Studying in the Netherlands: All You Need To Know

This guide explains everything you need to study in the Netherlands: the top Dutch universities, scholarships, and universities for international students.

Foreigners looking to study in the Netherlands will find a wide range of Dutch universities offering degree programs. Many of the Netherlands’ universities offer undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in English.

Information in English on studying in the Netherlands is easily available on government portals. Universities in the Netherlands typically offer help for foreign students to arrange their move and Dutch student visa. In any case, foreign students will find no shortage of guidance or courses to study in the Netherlands for international students.

Foreigners who graduate from a university in the Netherlands – as well as foreigners who graduate from any of the world’s top 200 universities in the last three years – can apply for a special Dutch visa to look for work for up to one year. This is the graduate orientation year Dutch visa.

This guide explains what you need to study in the Netherlands at either a university of applied sciences (hogescholen) or research university (Universiteit) in the Netherlands:

• Netherlands universities and Dutch higher education system
• Types of universities in the Netherlands
• Dutch university fees and costs of studying in the Netherlands
• Scholarships in the Netherlands
• How to apply to study in the Netherlands
• Accrediting a foreign degree
• Subjects to study in the Netherlands
• Useful resources

The Netherlands’ Universities and Higher Education

Third-level education is available at a vocational level (HBO, a university of applied sciences or hogeschool) and an academic level (WO, at a university). Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees are available at both HBO and WO institutions, but only Dutch universities (WO) offer PhD programs. There is a small, third branch of higher education offering international education in the Netherlands (IE) comprising advanced courses suited to international students, plus various other institutions that offer international programs and short courses to study in the Netherlands.

There are more than 2,100 courses taught in English, offered at almost all universities in the Netherlands for international students. You can see what’s available to study in the Netherlands on EpNuffic (Dutch Organization for Internationalization in Education), which includes extensive information about the Netherlands’ university system plus lists of universities in the Netherlands in English.

The Netherlands’ universities and institutions are either government-funded or government-approved. There are also privately financed institutions that are not recognized. NVAO is an organization that accredits institutions (www.nvao.com).

Dutch Universities of Applied Sciences (HBO)

In 2016, more than 440,000 students were enrolled at 37 universities of applied sciences or hogescholen, which provide practical programs lasting four years. Students can prepare for particular professions in one of seven sectors: agriculture, engineering and technology, economics and business administration, healthcare, fine and performing arts, teacher training, and social welfare.

Dutch Research Universities (WO)

In 2016, there were 13 research universities in the Netherlands offering international degrees and short courses, with some 240,000 students involved in intensive, academic studies in 12 different cities (Amsterdam has two universities).

Dutch universities typically perform well in global rankings, with all 13 ranked in the top 200 of Times Higher Education‘s World University Rankings, including eight in the top 100 universities in the world. Below is a list of all the Netherlands’ universities, in order of their THE ranking.

Universities in the Netherlands for International Students

• Delft University of Technology
• University of Amsterdam
• Wageningen University and Research Center
• Erasmus University Rotterdam
• Leiden University
• University of Groningen
• Utrecht University
• Maastricht University
• Radboud University Nijmegen
• University of Twente
• VU University Amsterdam
• Eindhoven University of Technology
• Tilburg University

In QS University Rankings, all Dutch universities ranked in the top 350 with eight ranked among the top 150 universities in the world. The top Dutch universities in their list were the University of Amsterdam, Delft University of Technology, Leiden University, Utrecht University, and the University of Groningen, respectively.

All universities in the Netherlands teach more than 40 English undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. However, not all universities offer undergraduate degrees in English across all subjects. Postgraduate qualifications are more commonly available in English.

Dutch University Fees

Dutch university fees depend on your nationality and age, besides what you choose to study in the Netherlands. There are special Dutch university fees for EU/EEA nationals, set by the Dutch government. Tuition fee loans or Dutch scholarships are available. Otherwise, you pay the institutional Dutch university fees (up to 10 times more). The fees at private institutions can be substantially higher.

For example, annual Dutch university fees for EU students start from around €1,950, while the average Dutch university fees for non-EU students studying Bachelor’s programs sit between €6,000 and €15,000 and for Master’s programs between €8,000 and €20,000. On the government’s Studyfinder you can also search all English courses and the cost per course depending on your nationality.

Additional student costs of living in the Netherlands are around €800–1,100 per month. However, many student discounts are available in museums, cinemas, bars, and restaurants.

Scholarships in the Netherlands

If you meet the conditions, there are many options for scholarships. You can also find an extensive list of Nuffic scholarships, or use the government’s search tool to find a range of the Netherlands’ scholarships available. If a scholarship doesn’t apply, however, read other ways to finance your studies in the Netherlands.

Universities in the Netherlands for International students

More than 90,000 international students are studying in the Netherlands — Germany tops the international student list — and information on fees, qualifications, and study programs are widely available in English. Students should first contact the institution offering the course, which specifies what education qualifications are necessary for admission to study in the Netherlands for international students.

A quota system is in place for oversubscribed courses; places are available through a lottery. At www.studielink.nl you can also apply online for university courses that are subsidized by the Dutch Ministry of Education.

Health insurance is also compulsory in the Netherlands, although it will depend on your situation and nationality as to which health insurance cover you must get. Read even more about health insurance in the Netherlands.

University programs consist of a Bachelor’s or undergraduate phase lasting three years and a Master’s or graduate phase lasting one to two years. Many Dutch universities have partner institutions in other countries, so students can study part of their courses abroad.

Accrediting your Foreign Qualifications

Diplomas and certificates from abroad need to be accredited by the Dutch authorities before you can study in the Netherlands. Generally, the school where you have applied takes care of this. If not, the IDW Internationale Diplomawaardering (www.idw.nl) also offers this service for a fee.

Non-native English speakers must also pass an English language test at a certain level, most commonly the TOEFL, IELTS, or Cambridge Test.

Subjects to Study in the Netherlands

According to the Dutch university and college guide Keuze Studiegids, dentistry was the most lucrative subject to study in the Netherlands, while students graduating in history of art and cultural studies were the least likely to find work with a decent wage, with some 15% earning below €900 a month.

Degrees in cultural anthropology, environmental sciences and international law also lead to low earnings; many international law graduates, for example, end up at NGOs where salaries are structurally low. Reportedly, however, new graduates find it easiest to find jobs in the Netherlands with a high salary.

Useful Resources

• Higher education in the Netherlands: www.studyin.nl, www.nuffic.nl
• Portals for vocational training: www.s-bb.nl, www.mboraad.nl
• Masters/PhDs: www.mastersportal.eu, www.phdportal.eu
• Information on studying and funding: www.duo.nl
• Online applications: www.studielink.nl
• Non-Dutch diploma evaluation: www.idw.nl
• Foundation for International Education in the Netherlands: www.sio.nl
• Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science: www.government.nl/ocw
• Government policy: www.government.nl/education
• Eurydice: peace. etc.Europa. EU