Britannica Team Updated on - Sep 26, 2025

Studying abroad in the Netherlands is an option if you consider yourself to be one of the non-cliched travellers who like to see the world on your own terms. Many foreign students are drawn to study in this European nation because of its canals, bulb fields, and affluent way of life.

For international students, studying in the Netherlands is a fun option to take. The nation is home to some of the best universities in the world, which provide a cutting-edge educational experience, a fantastic student life, and a friendly environment.

Study in the Netherlands Highlights

Here is a list of the key information you should know about Netherlands as an international student who wants to study there:

Studying in the Netherlands might satisfy your wanderlust in addition to providing you with a high-quality education because this European nation is bordered by Germany and Belgium.

Why Choose to Study In Netherlands

The Netherlands was the first country in Europe to provide courses taught in English. This implies that this nation was the first in all of Europe to welcome foreigners into its culture. Nowadays, the majority of Dutch people are English-speaking, making it simple to communicate in the Netherlands. Other significant justifications for studying in the Netherlands include:

• The Netherlands’ universities are renowned for their distinctive and cutting-edge teaching strategies. Teaching takes place in small groups in the classroom, and a focus is placed on encouraging group work among students with real-world applications.
• Universities in the Netherlands are less expensive than those in other study abroad countries like the UK or the US. Due to government funding for education, tuition costs are very cheap in the Netherlands.
• The Netherlands is a friendly and safe nation. The population is friendly and values personal liberty.
• While studying in the Netherlands, students benefit greatly from exposure to other cultures. Since there are already international students studying in Holland from more than 150 different countries, you may have a very diverse experience.
• No matter where you live while taking classes in the Netherlands, you will always have easy access to other regions of Europe. You may simply and affordably travel to nearby nations including Germany, Belgium, Poland, Luxembourg, and more.

Top Universities in the Netherlands

Universities in the Netherlands are known for their highly ranking and overseas education worldwide. The QS rating system has also awarded high rankings to 13 universities in the Netherlands. Some of the top universities in the Netherlands are listed below:

Most Popular Courses in the Netherlands

In the Netherlands, you'll find a plethora of more than 1700 programs catering to Bachelor's, Master's, and various other academic pursuits for students. The educational landscape encompasses approximately 10 distinct fields of study, with Accounting, Engineering, Health Care, Social Science, Law, Computer Science, and Arts reigning as the most widely favored subjects among those choosing to study in the Netherlands.

Tuition fee for study in Netherlands

Depending on your lifestyle, the cost of living in the Netherlands varies for international students. The good news is that students can benefit from special student discounts in malls, entertainment venues, and other establishments. To take advantage of all the benefits available to you, obtain an international student ID card or a Dutch CJP card. Below is a breakdown of the typical living expenses incurred by overseas students under various headings:

There are different programs offered in the form of certificates, diplomas, degrees and Fee Structure by the Netherlands universities for the Indian and the international students as:

Studying expenses in the Netherlands remain consistent for local/European students; however, for international students, universities of applied science generally offer a more budget-friendly option compared to research universities. International students are subject to institutional fees established by the universities, which can differ across institutions. Among the highly-ranked Dutch universities, annual fees for Bachelor's programs can reach up to €15,000, while Master's programs might cost up to €25,000. Conversely, fees for international students at universities of applied science begin at around €7,000 to €8,000, seldom exceeding €10,000.

Cost of Living in the Netherlands

Opting to pursue higher education abroad, particularly in the Netherlands, holds significant appeal for international students. The country stands out due to its relatively affordable Cost of Living, a notable contrast to nations such as the UK and the US. Adequate preparation is crucial for those embarking on their academic journey in the Netherlands, with a primary focus on anticipating living expenses. These encompass a range of essentials such as sustenance, transportation, study materials, apparel, and lodging. As a prudent estimate, students should allocate approximately €800 to €1,100 per month to cover their expenditures while residing in the Netherlands.

• Housing

An average room in the Netherlands costs somewhere between € 300 and € 600 a month.

• Food

Most higher education institutions offer hot meals at reasonable prices. Some average prices:

1. a cup of coffee/tea in a café: € 3,00
2. a cheese sandwich: € 4,00
3. dinner in a typical student restaurant: € 12,50

• Transportation

You can get around town easily on a bike. Bus tickets cost around € 2 for a single fare in the city.

Admission Requirements For International Students

You will need to fulfil a number of prerequisites depending on the course you want to take in the Netherlands. Only if you check off all of the following prerequisites will your admissions application be taken into consideration:

Application Procedure For Studying In Netherlands For International Students-

International students can apply for study visas in the Netherlands online. Let’s go over the application procedure for universities in the Netherlands in more depth below:

1. Check the top universities of Netherlands and select the course that suits you
2. Once you’ve narrowed down your list of options, visit the official university website to learn more about the prerequisites and eligibility requirements for institutions in the Netherlands.
3. Plan your preparation while keeping the application deadline in mind.
4. Take the necessary exams to apply for admission. GMAT and GRE scores are prerequisites for admission to any university in the Netherlands.
5. You must also submit your IELTS or TOEFL results in order to enrol in an English-taught course. You can take the CNaVT and NT2 language tests if you are taking a Dutch course.
6. You can use studielink or the official website of the university you want to attend to submit an application to study in Netherlands.
7. On the official website, complete the application form and provide all the necessary paperwork. Pay the application fees now by going online.
8. Keep in mind that your university is in charge of starting the visa process at the IND. So make sure to check with the college you attended. You can apply for a student visa and a resident permit at your local embassy after receiving approval from the university.

Netherlands Student Visa

If you are take admission in Neigherlands universities, it means that you won’t have to deal with visa procedures or other paperwork for too long.

• You can choose between a Schengen visa and a short-stay visa if your course in the Netherlands will last less than 90 days.
• You will need an entry visa (MVV) and a residence permit (VVR) if you are enrolling in a recognised long course in the Netherlands.

Duration

If you are staying fewer than 90 days, you might need a ‘short stay visa’ or ‘Schengen visa’. For stays longer than 90 days, you might need an entry visa (MVV, depending on your nationality) and a residence permit (VVR).

The steps for obtaining a student visa for the Netherlands are listed below:

1. Initiate your visa application after consulting with your chosen university.
2. Once you’ve finished the visa initiation process, go to the embassy or consulate to submit your visa application.
3. Submit your application after paying the visa fees.
4. Attend your interview for a visa.
5. It could take up to a month for your visa application to be accepted.
6. Get your MVV.

Documents needed to obtain a student visa for the Netherlands:

• 2 pictures and a fully filled out visa application
• Birth certificate and a valid passport
• Academic transcript
• Official letter from the Netherlands-based university
• A study plan (Explain why you are drawn to that area of study in particular. How and why does it relate to what you’ve already learned?
• Financial justification for the entire study duration (about 870 EUR per month)
• Health and travel insurance
• Application fee for visa
• Photocopies of all the original documents
• Test for tuberculosis (required for citizens from some countries)

Netherlands Government Scholarship

The Netherlands Government Scholarship Under Orange Knowledge Scholarship 2021-2022 is now open. The Netherlands Scholarship is a Fully Funded Scholarships for International Students to Study a Full-Time Masters Degree Program or Short Courses Funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Dutch Ministry has Initiated an Orange Knowledge Program Scholarship (OKP) which is a Fully Funded Scholarship to Study in the Netherlands.

The Netherland Government Scholarship Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP). OKP is Initiated and Fully Funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Following Expenses will be covered.

• Full Tuition Fees
• Living Allowance
• Visa Fee
• Round Airfare Travel Tickets
• Insurance

More than 1,000 Programs are available. You can find it through the Course Finder. All-Academic Fields and Courses are Available for the MS Degree Programs & Short Courses Scholarships for International Students

• Agriculture And Environment
• Economics, Commerce, Management, And Accounting
• Engineering
• General Programmes
• Health Care, Social Services And Care Services
• Hotel, Catering, Tourism, Leisure, Transport And Logistics
• Humanities, Social Sciences, Communication And Arts
• Law, Public Administration, Public Order, And Safety
• Mathematics, Natural Sciences, And Computer Science
• Teacher Training

Best Cities to Study In Netherlands

Despite being a tiny nation, the Netherlands offers a variety of cities where you can pursue your further education. Some of the top cities for international students to study in the Netherlands are listed below:

Amsterdam-
Monthly Average Cost of Living: 950–1000 EUR
Leading Universities Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Rotterdam
Monthly Average Cost of Living: 850–900 EUR
Top Universities: Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, and Erasmus University Rotterdam

Utrecht-
Monthly Average Cost of Living: 900 EUR
Top Universities: University College Utrecht, University of Humanistic Studies, and Utrecht University

Job Opportunities For International Students In Netherlands-

International graduates are in high demand in the Netherlands. There are a lot of open positions and not enough people to fill them. Top employers in the Netherlands include Shell, Airbus, ING group, Philips, and others. Following a master’s degree, there are several excellent work options in the Netherlands, including:

Average salary in The Netherlands - By Job

(Source: emolument)