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Study social sciences in the Netherlands

Universities and colleges in the Netherlands recorded as teaching social sciences, with the levels they teach and what a year of study costs.

Includes Politics, sociology, international relations, anthropology

Photo: Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash

72 social sciences courses in the Netherlands, from the official register. From official course data (government statistics and national course registers). In the official European data some fields are grouped (social sciences are counted together with journalism and information), so check the course list on the university’s website.

Subjects we can show you in the Netherlands

Business and management 32Computing and software 20Engineering 22Medicine and health 27Nursing and midwifery 6Law 11Social sciences 21Psychology 7Education and teaching 31Natural sciences 20Mathematics and statistics 6Economics and finance 10Art and design 8Music and performing arts 4Media and journalism 10Architecture and built environment 6Agriculture and environment 13Hospitality and tourism 2Languages and literature 5Sport and exercise science 8
Any level FoundationBachelor'sMaster'sDoctorateShort courses

19 institutions recorded as teaching this at bachelor's level in the Netherlands.

Order: Universities first, then most programmes or graduates in this field A to Z

Institutions

Teach social sciences in the Netherlands and not on this list? Claim your institution’s page, free, and list your programmes.

Studying in the Netherlands at a glance

Tuition a year
EUR 9,000 to EUR 30,000
Living costs a month
EUR 1,000 to EUR 1,500
First year, all in, from
EUR 21,300
Money to show for the visa
EUR 13,600
Work during term
16 hours a week
Stay to work after
1 year

Official figures, checked 2026-09-24. Tuition for social sciences can differ from the country average.

Costs, visa and work rules Work out my year Scholarships for me

Questions students ask

How much does it cost to study social sciences in the Netherlands?

Tuition for international students runs from EUR 9,000 to EUR 30,000 a year, and living costs from EUR 1,000 a month. With the visa fee, a first year starts at about EUR 21,300. Fees for social sciences can be higher than the average; check the course page.

Can I work while I study in the Netherlands?

Yes, up to 16 hours a week during term on a student visa, and more in the holidays where the rules allow.

Can I stay and work in the Netherlands after I graduate?

Yes: Orientation year (zoekjaar) gives you 1 year.

Scholarships to study social sciences, by nationality

Government scholarships open to your passport, with deadlines and the official pages. Many accept any subject: check each scheme.

From NigeriaFrom IndiaFrom PakistanFrom GhanaFrom KenyaFrom BangladeshFrom EgyptFrom IndonesiaFrom PhilippinesFrom VietnamFrom NepalFrom EthiopiaAll 224 nationalities →

Related subjects

PsychologyPsychology, counselling, neuroscienceLawLaw (LLB, LLM), international and business lawEconomics and financeEconomics, finance, accounting, bankingMedia and journalismJournalism, communication, media, PR

What next?

1Studying in the NetherlandsVisa, money to show, work rights, rule changes2Scholarships to study hereGovernment schemes open to your nationality3Every university in the NetherlandsSearch by name or city