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Destination guide
Netherlands
Europe's English-taught powerhouse with a 3-year Orientation Year.
The Netherlands offers 2,100+ English-taught programmes — the most in continental Europe. Research universities (WO) and universities of applied sciences (HBO) both attract international talent, especially in business, design and AI.
Tuition
EUR 8,000 – 20,000 / year (non-EU)
Living cost
EUR 12,000 – 15,000 / year
Intakes
September primary · February limited
Top universities
- • TU Delft
- • Amsterdam
- • Utrecht
- • Erasmus Rotterdam
- • Wageningen
- • Leiden
Popular programmes
- • MSc AI
- • MSc Aerospace Engineering
- • MSc International Business
- • MSc Industrial Design
MVV + VVR Residence Permit
Application fee
EUR 228 (applied by university)
Processing time
2–4 weeks (university applies on your behalf)
Work rights
16 hrs/week term, full-time summer
Post-study
Orientation Year (Zoekjaar) — 12 months
Application timeline
- 1Apply via Studielink to up to 4 programmes
- 2Provide nuffic-certified diplomas + English test
- 3Pay tuition deposit; university files your MVV with IND
- 4Collect MVV sticker at Dutch embassy, fly in
- 5Register with the municipality (BSN) within 5 days
- 6Pick up VVR residence card at IND desk
Insider tips
- Holland Scholarship (EUR 5,000) is a one-off for first-year non-EU students.
- Bike + OV-chipkaart is non-negotiable — budget EUR 300 upfront.
- Get DigiD on day one — every government service runs through it.
- 30% ruling on early-career salaries makes post-study work very attractive.
Tests accepted
IELTSTOEFLGMAT (business)