Applying for a Master’s degree in the Netherlands (2025)
Open to international minds
Houses by Andrés Nieto Porras, CC BY-SA 2.0, modified
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| 45 | universities offer Masters in the Netherlands in English |
| 924 | Masters are available |
Getting a Master in the Netherlands (sometimes also: Holland) is a very attractive option for international students: There are lots of world-class universities that offer a broad variety of Masters in English, tuition fees are modest at least for Europeans, and the job market is accessible even without knowing Dutch. Read on to find out what it takes to apply and enrol in a Masters in Holland:
There are more than 1,000 Masters in the Netherlands completely taught in English.
Master tuition fees in the Netherlands depend on your nationality, and whether you attend a public or private university. Overall, Netherlands tuition fees are relatively cheap for EU students and relatively expensive for other international students:
At public universities, students from the EU/EEA, Switzerland, and Suriname who have not previously obtained a Master’s degree from a Dutch public university pay the so-called statutory tuition fee (also statutory fee or statutory rate). For a start in autumn 2025 or spring 2026, this tuition fee is set at €2,601 per year.
All other students, meaning students from outside the EU/EEA, Switzerland, or Suriname - or those who already obtained a Masters in the Netherlands -, have to pay the so-called institution fee which is usually a lot higher. Depending on the university, fees range from around €13,000 to around €20,000 per year. As a rule of thumb, higher-ranked schools will charge higher fees.
Private institutions - such as Tio Business School or SRH Haarlem University of Applied Sciences - do not charge the statutory fees, but set their own levels. They might be more expensive for European students, but at a similar level for non-Europeans.
To apply for a Master’s programme at a Dutch public university, you need to sign up at Studielink, the national online registration system. In a second step, you then apply to a university via the OSIRIS online application. (Getting the OSIRIS login details can sometimes take a few days.) Depending on the university and programme, the next step may be called "placement procedure" and will determine whether you get an offer for your desired programme. If your programme has specialisations, it is also possible that - because of limited availability - you have to change your preference.
Private universities in the Netherlands usually manage their own separate application platforms.
If you are not sure if you are eligible to enrol (=meet the necessary requirements), reach out to admissions staff. Some universities in the Netherlands also recommend to simply apply and then wait for the result, which is a good option in cases where there is no application fee. The outcome might be that you’re encouraged to enrol in a preparation year to catch up on the course credits you are lacking for the Master’s programme.
To apply for an English-taught Masters in the Netherlands, these documents are typically required:
To some universities you can submit a Master’s application free of charge; some universities (such as Utrecht or Twente) charge a non-refundable application fee of typically €100. Some universities (such as Radboud) charge a handling fee only from students from outside the EEA.
Some universities, or some Masters, may require you to take and pass an online interview as part of their admissions process. If that’s the case the university will inform you in time.
Application deadlines for Masters in the Netherlands vary a lot depending on university, programme, and some other circumstances such as your nationality, whether you’re applying for a scholarship and/or housing support, and whether your previous degree is already from a Dutch institution. Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) also often offer later deadlines than research universities.
EU/EEA students that want to start their studies in September can usually apply at least until 1 April and often much later.
Non-EU/EEA students may be able to apply as late as April but sometimes have to submit their application earlier.
It’s possible that your desired Master is offered for a spring semester intake, which would mean you have a more flexible start option. Private universities may offer rolling intakes at any time of the year.
When you come to study in the Netherlands you want to make sure you can cover all costs, and scholarships or grants can be a huge help. Unfortunately, there aren’t that many and getting one will be competitive. Check scholarships administered by Nuffic and make sure to ask the university if they have their own scholarship schemes.
You may also decide to finance your studies by working part-time. If you’re an EU/EEA student who doesn’t need a residence permit (see the next step) then there are no restrictions on when and how much you want to work. All others need a separate work permit handled by an employer, a TWV (in Dutch: tewerkstellingsvergunning), and can choose to either work up to 16 hours a week or fulltime in June, July and August.
Citizens of the EU, EEA or Switzerland do not need a specific student visa. There are some requirements to fulfill for stays of more than 3 months, which is the case when you’re getting a Master in Netherlands.
Some nationals can enter the Netherlands without a residence permit but need to obtain it once they arrived. This list includes:
All other international students need a provisional residence permit before they enter the Netherlands, the so-called MVV (from the Dutch machtiging tot voorlopig verblijf).
If you need a residence permit (and potentially the provisional MVV), it’s usually the university you enrol at that applies for it on your behalf, as your sponsor. The Dutch Immigration Authority offers guidance specific to your country of origin.
To qualify for a residence permit, among other things, you need to prove that you have enough money to sustain yourself (proof of financial means). The required amount in 2025 is €1,094.12 per month for 12 months, i.e. €13,129.44 (see IND). It’s common that universities round up that amount so that foreign exchange fees are covered; so you might also see €1,100 times 12 months = €13,200 listed.
Consult with university admissions staff on what documents are required when, as they are leading you through this process.
There is no sugarcoating it: Finding student accommodation in the Netherlands is extremely difficult, much more so than in many other European countries. Don’t underestimate this challenge and start looking for housing as early as possible. And expect high rents: You might find accommodation for around €600 per month on average, but especially in the beginning (before you have the chance to look for alternatives on location), be prepared to pay more.
Universities are aware of the issue. Once you’ve confirmed an offer for a Master, ask admissions staff for guidance; and also start contacting housing providers. Many unis offer support, but it’s often dependent on you meeting certain deadlines (which may coincide with the Master application deadlines).
All ready? Then it’s time to go to the Netherlands! From many countries in Europe, taking the train is the greener and much more exciting option. If you come from further away to study in Holland, you’ll likely find a good direct flight to Amsterdam Schiphol airport (AMS), which is one of Europe’s five busiest hubs.
Best of luck - or as the Dutch say, succes! 🎉
Masters in the Netherlands can last 1 or 2 years. Business and Social Sciences are often 1-year degrees, while Natural Sciences and other subjects tend to be offered as 2-year degrees.
Master tuition fees for citizens of the EU/EEA are ca. €2,600 per year, while other international students pay roughly between €13,000 and €20,000.
Ready to study in the Netherlands?
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