The Netherlands is one of the non-English-speaking countries with the largest number of English-taught programmes, and it is known for its interactive, practical teaching style.
Why the Netherlands?
- More than 2,000 English-taught programmes
- Problem-based teaching focused on teamwork
- An international environment where almost everyone speaks English
- A one-year job-search permit for graduates (zoekjaar)
Education system and levels
- Research universities (WO): bachelor’s 3 years, master’s 1–2 years
- Universities of applied sciences (HBO): bachelor’s 4 years, practice-oriented
Most applications are made through the Studielink portal.
Tuition and living costs
- Tuition fees (non-EU students): approximately €9,000–€20,000+ per year
- Living costs: €1,000–€1,400 per month; finding housing can be difficult, so start searching early
Scholarships
- Universities’ excellence scholarships (Amsterdam, Leiden, Utrecht, Twente, etc.)
- Erasmus Mundus joint master’s programmes
- NL Scholarship at some universities (a one-off partial scholarship)
Admission requirements and documents
- Diploma and transcript (with translation)
- English: usually IELTS 6.5
- Motivation letter, CV, reference letters
- GMAT/GRE or a portfolio for some programmes
Student visa: step by step
- Get admitted and send the documents the university asks for (including proof of funds).
- The university itself applies to the IND for the MVV (entry visa) and the residence permit together.
- After IND approval you collect the MVV at a Dutch embassy.
- In the Netherlands, collect your residence card at the IND and register with the municipality.
Fees
- The IND fee is paid via the university; the amount is on the IND “Fees” page
Can you work on a student visa?
You can work up to 16 hours a week, or full-time in June–August; the employer must obtain a work permit (TWV).
Source: IND — Study, EU Immigration Portal — Niderland. Checked: October 2026. Rules and fees can change — check the official website before applying.
Universities and programmes in the Netherlands
27 programmes found
| University / programme | Country | Level | Deadline | Language requirement | Application fee | Annual tuition | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Amsterdam Psychology (Research Master) | Netherlands Amsterdam | Master's | ~ 08.01.2027 Estimated | IELTS 7.0 (each section at least 6.5) | €100 | High for non-EU students — applying with a scholarship is recommended | Details |
| Maastricht School of Management Management | Netherlands Maastricht | Master's | ~ 27.01.2027 Estimated | IELTS 6.5 | €95 | €19,000 / year | Details |
| Utrecht University Clinical Psychology | Netherlands Utrecht | Master's | ~ 01.02.2027 Estimated | IELTS 7.0 (each section at least 6.5) | €100 | High for non-EU students — applying with a scholarship is recommended | Details |
| Tilburg University International Management | Netherlands Tilburg | Master's | ~ 30.03.2027 Estimated | IELTS 6.5 | €100 | €19,000 / year | Details |
| Leiden University Chemistry | Netherlands Leiden | Master's | ~ 01.04.2027 Estimated | €100 | €20,000 / year | Details | |
| Erasmus University Rotterdam Clinical Psychology | Netherlands Rotterdam | Master's | ~ 01.04.2027 Estimated | C1-level English | €100 | High for non-EU students — applying with a scholarship is recommended | Details |
| Leiden University Clinical Psychology | Netherlands Leiden | Master's | ~ 01.04.2027 Estimated | IELTS 7.5 (each section at least 7.0) | €100 | High for non-EU students — applying with a scholarship is recommended | Details |
| Radboud University Molecular Chemistry | Netherlands Nijmegen | Master's | ~ 01.04.2027 Estimated | €75 | €15,000+ / year | Details | |
| Radboud University Psychology | Netherlands Nijmegen | Master's | ~ 01.04.2027 Estimated | IELTS 6.5 | €75 | €16,000 / year | Details |
| Tilburg University Work and Organizational Psychology | Netherlands Tilburg | Master's | ~ 01.04.2027 Estimated | IELTS 6.0 | €16,000 / year | Details | |
| Erasmus University Rotterdam MSc International Public Management and Policy | Netherlands Rotterdam | Master's | ~ 30.04.2027 Estimated | English (exact score to be confirmed) | To be confirmed | Non-EU: approx. €15,000–20,000 / year (to be confirmed) | Details |
| University of Groningen Clinical Neuropsychology (Psychology) | Netherlands Groningen | Master's | ~ 01.05.2027 Estimated | IELTS 6.5 | €100 | High for non-EU students — applying with a scholarship is recommended | Details |
| University of Twente Psychology | Netherlands Enschede | Master's | ~ 01.05.2027 Estimated | IELTS 6.0 | €100 | Details | |
| Maastricht University Psychology | Netherlands Maastricht | Master's | ~ 01.05.2027 Estimated | IELTS 6.5 | €100 | High for non-EU students — applying with a scholarship is recommended | Details |
| IHE Delft Institute For Water Education (koordinator) Coastal Hazards – Risks, Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation (COASTHazar) — Erasmus Mundus | Netherlands Consortium: Netherlands, Portugal, Spain | Master's | Erasmus Mundus scholarship applications usually close between October and February… To be confirmed | English (level to be confirmed) | To be confirmed | Free with an Erasmus Mundus scholarship; the fee without a scholarship depends on the programme | Details |
| Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam (koordinator) European Master in Law and Economics (EMLE) — Erasmus Mundus | Netherlands Consortium: Belgium, France, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Spain | Master's | Erasmus Mundus scholarship applications usually close between October and February… To be confirmed | English (level to be confirmed) | To be confirmed | Free with an Erasmus Mundus scholarship; the fee without a scholarship depends on the programme | Details |
| Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (koordinator) European Master’s in Clinical Linguistics (EMCL-25) — Erasmus Mundus | Netherlands Consortium: Belgium, Finland, Netherlands | Master's | Erasmus Mundus scholarship applications usually close between October and February… To be confirmed | English (level to be confirmed) | To be confirmed | Free with an Erasmus Mundus scholarship; the fee without a scholarship depends on the programme | Details |
| IHE Delft Institute For Water Education (koordinator) Flood Risk Management (FLOODRisk) — Erasmus Mundus | Netherlands Consortium: Germany, Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain | Master's | Erasmus Mundus scholarship applications usually close between October and February… To be confirmed | English (level to be confirmed) | To be confirmed | Free with an Erasmus Mundus scholarship; the fee without a scholarship depends on the programme | Details |
| Universiteit Twente (koordinator) Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation for Environmental Modelling and Management — Erasmus Mundus | Netherlands Consortium: Belgium, Estonia, Netherlands, Sweden | Master's | Erasmus Mundus scholarship applications usually close between October and February… To be confirmed | English (level to be confirmed) | To be confirmed | Free with an Erasmus Mundus scholarship; the fee without a scholarship depends on the programme | Details |
| IHE Delft Institute For Water Education (koordinator) Groundwater and Global Change – Impacts and Adaptation (GroundwatCh) — Erasmus Mundus | Netherlands Consortium: Germany, Netherlands, Portugal | Master's | Erasmus Mundus scholarship applications usually close between October and February… To be confirmed | English (level to be confirmed) | To be confirmed | Free with an Erasmus Mundus scholarship; the fee without a scholarship depends on the programme | Details |
| Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (koordinator) International Master in Innovative Medicine (IMIM) — Erasmus Mundus | Netherlands Consortium: Estonia, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden | Master's | Erasmus Mundus scholarship applications usually close between October and February… To be confirmed | English (level to be confirmed) | To be confirmed | Free with an Erasmus Mundus scholarship; the fee without a scholarship depends on the programme | Details |
| Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam (koordinator) International Master’s in Advanced Research in Criminology (IMARC) — Erasmus Mundus | Netherlands Consortium: Belgium, Netherlands, Spain, United Kingdom | Master's | Erasmus Mundus scholarship applications usually close between October and February… To be confirmed | English (level to be confirmed) | To be confirmed | Free with an Erasmus Mundus scholarship; the fee without a scholarship depends on the programme | Details |
| IHE Delft Institute For Water Education (koordinator) International Masters in Environmental Technology and Engineering (IMETE-C) — Erasmus Mundus | Netherlands Consortium: Belgium, Czechia, Netherlands | Master's | Erasmus Mundus scholarship applications usually close between October and February… To be confirmed | English (level to be confirmed) | To be confirmed | Free with an Erasmus Mundus scholarship; the fee without a scholarship depends on the programme | Details |
| Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (koordinator) Islands and Sustainability — Erasmus Mundus | Netherlands Consortium: Greece, Iceland, Netherlands, Spain | Master's | Erasmus Mundus scholarship applications usually close between October and February… To be confirmed | English (level to be confirmed) | To be confirmed | Free with an Erasmus Mundus scholarship; the fee without a scholarship depends on the programme | Details |
| Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (koordinator) Religious Diversity in a Globalised World (ReD Global) — Erasmus Mundus | Netherlands Consortium: Netherlands, Portugal, Spain | Master's | Erasmus Mundus scholarship applications usually close between October and February… To be confirmed | English (level to be confirmed) | To be confirmed | Free with an Erasmus Mundus scholarship; the fee without a scholarship depends on the programme | Details |
| Utrecht University MA International Relations in Historical Perspective | Netherlands Utrecht | Master's | The 2027/28 call has not been published yet To be confirmed | English (exact score to be confirmed) | To be confirmed | Non-EU: €21,342–22,000 / year | Details |
| Leiden University MSc International Relations and Diplomacy | Netherlands Leiden | Master's | The 2027/28 call has not been published yet To be confirmed | English (B2/C1, to be confirmed) | To be confirmed | Non-EU: €21,100–21,700 / year | Details |
Note: amounts are approximate and vary by university, programme and year. It is important to check the official source before applying. Last updated: October 2026.
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