Studies in The Netherlands

There are 41 Universities which offer Programs of Applied Sciences and 14 Universities which specialize in Research. They are also offered more than 1800 English-taught study programs at various universities. In addition, there are language centers for dutch and english.

Important Details

General admission criteria

The admission criteria into the undergraduate education of The Netherlands vary accordingly to the programme studies. All programs require examination in English language. In case where the interested party does not meet the admission criteria into an undergraduate degree program, there are preparatory programs which, however, are not offered in every university. Sometimes additional external exams are required depending mainly on the study program.

Admission criteria for medicine

Due to the limited number of places offered and the large number of applicants , a lottery system has been created. A certain rate of available places are given directly from the university to specific students (eg to students with high scores). The mandatory courses one must have high knowledge for Medicine are Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Please note that medical programs are not offered in English.

When it comes to paramedic degree programs, it depends on much of the type of curriculum. For example, for the Physiotherapy the criteria admission include High school diploma and the examination for the English language IELTS with minimum passing grade of 6.0.

Admission criteria in technological sciences

A High school diploma is required with the mandatory courses of Mathematics, Physics and English (for the Architecture programme a portfolio is requested), as well as the preparation of assignments which are determined by the university, as well as an audition of the candidates.

Postgraduate studies

In case where the entry criteria are not met, the interested party is often offerred to take a pre-postgraduate programme with the necessary courses so as to be prepared for the graduate program.

General information

Although the time frames are not the same for all universitites, most of the time the application deadline is the first of May. However, those interested are encouraged to start the process at least half a year before the start of the semester (e.g. start the process of translating some documents which can be time-consuming.

Tuition fees range from 2300 euros for Undergraduate and Postgraduate study programs (with some exceptions).

Only a few universities in The Netherlands have residence halls. Usually students rent a room or apartment in the city. The universities offer assistance to students regarding accommodation. The cost of living ranges from 800-1000 euros per month (including accommodation, food security, etc.). For the big cities (eg Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht) a slightly higher cost of living is calculated.

The Netherlands maintain health insurance agreements with other countries (all EU countries and Switzerland). Therefore, if the student concerned is from an EU or EEA country or a Swiss citizen and studying in the Netherlands, without working or on a paid qualification/internship, then he/she is covered by the national policy applied in his country for health insurance. The insurance company of each interested party may issue the European Insurance and Sickness Card (EHIC). Since the applicant is exclusively a student in the Netherlands and is not employed or in a paid internship/specialization program, he/she is not required to make any additional insurance in the Netherlands.