Studying in the Netherlands

Higher education in the Netherlands is known for its international approach and its high quality. The country has one of the largest offers of English-taught university courses in continental Europe, making studying in the Netherlands very interesting for international students. In 2023, 16% of the student population of the Netherlands had a foreign passport. One in three bachelor’s courses in the Netherlands are taught in languages other than Dutch, and half are a mixture of English and Dutch. 

Dutch higher education explained

Students coming to the Netherlands have the option of studying at either a research university or a university of applied sciences to get a bachelor’s degree (HBO or WO), master’s degree or doctoral degree. Find out more information about the different types of universities in the Netherlands in our guide to higher education in the Netherlands.

Universities in the Netherlands 

You may already have a specific university in mind, but otherwise if you’re planning to come and study in the Netherlands, your first step should be to do some research on universities and choose a degree programme that suits your interests and qualifications. 

Take a look at our lists of research universities, universities of applied sciences, universities of the arts, private universities and university colleges to see what options are out there, then narrow things down to create a shortlist. You may want to apply for several universities at once, or focus your application on just one institution. Depending on the programme you are applying for, you may be limited to just two applications per year - see below. 

Tuition fees in the Netherlands

You should also consider tuition fees at this early stage. If you are a Dutch, EU, Swiss or Surinamese student, the cost of studying at a Dutch university is relatively low, but fees are typically higher for non-EU students. Make sure to research tuition fees at your institution of choice, and consider how you will pay your fees. 

Student finance & scholarships in the Netherlands

The good news is that the Netherlands offers student financing options, and many international students may actually be eligible for funding. On top of that, there’s a number of scholarships for international students that you can apply for to help cover the cost of studying. Learn more on our student finance and scholarships page. 

Entry requirements for universities in the Netherlands

You should also make sure that you meet the entry requirements before applying to a university in the Netherlands. First, you should contact the international office at the university you are interested in to check whether your (foreign) school leaving certificate or degree is recognised in the Netherlands. 

On top of having a recognised qualification, you may also need:

• Proof that you have sufficient mastery of English
• Proof that you have good command of Dutch, if you are applying to study in Dutch
• A minimum average of 7 - 7,5 (foreign diploma)
• To pass certain university admission tests

Required average scores vary depending on university and the degree programme. 

Applying to university in the Netherlands

To apply to a university in the Netherlands, you will usually need to register via Studielink, the official registration and application portal for programmes at Dutch universities. Double-check with the institution of your choice whether you are required to register via Studielink, because some use a different application method for international students. 

There are different application deadlines, depending on the type of programme you are applying for: 

• January 15 for numerus fixus programmes
• May 1 for all other study programmes

What is a numerus fixus programme?

Some study programmes in the Netherlands are subject to capacity limits (as in, there are a limited number of places available). These programmes are known as numerus fixus programmes. 

If the number of applicants exceeds the number of available places for any given numerus fixus programme, a selection procedure takes place. Your institution can let you know if the programme you are interested in is a numerus fixus programme, and if you need to apply via Studielink. 

Note that you are only permitted to submit two applications per year for numerus fixus programmes (with the exception of medicine, dentistry, dental hygiene and physiotherapy programmes, for which you can only submit one application per programme per academic year). 

Selection procedure

If there are more applicants than available places, a selection procedure takes place during January 15 and April 15. Each institution determines its own selection procedure and will explain to you the exact process and ranking factors. Essentially, each student’s profile is examined and given a ranking number (the lower, the better). Places are then offered in order of the ranking numbers. 

If you are offered a place, you must accept it via Studielink within two weeks, or it may be given to the next person on the waiting list. 

If you are not offered a place, there is a small chance that someone above you will not accept their place, and it might become available for you.

If there are fewer applicants than available places, then everyone will be offered a place on April 15. You are still required to accept your space within two weeks. Your institution will then send you a notification of acceptance. 

Student visas for the Netherlands

If you are coming to the Netherlands to study, you may also need to apply for a residence permit or a provisional residence permit (MVV), a kind of visa that allows you to travel to the Netherlands as a potential resident. 

Students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland can freely move to the Netherlands to study (just remember to register with your local municipality). 

If you are from a non-EU country you will need a residence permit. Student residence permits are offered to people with a confirmed place at a Dutch university that is a recognised IND sponsor. You must be following a full-time programme accredited by the NVAO or EQAR. You can find out more information about the requirements on our residence permit page. 

Am I allowed to work while studying in the Netherlands? 

If you are an EU/EEA student, you are allowed to live, study and work freely in the Netherlands, with no permits required. 

If you are a non-EU citizen then generally speaking, no, you are not allowed to work on a student residence permit in the Netherlands. If you wish to take up a side-job alongside your studies, your prospective employer will need to apply for a work permit on your behalf, to enable you to work up to 16 hours per week during the academic year, and full-time over the summer. 

Student health insurance in the Netherlands

International students don’t necessarily need health insurance in the Netherlands. The situation is a little complicated, however. Generally speaking, if you are only coming to the Netherlands temporarily (i.e. to study), you don’t need to take out Dutch health insurance. 

EU/EEA and Swiss students can use their European Health Insurance Cards to access medical care in the Netherlands, while non-EU students can either use their foreign policy (if it is valid in the Netherlands), or take out private health insurance. 

If you start to work in the Netherlands, however, you fall under the Long-Term Care Act, and this obligates you to take out Dutch health insurance. 

Student housing in the Netherlands

Student housing is in short supply in the Netherlands. Finding a place can be tricky, so you might want to start looking for somewhere to live well in advance of moving to the Netherlands. Most students live in student houses, which are privately-owned house-shares. Some universities do offer accommodation, but places are in short supply. 

If you want to apply through your university, make sure you do it in good time. You can find out more on our page on student housing in the Netherlands.

Moving to the Netherlands

With your university place secured and your residence permit application underway, you can start thinking about moving to the Netherlands. If you’re coming from abroad, you might want to think about booking a moving service that specialises in international moves. They can help sort your paperwork to ensure your stuff doesn’t get held up at customs. 

Bank accounts for students in the Netherlands

To make life in the Netherlands easier, it's recommended that you open a Dutch bank account. Several banks in the Netherlands, including ABN AMRO, offer student bank accounts specifically designed for international students. Read more about how to get a bank account in the Netherlands. 

Cost of studying in the Netherlands

On top of your tuition fees, there are extra costs that need to be taken into consideration when studying in the Netherlands, including: 

• Visa and residence permit fees
• Travel costs to come to the Netherlands
• Accommodation
• Dutch health insurance 
• Study materials such as a laptop, textbooks or equipment
• Dutch language courses
• Daily travel costs such as shopping, public transport and leisure activities.

Students are often eligible for discounts at many bars, restaurants, museums and cinemas.

Note that until 2022, students could deduct certain study costs from their taxable income on their tax return. However, this is no longer an option. Instead, students can file a request for a STAP budget, up to 1.000 euros. 

Academic calendar for Dutch universities

The academic year for Dutch universities and hogescholen starts in September and runs through to the end of June of the following year. The year is divided up into two semesters, with the second starting in early February. There is also a two-week break over Christmas and the New Year.

Dutch credit system (ECTS scheme)

Just as in most European educational systems, the study workload in the Netherlands is measured in ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) credits. In case you are not familiar with the ECTS scheme:

• Student workload is the notional time an average student needs to achieve the objectives of a programme. This includes lectures, seminars, assignments, laboratory work, independent study and exams.
• The ECTS credit system is used to compare/evaluate different universities, programmes, courses, modules, dissertations or even students’ qualifications.
• Credits are awarded only after the completion of the course/programme.

University grading in the Netherlands

The Dutch grading system goes from 1 (very poor) to 10 (outstanding). A 5,5 is the passing minimum. While the grading scale runs from 1 to 10, the marks 1 to 3 and 9 and 10 are not frequently given.

Note that desired grades also depend on the type of programme/study you are after. For instance, an average of 7,5 may be more than sufficient for a Master's but not for a PhD.