Quick Facts
| Tuition Range | Non-EU: Bachelor's €9,000–20,000/yr; Master's €12,000–30,000/yr |
|---|---|
| Living Cost | €1,000–1,500/mo |
| Student Visa Fee | €254 (residence permit, 2026) |
| Intakes | Sep, Feb |
| Last Verified Date | November 10, 2026 |
Overview
The Netherlands is one of the best destinations for English-taught study, with more than 2,000 English-taught programmes at research universities and universities of applied sciences. Dutch degrees are known for a practical, discussion-based teaching style, and the country is strong in engineering, business, agriculture, water management, design and the social sciences. The Netherlands is a small, safe and well-connected country with a large international student community, and most Dutch people speak English fluently.
Tuition Fees
Students from the European Economic Area, Switzerland and Suriname pay the statutory fee of €2,694 a year for 2026/27. Non-European students pay institutional fees set by each university: about €9,000 to €20,000 a year for a bachelor’s degree and about €12,000 to €30,000 a year for a master’s degree. Fees vary by university and programme, so the official page of each institution should be checked.
Living Cost
Living costs are about €1,000 to €1,500 a month, with rent usually the largest cost. Student housing is in short supply in most Dutch cities, so students should start looking for a room as soon as they are admitted. A bicycle is the usual way to travel, and public transport is reliable.
Student Visa
Students from outside Europe need an entry visa (MVV) and a residence permit (VVR). The university applies for both as a recognised sponsor, so the student does not apply to the immigration service directly. The permit fee is €254 for 2026, and the student must show funds of €1,130.77 a month, or €13,569.24 for a year. Processing usually takes 60 to 90 days. Students may work up to 16 hours a week during term time, or full time in June, July and August, with a work permit arranged by the employer. After graduation, students may apply for an Orientation Year permit of 12 months to look for work.
Top Universities
Delft University of Technology, the University of Amsterdam, Utrecht University, Leiden University, the University of Groningen and Erasmus University Rotterdam are among the names most often listed for the Netherlands.
