Studying in the Netherlands appeals to students who want a well-regarded European university and life in a country with a strong academic reputation. Before you apply for a place, it is worth researching the cost of studying in the Netherlands so that you can plan your move properly.
The Netherlands runs a wide range of English-taught programmes, has a multicultural student population and holds high positions in the global rankings, which makes it a popular destination for international students. It also offers scholarships and funding that can offset part of the bill. With that in mind, here is a closer look at the cost of living in the Netherlands and of studying at its universities.
Why study in the Netherlands?
Before we get to the numbers, it is worth asking what the Netherlands offers beyond its long-established universities.
On a Dutch student visa you can study at any Dutch university or higher education institution, start work once you finish, and convert the student residence permit into a work permit. Alongside that, you get a settled society with low crime, high employment, low unemployment and a stable economy. With that established, here are the conditions for studying in the Netherlands.
Recommended reading: our guide to the Netherlands student visa.
Entry requirements for studying in the Netherlands
The central requirement is an official letter of admission from the university or institution you want to attend. That letter confirms you are an enrolled student and allows you to start the residence procedure with the Dutch authorities.
To secure admission you need certificates and transcripts from your previous studies and a language qualification such as academic IELTS or TOEFL. From there, check the admissions page on the university’s website for the application deadlines for your programme.
Submit everything two or three days before the deadline, in the format the university specifies, and attend any entrance interview required. Universities review each file, ask for further documents or an online interview where needed, and then issue the formal offer of admission.
Read more: The most affordable universities in the Netherlands
The next step is the student visa and the provisional residence permit for stays over 90 days (the MVV), which the university normally applies for on your behalf. A decision usually follows within two to four weeks, after which you can live in the Netherlands lawfully.
Cost of studying in the Netherlands by level
International applicants can apply to Dutch schools as well as to all three university levels: bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate. The costs at each level are set out below.
Cost of studying at a school in the Netherlands
Attending school in the Netherlands gives younger students an introduction to a European education system and a multicultural environment. Dutch international schools run programmes such as the IB and English-taught courses for non-Dutch speakers.
International pupils can apply to international and boarding schools in the Netherlands and move there on a study residence permit. Fees at these schools reach up to EUR 22,000 a year, which is far above what state schools charge.
Cost of a bachelor’s degree in the Netherlands
A bachelor’s degree runs for up to four years and therefore costs more in total than the other levels. The figure varies by city, by institution and by subject. Scholarships and funding at bachelor’s level are limited, so if you are serious about applying you need solid proof of funds.
Dutch university tuition for students from outside the European Union runs between EUR 9,000 and EUR 15,000 a year, and for some subjects it can reach EUR 20,000. On top of that, budget EUR 800 to EUR 1,100 a month for living costs, covering rent, food, transport, insurance and day-to-day expenses.
Taking tuition and living costs together, a bachelor’s degree in the Netherlands costs between EUR 18,000 and EUR 30,000 a year, more or less depending on your lifestyle, your city and your subject.
Read more: A complete guide to studying in the Netherlands
Cost of a master’s degree in the Netherlands
A master’s degree takes two years at most, and some subjects and universities offer scholarships and funding. If you cannot secure a grant, you have to show proof of funds covering tuition and living costs.
Master’s tuition in the Netherlands runs between EUR 8,000 and EUR 20,000 a year. For day-to-day living, budget roughly EUR 1,000 to EUR 1,500 a month.
Cost of a doctorate
Doctoral candidates pay no tuition, because a PhD student in the Netherlands is treated as an employee and receives a salary. That also means you do not have to submit proof of funds for living costs. To secure a place you correspond with the university and a supervisor first, and start the residence procedure once you have an offer.
Doctoral admission for candidates from outside the European Union rests entirely on academic record, publications and CV, and competition is serious at highly ranked universities such as Leiden, the University of Amsterdam and Eindhoven University of Technology.
Comparing the best cities to study in the Netherlands
Beyond tuition, a large part of the cost of studying in the Netherlands is rent and daily expenses. Here is a short comparison of several Dutch student cities.
Amsterdam
The capital, home to the University of Amsterdam, is one of the best and also the most expensive student cities. Living in Amsterdam costs between EUR 1,500 and EUR 3,500 a month, covering rent, food, transport, insurance and other expenses.
Utrecht
Utrecht brings the cost down considerably. Expect EUR 500 to EUR 700 a month for a flat, up to EUR 200 for food, up to EUR 100 for transport and up to EUR 100 for insurance.
Read more: The best universities in the Netherlands
Groningen
Groningen is the third of the big student cities, with around a quarter of its population made up of students. Monthly living costs run EUR 900 to EUR 1,000 and cover rent, food, health insurance, leisure and other expenses.
Rotterdam
Rotterdam, like Amsterdam, is on the expensive side and pushes the overall cost up. A standard flat costs up to EUR 1,200 a month, and average living costs reach EUR 1,600.
Leiden
Leiden is another student city, where you should budget up to EUR 1,300 a month, of which up to EUR 800 goes on rent. The rest covers food, transport, health insurance and other daily expenses. Leiden is cheaper than Amsterdam or Rotterdam while still offering a high quality of life. Eindhoven and Delft are two more student cities, with strong technical institutions for engineering students and living costs that stay reasonable.
Monthly student living costs in the Netherlands
| Expense | Cost per month |
|---|---|
| Housing (student residence or apartment) | EUR 300–1,000 |
| Food | EUR 150–300 |
| Public transport | EUR 35–120 |
| Health insurance | EUR 80–120 |
| Books and study materials | Depends on lifestyle |
| Miscellaneous costs | Depends on lifestyle |
How to keep costs down
Plan around where you will study and how you intend to live. Rent and everyday costs differ from city to city, so use official sources when you build the budget. One we recommend is Study in Europe, which publishes current information on tuition and international student living costs.
If private rent is beyond your budget, apply for student housing early, because places are limited. When you apply for funding, look beyond your own university to other institutions and scholarship schemes, which together can cut the cost substantially.
Finally, set aside ten to fifteen per cent above your planned budget for unexpected expenses.
Studying in the Netherlands with Aval Visa
The cost of studying in the Netherlands is reasonable by European standards, and the study route is a practical way to move to one of Europe’s most liveable countries and try for longer-term residence in the Netherlands. The Aval Visa team has years of experience with student visas and works with you from the first admission steps through to the administrative details, including completing forms and booking appointments. If you want more guidance, fill in the consultation form or contact the Aval Visa office.
Frequently asked questions
- What are monthly student living costs in the Netherlands? On average, international students spend between EUR 800 and EUR 1,500 a month, most of it on rent, food, transport and incidentals.
- How can I cut transport costs? Use an OV-chipkaart for public transport, which costs between EUR 35 and EUR 120 a month depending on how much you travel.
- How can I reduce the cost of studying in the Netherlands? Share accommodation, shop at budget supermarkets such as Lidl or Jumbo, use student discounts on transport and leisure, and apply for scholarships and grants.
