you need

Entry Requirements

Requirements vary between universities and programmes. Applicants normally need:

Bachelor's programmes

A recognised secondary-school qualification
Academic transcripts
Evidence of English proficiency
Mathematics or relevant science subjects for technical programmes
Motivation letter or personal statement
CV, portfolio or entrance assessment when required
Passport copy

Master's programmes

A relevant recognised bachelor's degree
University transcripts
English-language qualification
CV and motivation letter
Academic or professional references
Research proposal for selected programmes
GMAT or GRE for certain business, economics or technical courses

Language

Language Requirement

Commonly accepted examinations include:

IELTS Academic
TOEFL iBT
Cambridge English qualifications
PTE Academic, when accepted by the institution

Many programmes expect approximately IELTS 6.0 – 6.5, while selective or postgraduate courses may require 7.0 or higher. Applicants must check the exact course requirement.

Visa route

Student Visa Process

Students from the EU/EEA or Switzerland generally do not require a Dutch student residence permit. Most non-EU/EEA students studying for longer than 90 days require immigration permission.

After admission, a university recognised as an IND sponsor usually submits the residence-permit application. Depending on nationality, the student may also need an MVV, an entry visa for long-term residence. Students must normally:

Have unconditional or eligible conditional admission
Attend a full-time accredited programme
Demonstrate sufficient financial resources
Hold suitable health insurance
Maintain satisfactory academic progress
Meet public-order and immigration requirements

For 2026, the IND financial requirement for university or higher professional education is €1,130.77 per month, excluding tuition. This is an immigration minimum rather than a guarantee that it will cover every student's actual expenses.

What to study

Popular Courses

Artificial intelligence and data science
Computer science and cybersecurity
Mechanical, electrical and civil engineering
Aerospace and automotive engineering
Business, finance and international management
Economics and econometrics
Logistics and supply-chain management
Architecture and urban planning
Agriculture and food science
Environmental science and sustainability
Psychology and social sciences
Life sciences and biomedical sciences
International law and European studies
Creative media, design and communication

Where to study

Popular Universities

Popular universities of applied sciences

Fontys University of Applied Sciences (Eindhoven and other cities): engineering, ICT, business and logistics
HAN University of Applied Sciences (Arnhem/Nijmegen): engineering, automotive, business and life sciences
Saxion University of Applied Sciences (Enschede/Deventer): engineering, ICT, business and hospitality
The Hague University of Applied Sciences (The Hague): international business, law, public policy and technology
Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (Amsterdam): business, media, sports, technology and logistics
Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences (Rotterdam): business, engineering, logistics and healthcare
NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences (Leeuwarden): hospitality, tourism, business and creative media
Breda University of Applied Sciences (Breda): tourism, hospitality, logistics, games and media
Hanze University of Applied Sciences (Groningen): energy, engineering, business, arts and health
Avans University of Applied Sciences (Breda/Den Bosch): business, engineering, environmental science and finance

Good to know

Types of universities

The Dutch higher-education system has two principal categories:

Research university (WO): academic study, theory and research; bachelor's degrees typically take 3 years
University of applied sciences (HBO): professional education, practical projects and internships; bachelor's degrees typically take 4 years

Research universities also provide master's and doctoral programmes. Universities of applied sciences mainly offer career-oriented bachelor's degrees and selected master's programmes.

Good to know

Living costs

International students spend approximately €1,000 – €1,500 per month, depending on the city and lifestyle. An average student room can cost around €450 – €1,000 per month. Amsterdam, Utrecht, Rotterdam and The Hague are usually more expensive than smaller cities.

A student budget should cover:

Accommodation and utilities
Food and household expenses
Health insurance
Local transportation
Study materials
Telephone and internet
Personal expenses

Good to know

Scholarships

Funding opportunities may include:

NL Scholarship: €5,000 during the first year for selected non-EEA students; it is not a full-tuition scholarship
Erasmus+ funding
University excellence scholarships
Faculty and programme-specific awards
Scholarships from external organisations
Limited tuition waivers

Scholarships are competitive and commonly assess academic performance, motivation, nationality and relevant experience.

Good to know

Application process

Most applications are registered through Studielink, followed by the university's own application portal where required. The general application deadlines are:

15 January: numerus fixus or capacity-limited programmes
1 May: many other programmes

Non-EU applicants and scholarship candidates frequently have earlier institutional deadlines. Applicants should always check the individual university's schedule.

Good to know

Working during studies

EU/EEA and Swiss students can generally work without a separate work permit.

A non-EU/EEA student with a study residence permit may work:

Up to 16 hours per week during the academic year, or
Full-time during June, July and August

The employer must normally obtain a work permit. Students should not rely on employment as their principal source of funding.

Good to know

Post-study opportunities

Eligible graduates can apply for the orientation year residence permit, commonly called the zoekjaar. This allows them to remain in the Netherlands for up to one year to:

Search for suitable employment
Work without a separate employment permit
Start a business
Qualify for another residence category, such as highly skilled migrant, start-up or self-employment

Specific eligibility and application conditions apply.

Good to know

Important accommodation warning

The Netherlands has a serious shortage of student housing. Students should not travel without confirmed accommodation and should begin searching immediately after receiving an offer. Deposits and rental agreements must also be checked carefully to avoid scams.

Good to know