The Netherlands is a small country with a big reputation. Look beyond the flat terrain and tulips and you'll soon discover a forward thinking nation with a brilliant appetite for enjoyment and progression.

With top institutions situated in virtually all Dutch cities, wherever you decide to study your master's degree you will be receiving a high quality of education alongside an exciting international student community soon enough. Find the master's degree in the Netherlands best suited to your needs today and begin your adventure!

Master's degrees in the Netherlands

The Netherland's excels in offering an exceptionally high standard of education to all international students who decide to study there. It is possible to study for the full range of master's degrees in the Netherlands, including MA, MSc, LL.M, MBA, M.Phil, M.Litt, MRes, M.Ed and M.Eng. It is important to ensure that your chosen course has accreditation from NVAO (Accreditation Organisation of The Netherlands and Flanders) or by another reputable organization. Accreditation is a good indication of a courses quality.

The majority of master's degrees in the Netherlands tend to last for 2 years, culminating in either a thesis or extended project. Most programs also tend to offer a range of extra-curricular opportunities alongside or as part of the master's program, including work placements and internships within your chosen field of study.

Admission requirements

Like all master's degrees, you will have to meet your institution's admission requirements. It is well worth contacting the university directly to ask for further information regarding admission and language requirements. For admission to master's degrees you are usually required to hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent. However, some universities may be flexible with entry to master's degrees if applicants have considerable experience or alternative qualifications. 

Tuition fees in the Netherlands

Master's degree fees and living expenses are relatively low for students pursuing their post-graduate education in the Netherlands compared to other European countries. The annual tuition fee for master's degree programs begins at approximately €1,700 for EU/EAA students and up to €15,000 for non EU/EAA students.

How to apply

If you meet the requirements for the course you wish to study, you should follow the institution's admission procedure. You should be able to find information on how to apply on educations.com or by requesting more information from the university. You will also need to find out the immigration regulations that apply to you. It can take as much as six months from collecting the required documents to receiving a visa if you require one. If you require an entry visa (MVV), then your university is obliged to arrange this for you. You will also need to arrange health insurance as this is a legal requirement for all international students in the Netherlands.

Language requirements

If English isn't your native language, most Dutch universities will require you to have completed a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) test to prove your English proficiency. TOEFL scores are usually expected to be at least 550 for paper based tests or 213 for computer based tests. For IELTS a score of at least six is typically required

If you plan on studying in a language other than English, you may also need to meet an admission proficiency requirement. Contact your university or consult their website for more details. You can browse language courses in the Netherlands here!