Douglas Olsen
The Netherlands is a popular destination for international students due to its high-quality education, friendly environment, and affordable tuition fees and living costs. While education is not completely free for international students, there are several ways to reduce the financial burden. European students generally pay lower tuition fees, with students from the EU/EEA, Switzerland, and Suriname benefiting from statutory tuition fees set by the Dutch government, which are almost €2,700 per year for full-time studies. Non-European international students typically pay institutional tuition fees set by each university, ranging from €9,000 to €24,000 per year. Scholarships, such as the NL Scholarship, early bird discounts, and work opportunities can also help international students finance their studies in the Netherlands.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tuition fees | Not free for international students. Range between €9,000 and €24,000 per year. |
| Statutory tuition fees | Apply to international students from the EU/EEA, Switzerland, and Suriname. Set by the Dutch government at €2,700 per year. |
| Institutional tuition fees | Apply to most non-EU/EEA students. Set by universities and can exceed statutory fees. |
| Scholarships | Offered by universities, the government, and organizations. The NL Scholarship is for non-EEA students and amounts to €5,000. |
| Work permits | International students can work up to 16 hours per week with a work permit. |
| Early-bird discounts | Some universities offer discounts for early applications. |
| Application fees | Typically range from €75 to €100, often for non-EEA students. |
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What You'll Learn
Tuition fees for international students
The Netherlands is a popular destination for international students seeking quality education in Europe. The country offers a friendly environment, a high standard of living, and a large number of universities in the top 200 worldwide. Many Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes are taught in English, and tuition fees are lower than in English-speaking countries such as the UK. However, tuition fees in the Netherlands are higher than in some other European countries, such as Germany or Belgium.
Tuition fees in the Netherlands vary depending on the student's country of origin. Students from the EU/EEA, Switzerland, and Suriname typically pay lower statutory tuition fees set by the Dutch government. This amount is approximately €2,700 per year for full-time studies and is adjusted regularly for inflation. All other international students usually pay higher institutional tuition fees set by the individual universities, which can range from €9,000 to €24,000 per year.
There are a few ways for international students to reduce their tuition fees. Some universities offer early-bird discounts and priority application processing for students who apply early. Additionally, scholarships are available from various sources, including the Dutch government, universities, and private organisations. The NL Scholarship, for example, offers €5,000 to international students from outside the EEA who are enrolled in full-time Bachelor's or Master's programmes.
It is important to note that tuition fees are not the only expense to consider when studying in the Netherlands. International students should also budget for living expenses, which can be reduced by sharing accommodation, using local transportation, shopping during sales, and purchasing second-hand books or digital copies. Additionally, students with a valid residence permit are allowed to work part-time during the academic year and full-time during the summer months to supplement their income.
While there are no completely tuition-free options for international students in the Netherlands, the combination of lower tuition fees, scholarships, and the opportunity to work during studies can make pursuing higher education in the country a financially viable option.
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Scholarships
While it is impossible to find tuition-free universities in the Netherlands for international students, scholarships are a great way to help finance your studies. The Dutch government is attempting to make Dutch higher education as accessible as possible to international students. There are a significant number of scholarships in the Netherlands offered by Dutch colleges, universities, the government, and other institutions.
NL Scholarship
The NL Scholarship is financed by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science, as well as Dutch research universities and universities of applied sciences. The scholarship is meant for international students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) who want to do their bachelor's degree in the Netherlands. The scholarship amount is €5,000 to contribute to your living costs in the Netherlands.
Erasmus+ Scholarship
The Erasmus+ scholarship is meant for students in higher education who would like to study abroad for a semester or go on a placement abroad. It is accessible to all studies and is provided by the European Commission.
Buas Bachelor Scholarship
The Buas Bachelor Scholarship has been designed to support non-EU/EEA students who pay the full tuition fee for one of the bachelor's programmes at Breda University of Applied Sciences. Every year, a limited number of scholarships is available for non-EU/EEA students to contribute to the costs of the tuition fee.
Artistic Scholarships
Some scholarships are offered to students who are talented and have excellent academic records.
Early-Bird Discounts
Some universities offer discounts on tuition fees for international students who apply early. This will not help you study for free but will lower the cost of studying in the Netherlands.
You can also find scholarships provided by the government in your home country.
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Work permits
The Netherlands is an increasingly popular international study destination due to its high-quality education. The work permit requirements for international students in the Netherlands depend on their nationality and type of employment.
For EU/EEA/Swiss nationals: No work permit is required to work in the Netherlands while studying. There are no restrictions on the number of hours they can work.
For Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals: Foreign students with a valid residence permit can work part-time for no more than 16 hours a week throughout the year or full-time during the summer months (June to August). To make this happen, their employer will need a TWV (Tewerkstellingsvergunning work permit) for them. Only the employer can apply for this work permit, and it takes approximately 5 weeks. Students cannot start working before the work permit has been issued, or their employer will be fined, and they will lose their residence permit.
International students can also choose to be self-employed, in which case they do not need a work permit, and there are no restrictions on working hours. However, they must register at the Dutch Chamber of Commerce (Kamer van Koophandel) and take out Dutch public health insurance.
After graduation, non-EU/EEA citizens who have completed their studies or research in the Netherlands in the past three years are eligible for an 'orientation year' residency permit. This allows them to find a job or start a business in the country.
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Application fees
Some Dutch universities charge an application fee, also known as a handling fee, to non-EEA students or students with no prior Dutch education. These fees range from €75 to €100.
For students from the Netherlands, the European Economic Area (EEA), the EU, Switzerland, and Suriname, the statutory fee for the academic year 2024-2025 is €2,530. For students with other nationalities, the average tuition fee for bachelor's programmes is between €9,000 and €20,000, and for a master's programme, between €12,000 and €30,000.
It is worth noting that some degrees, such as Medicine or Dentistry, can be much more expensive, sometimes exceeding €30,000 per year. Additionally, universities of applied science tend to be cheaper than research universities.
To help manage the cost of tuition fees, Dutch universities offer scholarships and financial aid to international students. Early-bird discounts are also available at some institutions for international students who apply early. Furthermore, depending on their nationality, international students can work for up to 16 hours per week with a work permit.
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Living costs
The cost of living in the Netherlands varies depending on lifestyle choices, location, and personal habits. The average cost of living for international students, including rent, is approximately €1,999 per month. Excluding rent, the cost is about €787 per month.
The cost of accommodation is a significant expense for students in the Netherlands. Rental costs depend on factors such as the type of property, its size, and location. Living in the city centre tends to be more expensive than living in the outskirts. Accommodation costs range from €300 to €1,300 per month. Student houses and dormitories are more affordable, and some universities offer on-campus accommodation. Utilities are not always included in accommodation costs and can vary based on usage and location.
Food expenses vary depending on dietary preferences and whether one cooks at home or eats out. Students living alone spend around €150-170 per month on food and groceries. Affordable restaurants offer meals for around €10-20.
Transportation costs for students are between €35-70 per month. Renting a bike is a popular and cheaper transportation option, with prices starting at €10 per day, and many inexpensive options for buying a second-hand bike. Students can also use their student cards to get discounts on public transportation.
Books and other study materials cost between €30-65 per month. Social activities and entertainment can cost around €50-60 per month, with student discounts available at many bars, restaurants, museums, and cinemas.
International students from outside the EU/EEA typically pay higher tuition fees than European students. Tuition fees at public universities for non-European students range from €700 to €2,100 per academic year, while private universities charge an average of €20,000 to €30,000 per year.
To reduce living costs, international students can consider applying for scholarships, working part-time, or choosing more affordable housing options outside major cities.
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Frequently asked questions
No, education in the Netherlands is not free for international students. However, tuition fees are lower than in English-speaking countries such as the UK.
International students from the EU/EEA, Switzerland or Suriname pay statutory fees of €2,314 to €2,700 per year. Non-EU/EEA students pay institutional fees set by the universities, which can range from €9,000 to €24,000 per year.
Yes, there are scholarships available for international students in the Netherlands. The NL Scholarship, for example, is meant for international students from outside the EEA. Scholarships are also offered by universities to attract international students.
