Student working on a laptop in Leiden

Dutch Universities: Where to Study, How to Apply and What It Costs

The research universities and universities of applied sciences in the Netherlands, the oldest and the specialist ones, how to apply via Studielink, tuition, student finance and the grading system.

← Living in the NetherlandsFamily, benefits and education6 min readUpdated 5 Oct 2026
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Two kinds of university

Research university (wo)University of applied sciences (hbo)
Bachelor3 years4 years
Master1 or 2 yearsFewer programmes, often 1 to 2 years
StyleTheory and researchPractice, projects and internships
Entry from Dutch schoolvwohavo or mbo 4
Number14, including the Open UniversityAround 36 publicly funded

The research universities

  1. 1575
    Leiden University

    The oldest, founded by William of Orange.

  2. 1614
    University of Groningen
  3. 1632
    University of Amsterdam (UvA)

    Grew out of the Athenaeum Illustre.

  4. 1636
    Utrecht University
  5. 1842
    Delft University of Technology
  6. 1880
    Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
  7. 1913
    Erasmus University Rotterdam

    Began as a school of commerce.

  8. 1918
    Wageningen University & Research

    Agriculture, food and environment.

  9. 1923
    Radboud University (Nijmegen)
  10. 1927
    Tilburg University
  11. 1956
    Eindhoven University of Technology
  12. 1961
    University of Twente (Enschede)
  13. 1976
    Maastricht University

    Known for problem-based learning.

  14. 1984
    Open University

    Distance learning.

How to apply

  1. 1
    Choose a programme

    Studyinnl.org lists English-taught programmes; most masters and many bachelors are in English.

  2. 2
    Register in Studielink

    All applications to Dutch higher education go through Studielink.

  3. 3
    Watch the deadlines

    Programmes with a numerus fixus (limited places) close on 15 January. For most other bachelors register by 1 May. Masters set their own dates.

  4. 4
    Complete the university's own steps

    Documents, language test, and for some programmes a selection procedure.

  5. 5
    Arrange finance, housing and a residence permit

    Start housing early: in university cities it is the hardest part.

Tuition and student finance

€2,694statutory tuition fee 2026-27 (EU/EEA students)
Higherinstitutional fees for most non-EU students, set by each university
DUOruns student finance: loans, the basic grant and the student travel product

Dutch and many EU students can get student finance from DUO: a loan, a basic grant (basisbeurs) since 2023-24, a supplementary grant depending on parents' income, and free or discounted public transport.

Good to know

Grades 1 to 10

A 5.5 or 6 is a pass, an 8 is very good, and a 10 is almost never given.

Binding study advice

Many programmes require a minimum number of credits in year one (BSA), or you must leave.

Study associations

Student and study associations organise much of social life, from borrels to career days.

Student travel product

Eligible students travel free or at a discount, weekdays or weekends.

Sources

This article is based on these official pages. If anything here differs from them, the official page is right.

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