Study in the Netherlands: University Guide 2026

The Netherlands offers bachelor’s and master’s programmes taught in English at both research universities and universities of applied sciences. Before you pick a programme, it helps to know how the system is organised, what the deadlines are, what you will pay and which permits and insurance you need.

This guide focuses on the university system itself: choosing programmes, admissions, tuition, funding and the practical first steps. For the legal side in more detail (visas, residence permits, BSN registration and your first 30 days), read the student expat guide for the Netherlands.

💡 Looking for a complete banking comparison? Read Best banking for expats in the Netherlands 2026 — covers ABN, ING, Bunq, Wise, Revolut & 5 others by expat use case.

The Dutch Higher Education System: WO vs HBO

The Netherlands divides its higher education into two main types of institution. The figures below come from Study in NL, which calls itself the official starting point for studying in the Netherlands.

WO: Research Universities (Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs)

Research universities offer research-oriented programmes in an academic setting. A bachelor’s (BA, BSc or LLB) takes 3 years and 180 credits, and almost all bachelor’s programmes include a course in research methodology and a bachelor’s thesis. A master’s takes at least 1 year (60 credits); research master’s, teacher training master’s and programmes in engineering, mathematics, natural science and agriculture take 2 years (120 credits), and medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine and pharmacy take 3 years (180 credits).

Research universities include:

• Delft University of Technology
• Eindhoven University of Technology
• Erasmus University Rotterdam
• Leiden University, the first university established in the Netherlands (1575)
• Maastricht University, which teaches with Problem-Based Learning
• Radboud University Nijmegen
• Tilburg University
• University of Amsterdam
• University of Groningen
• University of Twente
• Utrecht University
• VU Amsterdam
• Wageningen University & Research

Study in NL’s list of research universities offering international degree programmes also includes the Open University, Nyenrode Business University, TIAS School for Business and Society, the Protestant Theological University and the University of Humanistic Studies.

HBO: Universities of Applied Sciences (Hogescholen)

Universities of applied sciences focus on the practical application of arts and sciences, and internships are an important part of their programmes. A bachelor’s takes 4 years and 240 credits; most start with a first year (propedeuse) followed by a three-year main phase. Master’s programmes last at least 1 year, and many run from 1.5 to 4 years; the majority are part-time, because students usually already work in the profession.

Examples are Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, The Hague University of Applied Sciences, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht and Fontys University of Applied Sciences.

Choosing a University

We do not publish rankings or “best university” lists on this page. If rankings matter to you, check the ranking publisher’s own site and look at the subject you want to study rather than the overall position.

Study in NL’s Studyfinder lets you search English-taught programmes and shows the fee and the scholarships per programme. The city matters too: housing costs and availability differ a lot. See the guides to Delft, Amsterdam and Rotterdam for city-specific information.

English-Language Programmes

Study in NL lists a wide range of English-taught programmes in its Studyfinder. Not every programme is taught in English, so check the language of instruction for the programme you want.

If your programme is taught in Dutch, you have to prove that your Dutch is good enough. Study in NL points to university language centres that offer Dutch as a second language; the advanced courses prepare you for the state examination Dutch as a second language (NT2). Some institutions set additional language requirements, so ask the institution.

Admissions: How It Actually Works

Studielink

For most programmes you first register through Studielink, the official registration and application portal for programmes at Dutch higher education institutions. Some institutions use a different method for students from abroad, so check with the institution first (Study in NL).

Deadlines:

• 15 January (23:59 CET) for numerus fixus programmes: programmes with a limited number of places
• 1 May (23:59) for bachelor’s programmes without a numerus fixus. If you apply through Studielink by 1 May and meet the admission requirements, you have the right to be admitted; for some programmes you must also take part in a mandatory study choice check (studiekeuzecheck)
• The 1 May deadline does not apply to master’s programmes (Government.nl)

These are general deadlines. Institutions can set different dates per programme, so always check the exact deadline with the institution (Study in NL).

Numerus fixus programmes: you can apply for at most two numerus fixus programmes per academic year, and for medicine, dentistry, dental hygiene and physiotherapy only once per programme. If there are more applicants than places, the institution holds a selection between 15 January and 15 April and you receive a ranking number through Studielink on 15 April. If you are offered a place, you must accept it in Studielink within two weeks (Study in NL).

Selection and Requirements

Each institution sets its own admission requirements, and these can differ per programme (Study in NL). Common elements:

• A qualifying diploma. The institution sets the minimum qualification; you can compare your own diploma with Nuffic’s list of common diplomas per country.
• English language proof for an English-taught programme. Institutions generally accept Cambridge English (B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency), IELTS, LanguageCert, Pearson, TOEFL iBT and TOEIC. The required score is set per programme.
• Additional requirements that differ per programme, such as a selection procedure for numerus fixus programmes. Check the programme page.

If you do not yet meet the requirements, ask the institution whether a preparatory year is possible.

Diploma Recognition: Nuffic and IDW

To find out whether your diploma gives access to a programme, the institution consults Nuffic, the Dutch centre for the recognition of foreign qualifications. That is free for you, and the institution makes the final decision (Study in NL).

You can also request a credential evaluation yourself through IDW. It costs €148.83, it is advice that you cannot derive rights from, and it does not guarantee admission. If you already know what you want to study, IDW advises contacting the institution instead (IDW).

The diploma evaluator tool on this site gives a first indication; the institution’s decision is what counts.

Tuition Fees: The Full Picture

Statutory Tuition Fee (Wettelijk Collegegeld)

The statutory fee for the 2026-2027 academic year is €2,694 for a full-time programme; for part-time or dual programmes it is between €1,604 and €2,694 (Rijksoverheid). The government indexes it every year with the consumer price index, and it is the same at every institution.

According to Study in NL you pay the statutory fee if:

• you have the nationality of an EEA country, Switzerland or Suriname; and
• you have not yet obtained a similar degree from a government-funded Dutch university or university of applied sciences.

DUO adds that you also pay the statutory fee with certain Dutch residence permits instead of an EU/EEA, Swiss or Surinamese nationality, for example a permit type II, III, IV or V, a type I permit marked ‘European Blue Card’ or for research under Directive (EU) 2016/801, or a type I permit that gives entitlement to student finance.

Programmes with the label “small-scale and intensive education” may charge a higher fee, up to 5 times the statutory fee (Rijksoverheid).

Institutional Fees for Non-EU Students

Other students generally pay the institutional fee (instellingscollegegeld). The institution sets the amount, which can differ per programme and is never lower than the statutory fee (Rijksoverheid).

Study in NL gives these averages for students with other nationalities:

Check the exact amount for your programme in the Studyfinder or on the institution’s site. Some institutions also charge non-EEA students, or students without prior Dutch education, an application or handling fee of €75 to €100; some refund it when you enrol (Study in NL).

Scholarships

The NL Scholarship is for students from outside the EEA who apply for a full-time bachelor’s or master’s at a participating Dutch institution and do not have a degree from a Dutch institution. It is €5,000, paid in the first year of study, and it does not cover full tuition. The list of participating institutions changes every year; for 2026-2027 it includes, among others, Utrecht University, Maastricht University, Radboud University, the University of Groningen, Wageningen University & Research and several universities of applied sciences (Study in NL).

Universities also have their own scholarships, and some schemes are country-specific. Study in NL’s Studyfinder shows which scholarships are available for a programme; check the institution’s site for conditions and deadlines.

DUO Student Finance: Who Qualifies?

DUO studiefinanciering is the Dutch government’s student finance. It consists of the basic grant, the supplementary grant (depending on your parents’ income), the student travel product, an interest-bearing loan and the tuition fees loan. For hbo and university, the basic grant, the supplementary grant and the student travel product are a performance grant: they become a gift only if you obtain your diploma within 10 years; otherwise you repay them with interest (DUO).

General conditions (DUO): you are younger than 30 when your student finance starts, you are enrolled full-time or dual in a recognised bachelor’s, master’s or associate degree programme of at least 1 year, and you meet the nationality condition.

Nationality condition:

• Dutch nationality or a residence permit type II, III, IV or V: you meet it.
• A residence permit type I: you may qualify; DUO’s eligibility assistant shows whether you do. The student residence permit is a type I permit (IND).
• EU/EEA, Swiss or British nationality: you also need to have lived in the Netherlands for 5 or more consecutive years, or be a migrant worker with paid work in the Netherlands of at least 32 hours a month (or a monthly income of at least 50% of the social security norm, €700.75 in 2026, or €173 if you are younger than 21), or have a partner or parent who is such a migrant worker. British students also need an Article 50 TEU residence document.

If you, your parent or your partner has worked for 6 months or more, an average of 24 hours a month can be enough; between 24 and 32 hours DUO assesses your case. Below an average of 24 hours you are not entitled, unless you can prove you are a migrant worker (DUO).

Tuition fees loan without student finance: EEA and Swiss students (and British students with an Article 50 residence permit) who are not eligible for student finance can still apply for the tuition fees loan if they are under 30, enrolled full-time or dual in hbo or university, and the programme lasts at least a year and qualifies for student finance. It is a loan that you repay with interest (DUO).

Residence Permit, Work and Health Insurance

Student residence permit (non-EU/EEA students)

EU nationals do not need a visa or a work permit (Study in NL). Most other students need a residence permit for study. Only the educational institution can apply for it, and it must be a sponsor recognised by the IND (IND). Depending on your nationality you also need an entry visa (MVV): once the institution receives the IND’s approval, you apply for the MVV at the Dutch embassy or consulate (Study in NL).

The IND fee for a residence permit for study is €254 in 2026, and you must show sufficient means of €1,130.77 a month for hbo or university (IND). Ask your institution how it handles the application and the fee.

Working alongside your studies

• EU/EEA and Swiss students can work without restrictions (Study in NL).
• Students with a study residence permit may work as an employee only if the employer has a work permit (TWV) for them. You then choose: up to 16 hours a week, or full-time in June, July and August. The Netherlands Labour Authority checks this; if you work more than allowed or without a TWV, it reports this to the IND and the employer is fined. Working as a self-employed person does not require a TWV, as long as you still meet the requirements for your permit (IND).

Health insurance

• Study only: you are not allowed to take out Dutch public health insurance. Make sure your insurance from home covers you sufficiently, or take out private insurance. EU/EEA students may be covered through the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC); check this with your insurer at home (Study in NL).
• Study and a (part-time) job: you must take out Dutch public health insurance (Study in NL). The average premium in 2026 is €157 a month (Rijksoverheid). See our health insurance guide for international students.
• Paid internship: separate rules apply, which depend on your nationality and pay; Study in NL refers to the SVB.

Housing: The Hardest Part

Study in NL warns that the Netherlands is dealing with a severe housing shortage and that there is not enough student housing for everyone. Its advice is to arrange housing as soon as possible, before you arrive.

University-Linked Housing

Students usually do not live on campus but in student houses across the city. Some institutions have some on-campus housing or can arrange a room, so ask your institution first (Study in NL). Study in NL’s list of housing providers includes student housing organisations such as DUWO and SSH Student Housing.

Private Market Solutions

Kamernet lists rooms, studios and apartments. Its search filters are free; to respond to listings and contact landlords you need a Premium account. Kamernet checks new and changed ads and encourages landlords to get verified. Read the rental scams guide before you start your search.

HousingAnywhere is a platform for renting a place for a period of months. Read the HousingAnywhere vs Kamernet vs Funda comparison for a direct platform breakdown.

Practical points from Study in NL:

1. Ask your institution about housing as soon as you apply.
2. Never sign a tenancy contract without having seen the room; if you cannot visit, ask for an online tour and make sure you can see the person you are talking to.
3. Do not pay brokerage fees: they are not necessary.
4. Check whether the room is furnished and which bills (gas, electricity, internet) are included in the rent.
5. A rental contract with a minimum duration is not legally allowed.

On average a room costs about €550 a month, but this varies by city and region; rooms in a student hotel are more expensive (Study in NL). See the housing guide for expats for the wider rental market.

Post-Study Options: The Orientation Year

The zoekjaar (orientation year for highly educated persons) is a residence permit for looking for work after your graduation, doctorate or research in the Netherlands. According to the IND and Study in NL:

• You can apply if you completed your studies in the Netherlands within the 3 years before the application.
• The permit is valid for 1 year and cannot be extended.
• You may work freely: your employer does not need a work permit (TWV). You may also work as a self-employed person.
• The IND fee for a first application is €254 in 2026.
• If you find a job, you can apply for a permit that allows you to work, such as the highly skilled migrant permit. The reduced salary criterion of €3,122 gross a month (2026) applies if that permit is applied for during the orientation year, or within 3 years of your graduation date. The regular under-30 threshold is €4,357.
• During an orientation year you are not allowed to take out Dutch public health insurance until you start working; you can take out international health insurance (Study in NL).

Study in NL also notes that Dutch is still the main language of the country and can be a requirement for jobs. For work permits after graduation, read the work permits guide.

The Student Budget

Study in NL says students spend on average €1,000 to €1,500 a month. It gives this monthly overview, based on Nibud figures from 2024:

If you have a job, add Dutch public health insurance. Rent depends heavily on the city: Study in NL says an average room costs between €450 and €1,000 a month and that Amsterdam is more expensive than smaller towns such as Enschede. Use the cost of living calculator for a personalised breakdown.

Managing Money as a Student

Dutch banks ask for a BSN, which requires registering with the gemeente, which requires a registered address. ABN AMRO and ING let you open before the BSN arrives (ABN AMRO within 120 days, ING within 90 days for non-EEA passport holders), but ABN AMRO still wants an official Dutch home address.

For your first weeks, Wise is an option: you can open a Wise account before you arrive, receive money from your home country, and pay Dutch expenses with the Wise debit card while you wait for your Dutch bank account. Wise says it uses the mid-market exchange rate and never hides its fees.

Bunq lets you sign up in its app before you move to the Netherlands; you can start without a BSN and provide it within 90 days, and it offers support in English (bunq).

Practical Timeline for International Applicants

Before you apply:

• Find programmes in the Studyfinder and check the admission requirements, deadline and fee on the institution’s site
• Check how your diploma compares and arrange an English test if you need one

Application (most bachelor’s programmes start in September):

• Numerus fixus programmes: apply through Studielink before 15 January
• Bachelor’s programmes without a numerus fixus: apply before 1 May; check the institution’s own deadline, which can be earlier
• Ask the institution about housing as soon as you apply

After admission:

• Start your private housing search, for example on Kamernet
• Non-EU students: your institution applies for your residence permit; after the IND’s approval you apply for the MVV if you need one
• Arrange health insurance from home or private insurance for your studies
• Set up a Wise account for your first spending if you want to

Arrival:

• If you stay longer than 4 months, register with the municipality to get your BSN; many institutions organise registration on special intake days (Study in NL)
• After you receive your BSN, you can apply for DigiD
• Take out Dutch public health insurance as soon as you start a (part-time) job
• Get an OV-chipkaart or check-in option for public transport

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between WO and HBO in the Netherlands?

WO institutions are research universities: a bachelor’s takes 3 years (180 credits). HBO institutions are universities of applied sciences with practice-oriented programmes and internships: a bachelor’s takes 4 years (240 credits). Both award bachelor’s and master’s degrees (Study in NL).

Do I need to learn Dutch to study in the Netherlands?

Not for an English-taught programme. For a programme taught in Dutch you have to prove your Dutch, usually at the level of the NT2 state exam. For daily life and work, Study in NL notes that Dutch is still the main language and can be a requirement for jobs.

What is the orientation year (zoekjaar)?

A one-year residence permit to look for work after you graduate in the Netherlands. You can apply within 3 years of completing your studies, you may work freely without a TWV, and the permit cannot be extended (IND).

How do I apply to Dutch universities?

For most programmes through Studielink, but check with the institution first. The general deadlines are 15 January for numerus fixus programmes and 1 May for bachelor’s programmes without a numerus fixus; institutions can set different dates.

How bad is the Dutch student housing shortage?

Study in NL calls it a severe housing shortage, with not enough student housing for everyone, and advises arranging housing before you arrive. Start as soon as you apply and ask your institution what it offers.

What scholarships are available for international students in the Netherlands?

The NL Scholarship (€5,000 in the first year, for non-EEA students at participating institutions) and the institutions’ own scholarships. The Studyfinder shows which scholarships apply to a programme.

Can I work while studying in the Netherlands?

EU/EEA and Swiss students can work without restrictions. With a study residence permit you need an employer with a TWV, and you may then work up to 16 hours a week or full-time in June, July and August (IND).

Final Thoughts

The steps that matter most are early and administrative: check the deadline and fee for your programme, find out whether you pay the statutory or the institutional fee, start your housing search as soon as you apply (for example on Kamernet), and arrange the right health insurance for your situation.

Use Wise for managing money before your Dutch bank account is set up, and read the student expat guide for the full legal and administrative picture.

Sources checked on 31 October 2026: Rijksoverheid and DUO (statutory tuition fee), Study in NL (system, admissions, fees, NL Scholarship, health insurance, housing, costs), Studielink and Government.nl (deadlines), IDW, DUO, IND.