Study in the Netherlands

Universities in the Netherlands

The Netherlands is home to one of the world’s oldest and most highly respected systems of higher education, dating back to the 16th century. The QS World University Rankings includes several universities from the Netherlands, with several ranked among the very best in the world.

Notable performers include Delft University of Technology, the University of Amsterdam and Eindhoven University of Technology.

Combine this high quality with relatively favourable tuition rates and plenty of English language courses (the Dutch are generally known for their fluency in English as a second language) and you can begin to see why the Netherlands is one of continental Europe’s most popular choices for international study.

Let's take a closer look at some of the top universities in the Netherlands.

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) 

The country’s oldest and largest public technical university, Delft University of Technology was founded in 1842. Also known as TU Delft, it teaches about 23,460 students, with a focus on engineering disciplines, computer science, mathematics, applied sciences, and policy and management in technology.

Prometheus, a figure from Greek mythology, is an important symbol of TU Delft, and his statue stands in the center of the newly renovated Mekelpark campus.

University of Amsterdam 

The University of Amsterdam is the country’s largest higher education institution, with around 32,000 students enrolled. Established in 1632, it’s the third oldest university in the Netherlands.

It teaches undergraduate and graduate programmes across a broad spectrum of subjects, with a large selection of English-taught master’s degrees, and a few English-taught bachelor’s degrees. 

Eindhoven University of Technology 

Eindhoven University of Technology – as its name would suggest – is especially well-reputed in the engineering and technical fields, and also ranks among the world’s leading universities for architecture.

Eindhoven conducts high levels of research, and is located in close proximity to several tech-focused companies, including Philips, ASML and DAF. The university maintains close contacts with many of these companies, and produces almost 3,000 scientific publications, 140 PhD-awards, and 40 patents every year.

Leiden University 

The oldest university in the Netherlands, Leiden University was founded in 1575 by William I, Prince of Orange, an ancestor of the Netherlands’ monarchy.

It has around 26,900 students, who study a broad range of subjects from bachelor’s up to PhD level. The university houses more than 40 research institutes and has links with many national and international leaders, including former US President John Adams, two Secretary Generals of NATO, as well as 16 Nobel Prize winners.

Utrecht University 

Established in 1636, Utrecht University is another of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Europe. Currently around 30,000 students are enrolled across the university’s seven faculties, which makes it one of the largest universities in the Netherlands as well.

The university claims 12 Nobel Prize laureates among its former students and staff, alongside 19 Spinoza Prize laureates.

University of Groningen 

The University of Groningen was established in 1614 and has a long history of leadership, including claims to the country’s first female student, first female lecturer, the first Dutch astronaut and the first president of the European Central Bank.

About 31,000 students are currently enrolled, and, like other top universities in the Netherlands, it’s a popular choice for international students.

View the table below to see the full performance of universities from the Netherlands in the latest QS World University Rankings.

Student cities in the Netherlands

The Netherlands, or Holland as it is commonly referred to, is well-established as a popular study destination for students from around the world. There is plenty to do and see, and it’s fairly easy to get around the country’s relatively compact space, to explore a range of urban and rural locations. The quality of life in Dutch cities is high, and the country is known for its diverse, tolerant and cultured societies.

Explore some of the Netherlands’ top student cities: 

Amsterdam 

Amsterdam is famed for its café culture, liberal attitudes, hordes of cyclists, pretty canals, historic architecture, and the nightlife which makes it a favourite among party-loving holiday-makers.

It’s home to a large selection of world-renowned museums and art galleries, including the Van Gogh Museum, and is said to be the perfect place in which to understand the meaning of the Dutch word “gezellig” – roughly translated as “warm, fuzzy, cozy happiness”.

Leiden 

Less than an hour’s drive to the south-west of Amsterdam, Leiden is similarly characterised by scenic canals and historic buildings, as well as strong connections with the European art world – it was, for instance, the birthplace of Rembrandt.

Much smaller than Amsterdam, the town is much more centred on its student community, which accounts for a significant chunk of the population and ensures a lively social scene. 

Utrecht 

Towards the centre of the country, and just half an hour’s drive from the capital, Utrecht is yet another charming canal-veined historic town. Its ancient city centre is one of the oldest in the country, while the surrounding countryside in the province which shares the city’s name is famously beautiful, and peppered with castles and palaces.

The city is the fourth most-populous in the Netherlands, with buzzing cultural and nightlife scenes.

Groningen

Traveling further towards the north of the country, we reach Groningen, the largest city in this region of the Netherlands – though still relatively small compared to Amsterdam or Utrecht. This is another city with a long history of having students at its centre, and today students continue to comprise a significant part of the population and local life.

There’s a vibrant cultural scene here, as well as the usual attractive gabled houses and canals.

Rotterdam 

Home of Europe’s biggest port, the Netherlands’ second city Rotterdam stands out from the other cities here due to its distinctly modern feel – the result of damage during World War II, which meant the city had to be largely rebuilt.

Its often-striking modern structures make an apt backdrop to its buzzing social scene, famed for music (particularly electronic), nightlife and its multicultural community. The city is home to Erasmus University Rotterdam, named after the city’s most famous son, the hugely influential scholar Erasmus.

Less than 10 miles (or 15km) away is the picturesque town Delft where you will find the Delft University of Technology.

Maastricht

In the south of the Netherlands, close to the Belgian and German borders, Maastricht has a cosmopolitan and pan-European character, with multiple languages commonly spoken, a far-reaching reputation as a gastronomic hub, and a history of playing a key role in the development of the European Union.

In contrast to much of the country, it even has some hills. Maastricht University calls itself the most international university in the Netherlands, with almost half of its students coming from other countries, representing over 100 different nationalities.

Looking to study in the Netherlands on a budget? The table below compares living costs for some of the cheapest cities in the Netherlands.

Applying to study in the Netherlands 

There are two systems for applying to Dutch universities – directly to the institution or through Studielink, an online centralized application procedure. The path you follow will depend on the university and the course to which you are applying. You may even be required to use a combination of the two, so check carefully with the institution.

Certain oversubscribed courses in the Netherlands are deemed “numerous fixus”. To get a place on one of these courses, you will need to be successful in a lottery – again, talk to the institution for further details.

You will need to check whether your course has a ‘numerous fixus’, and if it does, whether you should apply via the university or Studielink.

Tuition will be in Dutch or English, and you’ll need to be able to prove you have a sufficient level of fluency in the relevant language.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees vary depending on whether or not you are from a country within the European Union.

There are various scholarship options available. For more information, visit our guide to scholarships in Europe.

Visas to study in the Netherlands 

As with any nation in the European Union, the visa process differs according to whether or not you are a citizen of another nation in the EU (or Switzerland).

EU nationals:

• You do not need a visa to study in the Netherlands.
• You will need to register as an inhabitant with the local city council, proving that you have a place to live. You will also need to present your passport and birth certificate.
• You must purchase health insurance. This is required by law.
• It is advisable, though not compulsory, to register with the Dutch immigration authorities, for which you’ll need to prove you’ve enrolled at a Dutch university, sign a document to say you have sufficient financial means, and show you’ve purchased health insurance.

Non-EU nationals:

• Depending on your nationality, you may need to apply for a provisional residence permit, known as an MVV (Machtiging tot Voorlopig Verblijf). The Nuffic website has the relevant information. Your host institution will probably make the actual application for you, but you will need to supply all the necessary documents, which must be in Dutch, English, French or German, or officially translated into one of these languages. As well as basic documentation showing you’re actually enrolled on a course, you will need to prove you have €870.46 (~US$986) a month to support yourself.
• Chinese students enrolling on English language courses must also apply for the Nuffic Certificate, which can be done online through the Nuffic Certificate Online Application System, in order to get their MVV.
• You will need to apply for a residence permit. Your institution will apply for this on your behalf, which should occur within five days of your arrival in the country. Your permit will be valid for a maximum of 12 months, after which you must renew. Some, but not all, institutions will do this for you, so make sure you check the process. 
• You must also register with the local Aliens Police (Vreemdelingendienst) within three days of arriving, to whom you must prove that you have somewhere to live and that you have enough money to support yourself during your stay.
• You should also register with your local municipality.
• Purchasing health insurance is mandatory.
• If you want to work while you study, you will need to apply for a work permit, which will allow you to work for 16 hours a week during term time, and full time during holidays. Your employer will apply for this.