Studying in the Netherlands: The Complete 2026 Guide (Universities, Visas, Student Life)

Why choose the Netherlands for your higher education?

The Netherlands has become one of the most popular study destinations in Europe, and its appeal goes well beyond tulips and canals. The country has 14 research universities and 36 universities of applied sciences (HBO) offering more than 2,100 programs taught entirely in English, one of the highest numbers in Europe outside the UK.

The Dutch approach to teaching is built on active learning (Problem-Based Learning), class participation and critical thinking. It differs sharply from traditional lecture-based teaching and develops skills that are highly valued in the international job market.

The best Dutch universities

Research universities (Wetenschappelijk onderwijs)

• Delft University of Technology (TU Delft): a world leader in engineering, architecture and design, regularly ranked in the QS world top 50
• University of Amsterdam (UvA): strong in social sciences, economics, law and the humanities
• Utrecht University: a broad range of disciplines, with excellent life sciences and pharmacy
• Leiden University: the oldest (1575), renowned for law, social sciences and international relations
• Wageningen University: world No. 1 in agricultural and food sciences
• Erasmus University Rotterdam: a benchmark in economics, management and medicine
• Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e): a partner of Philips and ASML, excelling in technology and innovation

Universities of applied sciences (HBO)

HBOs (such as Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, The Hague University and HAN) focus on career preparation and intensive internships. Their Bachelor’s programs often include a semester abroad and a long internship.

Tuition fees and costs

Tuition fees for 2024-2025

For students from outside the EU/EEA, institutional tuition fees (non-EU tuition fees) vary by university:

• Bachelor’s: €8,000-20,000 per year, depending on the university and the program
• Master’s: €10,000-20,000 per year (up to €30,000 for some prestigious programs, such as TIAS Business School)

EU students pay the statutory tuition fee (wettelijk collegegeld): around €2,530 per year in 2024-2025.

Cost of living

• Amsterdam: €1,100-1,500 per month (the most expensive)
• Rotterdam, Utrecht, Delft: €900-1,200 per month
• Groningen, Maastricht, Eindhoven: €800-1,100 per month

Admission and applications

General requirements

For a Dutch Bachelor’s degree, the French baccalauréat is generally accepted directly. A baccalauréat with honors (“mention bien”, 12+/20) is often required for popular programs. For selective programs (medicine, psychology at UvA), a lottery (decentrale selectie) or an additional selection process may apply.

English language requirements

• IELTS: 6.0-7.0 depending on the program (6.5 is the most common standard)
• TOEFL iBT: 80-100
• Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency

Application timeline

Applications usually open in October or November for September entry. Studielink is the central portal for all applications to Dutch universities. The main deadline is May 1 for most programs (some selective programs close as early as January or March).

Student visas for the Netherlands

EU/EEA citizens do not need a visa to study in the Netherlands. For other nationalities, the university usually handles the MVV (Machtiging tot Voorlopig Verblijf) process and/or the residence permit application directly with the IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service). Often, all you need to do is provide the documents your host university requests.

Scholarships available in the Netherlands

• Holland Scholarship: €5,000 for the first year, available at many Dutch universities for students from outside the EEA
• Nuffic Neso Netherlands: a range of government scholarships
• Erasmus+ (if applicable): for students coming from partner universities
• University scholarships: TU Delft Excellence Scholarship (€30,000 per year for Master’s students), Utrecht Excellence Scholarship, Leiden University Excellence Scholarship
• Orange Tulip Scholarship: for students from certain Asian countries

Student life in the Netherlands

Student life in the Netherlands is highly international: in cities such as Delft, Groningen and Maastricht, international students sometimes make up 30 to 40% of the student body. Student associations (studieverenigingen and studentenverenigingen) organize social, sports and academic activities throughout the year.

Cycling is the way to get around. Buy a bike as soon as you arrive (€50-100 second-hand): you can’t do without one in any Dutch city.

If you are staying for more than 4 months, you must obtain a BSN (Burgerservicenummer, the Dutch citizen service number) from your local municipality within 5 days of arrival.

For further reading, see also: Studying engineering in the Netherlands in English: top universities and costs.

Career prospects with a Dutch degree

Graduates of Dutch universities are highly regarded in the international job market. The Netherlands is home to the European headquarters of many multinationals (Unilever, Heineken, ASML, Shell, ING, Philips, Nike Europe, Netflix Europe and more), offering exceptional internship and job opportunities. Graduates of Dutch universities are eligible for the zoekjaar residence permit (one year to look for a job).

Conclusion

The Netherlands combines internationally recognized academic quality, programs taught entirely in English, a reasonable cost of living (for Western Europe) and a culture of innovation that attracts top students from around the world. Your Dream School supports you throughout your application to Dutch universities, from choosing your program to obtaining your visa.

Author

About Adam Girsault

With a Bachelor's (LLB) from UCL and Assas, and the Grande Ecole program at HEC Paris, Adam co-founded Your Dream School in 2018. Since then the company has coached more than 1,000 students through university admissions and interview preparation for top global institutions.

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