Study in the Netherlands: Complete Guide 2026 for International Students

It’s Tuesday morning in Utrecht. Thousands of students cycle along the canals – a girl with a laptop bag on her rack passes you, followed by a guy with a box of stroopwafels on his handlebars, and at the intersection, three Polish students are chatting in Polish, having not finished their discussion about an econometrics exam. At the tram stop, someone is reading political science lecture notes, in English, even though we’re in the heart of the Netherlands. On the street corner, a cafe sign promises “studentenkorting” – a student discount on coffee. This isn’t a tourist postcard. This is an ordinary Tuesday in a country that has transformed into one large, English-speaking, cycling university town.

The Netherlands is one of Europe’s best-kept secrets in higher education and, at the same time, the most logical choice for a high school graduate looking for more than domestic universities, but unwilling (or unable) to pay British tuition rates. Over 2,100 programs taught entirely in English, tuition fees of just ~2,530 EUR per year for EU citizens, 13 universities in the world’s top 200, and a country where 95% of residents speak English fluently enough for easy communication. Add to that easy accessibility from many European cities, with cheap connections via low-cost airlines like Ryanair and Wizz Air, and just a 2-hour flight from Warsaw, plus a Dutch legal system that guarantees you, as an EU citizen, the same rights as local students, including free public transport.

In this guide, I will walk you through everything you need to know about studying in the Netherlands: from the specifics of the WO vs HBO system, through SAT-accepting universities (UvA, Maastricht, Leiden, Delft, Erasmus, Groningen), the Studielink platform, the numerus fixus mechanism, living costs in various cities, scholarships available, to the Dutch housing crisis and cycling culture. If you’re also considering other destinations in Europe, compare with our guides on studying in the UK, Germany, or Scandinavia, but be warned that after reading this article, the Netherlands will likely jump high on your list.

The Dutch Higher Education System: WO vs HBO

Before you start browsing programs and universities, you need to understand a fundamental difference that defines the entire Dutch higher education system. The Netherlands divides its institutions into two distinct types, and confusing them is the most common mistake made by international applicants.

Universiteit (WO, or Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs) are research universities – equivalent to traditional research universities in many countries. There are only 13 of them in the Netherlands (plus a few specialized ones), but each has a global reputation. Bachelor’s degrees here last 3 years (not 4, as in many countries), and Master’s degrees 1–2 years. This is where the SAT holds the most significance. This is where academically ambitious candidates go, and these are the universities you’ll find in international rankings. The University of Amsterdam, Leiden, Delft, Erasmus Rotterdam, Maastricht, Groningen, Utrecht – these are all WO universities.

Hogeschool (HBO, or Hoger Beroepsonderwijs) are universities of applied sciences – equivalent to polytechnics or universities of applied sciences in other countries. Bachelor’s degrees here last 4 years and are practice-oriented, with internships built into the curriculum. HBO institutions do not appear in global university rankings, but they are excellent for those seeking a practical education. The SAT is rarely required for HBO, although it can strengthen an application.

There’s also a third category that might interest you: University Colleges – small, elite liberal arts programs operating within larger WO universities. Amsterdam University College (AUC), Leiden University College (LUC), University College Utrecht (UCU), University College Maastricht (UCM) are intimate colleges with 100–300 students per year, featuring holistic admissions (motivation letter, recommendations, interview) and English-taught programs. University Colleges are most open to the SAT as an element of candidate assessment.

The key practical difference: for WO universities, you need an education equivalent to the Dutch VWO (Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs) – the Polish Matura exam (high school leaving exam) with appropriate advanced-level subjects is generally recognized. For HBO, an equivalent to the Dutch HAVO is sufficient, with lower requirements but longer studies.

SAT-Accepting Universities and Rankings

The Netherlands is a country with no “bad” universities. Even the least known Dutch universiteit is a world-class institution – a result of the Dutch funding system, which distributes resources among a limited number of public universities. But certain names appear more frequently in rankings, and these are most likely to catch your attention.

In the QS World University Rankings 2025, as many as 7 Dutch universities are placed in the top 150 worldwide: University of Amsterdam (53rd), TU Delft (47th), Utrecht University (107th), Leiden University (126th), Erasmus University Rotterdam (141st), University of Groningen (139th), and Wageningen University (151st). In the THE World University Rankings, the results are equally strong – Amsterdam, Delft, and Wageningen regularly rank in the top 100.

University of Amsterdam (UvA) is the flagship Dutch university, 53rd worldwide in QS 2025, with a strong position in social sciences, communication and media (top 5 globally), economics, and psychology. UvA does not state a rigid SAT threshold, but for candidates from the American system, it requires 4 AP exams or the SAT as a supplementary qualification. For the prestigious PPLE (Politics, Psychology, Law and Economics) program, the SAT strengthens the application.

Maastricht University is a university that revolutionized European higher education with its Problem-Based Learning (PBL) system – here, you don’t sit in lectures with 300 people, but work in groups of 12–15 students on real problems, with a tutor moderating the discussion. Maastricht accepts the SAT and is the most internationalized university in the Netherlands (over 50% of students are international). It is particularly strong in European law, business, psychology, and medicine.

TU Delft, the Dutch answer to MIT, is the highest-ranked technical university in the Netherlands and 47th worldwide in QS. Engineering, architecture, computer science, aerospace – TU Delft is a global leader. Although the SAT is not a standard requirement, candidates from the American system can submit it as a supplementary qualification. If you’re aiming for STEM, compare Delft with ETH Zurich (higher ranking, but German-taught bachelor’s programs) or Imperial College London (higher tuition fees).

Erasmus University Rotterdam is particularly strong in economics and business – its Rotterdam School of Management (RSM) regularly appears in the top 10 European business schools. Erasmus accepts the SAT with a minimum score of 1170 points for English-taught programs. Its flagship BSc in International Business Administration (IBA) has numerus fixus status with 550 spots.

Leiden University, the oldest university in the Netherlands (founded in 1575 by William of Orange), boasts 16 Nobel laureates and is a global leader in law, political science, archaeology, and natural sciences. Leiden accepts the SAT with a score of approximately 1300 as a supplementary qualification. The city of Leiden is a 15-minute train ride from The Hague and 30 minutes from Amsterdam.

University of Groningen, founded in 1614, with traditions comparable to Leiden, accepts the SAT with a score of approximately 1300. Groningen is a city where 25% of the population are students – dynamic, affordable, and friendly. It is strong in natural sciences, astronomy, AI, and philosophy.

Not sure what SAT score you need for European universities? Check our guide to required SAT scores in Europe, and if you’re just preparing for the exam, practice with okiro.io, which offers full SAT practice tests with explanations.

Admissions: Studielink, Numerus Fixus, and Requirements

All applications to Dutch universities go through the central platform Studielink (studielink.nl) – this is the Dutch equivalent of the British UCAS or the Polish IRK (Internet Recruitment System), but it covers all universities in the country. Registration requires a European login (as an EU citizen, you use the option for EU citizens without a Dutch DigiD). A key limitation: you can apply for a maximum of 4 programs simultaneously. This is fewer than in the UK (UCAS allows 5), so you need to be strategic.

The most important deadline to remember is January 15 – the deadline for numerus fixus programs. Numerus fixus is the Dutch system of limited enrollment, similar to limited admissions systems in other countries, but with a specific selection procedure. It’s not about first-come, first-served or a lottery – universities conduct their own qualification procedures (tests, interviews, portfolios), and your position on the list depends on these results combined with an assessment of your profile. Popular numerus fixus programs include Psychology at UvA, International Business Administration at Erasmus Rotterdam (550 spots), Medicine at virtually every university, and some programs at Maastricht.

Programs without numerus fixus have a deadline of May 1, and a different rule applies here: if you meet the formal requirements, you are automatically admitted. There’s no competition, no ranking – if you meet the criteria, you get a spot. This is a huge difference from the British system, where even for programs without formal limits, universities reject candidates based on the quality of their application.

Requirements for Polish High School Graduates

The Polish Matura exam (high school leaving exam) is recognized by Dutch WO universities, but with specific conditions. Universities require passing relevant advanced-level subjects – typically mathematics (for quantitative programs), English, and subject-specific courses. There isn’t one universal percentage threshold; each university and program defines its own requirements. Indicatively, for popular English-taught programs, you’ll need at least 70–85% on your advanced-level Matura subjects.

If your Matura doesn’t meet the requirements (e.g., missing a required advanced-level subject), you have several options: taking missing subjects as AP exams, submitting an SAT score as a supplement (minimum scores: Erasmus – 1170, Leiden and Groningen – approx. 1300), or a foundation year at a Dutch university. You can find more about converting the Polish Matura to foreign systems in our guide to diploma equivalency.

Language requirements for English-taught programs are standard:

• IELTS Academic: minimum 6.0–6.5 (some programs 7.0)
• TOEFL iBT: minimum 80–92 (depending on the university)
• Cambridge English: C1 Advanced (CAE) with a score of 176+

Prepare for TOEFL or IELTS with prepclass.io – the platform offers full practice tests with AI feedback, which is significantly cheaper than an in-person course.

Popular English-Taught Programs and Fields of Study

The Netherlands offers an exceptional variety of English-taught bachelor’s programs – this is one of the country’s biggest advantages compared to Germany (where most BSc programs are in German) or France (Sciences Po is an exception, not the rule). Here are the fields that attract the most international students and where you have a real chance of admission.

International Business Administration (IBA) at Erasmus University Rotterdam is a program that combines financial rigor with an international perspective. It has 550 numerus fixus spots for a multinational group, with students from many countries forming a growing percentage. The program covers finance, marketing, strategy, and data analysis – all in a global business context. RSM graduates go on to work at Goldman Sachs, McKinsey, Unilever, and Dutch corporations (Shell, ING, Philips). If you’re aiming for a career in business but don’t want to pay for LSE or Bocconi, IBA at Erasmus is your best value option in Europe.

PPLE (Politics, Psychology, Law and Economics) at the University of Amsterdam is an interdisciplinary program combining four social sciences into one cohesive curriculum. Inspired by the PPE model from Oxford, but with an added psychological component. This is a numerus fixus program with a selective admissions process – CV, motivation letter, academic results. It’s a top choice for those interested in politics, diplomacy, and international organizations.

Problem-Based Learning in Maastricht – if the traditional lecture model bores you, Maastricht University might be a revelation. The entire teaching system is based on PBL: you work in groups of 12–15 students, analyzing real problems, with a tutor merely moderating the discussion. This model develops critical thinking, argumentation skills, and teamwork, which are exactly what employers look for later on. Popular English-taught programs at Maastricht include European Law, International Business, European Studies, Psychology, and Liberal Arts & Sciences.

Engineering and STEM at TU Delft, the Dutch MIT, offers bachelor’s programs in English, including Aerospace Engineering (top 3 in Europe), Applied Physics, Computer Science, and Nanobiology (jointly with Erasmus MC). If you’re interested in world-class engineering, Delft is the only Dutch university that can compete with ETH Zurich and EPFL, and its tuition is a fraction of the cost of Imperial College.

Econometrics and Data Science – the Netherlands is a European hub for econometrics. Programs at Erasmus Rotterdam, UvA, and Tilburg University train data analysts, quants, and data scientists who go on to work in the financial sector, tech giants, and consulting firms. If you have a strong mathematical background and enjoy programming, Dutch econometrics is a path to a career with a median salary exceeding 60,000 EUR per year after graduation.

University Colleges – for those who don’t want to specialize yet, Dutch University Colleges offer 3-year liberal arts programs in English with flexible subject choices. Amsterdam University College (AUC) combines the resources of UvA and VU Amsterdam; Leiden University College (LUC) operates in The Hague alongside international institutions; University College Maastricht (UCM) offers PBL in a small, intimate group. These programs accept the SAT as part of a holistic assessment and are an excellent choice for those undecided about their major.

Costs of Study and Living

This is the section where the Netherlands starts to look like a serious contender for your next home. Dutch public universities charge EU/EEA citizens a statutory tuition fee (wettelijk collegegeld), the amount of which is set annually by the government. For the academic year 2025/2026, it is ~2,530 EUR and is the same at every WO and HBO institution, regardless of program or prestige. Whether you study at UvA, TU Delft, or Maastricht, you pay the same. This cost applies to your first bachelor’s degree; for a second degree at the same level, you will pay the institutional rate (which is significantly higher).

Compare this: in the UK, tuition fees for EU students (treated as international after Brexit) range from 9,250–38,000 GBP per year. At Cambridge or Oxford, you pay over 30,000 GBP. In the Netherlands, for a three-year bachelor’s program, you will pay a total of approximately 7,590 EUR in tuition – the same amount that one semester costs at many British universities.

Living costs in the Netherlands depend heavily on the city. Amsterdam and Utrecht are the most expensive options; Groningen, Enschede, and Maastricht are the most affordable. A realistic monthly student budget:

Accommodation is by far the largest expense and also the biggest challenge. The Dutch housing crisis (wooncrisis) is real and affects students particularly severely. In Amsterdam, a room in a shared apartment costs 500–800 EUR/month; in Groningen or Maastricht – 350–550 EUR. Universities offer assistance in finding housing (e.g., UvA has a Housing Office, Maastricht cooperates with Maastricht Housing), but there’s no guarantee of a room. Absolutely crucial advice: start looking for housing in May for September. Not in July. Not in August. In May.

Transport – as a student in the Netherlands, you are entitled to a student OV-chipkaart, which gives you free public transport either on weekdays or weekends (you choose one). This covers buses, trams, metros, and trains across the country. The value of this benefit is 200–350 EUR per month – a huge saving. In addition, 90% of your daily journeys will be by bike. A second-hand bike (tweedehands fiets): 50–150 EUR one-off. Buy a good lock (30–50 EUR); bike theft is a Dutch plague, and losing your bike in the first week is an initiation you don’t have to agree to.

The total annual cost of studying in the Netherlands (tuition + living) is 12,700–19,900 EUR, or 53,000–83,000 PLN. For a three-year bachelor’s program, you will spend a total of 38,000–60,000 EUR. Compare this with University of Edinburgh (tuition + living: approx. 35,000 GBP/year, over 40,000 EUR) or even KU Leuven in Belgium (cheaper tuition, but comparable living costs). The Netherlands is not the cheapest in Europe, but it offers exceptional value for money – 13 universities in the top 200 for tuition that wouldn’t even cover one semester in the UK.

Scholarships and Financial Support

The Dutch scholarship system is not as generous as the Danish SU (which we discuss in our guide to CBS), but it offers several realistic options for EU students.

DUO, the Dutch government student grant, is the most important pillar of funding. As an EU citizen legally working in the Netherlands for a minimum of 56 hours per month (approx. 14 hours/week), you are entitled to the Dutch student grant. This includes a basisbeurs (basic grant, approx. 300 EUR/month) plus a preferential student loan (up to approx. 1,000 EUR/month, low-interest, repayable after graduation). Additionally, if your parents’ income is low, you may receive an aanvullende beurs (supplementary grant, up to approx. 440 EUR/month). This is a real opportunity to cover a significant portion of living costs, provided you find a job for at least 56 hours/month (which is not difficult in Dutch student cities).

Holland Scholarship, the most well-known scholarship for students from outside the Netherlands, but note: it is intended for students from outside the EEA. As an EU citizen, you do not qualify. Amount: 5,000 EUR one-off.

Orange Tulip Scholarship – a program by Nuffic (the Dutch organization for internationalization in education) that offers scholarships for students from selected countries, including Poland. The value and conditions change annually; details can be found at nesopoland.pl. This is one of the few scholarships specifically targeted at Polish students.

University scholarships – each university has its own programs:

• Leiden: LUCES (Leiden University Excellence Scholarship) – covers full tuition or tuition + living costs
• Groningen: Eric Bleumink Fund, Talent Grant – partial coverage of costs
• Erasmus: Erasmus University Scholarship – partial tuition waiver
• Maastricht: UM Scholarship Programme – varying rates depending on profile

Let’s be honest – most EU students in the Netherlands do not receive a scholarship in the traditional sense. The main pillars of funding are a combination of: low EU tuition fees + DUO (for part-time work) + student jobs + potential parental support. And it works; thousands of EU students study in the Netherlands without accumulating debt.

Student Life: Bikes, Borrel, and an Introduction to Dutch Directness

Let’s be honest – the main reason students fall in love with the Netherlands isn’t the rankings or the tuition fees. It’s the lifestyle. And that lifestyle starts with a bike.

Cycling culture in the Netherlands isn’t a gadget, a trend, or an eco-friendly choice. It’s the foundation of daily life. Amsterdam has 881,000 bikes for 900,000 residents – more bikes than people. Dedicated bike paths (fietspaden) are everywhere: wide, separated from cars, with their own traffic lights. As a student, your bike is your primary mode of transport – to university, to work, to the shop, to a party, everywhere. You buy a second-hand bike (tweedehands fiets) for 50–150 EUR in your first week, and from that moment, the Netherlands changes dimension. Suddenly, a country that looks tiny on the map becomes your garden – you can cycle anywhere in the city in 15–25 minutes, and on weekends, you go on trips through the Dutch countryside (polders), along canals, through villages with windmills. Buy a good lock (30–50 EUR); bike theft is a Dutch plague, and losing your bike in the first week is an initiation you don’t have to agree to.

Borrel is the Dutch equivalent of the Danish Fredagsbaren (Friday bar) and English pub culture, but with a Dutch twist. A borrel is an informal social gathering (typically on a Friday afternoon) with beer, bitterballen (breaded meat croquettes, addictive), and casual conversation. Every student association, organization, and department organizes regular borrels. This is a crucial networking opportunity and a moment to forge friendships that often last decades.

Introduction week (intro-week) is the first week of studies and an absolute must. Every Dutch university organizes an intensive orientation week where you get to know the city, the university, the system, your classmates, and local traditions. UvA has its own, Maastricht has its own (legendary, with a trip to the fields near Maastricht), Groningen has its own (KEI-week, 5 days of parties and integration). Don’t miss introduction week – it’s the foundation of your social life for the next 3 years.

Dutch directness (directheid) is something you’ll have to get used to. The Dutch say what they think – without beating around the bush, without diplomacy, without “maybe” and “we’ll see.” If your paper is weak, your tutor will tell you directly. If your project idea is poor, a groupmate will say “ik vind het niet goed” (I don’t think it’s good) without embarrassment. At first, it’s shocking (especially for those from cultures accustomed to more indirect communication, like Poland), but after a few months, you’ll appreciate this honesty – you know where you stand, and you don’t waste time guessing.

Student cities – each Dutch city has its own character. Amsterdam (UvA, VU) is a metropolis, cosmopolitan and expensive, with endless cultural options. Groningen is a true “studentenstad” (student city) – 25% of the population are students, it’s affordable, lively, and has the best balance of parties and academics in the country. Maastricht, often called the “Burgundy of the Netherlands” for its rich, southern European-like lifestyle, is close to Belgium and Germany, with French flair, cafes in squares, and an atmosphere that feels more like Southern Europe than the Low Countries. Leiden is an academic town 15 minutes from The Hague – intimate, full of history and tradition. Delft is a smaller version of Leiden, with canals, old townhouses, and the TU Delft campus. Rotterdam is the Dutch New York, with modern architecture, a port, multiculturalism, and Erasmus University.

Post-Study Prospects: Orientation Year and the Dutch Job Market

After graduating from a Dutch university, you are entitled to an Orientation Year (zoekjaar), a one-year residence permit to search for employment. You don’t need a job offer to receive it – a diploma from a Dutch university is sufficient. This is a key benefit that gives you time to find a suitable position without the pressure of an expiring visa (with the caveat: as an EU citizen, you have the right to work in the Netherlands without restrictions regardless; the Orientation Year is more relevant for non-EU students).

The Dutch job market is one of the strongest in Europe, with unemployment at around 3.5% (one of the lowest in the EU). The technology sector (ASML, Philips, Booking.com, Adyen, TomTom), finance (ING, ABN AMRO, Rabobank), consulting (McKinsey Amsterdam, BCG, EY), industrial (Shell, Unilever, DSM), and legal sectors (numerous international law firms in The Hague) actively seek talent from Dutch universities. The average graduate salary after 3 years of study is 40,000–55,000 EUR gross per year, depending on the sector and specialization.

Many Dutch universities offer career services with individual coaching, CV and interview workshops, and job fairs. UvA organizes Amsterdam Career Days; Erasmus has the RSM Career Centre; Maastricht – UM Career Services with dedicated support for international students. Knowledge of Dutch is not required in international companies, but it significantly increases your chances in the local market, so it’s worth starting to learn during your studies.

Summary: Why the Netherlands is an Excellent Choice

The Netherlands is a country that combines world-class education with affordable costs, an English-speaking environment, and a lifestyle that simply works. Tuition fees of 2,530 EUR per year, 13 universities in the world’s top 200, over 2,100 English-taught programs, free public transport, unlimited right to work, the DUO system for working students – this is a set of arguments that is hard to beat. Add to that easy access from many European cities, including a 2-hour flight from Warsaw, a cycling culture that changes the way you think about a city, and Dutch directness, which, after initial shock, becomes your preferred mode of communication.

Let’s be honest – the Netherlands isn’t perfect. The housing crisis is real and frustrating. The weather is grey, windy, and rainy for most of the year. Dutch food (apart from Indonesian cuisine and bitterballen) isn’t particularly impressive. And Dutch directness isn’t for everyone. But if you’re looking for a place that will give you a world-class diploma, international experience, real career prospects, and all of this for a fraction of the cost of British universities, the Netherlands should be at the very top of your list.

Next Steps

1. Choose universities and programs – check the offerings on Studielink.nl and studyinholland.nl. Compare UvA and Maastricht – two different educational philosophies.
2. Take TOEFL or IELTS – minimum 6.5 IELTS / 90 TOEFL iBT. Prepare with prepclass.io – full practice tests with AI feedback.
3. Consider the SAT – if your high school diploma doesn’t meet all requirements, the SAT can supplement your profile. Practice with okiro.io.
4. Check diploma equivalency – our guide to diploma equivalency explains how your grades translate to Dutch standards.
5. Start looking for housing early – in May, not in August.
6. Register on Studielink – and remember: numerus fixus = January 15 deadline!