The Netherlands has the highest number of English-taught bachelor and master programs in continental Europe — over 2,100 — paired with strong international student support. Here is the complete country guide.
At a Glance
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Public university tuition (EU) | €2,530/year statutory |
| Public university tuition (non-EU) | €8,000–€20,000/year (program-dependent) |
| Hogeschool tuition (applied universities) | €2,530–€10,500/year |
| Living costs (Amsterdam) | €1,200–€1,700/month |
| Living costs (Groningen, Maastricht, Twente) | €800–€1,050/month |
| English-taught programs | 2,100+ at universities and hogescholen |
| Work hours during studies | 16 hours/week semester (EU/EEA: unlimited) |
| Post-study work visa | 12-month Orientation Year (zoekjaar) |
| Top scholarships | Holland Scholarship (€5,000), Orange Tulip Scholarship, NL Scholarship |
| Top universities | TU Delft, Wageningen, University of Amsterdam, Utrecht, Leiden, Erasmus |
Universities vs Hogescholen: The Key Distinction
Dutch higher education has two parallel tracks. Research universities (TU Delft, Wageningen, UvA, Utrecht, Leiden, Erasmus, Groningen) award academic bachelor and master degrees in the international research tradition. Hogescholen (universities of applied sciences) award professionally-oriented degrees with mandatory work placements. Both tracks are accessible to international students; the right choice depends on whether you want research-focused or career-focused education.
The Holland Scholarship
Funded by the Dutch Ministry of Education and major universities, the Holland Scholarship pays €5,000 in the first year of bachelor or master study at a participating institution. It is not full-funding, but it is one of the most accessible scholarships in Europe (10–20% acceptance rate) and stacks with most other scholarships.
The Orientation Year (Zoekjaar)
After graduating from a Dutch institution, non-EU graduates qualify for a 12-month Orientation Year residence permit. During this period you can work in any role with no employer sponsorship required. Roughly 60% of international graduates convert this into a long-term work visa within 12 months — one of the highest conversion rates in Europe.
Where to Continue
Read: Studying in the Netherlands 2026.