Study abroad
Explore subjects, study options, costs, intakes, scholarships and student visa information.
The Netherlands is in North-Western Europe, and its universities and colleges welcome students from many countries. International students can look at undergraduate, postgraduate and, in some fields, research programmes, as well as shorter courses where institutions offer them. Study options span broad areas such as business, engineering, health, the sciences and the humanities, with logistics, agriculture and digital technology shaping much of the country’s economy.
Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Utrecht are among the places students often consider. Teaching is often in Dutch. There are also many English-taught degrees. Use this guide to explore subjects, typical intakes, costs, scholarships and visa steps, then check the details with each institution.
What makes the Netherlands worth considering depends on what you want from your studies. Its location in North-Western Europe, the local language and the subjects on offer all shape the experience, alongside your budget and career goals.
Dutch higher education distinguishes research universities from universities of applied sciences (hogescholen), and many programmes are taught in English.
Look closely at course content, entry requirements and student support, and think about where you would like the qualification to take you.
Choosing a subject is the first big decision. For the Netherlands, the areas below are a sensible place to begin; they reflect local strengths such as logistics, agriculture and digital technology, not a league table.
Because logistics, agriculture and digital technology matter locally, students in related fields may find useful context for projects and internships. Each subject has its own page for the Netherlands on this site, with its specializations.
Before settling on a subject, compare a few programmes side by side: their modules, how they are taught and assessed, and the options they open up after graduation.
Delft University of Technology · Undergraduate
Sample data
Entry requirements
English requirements not listed yet
University of Amsterdam · Undergraduate
Sample data
Entry requirements
English requirements not listed yet
Delft University of Technology · Master's
Sample data
Entry requirements
English requirements not listed yet
Delft University of Technology · Master's
Sample data
Entry requirements
English requirements not listed yet
University of Amsterdam · Master's
Sample data
Entry requirements
English requirements not listed yet
University of Amsterdam · Master's
Sample data
Entry requirements
English requirements not listed yet
Paying for study in the Netherlands can involve more than one source of support, and it is worth researching them before you apply for a course.
Funding is never guaranteed: check eligibility, deadlines and what the award includes, and have a plan in case you are not successful. Official scholarship providers and university funding pages are the most reliable sources.
Applications often ask for a personal statement, references and academic transcripts, so prepare these early and tailor them to each award.
Koramangala, Bengaluru
Sample listingStudy Abroad Consultant
Study destinations: 🇮🇹 Italy · 🇩🇪 Germany · 🇳🇱 Netherlands
Services: University Admissions · Visa · Financial Support · Pre-Departure
7 partnered universities (sample data) · Bachelor's, Master's, Foundation
Sample consultant used to test the directory: supports applications to Italy, Germany and Netherlands.
View Consultant Website Demo Bluepeak Overseas Education (opens in a new tab)
Lajpat Nagar, Delhi · +3 more offices
Sample listingStudy Abroad Consultant
Study destinations: 🇳🇱 Netherlands · 🇨🇦 Canada · 🇫🇷 France · 🇺🇸 USA · 🇬🇧 UK · +1 more
Services: University Admissions · Visa · Pre-Departure · Post-Admission
7 partnered universities (sample data) · Bachelor's, Master's, Diploma
Sample consultant used to test the directory: supports applications to Netherlands, Canada, France, USA, UK and Germany.
View Consultant Website Demo Campus Bridge Consultants (opens in a new tab)
Lajpat Nagar, Delhi
Sample listingEducation Consultant
Study destinations: 🇮🇹 Italy · 🇺🇸 USA · 🇫🇷 France · 🇳🇱 Netherlands
Services: University Admissions · Visa · Financial Support · Pre-Departure
8 partnered universities (sample data) · Bachelor's, Master's, MBA, Certificate
Sample consultant used to test the directory: supports applications to Italy, USA, France and Netherlands.
View Consultant Website Demo Capital Overseas Education (opens in a new tab)
Patel Nagar, Delhi · +1 more office
Sample listingInternational Education Agency
Study destinations: 🇳🇱 Netherlands · 🇫🇮 Finland · 🇦🇺 Australia · 🇮🇹 Italy
Services: University Admissions · Visa · Test Preparation · Financial Support
7 partnered universities (sample data) · Bachelor's, Master's, MBA
Sample consultant used to test the directory: supports applications to Netherlands, Finland, Australia and Italy.
View Consultant Website Demo Meridian Study Consultants (opens in a new tab)
Rajendra Nagar, Indore
Sample listingLanguage & Education Consultant
Study destinations: 🇨🇦 Canada · 🇳🇿 New Zealand · 🇳🇱 Netherlands
Services: University Admissions · Visa · Financial Support
10 partnered universities (sample data) · Bachelor's, Master's, MBA
Sample consultant used to test the directory: supports applications to Canada, New Zealand and Netherlands.
View Consultant Website Sample Overseas Study Hub (opens in a new tab)
Rohini, Delhi · +5 more offices
Sample listingStudy Abroad Consultant
Study destinations: 🇨🇦 Canada · 🇮🇪 Ireland · 🇦🇺 Australia · 🇳🇱 Netherlands
Services: University Admissions · Visa · Financial Support · Pre-Departure
7 partnered universities (sample data) · Bachelor's, Master's, PhD / Doctorate, Diploma
Sample consultant used to test the directory: supports applications to Canada, Ireland, Australia and Netherlands.
View Consultant Website Sample UniPath Advisors (opens in a new tab)
Listings are not rankings or endorsements. Check services and fees directly with each consultant.
In the Netherlands, the main intake for many programmes is usually around September. Some institutions also admit students around February, although this second intake is usually available for fewer courses. Exact dates vary by institution and programme.
Because deadlines differ between universities, keep a simple timeline for each application: when it opens, when it closes, when decisions are expected and how long the visa process may take. Leave room for delays in obtaining documents.
Postgraduate research programmes may have more flexible start dates, agreed with a supervisor.
A simple planning checklist:
Intake dates and deadlines vary by university and course. Always check them with the university.
Tuition in the Netherlands varies widely: public and private institutions, subjects and study levels can all have different fees. In some cases, fees depend on whether you are an EU/EEA citizen, so check which fee category applies to you.
When you compare options, look beyond the tuition fee:
Programme length also matters: a longer course or a preparatory year changes the total cost. Always use the current fees published by the institution for the year you plan to start.
It is also worth asking how and when fees are paid, whether a deposit is required to secure your place, and how exchange rates could affect the amount you pay from home.
Fees change and differ by university, course and level. Check current fees with each university.
Studying in the Netherlands usually involves an immigration step as well as an admission step, and the two often depend on each other. EU/EEA and Swiss citizens can usually study without a visa but may need to register their residence; other students usually need a long-stay visa or residence permit. A short-stay Schengen visa is not normally enough for a full degree programme.
Requirements can differ by nationality, programme and length of stay. Depending on the rules, you may be asked for:
Visa rules and fees change, so always check the current requirements with official government sources before you apply. Official information: Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) (official government website).
Visa rules change. Always check the official government immigration website before you apply.
A realistic budget for life in the Netherlands starts with housing, which is usually the largest single expense. Costs in Amsterdam can differ noticeably from those in Rotterdam or Utrecht and smaller towns.
The main costs to plan for are:
Current cost estimates from your institution and official sources will help you build a realistic budget for the whole course.
Living costs depend on the city and your lifestyle, and they change over time.
It depends on your goals. The Netherlands offers programmes across many subjects, a location in North-Western Europe and study in Dutch (with some English-taught options). Students interested in logistics, agriculture and digital technology may find the local context especially relevant.
Institutions offer a wide range of subjects, including Transport & Logistics, Agriculture & Environmental Sciences, Computing & Information Technology and Business & Management. The subjects page for the Netherlands lists every subject available here with its specializations.
Many programmes start around September. Apply well ahead of the start date, especially if you need a visa, and check the deadline for each course on the institution’s website.
Costs depend on the institution, programme, level of study and sometimes your nationality. Budget for tuition as well as application fees, insurance, accommodation and living costs, and use the current fees published by each institution.
EU/EEA citizens can usually study without a visa; most other international students need a student visa or residence permit. Requirements depend on your nationality and programme, so check the current rules with official government sources, such as Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND).
Some funding is available from governments, universities and other organisations, but awards are competitive and eligibility varies. Check official provider websites and apply early.
Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Utrecht are among the places students often consider. Living costs, housing and the student experience can differ between cities, so compare them alongside your course options.
Many courses are taught in Dutch. Some institutions offer English-taught programmes, but availability varies, so check the language of instruction and language requirements for each course.
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