Canonical HTML: https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-cost-of-studying-in-the-netherlands
Markdown URL: https://www.studyu.org/en/md/blog-cost-of-studying-in-the-netherlands.md
Language: en
Meta title: Cost of Studying in the Netherlands 2026/27: Fees | StudyU
Meta description: Cost of studying in the Netherlands for non-EU students in 2026/27: university fees, living costs, $1,285/month permit funds, first-year budgets.
Last modified: 2026-09-28

# Cost of Studying in the Netherlands in 2026/27: Tuition, Living Costs, Permit Funds and the Full-Degree Budget

- [Home](https://www.studyu.org/en/)

- [Blog](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog)

For students from outside the EU/EEA, a bachelor's year in the Netherlands costs from $10,640 (€9,360) at a university of applied sciences to $22,000–25,000 for engineering and science programmes at research universities in 2026/27; medicine is $36,000–39,000. Master's programmes typically cost $24,000–30,000 a year. Living costs run to $1,137–1,705 (€1,000–1,500) a month, and the immigration service requires proof of at least $1,285 (€1,130.77) a month. A realistic first year including tuition, housing, insurance and fees comes to roughly $27,000–46,000 depending on the university and city.

This guide lists verified fees for specific universities, living costs, the funds you need for the residence permit, one-off fees and the cost of a full degree. Amounts are for 2026/27 unless stated otherwise, converted at the ECB rate of 29 September 2026. For a country overview see [study in the Netherlands](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-netherlands); to compare institutions, see [universities in the Netherlands](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-universities-in-the-netherlands).

The Oudegracht canal and the Dom Tower in Utrecht, the Netherlands. Photo: Michielverbeek / [source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Utrecht,_de_Domtoren_(RM36075)_vanaf_de_Oudegracht_230_ongeveer_foto5_2015-11-01_08.56.jpg), [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).

## First-year costs at a glance {#section-1}

| Item | Amount | How often |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Bachelor's, university of applied sciences | $10,640–11,967 (€9,360–10,528) at Saxion and THUAS | Per academic year |
| Bachelor's, research university | $15,004–24,780 (€13,200–21,800) for most programmes | Per academic year |
| Master's, research university | $23,871–38,989 (€21,000–34,300) at Erasmus, Maastricht, TU Delft and UvA | Per academic year |
| Medicine and dentistry | $36,374–39,443 (€32,000–34,700) | Per academic year |
| Living costs incl. rent | $1,137–1,705 (€1,000–1,500), Study in NL estimate | Per month |
| Minimum funds for the permit | $1,285 (€1,130.77), i.e. $15,424 (€13,569) for 12 months | Proven before the permit is issued |
| IND fee for the student permit and MVV | $289 (€254) | First application and each extension |
| Application handling fee | $85–114 (€75–100) at some institutions | Per application |
| Insurance for students who do not work | $774 (€681) a year — the policy Saxion arranges for first-year students | Per year |
| Dutch basic health insurance if you take a job | About $151 (€133) | Per month |

Flights, translations and apostilles, language tests, rental deposits and furniture are not included because they depend on your situation.

## Who pays about $3,000 and who pays $10,000–40,000 {#section-2}

There are two fee levels. The statutory fee is $3,062 (€2,694) in 2026/27 and $3,150 (€2,771) in 2027/28. It applies to EU/EEA, Swiss and Surinamese nationals, and to holders of certain Dutch residence permits, provided they have not already earned the same type of Dutch degree. A student residence permit does not qualify.

Everyone else pays the institutional fee set by the institution. It varies by university, faculty, degree level and intake year. Study in NL quotes $10,220–22,710 (€9,000–20,000) for bachelor's and $13,630–34,060 (€12,000–30,000) for master's, but medicine and some programmes exceed that.

## Bachelor's fees for 2026/27 and what is known for 2027/28 {#section-3}

| Institution | Programmes | 2026/27 | 2027/28 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Saxion (applied) | Bachelor's | $10,640 (€9,360) | Not yet published |
| The Hague University of Applied Sciences | Bachelor's | $11,967 (€10,528) | Not yet published |
| Maastricht University | Low-tier programmes, e.g. International Business | $15,004 (€13,200) | $15,232 (€13,400) for International Business |
| Maastricht University | High tier | $20,915 (€18,400) | $21,256 (€18,700) |
| Erasmus University Rotterdam | Most schools; RSM | $15,345 (€13,500); $15,914 (€14,000) | Not yet published |
| University of Groningen | Most faculties; science and engineering | $15,914 (€14,000); $22,507 (€19,800) | Not yet published |
| University of Amsterdam | Economics and business; social sciences; humanities and law; science | $15,800; $18,949; $19,892; $24,780 (€13,900; €16,670; €17,500; €21,800) | Not yet published |
| TU Eindhoven | Bachelor's | $21,143 (€18,600) | $25,462 (€22,400) |
| TU Delft | Bachelor's | $22,627 (€19,906) | $23,374 (€20,563) |
| University colleges | AUC, UCG, UCM | $19,551–23,223 (€17,200–20,430) | Not yet published |

Within one university fees can differ by $9,000 a year, so budget from the specific programme page. Increases are uneven: TU Delft raises its bachelor's fee by about 3%, TU/e by 20%.

## Master's fees {#section-4}

| Institution | Programmes | 2026/27 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| The Hague University of Applied Sciences | English-taught full-time master's | $15,914 (€14,000) |
| TU Eindhoven | Master's | $24,666 (€21,700); $25,462 (€22,400) in 2027/28 |
| Erasmus University Rotterdam | Most schools; RSM | $23,871 (€21,000); $29,327 (€25,800) |
| Maastricht University | Low and high tier | 2026/27: see the programme page; in 2027/28 $24,780 (€21,800) and $28,986 (€25,500) |
| University of Amsterdam | Economics (Amsterdam School of Economics); science, 2-year; science, 1-year | $24,780 (€21,800); $29,554 (€26,000); $38,989 (€34,300) |
| TU Delft | Master's | $29,137 (€25,633); $30,099 (€26,479) in 2027/28 |

A one-year master's can cost more per year but less in total: at UvA one year of science is $38,989, two years $59,108. See [master's in the Netherlands](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-masters-in-the-netherlands).

## Transitional fees {#section-5}

When a university raises fees sharply, current students often keep an indexed lower rate. At TU Delft, bachelor's students who started in 2025/26 at $19,660 (€17,310) pay $20,640 (€18,175) in 2026/27 and 2027/28, while new students pay $22,600 (€19,906). At TU/e, bachelor's students who started in 2024/25 or earlier pay a reduced fee until 31 August 2028 ($16,120 (€14,200) in 2026/27). UvA keeps the rate of enrolled students with 3.62% indexation. New students do not benefit, but it shows how fast base fees are rising.

## Living costs {#section-6}

Study in NL puts student spending at $1,137–1,705 (€1,000–1,500) a month. The average breakdown from the budget institute Nibud (2024):

| Item | Per month |
| --- | --- |
| Rent | $638 (€561) |
| Groceries | $277 (€244) |
| Leisure and sport | $272 (€239) |
| Transport | $76 (€67) |
| Books and materials | $47 (€41) |
| Dutch basic health insurance, if you work | $151 (€133) |

Without insurance that is about $1,309 (€1,152) a month, close to the IND norm. A room costs $512–1,137 (€450–1,000) a month, about $625 (€550) on average; Amsterdam is at the top of the range, smaller university towns such as Enschede at the bottom. TU Delft estimates $1,033 (€909) a month for a student in student housing. An off-peak rail discount card saves 40%, and a bike replaces local transport.

Housing is the biggest budget risk: Study in NL warns of a severe shortage and advises arranging a room before arrival. Never pay for a room you have not seen at least by video, and never pay brokerage fees.

## Permit funds: how much to show and how universities handle it {#section-7}

The IND requires proof of living funds at the 2026 higher-education rate of $1,285 (€1,130.77) a month. The rate is reviewed every year; the 2027 amount will be published in early 2027. These funds come on top of tuition.

Universities handle the proof differently:

- TU Delft sends non-EU students a first invoice of $38,768 (€34,106): bachelor's tuition, $16,141 (€14,200) for living costs, the IND fee and a housing fee. The living-cost amount is refunded to a SEPA bank account about three weeks after the programme starts, minus fees.
- Saxion asks for proof of $14,735 (€12,963) and arranges first-year insurance at $774 (€681) a year.

If you pay from a country where euro transfers are restricted, settle early which bank account will be used for tuition and proof of funds, and use only lawful routes — see [how to pay for studies abroad from Russia](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-how-to-pay-for-studies-abroad-from-russia). The permit procedure is covered in our [Dutch student residence permit](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-dutch-student-residence-permit) guide and deadlines in [applying to Dutch universities](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-applying-to-dutch-universities).

## One-off and hidden costs {#section-8}

- IND fee: $289 (€254) for the first application and each extension, paid via the institution.
- Application handling fee: $85–114 (€75–100) at some institutions; UvA's $114 (€100) is non-refundable.
- University housing fee: $324 (€285) at TU Delft.
- Insurance: if you only study, you may not take out Dutch public health insurance and need private or home-country cover. Once you take a job, Dutch basic insurance becomes compulsory — about $151 (€133) a month. If the CAK agency writes to you, respond within 3 months or face a fine of $602 (€529.72).
- Foundation year, if your diploma is not enough: Twente Pathway College, September 2026 — $21,597 (€19,000) engineering, $21,029 (€18,500) business and social sciences.
- Documents and tests: translations, apostilles, IELTS or TOEFL, and travel to the embassy for the MVV sticker.

## Three first-year scenarios {#section-9}

Twelve months: 2026/27 tuition, living costs at the IND norm ($15,424) or at the top of Study in NL's range — $1,700 (€1,500) a month, $20,461 a year, a more realistic base for Amsterdam, insurance as in the Saxion example, the IND fee and application fees. Flights, deposits and furniture are excluded.

| Scenario | Tuition | Living | Fees and insurance | First-year total |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Bachelor's at Saxion, Enschede | $10,640 | $15,424 | $1,063 | about $27,126 (€23,864) |
| Bachelor's at Groningen, most faculties | $15,914 | $15,424 | $1,177 | about $32,514 (€28,604) |
| Bachelor's at TU Delft | $22,627 | $15,424 | $1,387 | about $39,438 (€34,695) |
| Science at UvA, Amsterdam | $24,780 | $20,461 | $1,177 | about $46,417 (€40,835) |

## The full degree: count every year {#section-10}

| Programme | Length | Tuition only, known fees |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Saxion bachelor's | 4 years | $42,558 (€37,440) at 2026/27 rates |
| THUAS bachelor's | 4 years | $47,869 (€42,112) at 2026/27 rates |
| Erasmus bachelor's, most schools | 3 years | $46,036 (€40,500) at 2026/27 rates |
| Groningen bachelor's, most faculties | 3 years | $47,741 (€42,000) at 2026/27 rates |
| TU Delft bachelor's | 3 years | $69,375 (€61,032): year one at 2026/27, years two and three at 2027/28 rates |

Four years at a university of applied sciences cost about as much in tuition as three at an affordable research university, but the fourth year adds another ~$15,000 of living costs. Fees are indexed every year, so add a buffer. For comparison, see the [cost of studying in Austria](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-cost-of-studying-in-austria) or [bachelor's in Germany](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-bachelors-in-germany).

## How to reduce costs {#section-11}

1. Match the institution type to your goal. Applied universities are cheaper per year; research universities are one year shorter. See [bachelor's in the Netherlands](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-bachelors-in-the-netherlands).
2. Compare cities. A year's rent difference between Amsterdam and a smaller university town can equal a sizeable share of tuition.
3. Apply for the NL Scholarship. $5,684 (€5,000) once, in the first year, for non-EEA students without a Dutch degree. Participants in 2026/27 included TU/e, Maastricht, Radboud, Groningen, Twente, Utrecht, VU and Wageningen, plus Saxion, THUAS, Fontys, Hanze and other applied universities. The list changes every year, and each institution sets its own deadline.
4. Look for university scholarships. Usually partial fee waivers; apply together with your programme application. Overview: [scholarships abroad in 2026](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-scholarships-abroad-2026).
5. Do not rely on part-time work. On a student permit, employment requires a TWV permit arranged by the employer and one of two regimes: up to 16 hours a week, or full-time in June, July and August. Your first paycheck also triggers compulsory insurance of about $151 a month.

## Common budgeting mistakes {#section-12}

- Using a national average instead of the fee for your programme and intake year.
- Treating the IND norm as the real cost of living in Amsterdam.
- Forgetting that TU Delft and some other universities collect living-cost funds upfront with tuition.
- Planning to cover rent with part-time work.
- Ignoring fee increases in years two and three.
- Leaving the payment route until the last month.

## FAQ {#faq}

### How much does a year of study in the Netherlands cost for a non-EU student?

Tuition from $10,640 (€9,360) at a university of applied sciences to $22,000–25,000 for technical programmes at research universities; medicine $36,000–39,000. With living costs, insurance and fees, the first year is roughly $27,000–46,000.

### Is university free in the Netherlands for international students?

Not for non-EU/EEA nationals. The reduced $3,062 (€2,694) fee is for EU/EEA, Swiss and Surinamese nationals. The NL Scholarship and university scholarships reduce costs for others but cover only part of them.

### How much money do I need for the student residence permit?

In 2026, $1,285 (€1,130.77) a month, or $15,424 (€13,569) for 12 months. The university checks the proof: some collect the amount upfront (TU Delft), others accept bank statements or a sponsor.

### Can I pay tuition in instalments?

Often yes, by direct debit, but that usually requires a bank account in the SEPA zone (Hanze says so explicitly). TU Delft offers nine instalments for a $27 (€24) fee. Some institutions require the first year to be paid before the permit application — TU Delft's first invoice and Twente Pathway College work this way.

### Can part-time work cover my costs?

Only partly. You are limited to 16 hours a week or full-time in summer, your employer needs a TWV, and working makes Dutch health insurance compulsory. Expected earnings do not count towards the IND funds requirement.

### How much is a master's degree?

At research universities usually $24,000–30,000 a year, up to $39,000 for some one-year science programmes; applied universities are cheaper, e.g. $15,914 (€14,000) at THUAS.

## Sources {#section-14}

- [Study in NL: tuition and application fees](https://www.studyinnl.org/finances/tuition-fees), [living costs](https://www.studyinnl.org/finances/daily-student-expenses-and-cost-of-living-in-the-netherlands), [housing](https://www.studyinnl.org/life-in-nl/finding-a-place-to-live), [health insurance](https://www.studyinnl.org/plan-your-stay/healthcare-insurance), [NL Scholarship](https://www.studyinnl.org/finances/nl-scholarship) — checked 24 Sep 2026
- Fees: [UvA](https://www.uva.nl/en/education/fees-and-funding/tuition-fees/tuition-fees.html), [TU Delft](https://www.tudelft.nl/en/education/study-programme-orientation/practical-matters/tuition-fee-finances), [TU/e](https://www.tue.nl/en/education/become-a-tue-student/tuition-fees-and-other-study-costs/tuition-fee), [Erasmus](https://www.eur.nl/en/education/practical-matters/registration/tuition-fee/tuition-fee-2026-2027), [Groningen](https://www.rug.nl/education/application-enrolment-tuition-fees/tuition-fee/bachelor?lang=en), [Maastricht: fee tiers](https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/new-calculation-institutional-tuition-fees-and-transitional-arrangement), [Maastricht: International Business](https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/education/bachelor/programmes/international-business/tuition-fees), [THUAS](https://www.thuas.com/study-choice/applications-finances-and-moving-here/tuition-fees), [Saxion](https://www.saxion.edu/studying-in-the-netherlands/finance-your-studies/total-costs), [Twente Pathway College](https://www.twentepathway.nl/admissions/fees/), [Hanze: payment](https://www.hanze.nl/en/study/studying-at-hanze/tuition-fees) — checked 24 Sep 2026
- [TU Delft: student costs in Delft](https://www.tudelft.nl/en/onderwijs/opleidingen/bachelors/computer-science-and-engineering/bachelor-of-computer-science-and-engineering/from-application-to-enrollment/tuition-and-fees) — checked 24 Sep 2026
- [IND: required amounts 2026](https://ind.nl/en/required-amounts-income-requirements), [fees](https://ind.nl/en/fees-costs-of-an-application), [student permit and work](https://ind.nl/en/residence-permits/study/student-residence-permit-for-university-or-higher-professional-education) — checked 24 Sep 2026
- [UvA: application fee](https://www.uva.nl/en/education/admissions/bachelors/applying-for-a-degree-programme.html) — checked 24 Sep 2026
- Exchange rate: ECB, 29 Sep 2026, €1 = $1.1355

[During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step.](https://www.studyu.org/en/apply)

## Next steps

- [Universities in the Netherlands for International Students: Types, the 14 Research Universities and Real Entry Routes](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-universities-in-the-netherlands)
- [Master's in the Netherlands: Admission, Costs and Deadlines for 2027/28](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-masters-in-the-netherlands)
- [Dutch Student Residence Permit: MVV Entry Visa and Study Permit Explained](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-dutch-student-residence-permit)
- [Applying to Dutch Universities for 2027/28: Deadlines, Studielink, Documents and the Residence Permit](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-applying-to-dutch-universities)
- [Studying in the Netherlands for international applicants](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-netherlands)
- [How to Pay for Studies Abroad from Russia: What Works in 2026](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-how-to-pay-for-studies-abroad-from-russia)

Updated: September 2026