The Netherlands is one of the most attractive yet underrated destinations for international students studying in Europe in 2025-2026. The country is known for its progressive approach to education and is a great start to a career: students are allowed to work while studying and are given time to find a job after graduation. This allows graduates to stay in the country for a certain period of time to find a job and settle in. Education in the Netherlands is attractive not only because of its high academic level, but also because of the possibility to study for free or receive a scholarship.
In the Netherlands you can get all three degrees of higher education: bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate. However, it should be noted that while the first two degrees are available at both research universities and universities of applied sciences, the PhD degree can only be obtained at research universities.
English is widely used both in the academic environment and in everyday life, so knowledge of Dutch is not compulsory. International students are usually required to complete a foundation year (or have at least one year of study at a university in their home country), a preparatory program that includes major subjects, language courses, and academic adaptation to university studies.
At the beginning of 2025, there are more than 130,000 international students studying in the Netherlands, a significant proportion of the total number of students in the country.
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Tuition in the Netherlands starts from 8,000 euros per year. The average cost of tuition at prestigious universities is about 15,000 euros per year for a bachelor’s degree. The cost depends on the rating of the university, the quality of education, and the chosen program. Partial and full scholarships are available for both bachelor’s and master’s programs, but it is easier to get them and there are more opportunities at the postgraduate level – master’s and doctoral programs.
Important: for admission to research universities it is required to pass foundation year or to have a first year of university in your home country. You can enter universities of applied sciences right after the 11th grade.
Below we will look at some of the best universities in the Netherlands:
1. Utrecht University (Research University)
One of the oldest universities in the Netherlands, dating back to the Middle Ages. Known for its academic programs, especially in medicine and natural sciences.
Tuition fees: up to 16,000 euros/year, medicine up to 27,000 euros/year (as of 2024).
Scholarships: available in a number of programs.
2. University of Amsterdam (UvA) (Research University)
One of the most famous universities in the capital, known for a wide range of programs, including rare and unique areas.
Tuition fees: 10,000-14,000 euros/year, medicine – up to 25,000 euros/year.
Scholarships: internal scholarships and grants are available.
3. Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) (Research University)
Renowned for its strong technical areas: programming, mathematics, engineering, architecture.
Tuition fees: 17,000 to 22,000 euros/year.
Scholarships: internal scholarships are available.
4. Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) (Research University)
Renowned for its engineering and IT programs. Like TU Delft, it is considered a technology hub and a place where new technologies are actively developed and patented.
Tuition fee: about 14,000 euros/year.
Scholarships: internal grants are available.
5. The Hague University of Applied Sciences (University of Applied Sciences)
One of the most international universities in the country, offers many exchange programs and a practice-oriented approach to learning.
Tuition fees: 8,000 to 9,000 euros/year depending on the program.
Scholarships: Available on a limited basis, often for the first year.
Other costs and accommodation
In order to apply for university, you will need to prove that you have a living allowance of around €12,000 per year.
Accommodation in the Netherlands is quite expensive, especially since universities often do not provide dormitories or have only a limited number of places available.
For example, renting a one-bedroom apartment in Amsterdam starts from 1500 euros per month. A more affordable option is to rent a room or share a rental apartment.
Monthly grocery expenses for one person are about 300-400 euros.
Additional expenses for transportation, internet, clothing and personal needs depend on lifestyle, but on average – about 200 euros per month.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for admission to the Netherlands may vary from university to university. It is also important to remember that there may be additional conditions when applying for a scholarship.
Base required documents include:
Additional documents for Master’s Degree:
Deadlines
In most cases, the deadline for university applications is January-February. After that, applications for scholarships open, so it is important to submit to the university first to be able to apply for funding later.
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