Costs
Tuition
€8,000–20,000/year for non-EU/EEA students. EU/EEA: €2,314/year statutory fee.
Living Costs
€900–1,200/month. Amsterdam: €1,200–1,600. Eindhoven, Groningen, Enschede: €800–1,000. Housing crisis is real — start searching 3+ months early.
Total Annual Cost
€19,000–34,000/year for non-EU students.
Part-Time Work
16 hours/week or full-time June–August. Need TWV (work permit) — employer applies. Average earnings: €500–700/month.
Post-Study & Immigration
Post-Study Work Visa
Orientation Year (Zoekjaar): 1 year to find work. Can work freely. Leads to Highly Skilled Migrant visa if you find qualifying employment (€3,909/month salary threshold for graduates under 30).
Path to Permanent Residency
Highly Skilled Migrant permit → 5 years → permanent residence. Or EU Blue Card route. Dutch integration exam (Inburgering) required for permanent residence.
Language Requirements
Virtually all master's programmes in English. Some bachelor's in English. No Dutch required for study. IELTS 6.0–6.5 typically required.
Visa Processing
University applies for your residence permit (MVV). 2–4 weeks after acceptance. You pick up MVV at Dutch embassy, then register in Netherlands for residence permit.
Top Universities
| University | QS 2025 | Tuition (Int'l) | Known For |
|---|---|---|---|
| TU Delft | #47 | €15,000–18,000 | Engineering, Architecture, Aerospace, Computing |
| University of Amsterdam | #53 | €8,000–15,000 | Social Sciences, Humanities, Sciences |
| Eindhoven University of Technology | #109 | €15,000 | Engineering, Data Science, Industrial Design |
| Leiden University | #120 | €12,000–18,000 | Law, Humanities, Sciences, Governance |
| Utrecht University | #107 | €12,000–18,000 | Veterinary, Geosciences, Public Health |
Scholarships
Holland Scholarship
Award: €5,000 one-time
Eligibility: Non-EEA · Deadline: Feb–May
For first-year students at participating Dutch universities.
Eligibility: Non-EEA · Deadline: Feb–May
For first-year students at participating Dutch universities.
Orange Knowledge Programme
Award: Full funding
Eligibility: Developing countries · Deadline: Varies
Dutch government scholarship. Short courses and master's.
Eligibility: Developing countries · Deadline: Varies
Dutch government scholarship. Short courses and master's.
Erasmus Mundus
Award: €1,400/month + tuition
Eligibility: All nationalities · Deadline: Oct–Jan
Many Erasmus Mundus programmes hosted by Dutch universities.
Eligibility: All nationalities · Deadline: Oct–Jan
Many Erasmus Mundus programmes hosted by Dutch universities.
TU Delft Excellence Scholarship
Award: Full tuition or €10,000
Eligibility: Non-EU/EEA · Deadline: December
For outstanding applicants to TU Delft master's.
Eligibility: Non-EU/EEA · Deadline: December
For outstanding applicants to TU Delft master's.
Amsterdam Excellence Scholarships
Award: €25,000/year
Eligibility: Non-EU/EEA · Deadline: January
University of Amsterdam merit scholarship.
Eligibility: Non-EU/EEA · Deadline: January
University of Amsterdam merit scholarship.
2026 Policy Updates
What changed: Housing crisis continues — some universities can't guarantee accommodation. Government considering tuition increase for non-EU students. Orientation Year remains stable. Highly Skilled Migrant salary threshold adjusted annually (€3,909/month for under-30s in 2026).
Best For
Students who want to study entirely in English in continental Europe. Engineers and tech professionals (strong job market). Students who want a central European base with easy travel. Those targeting the Dutch tech ecosystem (Eindhoven, Amsterdam).
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