Study and find schools in Netherlands

Studying in Netherlands

The Netherlands is one of the European countries with the widest choice of English-taught degree programmes. Dutch is the national language, but many bachelor's and master's programmes, especially at master's level, are taught entirely in English, and Study in NL, the official portal run by Nuffic, keeps a database of English-taught programmes.

The higher-education sector is large for a country of its size. According to Study in NL, research universities enrol some 240,000 students and universities of applied sciences some 446,000 students in professional programmes. In 2025-26, Nuffic reports that, for the first time in 20 years, fewer international students were enrolled than in the year before, mainly in bachelor's programmes at research universities; economics remains the largest field of study for international students.

The education system in the Netherlands

Dutch higher education has two main types of institution:

• Research universities (universiteiten), which offer research-oriented bachelor's, master's and PhD programmes
• Universities of applied sciences (hogescholen), which offer practice-oriented programmes with internships
• University colleges, small liberal arts and sciences colleges attached to some research universities
• Institutes for international education and other institutions with specialised programmes

The degree structure follows the European bachelor-master-doctorate model and uses ECTS credits (60 credits per year of full-time study):

• Associate degree (Ad) at a university of applied sciences: 2 years
• Bachelor's degree at a research university (BA, BSc, LLB): 3 years, 180 credits
• Bachelor's degree at a university of applied sciences: 4 years, 240 credits, usually starting with a first year called the propedeuse
• Master's degree: at least 1 year (60 credits); research master's and many science and engineering programmes take 2 years, and medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine and pharmacy take 3 years after the bachelor's
• PhD: usually 4 years

Grades are given on a scale of 1 to 10. A 6 is the minimum pass grade, and 9 and 10 are rarely awarded, so an 8 is already a very good result.

Admission and recognition

There is no national entrance exam. Admission requirements are set by each institution and can differ by programme. You apply to the programme, and the institution checks whether your secondary school diploma or bachelor's degree is equivalent to the Dutch qualification it requires. Nuffic, the Dutch ENIC-NARIC centre, publishes an overview of 100 education systems that shows how foreign diplomas compare with Dutch ones; if your diploma is not listed, the institution can ask for a credential evaluation.

For English-taught programmes you need to prove your level of English with a recognised test. Institutions generally accept Cambridge English (B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency), IELTS, LanguageCert, Pearson, TOEFL iBT and TOEIC; the required score depends on the programme. If you do not yet meet the requirements, some institutions offer a preparatory year. Requirements and deadlines differ by programme, so check the programme page well in advance.

Student visa and residence permit

Students from the EU, the EEA and Switzerland do not need a visa or residence permit to study in the Netherlands. Other students who stay longer than 90 days may need an entry visa (MVV, depending on nationality) and a residence permit (VVR). The information below is from the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND), page last updated on 21 September 2026:

• You do not apply yourself: only your educational institution, which must be a sponsor recognised by the IND, can apply for the permit
• The programme must be full-time and accredited by the NVAO or a quality agency on the EQAR register
• You must meet the IND's income requirements (proof that you can support yourself)
• The application costs €254, paid through the institution, and the IND must decide within 60 days
• To keep the permit you must earn at least 50% of the credits for each study year

Always check the current requirements on the IND website and with the international office of your institution before you travel.

Tuition fees and living costs

Students from the EEA, Switzerland and Suriname who do not already hold a similar Dutch degree pay the statutory fee, which is €2,694 for the 2026-27 academic year. For other students, Study in NL gives an average range of €9,000 to €20,000 a year for bachelor's programmes and €12,000 to €30,000 for master's programmes; each institution sets its own institutional fee. Some institutions also charge non-EEA applicants an application fee of €75 to €100.

According to Study in NL, students spend on average €1,000 to €1,500 a month. A room costs somewhere between €450 and €1,000 a month depending on the city, and the Nibud 2024 overview it quotes puts average rent at €561 a month. Housing is the main practical problem in most student cities: Study in NL warns that finding a room is a challenge and advises starting the search as soon as possible.

Where to study in the Netherlands

Higher education is spread over the whole country. Among the cities with schools on SpainExchange:

• The Hague: home to Hotelschool The Hague and The Hague University of Applied Sciences (THUAS)
• Amsterdam: the capital and largest city, where housing is more expensive than in smaller towns
• Leiden and Utrecht: historic university cities in the west, home to Leiden University and Utrecht University
• Groningen: a student city in the north with the University of Groningen
• Wageningen: home to Wageningen University & Research
• Eindhoven, 's-Hertogenbosch, Ede and Vlissingen: home to universities of applied sciences such as Fontys, Avans, the Christelijke Hogeschool Ede and HZ University of Applied Sciences

Health insurance, work and daily life

Health insurance is compulsory. If you are in the Netherlands only to study, you are not allowed to take out Dutch public health insurance: you need insurance from your home country with enough cover (EU students can use the European Health Insurance Card) or a private policy. As soon as you take a paid job, even part-time, Dutch public health insurance becomes compulsory.

Students from outside the EU/EEA may work only if the employer has a work permit (TWV) for them, and then either up to 16 hours a week or full-time in June, July and August. EU/EEA students can work without restrictions. Many institutions have career centres that help with part-time jobs and internships.

Daily life is organised around the bicycle: cycling is the usual way to get around town and the cheapest. Many bars, restaurants, museums and cinemas give student discounts on presentation of a student card. Programmes can be followed entirely in English, but learning some Dutch helps with housing, part-time work and social life.

Frequently asked questions

Can I study in the Netherlands in English?

Yes. Many bachelor's and most master's programmes are taught in English, and you need a recognised English test such as IELTS, TOEFL iBT or Cambridge English. Study in NL has a database of English-taught programmes.

How much are tuition fees in the Netherlands?

EEA and Swiss students pay the statutory fee of €2,694 for 2026-27. Students from other countries pay an institutional fee, on average €9,000 to €20,000 a year for a bachelor's and €12,000 to €30,000 for a master's, according to Study in NL.

Do I need a visa to study in the Netherlands?

EU, EEA and Swiss students do not. Other students staying longer than 90 days may need an MVV entry visa and a residence permit, which the institution applies for on the student's behalf; the IND fee is €254.

Can international students work in the Netherlands?

Yes, with limits for non-EU/EEA students: the employer needs a work permit, and work is limited to 16 hours a week or full-time in June, July and August. Anyone with a paid job must take out Dutch public health insurance.

What is the difference between a research university and a university of applied sciences?

Research universities offer academic, research-oriented programmes with 3-year bachelor's degrees. Universities of applied sciences (hogescholen) offer practical, profession-oriented programmes with internships and 4-year bachelor's degrees.