The Netherlands has become one of Europe’s best-kept educational secrets for international students. The country situated in the Low Countries is filled with sights and sounds, and has an excellent transport system for easy movement. Studying in the Netherlands follows the Bologna Process and ECTS, which ensure that students’ qualifications are recognised across Europe.
The country has two types of higher education institutions:
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Universities of applied sciences (hogescholen; HBO)
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Research universities (universiteiten; WO)
Read: Top 10 US Universities Offering Free Tuition to International Students: A Guide
How to Apply
International students can use a centralised platform like the ‘Studielink’ system to differentiate the universities. An application fee is required for each university.
Common admission requirements include:
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A CV or resume
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Recommendation letters
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A high school diploma (or the equivalent) or a bachelor's degree
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Evidence of funds (including any relevant scholarship information)
Some universities may require documents to be translated into Dutch.
How to choose a university in the Netherlands?
1. Decide the levels of higher education:
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Research-oriented education, in Dutch known as wetenschappelijk onderwijs (WO), is offered by research universities.
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Higher professional education, known as hoger beroepsonderwijs (HBO), is offered by universities of applied sciences.
2. Consider the cost of living in your chosen city:
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A region like the Randstad includes major cities such as The Hague, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Utrecht. The cost of living in these cities is high.
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Regions outside the Randstad area, such as Wageningen, Tilburg, Enschede, Eindhoven, or Groningen, are affordable.
3. Choose a university according to the discipline:
Consider a university that offers your field of study. You can check universities on THE World University Rankings by subject.
Top student hubs in the Netherlands
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North Brabant: One of the friendliest regions in the country.
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Randstad area: Most international students stay here.
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Groningen and Nijmegen: Houses many research and applied sciences universities.
Admission Requirements
A. Bachelor’s Programs
For Nigerian / African students:
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WAEC/NECO with good grades
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Some programs require a Foundation Year.
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English:
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IELTS 6.0
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OR WAEC English (C6 and above) accepted by many universities
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OR Medium of Instruction Letter
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Personal statement
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Passport
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Sometimes: Interview
Programs that often require Foundation:
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Engineering
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Biomedical sciences
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Psychology
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Economics
B. Master’s Programs
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Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field
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CGPA: 2.5–3.0 minimum, depending on school
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Transcript
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Motivation letter
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1–2 recommendation letters
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CV
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IELTS 6.0–6.5 (or MOI accepted by some)
Tuition Fees in the Netherlands
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For the public: Between 2,000 and 20,000 EUR per academic year.
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For private universities, tuition fees can reach 30,000 EUR.
Statutory tuition fees: The fees are determined by the government and adjusted for inflation each year. Students who qualify for the statutory tuition fee need to meet the following criteria:
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Be of Dutch nationality or a national of any other EU/EEA country, Switzerland or Suriname. Or you hold one of the listed Dutch residence permits.
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Enrol in a government-funded programme.
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Do not hold a comparable degree from a government-funded Dutch university.
Institutional tuition fees: Those who don’t meet the statutory tuition fee criteria will most likely need to pay the institutional tuition fees.
Tuition fees deduction: The tuition fee lottery for statutory fee payers allows students to get two degrees for the price of one. Then, will enable students to pay a reduced first-year tuition fee. It applies only to Dutch public universities, but you can choose to study within the same or two different universities
Criteria to meet:
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Enrolling in a Dutch public higher education institution;
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Study a bachelor’s degree or an associate degree programme;
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Meet the requirements for paying the statutory tuition fee.
Scholarships in the Netherlands
The Netherlands offers many funding opportunities:
1. Holland Scholarship: €5,000 toward your first-year tuition. Open to non-EU students.
2. Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP): For professionals (fully funded).
3. Erasmus+ Scholarships: For exchange and some Master’s.
4. University-Specific Scholarships
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University of Twente Scholarship
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VUFP at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
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Leiden Excellence Scholarship
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Maastricht High Potential Scholarship
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HAN Talent Scholarship
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Saxion Excellent Scholarship
How can you pay your tuition fees in the Netherlands?
Tuition fees can be paid either in one lump sum before the academic year begins or in five to ten installments via the Pay4Me App.
Can I study in the Netherlands for free?
Public higher education is government subsidised in the Netherlands for international students from the EU/EEA..
What are the best universities in the Netherlands?
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Wageningen University & Research.
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University of Amsterdam.
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Utrecht University.
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Delft University of Technology.
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University of Groningen.
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 to full-time in the months of 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.
How can I find housing?
Check with your institution to see if they can arrange a room for you. For more information, check finding a place to live.
Can I study in the Netherlands as an international student?
Yes. The Netherlands has a large international population.
Can I study in the Netherlands in English?
Many Dutch universities offer their courses in English as well as Dutch. If your first language is not English, you will need to provide evidence of your proficiency in English.
How the Pay4Me App Can Help You Study in the Netherlands
With the Pay4Me App, you can pay your tuition, application, and accommodation fees quickly and securely from your home country. Get started today by downloading the Pay4Me App.
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