Studying in the Netherlands: What to expect

Learn everything you need to know about studying in the Netherlands, from tuition fees and scholarships to the Dutch education system and student life.

Ivandzhelin

7 minute read

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Updated on 29 May 2024

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Studying

Are you planning on studying in the Netherlands? You’ve made the right choice. The country is known for its highly ranked universities, big international student community, exciting student life, and many career opportunities after graduation.

You probably have a lot of questions about your studies in the Netherlands. This is why we’ll break down everything you need to know in this article, from the Dutch education system to the best universities in the Netherlands for international students. So, let’s jump right in and get started!

Before you get too deep into your plans, looking at your budget and the expenses you can expect is probably best. While studying in the Netherlands might be more expensive than in Germany or Belgium, it more than makes up for it in a number of ways, including the world-renowned universities, the hundreds of programs taught in English, and the best student life you can ask for.

Tuition fees in the Netherlands

The Netherlands has relatively affordable tuition fees, especially if you’re coming from an EU/EEA country. The universities and Dutch government also offer plenty of scholarships and grants to help you fund your studies.

Here’s a breakdown of the tuition fees in the Netherlands:

• EU/EEA/Switzerland and Surinam: €2,530 for Bachelor’s and Master’s
• non-EU/EEA/Switzerland and Surinam: between €9,000 and €20,000 for Bachelor’s and €12,000 and €30,000 for Master’s

Living expenses for students in the Netherlands

The cost of living in the Netherlands as a student can differ depending on the city you choose, but basic expenses will remain relatively the same. Students can expect the cost of living in the Netherlands between €1,620 and €1,885 monthly.

Rent is your most variable cost. Depending on whether you’re searching for student housing options in Rotterdam or Breda, renting a private room can vary between €723 and €598. Generally, smaller cities like Leeuwarden, Groningen, and Delft have lower accommodation costs. If your eye is set on one of the universities in Amsterdam, you can expect to pay around €951 for a room in shared housing.

The cost of other expenses like groceries, public transport, and healthcare won’t vary too much between cities. You can budget for your groceries by shopping at Lidl or Aldi and planning your meals around the week's sales. Check out our guide to the cost of living in the Netherlands for students to learn more about student discounts and how to save money.

In the Netherlands, most students use cycling as their form of transportation. It’s by far the cheapest and easiest way to get around. You can also opt for public transport. There are plenty of student discounts, and public transport can even be free if you work part-time. You’ll need to apply for student financing with DUO and be approved for it.

The Netherlands's higher education is world-renowned and offers the largest number of programs taught in English in continental Europe. So, it’s easy to understand why many international students choose to study in the Netherlands.

The Dutch higher education system has 3 levels:

• Secondary vocational education (MBO): programs are between 1 to 4 years and focus on teaching practical skills in the fields of technology, healthcare and business administration
• Higher professional education (HBO): typically 4 years, and you graduate with a Bachelor’s degree; programs are available in various fields with an emphasis on practice and skills over theoretical knowledge
• Academic education (WO): programs are usually 3 years for a Bachelor’s and between 1 to 2 years for a Master’s; courses are available in various fields focusing on research, theoretical knowledge, and analytical skills.

Generally, HBO and WO are the most popular degree levels among international students as they offer the widest range of courses taught in English. MBO focuses on specific trades like woodwork, whereas HBO prepares students for professional careers. WO students are usually oriented toward academic or research fields or higher-professional roles.

Forms of teaching at Dutch universities

If you’re studying in the Netherlands, you’ll quickly learn that you generally have 2 types of classes: lectures and seminars, and 2 types of examindations: projects and exams.

• Lectures: are usually taught in front of a large group of people and cover the week’s topic by highlighting the most important aspect of it; your exams are usually based on the knowledge gained from the lectures; depending on the subject you might have quick tests at the beginning of the lesson which contributes to your overall grade
• Seminars/ workgroups: are usually taught in front of a small group (max 30 people) and aim to practice and discuss the knowledge taught during the lectures; this can be done through projects, weekly assignments, and presentations
• Projects: are used to practice what you’ve learned in the lectures and discussed in the seminars; projects are part of the curriculum of almost all courses at Dutch universities and determine (part of) your course grade
• Exams: the most common way of evaluating your knowledge on a given subject and determining a large part of your course grade

Grading system at Dutch universities

You may find that the grading system differs from what you are used to in your country. In the Netherlands, you’re graded on a 10-point system, where 10 is the highest grade you can receive and 1 is the lowest. A passing grade is 5.5, with some courses needing a 6. Below, you can see a breakdown of each grade

1. Very Poor
2. Poor
3. Very Unsatisfactory
4. Unsatisfactory
5. Almost Satisfactory
6. Satisfactory
7. More Than Satisfactory
8. Good
9. Very Good
10. Outstanding

Credits system at Dutch universities

Your grades are used to determine whether you’ve collected enough ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accum System) to pass the course or graduate. One academic year has a maximum of 60 ECTS. So, Bachelor’s degrees have a total of 180 ECTS (3-year studies) or 240 ECTS (4-year studies). Master’s have between 90 ECTS (1 year) and 120 ECTS (2 year). You need to collect all of the credits to be able to graduate from your studies.

Course accreditation

The Dutch higher education system functions on three basic cycles:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Master’s degree
• PhD degree

Courses are accredited through the NVAO (Netherlands and Flemish Accreditation Organisation), which recognizes all degrees issued throughout Belgium and the Netherlands. All courses are checked every six years for accuracy, assurance, and relevance in real-world environments.

Academic year

The Dutch academic year typically starts at the beginning of September and ends in June. Some courses, especially at the master's level, are available from February to November.

In the Netherlands, one academic year is divided into 4 study blocks rather than in semesters. Each block consists of 7-8 weeks of lectures and 2-3 weeks of exams and resits, with the 4th block having 5 weeks of resits as the last study period of the year.

Unfortunately, higher education isn’t free in the Netherlands, but you can apply for many scholarships and study loans.

Scholarships in the Netherlands for international students

• Erasmus +: is ideal for students who want to do a semester abroad, as it helps you cover your living expenses during the exchange
• NL Scholarship: or Holland Scholarship grants up to €5,000 to non-EEA students to partially cover their tuition fees or living expenses
• University scholarships: most universities in the Netherlands offer their own scholarships either based on merit or subject

You can also apply for student financing from DUO. It’s available to all students and helps you cover your living expenses and tuition fees. There are several types of student financing available:

• Basic grand: is available to all students of HBO and universities to help cover their living expenses in the Netherlands. If you graduate within 10 years, you don’t have to pay it back
• Supplementary grand: is available to all HBO and university students to partially cover their tuition. If you graduate within 10 years, you don’t have to pat it back
• Student travel product: allows students working part-time at least 32 hours per month to travel for free or with a discount during the week or weekend, depending on your subscription. The student travel product covers up to €114.92 of your travel expenses each month.
• Tuition fees loan: is available for HBO and university students to pay their tuition fees. This is a loan, so you’ll have to repay it after graduation.

You can also borrow money from DUO as a loan to help you cover your living expenses and tuition fees. The amount you can borrow depends on your ability to borrow between €1,265 and €1,410 maximum per month. The DUO loan has to be repaid between 15 to 35 years after graduation.

The Netherlands is one of the safest countries in Europe, and you’ll sense this in the free-spirited, laid-back way of its people, especially its students and younger demographic.

Depending on whether you’ll study in a larger city like Amsterdam or Rotterdam or a more student-oriented city like Tilburg or Groningen, things can differ a bit. However, there are a few things that you’ll experience in whichever city you choose.

Student Associations in the Netherlands

To help students acclimate to their surroundings, associations will set up introduction days or weeks, where you can learn about what they have to offer, get a tour around the university, and learn a number of things that will come in handy during your time there. Additionally, many associations have a “buddy system,” where a more seasoned student will be there to answer questions and assist a newer student.

Some of the most popular student associations who also specialize in assistance for international students include:

• ESN
• AEGEE
• AIESEC

Other organizations are available at each individual university. They will offer a full calendar of events, including networking meetings, educational opportunities, and fun-filled parties, like the introduction weeks.

There will undoubtedly be an introduction week regardless of which Dutch city you choose to study in. At the beginning of each academic year, local study associations and universities host a week full of activities and parties to welcome first-year students.

Most large Dutch cities have exciting and dynamic nightlife, perfect for students. You can go clubbing or to a bar, do karaoke, or go to a house party. There are plenty of festivals throughout the year, too. There is no better country to balance studies with going out than the Netherlands.

Now that you know everything about studying in the Netherlands it’s time to start applying for any of its world-ranked universities. Welkom in het Nederland!