Netherlands Scholarship for International Students
This is the main national-level scholarship open to non-EEA students at Dutch universities. It links through to a full step-by-step application guide.
01NL Scholarship (Holland Scholarship)
The Dutch government's national grant, open to all non-EEA nationalities, at Bachelor's and Master's level.
one-time
Worth knowing
Since the NL Scholarship only covers €5,000 of your first year, it's worth checking whether your target university also runs its own institutional excellence scholarship — these are separate applications with separate deadlines, but often far more generous.
Admission Requirements
Requirements vary by university, but most Dutch programmes ask for a broadly similar package of documents.
Bachelor's
- Secondary school diploma equivalent to Dutch VWO — A-levels, a Grade 12 certificate, High School Diploma + SAT, HSC/SSC, CBSE/ISC Class 12, or similar, depending on your country.
- English proficiency: IELTS ≥6.0–6.5 or TOEFL iBT ≥80–90 for most programmes; some accept a Medium of Instruction letter if your prior schooling was fully in English.
- Grade average: no fixed national cutoff, but competitive research-university programmes generally expect results in the top 25–30% of your national system. Universities of applied sciences (hogescholen) are generally more accessible.
- Motivation letter — typically 500–1,000 words on why this programme and university. For NL Scholarship applicants, this letter usually does double duty (capped at 500 words for the scholarship).
Master's
- Relevant Bachelor's degree, usually with a minimum grade equivalent to a Dutch "goed" — roughly a B+/3.3 GPA.
- English proficiency: IELTS ≥6.5 (all bands ≥6.0) or TOEFL iBT ≥90–100 for most research-university Master's programmes — generally a higher bar than Bachelor's admission.
- Motivation letter, CV, and two academic reference letters from professors or supervisors, in English, on institutional letterhead.
- Official transcripts covering the full Bachelor's degree, with certified translation if not already in English, Dutch, German, or French.
- Programme-specific extras — GRE/GMAT for some MBA/economics/STEM programmes, a portfolio for arts and design, or a research proposal for research Master's degrees.
Where you actually apply
Most Dutch admissions run through Studielink (studielink.nl); a handful of institutions and Master's programmes — TU Delft among them — use their own separate portal. You can apply to multiple Dutch universities at once. Bachelor's applications typically open October–November with a May 1 deadline; Master's deadlines vary widely by programme, so check each one individually.
Tuition Fees
The Netherlands runs a two-tier system: EU/EEA students pay the statutory fee (around €2,530/year in 2025–26); non-EEA students pay an institutional fee set by each university, which runs considerably higher.
| University | Bachelor's | Master's |
|---|---|---|
| TU Delft | €11,074 | €14,000–€18,000 |
| University of Amsterdam (UvA) | €9,800–€12,400 | €12,000–€16,500 |
| Leiden University | €11,250 | €14,000–€17,000 |
| Utrecht University | €10,500 | €13,500–€16,000 |
| Erasmus University Rotterdam | €9,500 | €12,500–€18,000 |
| University of Groningen | €9,800 | €12,500–€16,000 |
| Maastricht University | €9,400 | €12,500–€17,500 |
| Universities of applied sciences (avg.) | €7,500–€10,500 | €8,500–€12,000 |
Figures are approximate for 2025–2026 and vary by specific programme — always confirm on the university's own admissions page.
Cost of Living
Budget roughly €1,000–€1,400 a month for a comfortable student life outside the priciest cities. Amsterdam and Utrecht run highest; Groningen, Twente, and Maastricht are noticeably cheaper.
| Category | Monthly range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | €450–€900 | University housing (DUWO, SSH) is cheaper but competitive — apply immediately after admission |
| Food & groceries | €200–€350 | Albert Heijn, Lidl, and Jumbo are the standard budget supermarkets |
| Transport | €80–€150 | A secondhand bicycle (€80–€150 via Marktplaats) covers most daily transport in Dutch cities |
| Health insurance | €100–€150 | Mandatory if you're employed or earning locally |
| Phone & internet | €20–€40 | SIM-only plans from KPN, Vodafone, or Lebara start around €10/month |
| Leisure & social | €80–€150 | Student discounts (Museumkaart, OV-studentenkaart) reduce this meaningfully |
Student Visa: MVV & Residence Permit
Non-EEA students generally need two documents: an MVV (Machtiging tot Voorlopig Verblijf) entry visa, and a VVR (Verblijfsvergunning Regulier) residence permit. Your university does most of the heavy lifting as your IND-recognised sponsor.
1. Accept your offer and confirm you need sponsorship
Your university registers with the IND on your behalf as your recognised sponsor.
2. University submits your residence permit application
The university files your VVR application with the IND; you'll get a reference number to track it.
3. Apply for your MVV at the Dutch embassy
Once the IND approves (usually 4–8 weeks), apply for your entry visa in your home country with your approval letter, passport, acceptance letter, and proof of funds.
4. Travel and register on arrival
Report to your university's international office within 3 days of arrival, then register with the local municipality (Gemeente) within 5 days of securing an address to get your BSN — needed for banking, insurance, and almost everything official.
Citizens of some countries — including Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, and the USA — are exempt from the MVV and can collect their residence permit on arrival instead. The exemption list changes periodically, so check ind.nl directly rather than relying on a cached list.
Working While You Study
Non-EEA students on a Dutch student residence permit can work up to 16 hours a week during term time, and full-time during the official summer holiday period (June–August). You don't apply for the work permit yourself — your employer files a work notification (TWV) with the UWV on your behalf.
Common student jobs include on-campus student-assistant roles, hospitality and retail work in university cities, and freelance work registered as a ZZP with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce. Mandatory curriculum internships (stage) don't count toward the 16-hour cap.
Top Dutch Universities
| University | City | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| Utrecht University | Utrecht | Broad research, life sciences, social sciences — ranked #1 in the Netherlands |
| University of Amsterdam (UvA) | Amsterdam | Social sciences, economics, humanities, media |
| Leiden University | Leiden | Law, governance, humanities — founded 1575 |
| TU Delft | Delft | Engineering, architecture, aerospace — a leading European technical university |
| Erasmus University Rotterdam | Rotterdam | Economics, business, law, medicine |
| Wageningen University | Wageningen | Agriculture, food science, environmental sciences |
| Maastricht University | Maastricht | Problem-based learning, law, health sciences, business |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Netherlands a good country to study in as an international student?
Yes. The Netherlands offers more than 2,200 English-taught degree programmes — the most of any non-English-speaking country — alongside research universities in the global top 200, a strong graduate employment rate, and the right to work part-time throughout your studies.
Do I need to learn Dutch to study in the Netherlands?
Not for English-taught programmes. English is widely spoken across Dutch cities, and you can complete an entire English-taught degree without Dutch. Dutch-taught programmes, mostly at universities of applied sciences, do require Dutch language certification.
Can international students work while studying in the Netherlands?
Yes. Non-EEA students can work up to 16 hours a week during term time and full-time during official holiday periods, without applying for a separate work permit themselves — the employer handles that step.
How much does it cost to study in the Netherlands as a non-EEA student?
Institutional tuition for non-EEA students typically runs €8,000–€20,000+ a year depending on the university and programme, plus roughly €10,000–€19,000 a year in living costs depending on the city.
Useful Resources
- Official Study in NL Website: studyinnl.org
- Dutch Admissions Portal: studielink.nl
- Dutch Immigration Service (IND): ind.nl
- Free SOP Writer: catchthatscholarship.com/sop-outliner/
- CV Builder: catchthatscholarship.com/cv-builder/
