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Studying in the Netherlands

Tuition, living costs, visas and how to apply, from the European Commission's official profile — with student numbers from Eurostat and the Erasmus Mundus master's you can take here.

🇳🇱 Browse the Netherlands’ universities on CollegeMatcher

At a glance

Tuition · EU/EEA students

€2,530 a year — the government-set statutory rate (2024–25)

Tuition · non-EU/EEA students

€6,000 – €20,000 a year, depending on programme and institution

Living costs

€1,000 – €1,500 a month on average

Erasmus Mundus master's

32 joint programmes with a university here

Students in the Netherlands

Tertiary students · 2024

969,491

From abroad · 2021

135,53513.7% of all students

Of whom from the EU · 2021

74,05154.6% of students from abroad

The Netherlands reports its total but no breakdown by country of origin.

The Netherlands’ latest figure for students from abroad is for 2021, older than its enrolment figure.

“From abroad” means degree-mobile students — enrolled for a whole degree, having gained their previous qualification in another country. Exchange students on Erasmus aren't counted.

Tertiary students by year
201520162017201820192020202120232024
842,601836,946875,455889,506913,150937,421987,564985,327969,491

Tuition fees and living costs

Tuition fees in the Netherlands as of 2025 are

  • EU/EEA students: €2 530 per year (2024 – 2025, standard government-set rate)
  • Non-EU/EEA students: €6 000 – €20 000 per year, depending on programme and institution

Some other fees can apply for students with no Dutch education. Read more details about tuition fees.

In terms of living costs, students spend an average of €1 000 - €1 500 a month. Get a breakdown of average living costs for things like housing, food and transport.

Visa requirements

If you are a non-EU/EEA student and plan to study in the Netherlands for more than 90 days, you will need a residence permit. Your host university will usually apply on your behalf after admission.

Find out if you'll need a visa

Education system

The Dutch system includes two main types of higher education institutions:

  • Research universities – focus on academic education and scientific research
  • Universities of applied sciences – emphasise practical training and professional skills

Degree options

  • Bachelor’s degree (3 – 4 years)
  • Master’s degree (1 – 2 years)
  • PhD programmes (usually 4 years)
  • PDEng programmes (2 years)
  • Associate Degree (2 years)

There are also exchange and short-term study opportunities, including Erasmus+ and summer schools.

More details on the Dutch education system

Application process

Application procedures depend on the institution and programmes. Key steps include:

  1. choose a programme via Studyfinder
  2. check entry requirements including diploma equivalence and language skills (typically IELTS 6.0+ or TOEFL)
  3. apply via Studielink, the official Dutch application system
  4. submit required documents and follow additional instructions from the university

Details and deadlines for applying

Scholarship opportunities

Find a study programme of your interest by using Studyfinder and find out which scholarships may be available.

Select the study programme of your interest and scroll down to find out about the scholarship possibilities.

You can also contact the institution of your interest to find out if they offer other scholarships.

Student life

The Netherlands offers a dynamic and international student experience. Most Dutch people speak English, making it easy to adapt and communicate.

However, speaking Dutch is important if you want to integrate into Dutch society and to connect with fellow students. Students can join international associations, explore museums, and bike through historic cities like Amsterdam, Utrecht, and Groningen.

Frequently asked questions

Are programmes taught in English?

There are many programmes fully taught in English, especially at bachelor’s and master’s levels.

Can I work while studying?

Yes. EU/EEA students can work freely. Non-EU/EEA students need a work permit and are limited to 16 hours per week during term, or fulltime in the months June, July and August.

Is health insurance required?

Yes. EU/EEA students can use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Non-EU/EEA students should take out Dutch or private insurance, depending on whether you are working while studying or are in the Netherlands for study purposes only.

How can I find housing?

Be aware that the Netherlands is dealing with a severe housing shortage. In the Netherlands, students usually don’t live on campus but in student houses across the city. Some higher education institutions do have some on-campus housing. Check at your institution whether they can arrange a room for you. For more information, please check finding a place to live.

Source: Study in the Netherlands – higher education, costs and applying, last updated 24 March 2026.

Erasmus Mundus master's with a university in the Netherlands

Joint master's taught by several universities in different countries, open to students from anywhere, with EU-funded scholarships on many of them.

Country guidance adapted from the European Commission’s Study in Europe country profiles, © European Union, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Condensed, restructured and combined with other data by CollegeMatcher.

Student numbers: Eurostat, tables educ_uoe_enrt01 (tertiary enrolment) and educ_uoe_mobs02 (degree-mobile students from abroad).

Programmes: the Erasmus Mundus Catalogue of the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA); partner institutions from the Erasmus+ Project Results Platform. © European Union, CC BY 4.0.

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