Study in the Netherlands as an International Student (2027 Guide)

You can study in the Netherlands as a non-EU student by choosing an English-taught program, applying through Studielink and the university's own portal, and then letting the university apply for your entry visa (MVV) and residence permit at the IND. The full journey usually takes 12–18 months from your first search to your first lecture.

This guide walks you through every stage for the 2027/28 academic year and links to our detailed guides on each step. All figures come from official sources such as Study in NL (Nuffic), the IND and the universities themselves.

Why the Netherlands is popular with international students

The Netherlands offers a very large choice of programs taught fully in English, at both research universities and universities of applied sciences. You do not need to speak Dutch for an English-taught program, and the visa process is handled by your university as an IND recognised sponsor, which makes it more predictable than in many countries.

It is not cheap, though. Non-EU students pay much higher fees than EU students, rooms are scarce, and you must show a full year of funds before the IND decides. Read our honest pros and cons of studying in the Netherlands before you commit.

Research universities vs universities of applied sciences

Dutch higher education has two main types of institution. Choosing the right one matters, because your school diploma may only give access to one of them.

Study in NL lists 18 research universities and more than 40 universities of applied sciences that offer international programs. Nuffic compares many foreign school certificates to the Dutch HAVO diploma, which gives access to universities of applied sciences, while research universities normally expect a VWO-level diploma. See Netherlands university admission requirements for details.

Step 1: Find an English-taught program

Start in the official Study in NL Studyfinder, then read the program page on the university's own website. The university sets the admission requirements, the deadline, the tuition fee and the English test scores, so the program page always wins over any third-party list.

Check whether a program is numerus fixus (limited places). These have a 15 January deadline and a selection procedure. Our guide to English-taught programs in the Netherlands explains how to filter programs and what English level you need.

Step 2: Check requirements and take an English test

Each institution decides on admission and asks Nuffic (the Dutch ENIC-NARIC) for free advice on your foreign diploma. For English-taught programs you need an accepted English test: Cambridge English, IELTS, LanguageCert, Pearson (PTE), TOEFL iBT or TOEIC. Minimum scores vary, for example:

• HAN, Saxion and Windesheim bachelor's: IELTS Academic 6.0 (TOEFL iBT 80 or equivalent).
• University of Groningen master's (2027/28): IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each part, or TOEFL iBT 90.
• TU Delft MSc: IELTS 7.0 with at least 6.5 per section, or TOEFL iBT 100.
• Many universities refuse home or online test editions, so book a test-centre exam.

Step 3: Apply before the deadline

Most programs start with an application in Studielink, followed by uploading documents in the university's own portal (for example Osiris). Study in NL gives 15 January for numerus fixus programs and 1 May for other programs as general dates, but many universities set earlier dates for students who need a visa.

Our step-by-step guide on how to apply to universities in the Netherlands covers portals, application fees and a month-by-month timeline.

Step 4: Prepare documents and translations

The IND accepts documents in Dutch, English, French or German. Anything else needs a sworn translation. Some documents, such as a birth certificate, must be legalised or carry an apostille before you leave home, depending on your country. Read documents, translation and legalization for the Netherlands for country-specific rules.

Step 5: Plan your budget

Your main costs are the institutional tuition fee, living costs and one-off fees. Study in NL says students spend on average €1,000–€1,500 a month. For the permit you must show €1,130.77 per month for 12 months under the 2026 IND norm, and many universities ask non-EU students to pay first-year tuition (and sometimes the living-cost amount) before they apply to the IND.

• Example 2026/27 non-EU bachelor's fees: Saxion €9,360, HAN €9,320–€10,940, Fontys €10,210–€13,080 per year.
• Example 2027/28 non-EU fees: University of Groningen bachelor's from €14,400, TU Delft MSc €26,479 per year.
• Application or handling fees of €75–€100 apply at some institutions, according to Study in NL.

See the full breakdown in cost of studying in the Netherlands and funding options in scholarships in the Netherlands for international students, including the €5,000 NL Scholarship.

Step 6: The study visa and residence permit

Only your institution can apply for your student residence permit. After admission it asks for your proof of funds, passport copy and the Antecedents Certificate (form 7601), then applies for the MVV and residence permit together. The IND decision period is 60 days. After approval you collect the MVV sticker at the Dutch mission named in the IND letter within 3 months.

Our Netherlands student visa guide explains each document, the appointment process and common delays.

Applying from Afghanistan

The Dutch embassy in Kabul is closed until further notice, so you cannot get an MVV in Afghanistan. Your IND approval letter names where to apply, in most cases the Dutch embassy in India, Iran or Pakistan, or the consulate-general in the UAE. Nuffic compares the Afghan 12th Grade certificate to a Dutch HAVO diploma, and Afghan documents need legalisation by the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs followed by a consular declaration at the Afghan embassy in The Hague.

Step 7: Arrival, housing and registration

There is a housing shortage in Dutch student cities, so start looking as soon as you are admitted and ask your institution's housing office first. Never pay for a room you have not seen (an online viewing is acceptable) and do not pay brokerage fees.

1. 1

   Travel on your MVV

   Enter the Netherlands within the MVV sticker's 90-day validity.

2. 2

   Register with your municipality

   Register in the Personal Records Database (BRP) to receive your BSN, which you need for a bank account, insurance and work.

3. 3

   Collect your residence permit

   Book the IND appointment once your university tells you the card is ready.

4. 4

   TB test if required

   Book the GGD tuberculosis test within 3 months if your nationality is not exempt. Afghan nationals must take it.

Working during and after your studies

With a student residence permit you may work up to 16 hours a week, or full-time in June, July and August, once your employer obtains a work permit (TWV). After graduation you can apply for a one-year orientation year permit to look for work, with free access to the labour market. Read work and stay in the Netherlands after graduation for the full rules.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Trusting the general 1 May date. Many universities close earlier for visa students, and scholarship deadlines are earlier still.
• Booking an online English test. Several universities, including Groningen, Avans and Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, do not accept home or online editions.
• Leaving legalisation to the last month. Legalisation and sworn translations can take weeks, and the IND will not translate or legalise anything for you.
• Paying for an unseen room. Housing scams target new international students; use your university's housing office first.
• Forgetting the MVV time limit. You must apply for the MVV within 3 months of the IND decision, and slots at some embassies are scarce.

Your Netherlands study checklist

1. 1.Shortlist 3–5 English-taught programs and note each deadline and fee.
2. 2.Check how your diploma compares on the Nuffic website.
3. 3.Book an accepted English test at a test centre.
4. 4.Apply via Studielink and complete each university portal.
5. 5.Apply for scholarships before their (often earlier) deadlines.
6. 6.Arrange 12 months of funds and pay what your university requests.
7. 7.Legalise and translate your documents.
8. 8.Collect your MVV, find housing and travel.

Deadlines change every year, so keep an eye on official dates. You can track deadlines for free on FindUniPath and see all our Netherlands guides on the Netherlands country page.