MyCollab
Country guide

Study in Netherlands

Everything an international student needs to apply to a Netherlands university: grading scale, fees, language tests, visa proof, top universities, and deadlines.

Grading scale

1 – 10

5.5 is the minimum pass; 8+ is excellent and rare

Convert your grades

Application requirements

Application fees

€100 application fee for non-EU/EEA applicants at most universities

Language tests

English-taught programmes require IELTS 6.5 (with no subscore below 6.0) or TOEFL iBT 90. Dutch-taught programmes typically require NT2-II.

Cost & visa proof

Estimated tuition, accommodation, living costs, and the visa financial proof requirement — by city and university type.

Open Study Cost Estimator

Top universities in Netherlands

Ranking source: QS World University Rankings & Times Higher Education 2024 (where noted). Links go to each university's official admissions page.

UniversityCityRankingAdmissions
University of Amsterdam (UvA)AmsterdamQS 53Open
Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)DelftQS 47Open
Utrecht UniversityUtrechtQS 107Open
Leiden UniversityLeidenQS 128Open
Erasmus University RotterdamRotterdamQS 176Open
Wageningen University & ResearchWageningenQS 119Open
Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e)EindhovenQS 124Open
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU)AmsterdamQS 220Open
University of GroningenGroningenQS 139Open
Radboud UniversityNijmegenQS 222Open

Application timeline

September start (main intake)

Typical window

Oct 1 – Apr 1 (numerus fixus programmes: Jan 15)

February start (limited)

Typical window

Sep – Nov of preceding year

Individual programmes vary. Always confirm on the target university's official admissions page.

Cost of living (per month)

Amsterdam

€1,200 – €1,800

Rotterdam

€1,000 – €1,400

Utrecht

€1,100 – €1,500

Groningen

€900 – €1,200

Indicative all-in ranges for student accommodation, food, transport, and basic utilities. Personal lifestyle and accommodation type swing these significantly.

Common questions

How does Studielink work?+
Studielink is the centralised Dutch application portal. You create one account, choose up to four programmes, and submit transcripts and supporting documents through it. Universities then process the application internally.
What is numerus fixus?+
Numerus fixus programmes have a capped number of seats and an earlier deadline (typically January 15). Selection is by lottery, GPA, or specific selection criteria depending on the programme.
Is English really enough?+
For coursework, yes — over 2,000 English-taught programmes exist. For daily life, Dutch is helpful but most Dutch people speak English fluently. Universities also offer free or subsidised Dutch courses for international students.
Are there scholarships for international students?+
Yes — Holland Scholarship (€5,000), Orange Tulip Scholarship, and many programme-specific awards. EU/EEA students pay the same statutory tuition as Dutch students (~€2,500/year for 2025).

Next steps

Convert your grades

Use the My Grades tool to translate your transcript into the dutch scale.

Plan your application

Personalised application checklist for Netherlands at every degree level.

See related conversions

Every conversion involving the dutch grading scale, in one place.