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Study in The Netherlands: A Guide for International Students

The Netherlands is located in northwestern Europe, bordering Germany and Belgium. The land of flowers and windmills. The country is known for its innovative education methods. If you pursue an education in the Netherlands you get to experience visionary architecture, contemporary fashion, and tons of street markets. Learn more about what it's like to study in the Netherlands!

Jan 30, 2014
  • Study Abroad in the Netherlands
Amsterdam, the Netherlands

The Netherlands is located in northwestern Europe, bordering Germany and Belgium. The land of flowers and windmills. The country is known for its innovative education methods. If you pursue an education in the Netherlands you get to experience visionary architecture, contemporary fashion, and tons of street markets.

The capital of the Netherlands, Amsterdam is the cultural hub of the country. Choose to undertake your education in the Netherlands and benefit from over 20 well-recognized educational institutions. The Netherlands also has one of the most active social scenes and nightlife, making it a student-centric, enjoyable city. For those who are not into loud music and bars, however, the Netherlands has some of the most famous museums and tourist sites within Europe. There is always something for all students to enjoy during their education in the Netherlands!

Find a program

Want to study in the Netherlands? Find & compare programs

The Netherlands consistently ranks high among the best countries in Europe to study abroad, especially when it comes to the access to higher quality teaching and achieving career goals.

Consider getting your education in the Netherlands, where there are over 2,000 education programs in English offered by 77 different higher education institutions. Many of these programs are geared towards international students who want to study abroad, making it the perfect place for you to study. Not only will you be part of a highly international student body, but the educational institutions in the Netherlands are renowned for being some of the best in the world.

The Netherlands - Quick facts & figures

CapitalAmsterdam
LanguageDutch
Population17.28 million
Area Size41,543 km²
International students85,000
Academic YearSeptember - July
CurrencyEuro (€)
Calling Code+31
Time zoneGMT+1
study-in-the-netherlands

More about studying abroad in the Netherlands

Whether you’re looking for a bachelor’s degree, diploma program, a master’s, or PhD, the Netherlands has it all. Many opportunities await you after completing your education in the Netherlands. You’ll be prepared to enter numerous professional fields or continue your education in Holland or at other international universities.

Moreover, while pursuing your education in the Netherlands, you can benefit from the excellent transport links from the Netherlands to other European countries that give students the option of traveling and sightseeing other popular cities in Europe broadening your study abroad experience.

If that sounds at all interesting to you, join the over eighty-five thousand students for an adventure of a lifetime in the Netherlands!

Education System

Want to learn about how the higher education system works in the Netherlands? The Netherlands is one of the popular destinations for a variety of students, given its diverse programs. Take a minute to find out more about the structure of the education system in the Netherlands!

Student Visas

Do you need a visa to enter the Netherlands to study? Learn more about the student visa process, and what you need to enter the country, depending on your citizen status. You will also be required to bring certain documents with you to passport control at the airport, which we cover as well.

Housing & Living Costs

No matter where you study abroad, it’s important to create a budget in advance so that you’re prepared. Therefore, we’ve detailed average living and housing costs so that you can get a better idea of what you would be paying as a student in the Netherlands.

Tuition Fees & Scholarships

Tuition fees for degree programs in the Netherlands may vary. To cover the rest of the costs, there're some scholarship opportunities available.

Language & Culture

The Netherlands is known for its innovative education methods. The Netherlands also has one of the most active social scenes and nightlife, making it a student-centric, enjoyable city. Find out more about what the country offers in terms of language, culture, and more!

Application Process

All countries have specific admissions requirements for students to gain acceptance into a university. Learn more about the ins and outs of admission to programs in the Netherlands, and what you need to apply, depending on your citizenship.

Programs

Ready to look at education in the Netherlands? Use our search engine to find and compare top programs in the Netherlands today!

This country study guide was published in cooperation with the Dutch organization, Nuffic


About Nuffic

Nuffic is the Netherlands organization for international cooperation in higher education. Nuffic works to bring people together by connecting international students to Dutch universities. Nuffic’s motto is “Linking knowledge worldwide.” By enabling Dutch universities to share their knowledge with international students through a study abroad education, Nuffic not only links knowledge on a worldwide scale but also connects people from many different countries.