Do I need to speak Dutch?

No for study, and generally no for daily life — English proficiency in the Netherlands is among the highest in Europe. Dutch helps for part-time work outside international employers.

Why are the deadlines so early?

Non-EU applications close on 1 April for September at most universities so there is time for visa processing. Missing it means waiting a full year at institutions with only one intake.

What is the orientation year?

A twelve-month residence permit for graduates of Dutch universities to look for work, with unrestricted employment rights during that year.

Is housing arranged by the university?

Only partially, and not guaranteed. Amsterdam and Utrecht are the hardest; Groningen, Eindhoven and Enschede are considerably easier and cheaper.

Study in Netherlands

Dutch universities teach almost everything at master level in English, use small-group project work rather than lectures alone, and are unusually transparent about admission criteria. Technical masters run two years; most social science and business masters run one, which halves the total cost.

Typical tuition: €8,000–€22,000 / year
Living cost: €950–€1,450 / month
Work while studying: 16 hrs / week
Post-study stay: 12 months
Main intakes: September, February
Teaching language: English, Dutch

Indicative figures for the country — not yet checked against official sources. Confirm with the university and the immigration authority before relying on them.

Popular universities

Delft, Netherlands

Public

Delft University of Technology

Programs: 2
World ranking: #49

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Public

University of Amsterdam

Programs: 1
World ranking: #53

Eindhoven, Netherlands

Public

Eindhoven University of Technology

Programs: 1
World ranking: #138

Groningen, Netherlands

Public

University of Groningen

Programs: 2
World ranking: #139

Popular programs

Delft University of TechnologyDelft, Netherlands

MSc Computer Science

Master'sEnglish24 monthsScholarships

See how you match

Tuition: €21,500 / year
Deadline: Apr 1, 2027
Requirements: Bachelor in computer science with a strong mathematics component
GPA in the top 30% of your cohort

View details

Eindhoven University of TechnologyEindhoven, Netherlands

MSc Data Science and Artificial Intelligence

Master'sEnglish24 monthsScholarships

See how you match

Tuition: €19,000 / year
Deadline: May 1, 2027
Requirements: Bachelor in computer science, mathematics or data science
Programming and statistics coursework

View details

University of AmsterdamAmsterdam, Netherlands

MSc Business Administration

Master'sEnglish12 monthsScholarships

See how you match

Tuition: €18,500 / year
Deadline: Apr 1, 2027
Requirements: Bachelor degree with at least 30 ECTS in business or economics
Quantitative methods coursework

View details

Delft University of TechnologyDelft, Netherlands

MSc Sustainable Energy Technology

Master'sEnglish24 months

See how you match

Tuition: €21,500 / year
Deadline: Apr 1, 2027
Requirements: Bachelor in engineering, physics or applied science
Thermodynamics and electrical engineering fundamentals

View details

Computer Science Environment & Sustainability Business & Management Data Science & AI Economics & Finance

Admission requirements

A bachelor degree in a closely related field — Dutch universities check subject fit strictly
A grade average typically in the upper third of your cohort
A motivation letter, and for technical programs a study plan
IELTS 6.5 (7.0 for some business and social science programs); conditional language offers are rare

English-taught programs

6 of the 6 programs listed here for Netherlands are taught in English.

Find programs

Application process

1Register in Studielink, then complete the university application in its own system.
2Apply by 1 April for most non-EU September intakes — earlier than students expect.
3Sit any program assessment or interview.
4The university applies for your residence permit on your behalf once you pay the first tuition instalment.

Frequently asked questions

Official resources

Universities change fees and deadlines without notice. Use the official source link on every fact before making a decision.

Study in NetherlandsFind programs

Study in Netherlands

Popular universities

Delft University of Technology

University of Amsterdam

Eindhoven University of Technology

University of Groningen

Popular programs

MSc Computer Science

MSc Data Science and Artificial Intelligence

MSc Business Administration

MSc Sustainable Energy Technology

Admission requirements

English-taught programs

Popular cities

Application process

Frequently asked questions

Official resources

Study in Netherlands

Popular universities

Delft University of Technology

University of Amsterdam

Eindhoven University of Technology

University of Groningen

Popular programs

MSc Computer Science

MSc Data Science and Artificial Intelligence

MSc Business Administration

MSc Sustainable Energy Technology

Admission requirements

English-taught programs

Popular cities

Application process

Frequently asked questions

Official resources