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Study in Netherlands: costs, visa, scholarships and universities

Costs, visa process, work rights, scholarships and university options for studying in Netherlands.

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Overview

The Netherlands offers a large number of English-taught bachelor's and master's programmes at research universities and universities of applied sciences. Tuition is split into a regulated statutory fee for EU/EEA, Swiss and Surinamese students (EUR 2,694 for 2026-2027) and a higher institutional fee set by each institution for other nationalities, which Study in NL reports on average at EUR 9,000-20,000 for bachelor's and EUR 12,000-30,000 for master's programmes.

Non-EU/EEA students cannot apply for the residence permit themselves. The admitting institution, as an IND-recognised sponsor, submits the application (fee EUR 254 in 2026), and the IND sets a statutory 60-day decision period with a two-week target for complete sponsor applications. Applicants must meet the IND income norm (EUR 1,130.77 per month in 2026) and make sufficient study progress.

Students apply mainly through Studielink, with national deadlines of 15 January for numerus fixus programmes and 1 May for others, though many universities set earlier deadlines for non-EU applicants (often 15 January or 1 April), and English test thresholds differ by programme. Student housing is officially described as being in severe shortage, so arranging a room before arrival is advised.

Non-EU students may work up to 16 hours a week or full time in June-August with an employer-held work permit, and graduates may apply for a one-year orientation-year permit. Scholarships are limited; the NL Scholarship pays EUR 5,000 in the first year only. This overview is informational; admission, funding and visa outcomes are not guaranteed.

Public university tuition
Statutory EUR 2,694 (2026-27) vs institutional per programme. See statutory/institutional.
Source
Monthly living cost
IND 2026 study amount (hbo/university) EUR 1,130.77 per month, valid 1 Jan-31 Dec 2026, used as financial-proof norm (excl. tuition). Study in NL: average room about EUR 550/month. UG housing page: rents from just under EUR 400 to over EUR 1,000 per month. TU Delft estimate: EUR 909/month in student housing.
Source
Visa processing time
Statutory decision period 60 days, extendable (up to 6 months); IND target of 2 weeks for complete applications from a recognised sponsor; incomplete files get 2 weeks to supplement.
Source
Work rights
IND: non-EU students holding a study permit may work as employees up to 16 hours a week, or full time in June, July and August; employer must hold a work permit (TWV, via UWV). Self-employed: no TWV but registration with Chamber of Commerce (KvK) and tax. Traineeships that are part of the programme need no TWV.
Source
Intakes and deadlines
Main intake is September; February intake exists only for some programmes (e.g. UvA MSc Business Administration, WUR five MSc programmes, Leiden master's, Utrecht master's). National Studielink deadlines: 15 January (numerus fixus) and 1 May (others) 23:59; non-EU applicants needing a visa often face earlier deadlines (UvA 1 April, Utrecht 1 April, VU 1 April, TU Delft MSc 15 January).
Source
Language requirement
No national standard. Each institution/programme sets its own English test. Study in NL lists accepted tests: Cambridge (B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency), IELTS, LanguageCert, Pearson PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, TOEIC. Verified ranges: bachelor IELTS 6.0-6.5 (TU Delft 6.5, TU/e 6.5, VU 6.5, UvA Psychology 6.5, Groningen 6.0-7.0 by level); master IELTS 6.5 (TU/e, WUR, Leiden Astronomy) up to 7.0 (Groningen Level 3). TOEFL iBT scale changed 21 Jan 2026 (1-6 scale; typically 4.5 equals old 90-92). Online/home tests often not accepted; results valid 2 years.
Source

Tuition and living costs

Public university tuition
Statutory EUR 2,694 (2026-27) vs institutional per programme. See statutory/institutional.
Source
Private university tuition
Not yet verified
Monthly living cost
IND 2026 study amount (hbo/university) EUR 1,130.77 per month, valid 1 Jan-31 Dec 2026, used as financial-proof norm (excl. tuition). Study in NL: average room about EUR 550/month. UG housing page: rents from just under EUR 400 to over EUR 1,000 per month. TU Delft estimate: EUR 909/month in student housing.
Source

Accommodation

Study in NL: severe housing shortage; not enough student housing; start early and arrange before arrival; average room EUR 550/month; no brokerage fees; minimum-duration contracts not legally allowed; complaints via housing provider, institution housing officer, Housing Hotline. Institutions: UG no guarantee; EUR reserves ~25%; TU Delft cannot guarantee.

When planning the total budget, separate one-off and monthly items. Budget planning guide

Visa and residence permit

Non-EU/EEA students need a residence permit for study (and an MVV entry visa where required). Only the university, as IND-recognised sponsor, can apply. Requirements: proof of registration, NVAO/EQAR-accredited full-time programme, income requirement, at least 50% of credits each study year. Preparatory period (extra courses, language test, pre-master) covered, usually 1 year. Application form 7504; foreign documents legalised and translated. After a positive decision book MVV appointment within 3 months; MVV valid 90 days; passport valid 6+ months. If the institution flagged a TB test, visit GGD within 3 months of receiving permit. Permit valid up to 5 years and 3 months beyond study end. Family members may be applied for but may not work.

Visa processing time
Statutory decision period 60 days, extendable (up to 6 months); IND target of 2 weeks for complete applications from a recognised sponsor; incomplete files get 2 weeks to supplement.
Source
Proof of funds
EUR 1,130.77 per month in 2026; universities may require tuition plus living-cost amount upfront (TU Delft EUR 14,200 refunded after start).
Source
Health insurance
Study only: legally not allowed to take Dutch public insurance; need home-country or private international cover. As soon as you have a (part-time) job, Dutch basic insurance is required; self-employed contact SVB. Unpaid internship rules vary. A BSN is needed for bank account, insurance, job.
Source
Fees
EUR 254 (paid via institution; IND orientation-year form lists EUR 254 for applications 1 Jan 2026-1 Jan 2027).
Source

Nationality-specific notes: turkish: IND Turkish-citizens page covers Association Agreement routes for workers/self-employed/family and says Turkish citizens often pay lower application fees; students are not listed, so no student-specific rule verified.; ukrainian: EU Temporary Protection Directive extended until 4 March 2028 (automatic); from 5 Aug 2026 new TPD applicants subject to conscription must show obligations met or exemption. Student-specific residence route not verified.; russian: null; kazakh: null; azerbaijani: null

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Work rights and after graduation

IND: non-EU students holding a study permit may work as employees up to 16 hours a week, or full time in June, July and August; employer must hold a work permit (TWV, via UWV). Self-employed: no TWV but registration with Chamber of Commerce (KvK) and tax. Traineeships that are part of the programme need no TWV.

After graduation: Zoekjaar: one-year permit (cannot be extended) for graduates of Dutch programmes or top foreign universities; apply within 3 years of graduating; free to work (no work permit) or start a business; fee EUR 254 (2026). Highly-skilled-migrant reduced salary criterion applies within 3 years of graduation. IND FAQ: foreign degree must be at least master's.

Source

Language requirements and intakes

Language requirement
No national standard. Each institution/programme sets its own English test. Study in NL lists accepted tests: Cambridge (B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency), IELTS, LanguageCert, Pearson PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, TOEIC. Verified ranges: bachelor IELTS 6.0-6.5 (TU Delft 6.5, TU/e 6.5, VU 6.5, UvA Psychology 6.5, Groningen 6.0-7.0 by level); master IELTS 6.5 (TU/e, WUR, Leiden Astronomy) up to 7.0 (Groningen Level 3). TOEFL iBT scale changed 21 Jan 2026 (1-6 scale; typically 4.5 equals old 90-92). Online/home tests often not accepted; results valid 2 years.
Source
Intakes and deadlines
Main intake is September; February intake exists only for some programmes (e.g. UvA MSc Business Administration, WUR five MSc programmes, Leiden master's, Utrecht master's). National Studielink deadlines: 15 January (numerus fixus) and 1 May (others) 23:59; non-EU applicants needing a visa often face earlier deadlines (UvA 1 April, Utrecht 1 April, VU 1 April, TU Delft MSc 15 January).
Source

Language and exam preparation →

Scholarships

bachelor and master (full-time)Via the university

NL Scholarship (formerly Holland Scholarship)

Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science and participating institutions

Coverage
EUR 5,000, paid in the first year only; not a full-tuition scholarship
Deadline
Applications for 2026-2027 opened 1 Nov 2025; no single closing date, set by each institution (e.g. Utrecht early 1 Feb, WUR 1 May, VU via VUFP)
Eligibility
Non-EEA nationality; applying/enrolled full-time bachelor or master at participating institution; meets admission requirements; no prior degree from a Dutch institution. Participating research universities (11): TU/e, Maastricht, PThU, Radboud, TUA, Groningen, Twente, UTS, Utrecht, VU Amsterdam, WUR; plus 23 universities of applied sciences. TU Delft, UvA, Leiden and EUR are not on the list.
Source
masterDirect application

Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS)

Leiden University

Coverage
EUR 10,000-19,000 of tuition for full programme
Deadline
1 Dec 2026
Eligibility
Non-EEA/EFTA; top ~10%; Sept start
Source
masterDirect application

TU/e Scholarship for Excellence

TU/e

Coverage
EUR 7,500 per year for two years
Deadline
1 Jan 2027
Eligibility
GPA >=7.5/10; no prior Dutch higher education
Source
masterdirect/invitation

WUR Excellence Scholarship / Africa Scholarship Programme / Anne van den Ban Fund

WUR

Coverage
Tuition waiver (Excellence) ; ASP and ABF include travel, living allowance, tuition, insurance
Deadline
1 Dec 2026
Eligibility
GPA >=80%, listed nationalities; ABF by invitation
Source
masterDirect application

VU Fellowship Programme (VUFP)

VU Amsterdam

Coverage
Merit-based tuition waiver
Deadline
1 Feb 2027
Eligibility
GPA ~8.0 Dutch equivalent; not Dutch
Source
anyBy nomination

Orange Knowledge Programme

Nuffic

Coverage
Closed
Eligibility
Study in NL states the programme ended; no new rounds (first-pass finding retained, not re-verified in this pass)
Source
masterprogramme consortium

Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters

European Commission

Eligibility
null - official EU page not fetched in this pass

Cities

Amsterdam

UvA, VU Amsterdam; UvA 2027 Sept non-EU deadline 1 April for housing/visa

Delft

TU Delft; housing not guaranteed, EUR 285 housing fee

Utrecht

Utrecht University; 5,400+ international students

Leiden

Leiden University; Campus The Hague hosts ~25% of students

Eindhoven

TU/e; Haven campus housing for ~800

Groningen

UG; rents under EUR 400 to over EUR 1,000; SSH rooms limited

Wageningen

WUR; non-EU housing priority

Rotterdam

EUR; reserves rooms for ~25% of incoming international students

Universities

Delft University of Technology

Delft · Public

2026/27 institutional rate for non-EU/EFTA: BSc EUR 19,906; MSc EUR 25,633. Statutory EUR 2,694. TU Delft states a total upfront amount for non-EU first-years of EUR 34,106 (BSc) / EUR 39,833 (MSc) incl. tuition, a EUR 14,200 living-costs amount (refunded ~3 weeks after start after deducting visa fee EUR 254 and housing fee EUR 285). Non-EU applicants with international degree pay a EUR 100 application fee (reported in search summary of the Enrolment Regulations).

University of Amsterdam

Amsterdam · Public

2027-28 non-EEA institutional fees (UvA page): Humanities BSc 17,600 / MSc 25,900 (1-yr) or 20,400 (2-yr); Economics & Business BSc 15,730, MSc 24,500 (ASE) / 25,300 (Finance); Law BSc 17,600, MSc 25,900; Social & Behavioural Sciences BSc 16,670, MSc 23,455; Science BSc 21,900, MSc 34,200 (1-yr)/26,000 (2-yr); AUC 21,160; Medicine BSc 34,500 / MSc 37,200. 2026-27 non-EEA amounts not listed on the fetched page (statutory 2,694); PPLE 2026-27 EUR 19,100 (search summary).

Utrecht University

Utrecht · Public

MSc Molecular and Cellular Life Sciences non-EU/EEA: EUR 25,306 (2026-27), EUR 26,100 (2027-28). Other 2026-27 master's examples: EUR 21,342 (arts/social sciences), EUR 22,000 (methodology/statistics) (search summary). Statutory EUR 2,694 full-time. Bachelor non-EU amounts: in per-programme PDF/regulations, not retrieved.

Leiden University

Leiden (also The Hague campus) · Public

Non-EEA institutional fee 2027-28: MSc Astronomy EUR 23,300; MSc Physics EUR 23,300; MSc International Politics EUR 22,900; statutory EUR 2,771. 2026-27 examples (search summary): EUR 22,300-22,500 for some master's, EUR 14,300 for one bachelor. 2026-27 statutory EUR 2,694. International applicants pay a non-refundable EUR 100 application fee.

Eindhoven University of Technology

Eindhoven · Public

Non-EEA institutional: bachelor EUR 18,600 (2026-27), EUR 22,400 (2027-28); master EUR 21,700 (2026-27), EUR 22,400 (2027-28). Lower transitional rates exist for earlier starters (e.g. master EUR 20,500 in 2026-27).

University of Groningen

Groningen (also Leeuwarden) · Public

Non-EU/EEA full-time master's 2026-27 / 2027-28: Economics & Business, Behavioural & Social Sciences, Law, Spatial Sciences, Campus Fryslan EUR 22,200 / 22,800; Arts, Religion, Philosophy EUR 19,900 / 20,500; Science & Engineering EUR 24,900 / 24,900; Medicine & Dentistry EUR 32,000. Bachelor 2026-27 (search summary): EUR 14,000 standard; EUR 19,800 Science & Engineering; EUR 17,200 UCG / Global Politics & Sustainability; Medicine EUR 32,000. BSc Computing Science EUR 19,800 for both years.

Wageningen University and Research

Wageningen · Public

Non-EU: bachelor EUR 18,300 (2026-27), EUR 18,840 (2027-28); master EUR 21,900 (2026-27), EUR 22,560 (2027-28, may change). European students EUR 2,694 (2026-27).

Erasmus University Rotterdam

Rotterdam · Public

Non-EEA 2026-27: bachelor ESSB/ESPhil/ESHPM/ESHCC/ESL/ESE EUR 13,500; RSM EUR 14,000; EUC EUR 16,300; Erasmus MC EUR 32,200. Master ESSB/ESPhil/ESHPM/ESE/ESHCC/ESL EUR 21,000; RSM EUR 25,800; Erasmus MC EUR 34,100. Transitional EUR 11,700 for current bachelor's students. Non-refundable EUR 100 application fee for non-Dutch bachelor applicants.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam)

Amsterdam · Public

Institutional non-EU fee amounts are in PDF overviews (2026 and 2027 'Instellingscollegegeld') that were not retrievable; statutory EUR 2,694 (2026-27), EUR 2,771 (2027-28); PPE statutory EUR 5,130 / 5,310; Liberal Arts & Sciences EUR 5,580. Institutional amounts left null.

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Official resources

Frequently asked questions

Information on this page is compiled from official sources and was verified on the date shown. Fees, dates and visa rules change often; check official sources before applying. Empty fields have not been verified yet; ask our advisor for the current information.

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