More and more international students are looking at the Netherlands, and for good reason. Affordable tuition, world-class universities, and entire programs taught in English. But the application process is very different from the US or UK.
At Borderless, we've collected 17 stories from international students who studied in the Netherlands, at universities including UvA, Groningen, Erasmus Rotterdam, Maastricht, Utrecht, and Leiden. Students from India, Romania, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Japan, and Germany shared their experiences with applications, housing, scholarships, and daily life. This guide draws directly from what they told us.
The Application Platform: Studielink
You'll apply through Studielink, which is the centralized portal for all Dutch universities. Think of it as the UCAS of the Netherlands. You can apply to multiple programmes, though only two of those can be numerus fixus (more on that below).
Unlike the Common App or UCAS, Studielink itself is fairly barebones. You register, pick your programs, and then each university contacts you separately with their specific requirements. Kristina, a Business Administration student at UvA who transferred from HSE in Russia, described the process as needing a passport to register on Studielink, after which each university sends its own portal login for document uploads.
Erkaiym from Kyrgyzstan, who studies Communication and Media at Erasmus University Rotterdam, told us she decided to apply on a whim after seeing a friend do it, and was surprised by how simple it was compared to the US. No Common App, no complicated financial forms, no interview. Just a motivation letter and her personal details.
Most Popular Dutch Universities and Tuition Fees
Before diving into the application process, here's what you need to know about how tuition works in the Netherlands. If you hold an EU/EEA, Swiss, or Surinamese nationality, you pay the statutory tuition fee, which is set by the Dutch government at 2,694 euros for 2026-2027 (it was 2,601 euros in 2025-2026). This applies across all public universities. If you are a non-EU/EEA student, you pay the institutional fee, which varies significantly by university and programme, ranging roughly from 11,000 to 20,000+ euros per year at many public universities, with some programmes much higher.
University of Amsterdam (UvA) — Amsterdam. The most popular choice among our Borderless students. Known for Psychology, PPLE, Business, and Media. Non-EU bachelor's tuition ranges from around 13,900 euros (Economics and Business) to 21,800 euros (Science), with some programmes like Medicine reaching 34,700 euros. PPLE and Amsterdam University College have a higher statutory fee for EU students of around 5,600 euros. Housing in Amsterdam is the most expensive and competitive in the country.
University of Groningen — Groningen. Known for Medicine, Epidemiology, and strong scholarship offerings like the Abel Tasman Talent Scholarship. Non-EU bachelor's tuition ranges from 14,000 euros (Economics, Law, Arts, Social Sciences) to 19,800 euros (Science and Engineering), with Medicine and Dentistry at 32,000 euros. The city is significantly more affordable than Amsterdam, with rent around 400 to 800 euros per month.
Erasmus University Rotterdam — Rotterdam. Ranked among the top globally for Business through its Rotterdam School of Management (RSM). Strong in Communication and Media as well. Non-EU bachelor's tuition ranges from around 11,400 euros to 12,700 euros for most programmes, though Medicine reaches 30,900 euros. The city has a modern, cosmopolitan feel that Erkaiym compared to Moscow and New York.
Leiden University — Leiden. The oldest university in the Netherlands, founded in 1575. Known for Psychology, Liberal Arts, and International Law. Non-EU tuition for most bachelor's programmes falls in the range of 13,000 to 18,000 euros. The city itself is small, historic, and very student-oriented.
Maastricht University — Maastricht. Known for its problem-based learning approach, where students work in small groups rather than attending traditional lectures. Strong in Business, European Studies, and Law. Jiline pays around 350 euros per month in rent, making it one of the most affordable student cities. EU tuition is the standard statutory fee of 2,694 euros.
Utrecht University — Utrecht. Offers the University College Utrecht (UCU) programme for Liberal Arts and Sciences, where River from Japan now studies. The statutory fee is 2,694 euros for EU students, though UCU has its own higher rate. The city is considered one of the most student-friendly in the Netherlands.
TU Delft — Delft. The top technical university in the Netherlands, known for Engineering, Computer Science, and Architecture. Non-EU tuition is around 19,906 euros per year for 2026-2027. Delft is a small, bike-friendly city between Rotterdam and The Hague.
Tilburg University — Tilburg. Ranked among the top 20 globally for Business and Economics. Has a simpler application process with no internal exams for most programmes, and Kristina noted that application may even be free. Non-EU tuition for most programmes is in the lower range compared to other Dutch universities.
Keep in mind that tuition fees change each year and vary by programme. Always check the specific university's website for the most current figures. A good starting point is Study in NL, the official Dutch higher education portal.
Regular vs. Numerus Fixus Programs
This is one of the most important distinctions in Dutch higher education. There are two types of programs.
Regular programs have no seat limits. If you meet the requirements, you're in. The deadline is usually around April 1.
Numerus fixus programs have limited spots and require a selection process on top of your application, including exams, ranking, and sometimes a lottery. The deadline is around January 15, and you can only apply to two numerus fixus programs per academic year.
Popular programs like Psychology, Business, and PPLE at the University of Amsterdam are numerus fixus. Tanya from India, who studies Psychology at UvA, told us her program gets around 3,000 applicants for just 600 seats. Meanwhile, Jiline from Germany said her Business program at Maastricht University had no entrance exams at all, just grades and a motivation letter.
Alexia from Romania, who studies Medicine at the University of Groningen, noted that Groningen has been one of the few universities offering an English-taught Bachelor's in Medicine in the Netherlands. (Maastricht's English-language medical track is being discontinued from the 2026-2027 academic year.) Medicine programmes are numerus fixus with rigorous in-person exams.
Deadlines
Numerus fixus programs: around January 15.
Regular programmes: generally 1 May, though some institutions may set earlier deadlines.
Scholarship consideration: beginning of January, regardless of program type.
Start preparing your documents as early as August. Kristina, who applied to UvA Business Administration from Russia, started in October and barely made it. She recommends August at the latest. Sasha, who got a full scholarship for her Epidemiology Master's at the University of Groningen, started on September 30 and had to take her IELTS by November 7. She described that October as one of the most intense months of her life.
And keep in mind: if you're applying from Russia, you currently can't take the IELTS there. Kristina had to fly to Kazakhstan for her exam.
What You'll Need to Apply
Unlike the US, you're applying for a very specific course or major from day one. The application itself is more straightforward. No Common App essays, no list of 10 extracurriculars. Most universities will ask for:
- High school transcripts and diploma
- English language certificate (requirements vary by university and programme)
- A motivation letter
- CV or resume
- Some universities also require recommendation letters or proof of math knowledge
Some institutions charge 75 to 100 euros in application or handling fees, but this varies and may sometimes be refunded. River, who applied from Japan to four Dutch universities, spent 400 euros on application fees alone. Erkaiym noted that her application to Erasmus University Rotterdam had no application fee at all, so it varies.
One important note for Russian diploma holders: you cannot enroll directly in a first-year Dutch program with only a Russian high school diploma, because Dutch high school is 12 years. Kristina went through this. She had to complete her first year at HSE in Moscow before she could transfer to UvA. Your other option is to do a foundation year at the Dutch university itself.
English-language requirements vary by university and programme, but IELTS is the most common test accepted. Mokeira from Kenya, who got into the Erasmus Mundus program at Groningen, shared that she spent over $530 on IELTS attempts. She forgot her passport on exam day once (a $70 rebooking fee) and missed one skill by 0.5 points on her first try (a $162 retake). Her advice: don't underestimate this exam.
The Motivation Letter
The Dutch motivation letter is very different from a US personal statement. It is not personal. It is not reflective. It's practical:
- Why do you want to study this specific subject?
- Why at this specific university?
- What have you done to prepare for it?
Erkaiym wrote her motivation letter about feminism in Kyrgyzstan for her Communication and Media application at Erasmus University Rotterdam. She was the only Kyrgyz applicant in the program, and she believes that unique perspective, combined with her IB score of 43/45, is what made her stand out.
Sasha, who applied for Epidemiology at Groningen, recommends researching each university's development strategies and values documents. She specifically referenced Groningen's "Development Strategies 2020-2030" in her letter. Jasmine, who studies PPLE at UvA, had to submit not only a motivation letter but also a budget plan and schedule plan showing she could afford to study and balance work with academics. UvA expected her to work at least 32 hours per month.
One important note: motivation letters must be written separately for each program. Kristina emphasized that each letter should be tailored to the specific university and course. Generic letters won't cut it.
The Selection Process (Numerus Fixus)
If your program is numerus fixus, expect an additional selection process beyond just submitting documents. At UvA, this typically includes:
- Receiving study materials from the university (textbook chapters, lectures, research papers)
- Having about one week to prepare
- Taking an entrance exam, often online and proctored
- Being ranked against all applicants
Top scorers get direct admission, while others may enter a lottery system based on their ranking.
Jasmine, a PPLE student from Romania at UvA, described her exam as covering three academic research papers and one lecture recording, with about 20 multiple-choice questions and 3 essay questions, all in one hour. She also had to take a supplementary math test (OMPT-A) because her Romanian high school didn't cover the required math level. She studied for it on her own and passed.
Alexia, who applied for Medicine at Groningen, had a very different experience. Her selection involved two in-person exams in mid-February. One was cognitive: she had to study roughly 500 pages about osteoporosis in one month and then diagnose and prescribe treatment in case-based questions. The other was a non-cognitive ethics exam where applicants discussed controversial medical cases in teams. She ranked 15th overall.
Kristina, who applied for Business Administration at UvA, took a proctored online exam in economics, mathematics, and management. The university sent preparation materials two weeks before, and the exam was based only on those materials. She scored 8.3 out of 10 and was ranked 46th. She received her offer on April 15.
Tuition and Living Costs
Tuition for EU students is very affordable, around 2,300 to 5,000 euros per year depending on the program and year. For non-EU students, it ranges from 7,500 to 16,000 euros depending on the university and program.
But here's what no one tells you: the real challenge is housing. Housing is highly competitive and many universities do not guarantee accommodation. This came up in almost every single student story on Borderless.
Erkaiym from Kyrgyzstan had to stay in a hostel when she first arrived in Rotterdam. Jasmine in Amsterdam said her friends have switched apartments at least twice since first year. Tanya got lucky and secured housing through a university lottery, but she pays around 1,200 euros per month. Alexia recommends first-year students in Groningen apply for university student housing early, as it's much easier to get and more social.
Rent varies dramatically by city. In Amsterdam, expect 800 to 1,200 euros per month. In Groningen, 400 to 800 euros. In Maastricht, Jiline pays around 350 euros per month for a room in a student house, including heating and electricity. On top of rent, budget 300 to 400 euros per month for food, transportation, and daily expenses.
Working, Grants, and Visas
Non-EU students can work up to 16 hours per week on a student visa. EU students have no work limit, and if they work at least 32 hours per month, they can qualify for a Dutch government grant of around 400 to 500 euros monthly through DUO.
The visa process is generally smooth because the university handles most of it for you. Tanya from India said UvA was very helpful throughout. You upload documents like financial proof and IELTS scores to an online portal, visit your home country embassy for biometrics, and collect your residence permit within the first two months of arrival. Kristina confirmed that UvA obtains visas for students directly, describing it as fast and almost guaranteed.
Mokeira from Kenya, who studied at Groningen through Erasmus Mundus, noted that the school applies on your behalf through the ISD (International Student Desk) and the process takes about 5 weeks. She recommends getting your academic documents verified by the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Foreign Affairs before you leave your home country.
Scholarships worth knowing:
Sasha, a pediatrician from Russia, received the Abel Tasman Talent Scholarship at the University of Groningen for her Epidemiology Master's. It fully covers tuition for both years (conditional on passing all exams) and includes a living allowance of around 1,000 euros per month. The best part: at Groningen, all international students are automatically considered. No extra application needed.
Mokeira from Kenya received the Erasmus Mundus scholarship for her Religious Diversity Master's across Groningen, Coimbra (Portugal), and Cordoba (Spain). It covers tuition and a monthly stipend, though she notes it does not cover IELTS exams, flights, accommodation deposits, or your first month's rent.
Jasmine shared that EU students working at least 32 hours per month can receive around 400 to 500 euros monthly from the Dutch government through DUO, plus additional support based on family income. Alexia at Groningen confirmed first-year tuition for Medicine was only 1,000 euros with DUO grants available on top.
What Student Life Is Actually Like
From our 17 student stories, a few themes come up again and again.
Academics are intense. Tanya at UvA said she has exams roughly every three weeks, with some covering 15 chapters at once. Jasmine described her PPLE program as having two semesters split into three blocks each, with each block running about a month and a half from first lecture to final exam. No time to procrastinate. At Maastricht, Jiline explained a different structure: two periods of two months each (taking only two courses at a time), followed by a three-week Skills Period for practical assignments. She found this much more manageable than studying five or six courses at once. A passing grade is 5.5 out of 10, and a 7 is considered genuinely good.
Alexia, studying Medicine at Groningen, described weeks where she had to study 500 pages of material. The program focuses on clinical reasoning from day one. Real patients come to lectures weekly, and the emphasis is on understanding and application, not memorization.
Everyone bikes. Jiline at Maastricht bought a second-hand bike on Marktplaats (Dutch eBay) within her first two days. The university also offers rental bikes. Mokeira from Kenya, used to Nairobi traffic, found cycling on public roads in Groningen stressful at first, especially in Dutch weather, but it quickly became normal.
Student associations are everything. Jiline joined Scope, the official student association for Maastricht's Business School, which organizes workshops, guest lectures, and study trips to different countries. Jasmine at UvA joined the Eastern European Student Association (EESA) as events coordinator and helped bring a Romanian politician to campus for a debate. River at Utrecht said the university college system assigns you to "families" during intro week, with second and third-year "parents" who become your first friends.
English works for daily life, but learn Dutch. Tanya strongly recommends starting Dutch early. While English is fine for social life and academics, she found that Dutch is essential for internships and long-term career prospects. Alexia confirmed that for Medicine specifically, you must become fluent in Dutch within 1.5 years because the Master's program and hospital work are entirely in Dutch.
The first month is the hardest. Jasmine described her first month at UvA as overwhelming: cooking, cleaning, biking to university, coping with a completely new academic system, all while attending lectures and tutorials daily. She experienced burnout after first year but recovered over summer and now prioritizes mental health. Alexia said adjustment took about three months, and that good friendships made during Groningen's international introduction week were the key to getting through it.
Orientation weeks are worth it. Jiline spent 70 euros on Maastricht's INCOME orientation week and says it was the best investment she made. Full daily schedules of parties, city tours, and scavenger hunts, each student assigned to a small group with two older mentors. Many of her closest friendships started there.
The Netherlands is becoming one of the most popular destinations for international students, and for good reason. But it moves fast and housing is tough, so start early and do your research. You can read all 17 student stories about studying in the Netherlands on Borderless, with real experiences from students at UvA, Groningen, Erasmus Rotterdam, Maastricht, Utrecht, and more.
