Admission in the Netherlands is possible after the 11th grade, but not at all universities. For some, a high school diploma is sufficient, while others require foundation courses or one year of bachelor’s studies at home. Continue reading for information on prices, scholarships, visas, and other requirements.

Read our separate articles on the higher education system, universities, as well as bachelor's and master's programs in the Netherlands.

Guidance in the admission process

Our staff will walk you through the entire admission process: from choosing a university and preparing documents to enrollment and obtaining a visa. We are always in touch and ready to answer any questions. UniPage experts will always objectively assess your situation and suggest the most suitable university options.

Netherlands - General information
region Western Europe
Capital Amsterdam
Language Dutch
Currency Euro
Population 16,819,595
Statistics - Universities
Universities in top 100 4
Universities in top 200 10
Universities in top 500 13
Universities in top 1000 13
Universities in top 5000 32
Cost of living in Netherlands
Expenses - USD/Month Min. Med.
Accommodation 327 446
Food 189 424
Transportation 68 211
Communications and utilities 76 102
Clothing 28 106
Sports and leisure 21 91
Total 709 1,381
Accommodation in Netherlands USD/Month
Shared room outside of centre 331
Shared room in city centre 451
1 bedroom apartment outside of centre 604
1 bedroom apartment in city centre 822
Location on map

Cost of education in the Netherlands

ProgramAgeDurationMin. cost per yearAvg. cost per year
Foundation17+1 year8,690 USD15,207 USD
Bachelor's18+3-4 years9,738 USD15,207 USD
Master's20+1-3 years

9,776 USD

15,207 USD
MBA20+1-2 years13,035 USD38,019 USD
Doctorate21+4-5 years

FreeIn the Netherlands, most doctorate programs are salaried jobs

FreeIn the Netherlands, most doctorate programs are salaried jobs
Additional expenses
ExpenseAverage cost
Registration fee109 USD
Visa189 USD
RentDepending on the city978 USD/month
Insurance174 USD/year
Food196 USD/month
Public transportation65 USD/month
Bicycle rental11 USD/day

Please specify all prices and requirements on the website of your chosen university.

Admission to Dutch universities

The Netherlands has a binary education system. Universities are divided into applied (hoger beroepsonderwijs, HBO) and research (wetenschappelijk onderwijs, WO) categories. Both options are available to foreign students.

  • Research universities (WO) are classic universities that prioritize research and innovation. They offer bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate programs.
  • Universities of applied sciences (HBO) prepare students for professional careers with a strong focus on experiential practice. Applicants can enroll in bachelor’s and master’s programs. There are no PhD programs available at universities of applied sciences.

How to choose a university

Decide on a specialty

This is a key point when looking for a university, and our career guidance article is here to help. The most popular fields for international students in the Netherlands are economics and business, humanities and social sciences, and engineering. Each university has its own top study programs and faculties. For example:

You can evaluate a particular university faculty through subject ratings and reviews written by graduates and lecturers.

The level of education can also significantly differ from one university to another. For example, the University of Amsterdam offers strong master's and doctorate programs, while its bachelor's programs do not stand out from that of other Dutch universities.

Check out international rankings

Rankings should be used as a reference point in the initial stages of the search. Not all of them are objective or suitable for your personal goals. By all means, some excellent universities are not included in rankings. For example, there is not a single university of applied sciences, given that their students are career-oriented and publish less research.

In the QS ranking, the most significant criterion (40%) is the university’s reputation based on the opinion of students and lecturers. This is a good indicator for the quality of education. But if you plan on pursuing an academic career, then the ARWU ranking is better for you — it evaluates the quantity and quality of the university’s scientific publications.

For example, the University of Amsterdam ranks 54th and 1st in the country according to the QS Ranking. However, it ranks 101st in the ARWU, while Utrecht University boasts 50th place[1].

You can learn more about ranking systems in this article.

Compare tuition costs

Education in the Netherlands is one of the most expensive options in Europe, but cheaper than that of the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. On average, annual tuition will cost you 15,207-19,552 USD.

However, you can sometimes come across programs that are cheap for the Netherlands. For example, the Erasmus University Rotterdam has a Research Master in Philosophy and Economics that costs 4,671 USD per year. Also, do not forget about the universities of applied sciences (HBO) — they are cheaper, averaging at 11,949-13,035 USD per year.

There are fewer private universities in the Netherlands than public ones. Usually these are medical schools, business schools, or international affiliates of other universities. As a rule, their programs are more expensive. For example, at Saba University School of Medicine, the Clinical Medicine program costs 23,300 USD per semester[2].

Choose a university and program according to your budget. Be sure to consider living costs along with tuition. In the Netherlands, expect to spend about 1,086 USD per month on day-to-day expenses. That being said, keep an eye out for scholarship opportunities — we will discuss them a bit later.

Study the requirements

As you might assume, the admission requirements of popular universities tend to be more rigorous than those of their less known counterparts.

But more importantly, many programs (mainly architecture, law, and medicine) have a numerus fixus — a limit on the number of students. They also have different application deadlines (usually January 15) and higher requirements. All this should be taken into account when choosing a university — be sure to have a plan B.

Some universities do not accept high school diplomas received after the 11th grade. It is advisable to contact the admissions committee of the chosen university and clarify the possible nuances.

Think about other criteria

Consider your own individual values. While we discussed the main criteria addressed during the selection process, your case may be different.

Identify and make a list of what else might be important to you while studying at a Dutch university — for example, housing, foreigner student ratios, and food costs.

Admission assistance
UniPage employs professionals with extensive experience in admission to Dutch universities, including the University of Amsterdam, Utrecht University, and Maastricht University. They will help you:
  • Choose a university and program
  • Assess your chances and possible risks
  • Prepare all the necessary documents
  • Write a motivation letter
  • Get advice

List of the best universities in the Netherlands

Information is exploratory. For accurate information, refer to the official website of the school.
TitleCountryCityBachelorMaster
621Utrecht UniversityNetherlandsUtrecht
from  9,875 USD
to  25,309 USD
from  19,009 USD
to  190,093 USD
652University of AmsterdamNetherlandsAmsterdam
from  9,917 USD
to  26,613 USD
from  12,427 USD
to  43,341 USD
813University of GroningenNetherlandsGroningen
from  10,862 USD
to  34,760 USD
from  9,776 USD
to  20,096 USD
844Leiden UniversityNetherlandsLeiden
from  11,640 USD
to  17,597 USD
from  19,244 USD
to  21,290 USD
1275Delft University of TechnologyNetherlandsDelft
 
10,862 USD
 
16,294 USD
1346Vrije Universiteit AmsterdamNetherlandsAmsterdam
from  4,497 USD
to  13,752 USD
from  1,200 USD
to  18,281 USD
1367Erasmus University RotterdamNetherlandsRotterdam
from  7,278 USD
to  13,578 USD
from  6,517 USD
to  60,830 USD
1378Radboud University NijmegenNetherlandsNijmegen
 
7,604 USD
 
10,862 USD
1559Wageningen University & ResearchNetherlandsWageningen
 
13,578 USD
 
16,294 USD
18710Maastricht UniversityNetherlandsMaastricht
from  9,993 USD
to  15,443 USD
from  14,990 USD
to  28,242 USD

Requirements for admission to the Netherlands

Some universities accept high school diplomas received after the 11th grade. However, some research universities may require you to take a preparatory course, choose another university, or study for one year in your home country.

For each program, you need to confirm your language level unless you are a native speaker.

  • English. For most programs, it is sufficient to know English at the Upper-Intermediate level, which corresponds to 6.0 points on the IELTS exam or 78 points on the TOEFL exam. However, for the humanities (philology, journalism, and law), IELTS 7.0-7.5 may be required.
  • Dutch language. Universities accept NT2 and CNaVT certificates. For bachelor's and master's programs, an Upper-Intermediate (B2) level is sufficient, while doctorate programs usually require an Advanced (C1) level.

What other requirements do you need to be prepared for?

  • Motivation letter. A common requirement at Dutch universities, where you describe your achievements, reasons for studying, and educational goals.
  • Recommendations. These are references from a teacher or employer. Some universities request that the recommendation is sent in by the author rather than the applicant. They are usually required for graduate and doctorate programs, as well as some scholarships.
  • GPA. The Netherlands uses a 10-point system for assessing knowledge. For successful admission to most universities, your grade point average should be above 7.5. For some specialties, grades in core subjects must be high. For example, a student applying for a bachelor’s program in engineering should have good grades in mathematics and physics. Straight-A students have the highest chances of admission.

At almost every Dutch university, admission consists of three stages:

  1. First, sign up on Studielink. Go through the passport verification and indicate the required information regarding your previous education. After that, choose a university, program, and start date (winter or autumn semester).
  2. Next, a university representative will contact you. He will ask you questions about your education and provide access to the university website. There, you will upload your documents: language proficiency certificates, diplomas and transcripts, and course descriptions. Additionally, they may require recommendations, motivation letters, resumes, and portfolios.
  3. If everything goes well, you will be sent an invitation letter and invoice to pay for tuition. The first fee must be paid before the start of classes, otherwise your application may be rejected. From this moment on, you will be able to apply for a visa.

Deadlines in the Netherlands

In the Netherlands, the school year starts during the first week of September. Application deadlines for most universities are in May and April. But, there is an exception — numerus fixus. Such programs have a separate deadline — January 15th. It is easy to tell these programs apart — on Studielink, a warning about limited placements and dates is put on the relevant programs. Most often, these include those in the law, medicine, engineering, and architecture fields.

Diploma legalization

Diplomas and certificates from the CIS countries are recognized in the Netherlands without an apostille. Depending on the program, only a translation into English or Dutch is required.

Preparatory programs

Preparatory courses, known as the Foundation year, are usually chosen by applicants who hesitate about their language level or grades. Such courses last from 2 to 12 months. Students get used to the Dutch education system, improve their knowledge in the chosen direction, and prepare for standardized language tests (IELTS, TOEFL, or NT2).

The Foundation year is an excellent choice for applicants who were denied admission due to academic differences. Not all research universities accept students from the 11th grade, so the Foundation year can be a good alternative to another year of study.

For admission, you need an IELTS 5.0 or TOEFL iBT 70 certificate, along with high grades in core subjects.

How to apply for a bachelor’s degree

Studielink is used to apply to most universities. Register, verify your passport information, and indicate information regarding your previous education. You can then select universities and apply for one or more programs. After that, you will be contacted by email and invited to upload documents on the university system — this is usually a website or app.

Some research universities may not accept an 11th grade high school diploma, because secondary education lasts 12 years in the Netherlands. In this case, the student needs to:

  • Study at an accredited university in the home country for one year
  • Or take a preparatory course at the chosen university
  • Or choose another university

Before admission, it is advisable to contact the admissions committee to clarify questions regarding your diploma.

Documents for admission

  • Diploma and transcript with grades
  • Motivation letter
  • IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 80 certificates for English-language programs, and NT2/CNaVT for Dutch programsB2 level.

How to apply for a master’s degree

As with bachelor’s programs, master’s applications start with registration and passport verification on StudielinkThis is a unified application system. There, you need to select a university, program, and describe your previous education.

If your application for Studielink is approved, the admission process will move to the university website. The university may ask for additional documents, such as a motivation letter, language certificates, recommendations, resumes, and a list of achievements. Prestigious universities and programs with a high competition usually conduct an additional interview.

Your bachelor's degree must be in the same subject area as the chosen program. Often, universities lay out a list with the required subjects, according to which the applicant can check. If you want to change your profession and enroll in another program, you can take preparatory courses at universities.

Some research institutions do not accept bachelor’s degrees from universities of applied sciences. As such, students enroll in pre-master's programs and receive 30-60 credits.

Documents for admission

  • Bachelor's degree in a related field (GPA average 75%)
  • Motivation letter
  • IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 80 certificates for English-language programs, and NT2/CNaVT for Dutch programsB2 level
  • Resume
  • GRE/GMAT (for MBAs)
Applying for an MBA
To apply for an MBA, you will need a bachelor's degree and language exam certificates. Many universities require a GMAT score of 600 points. Checkpoints at prestigious schools — 620-640. Additionally, universities may request recommendations, motivation letters, and a resume. You can apply through the university/business school website. Basic requirements for admission include: Also, depending on the university:

How to apply for a doctorate degree

Doctorate studies in the Netherlands are most correctly classified as work, not study. Most of the programs here are paid jobs. The university hires you to conduct a specific study, assigns a supervisor, and awards you with a doctorate degree after completing your dissertation.

At the university, you will be a full-fledged employee. You will conduct research, teach, and perform some of the duties of a research assistant.

The approximate salary for doctorate positions is 2,172-3,259 USD per month. Vacancies can be found in scientific journals, on university websites, and through specialized resources such as AcademicTransfer.

If you have your own topic or idea for research, but there is no suitable vacancy for it, you can contact the university and propose it yourself.

For admission, you usually need knowledge of Dutch or English, a good academic portfolio, and high grades throughout your master's program. Teaching experience will also be helpful.

Documents for admission

Scholarships and grants in the Netherlands

Scholarships are available at all major Dutch universities. Most often, they are designed for talented and motivated students — for example, the Amsterdam Excellence Scholarship from the University of Amsterdam is offered to master’s students from non-EU countries. It covers 27,156 USD of tuition and living costs per year. Similar scholarships are offered by:

  • Utrecht University — tuition coverage and 11,949 USD for yearly living expenses
  • Maastricht University — 14,121 USD for tuition, 771 USD for insurance, and 13,415 USD for other yearly expenses
  • University of Delft — tuition coverage for master's programs, reimbursement of living expenses, as well as access to additional courses and workshops on personal development

There are also many government scholarship programs. All of them are listed on the Study Holland website. It lists current opportunities by country, degree, and area of ​​study. Of these, there are two popular grants — Orange Tulip Scholarship and Holland Scholarship.

TitleApplicant requirementsSizeFeatures

Holland Scholarship

  • Applying for a full-time program
  • Meets all admission requirements
  • Has not previously studied at a Dutch university

One-time grant from 5,431 USD

The university must be a participant in the scholarship program. The application is submitted directly to the university.
Orange Tulip Scholarship
  • 18-35 years oldExcept for the MBA at Nyenrode Business University (up to 45 years old)
  • Has not previously studied at a Dutch university
  • Has not studied or worked in the Netherlands at the time of application
  • IELTS from 6.0 or TOEFL from 80
  • Meets all admission requirements
Depending on the university, from 25% to 100% of the study costs
You can only apply after enrolling at a university. The university must be a participant in the scholarship program

You can apply for both grants at the same time.

Dutch student visa

To enter the country, you will need a long-term MVV (Machtiging tot Voorlopig Verblijf) visa. A residence permit for study (VVR) is simultaneously issued. The visa application is carried out jointly with the university:

  • After enrollment, the university will contact you and provide instructions on the visa procedures
  • Then, you will need to prepare and email the necessary documents to the university
  • The university will submit documents on your behalf to the Dutch Immigration Department (IND)
  • The IND will take 2-4 weeks to approve the request
  • Finally, go to the visa center to receive the long-awaited visa

The entire process does not usually take more than a month, but may be delayed in case of an error with the documents. The cost of obtaining a visa is about 239 USD.

Required documents

  • Completed MVV application form
  • Passport, the validity of which covers the entire stay in the Netherlands with a margin of 3 months
  • Proof of financial solvency — this may be a grant or scholarship certificate, a sponsorship letter, or a bank account statement with at least 10,862 USD
  • Two 35x45 mm photographs, made in accordance with ICAO requirements
  • Tuition payment receipt for the first academic year
  • Housing reservation for the first 10 months
  • Written consent to be tested for tuberculosis upon arrival, or a medical examination certificate obtained from any public clinic within 30 days

UniPage guidance in the admission process

Choosing a university is an important and responsible step. UniPage experts will:

  • advise you on education abroad,
  • select universities based on your profile and budget,
  • prepare the necessary documents,
  • send applications to educational institutions,
  • apply for a university scholarship on your behalf,
  • help you get a student visa.