frequently asked questions

We are a digital student-university matchmaker. We help you find and apply to your dream university through data-driven, personalised study advice based on your academic interests, but also your non-academic preferences such as sports, nightlife, arts and culture, budget and diversity. All you have to do is fill in our needs assessment and you’ll receive a personalised University Match Report with your top study options, including a detailed explanation of what you can expect at each university. Completely free of charge.

If you’re interested in applying, our team of Digital Study Counsellors can help you further orientate your options, determine your admissibility and help you through the application process. 

While we don’t directly help with finances, we recommend you to have a look at the website of your local Nuffic branch via https://www.nuffic.nl/en/subjects/scholarships for scholarships issued by the Dutch government, or visit https://www.scholars4dev.com/category/country/europe-scholarships/netherlands-scholarships/ for an overview of available scholarships at individual universities in the Netherlands.

You can also check universities’ websites for their own scholarships as well.

However, scholarships can are very difficult to obtain in the Netherlands and aren’t guaranteed. So if you may be able to self-fund, we would recommend applying without one.

There are over 2,000 English-taught programs that you can study in the Netherlands. We show you all the possible English-taught courses available in the Netherlands. So whatever you choose, you can rest assured that your selected course will be available in English.

In order to study in the Netherlands, you need to show proof of English proficiency. Unless you are a native speaker, you can only do this through TOEFL, IELTS or Cambridge certification of English proficiency. The exact scores you need to attain here depend on your selected program.

The fees you pay depend on the institution and program where you want to enroll, as well as your nationality.

For EU students, annual tuition fees are fixed at €2,300 annually.

For NON EU students, annual tuition fees range between €6,000 – €14,000 for Bachelor’s programs, and between €7,000 and €20,000 for Master’s programs. The exact tuition fees per program can be found on the relevant course page of the university.

Most universities in The Netherlands allow tuition fee installments. We would recommend that you visit the university website for detailed information about tuition fees and installment options.

For a detailed overview of the admission requirements, we would recommend you to check out the admissions page of your matched course. There, you will find everything you need to know about English language requirements, grades, subject history, etc.

Important to note that 95% of courses in the Netherlands are not selective. This means that if you meet all the requirements, then you are guaranteed enrollment for your course.

If you are an EU student, you won’t need to apply for a work permit to work in the Netherlands. You are free to stay and work here as long as you like.

Non EU students receive an orientation visa upon graduation. With this visa you have 1 year to find work in the Netherlands in a job that classifies you as a highly skilled migrant. This means that if you earn a minimum of 2,631€ you’ll receive a residence and work permit.

Alternatively, you can start up a company and receive a start up visa.

If you are from the EU: you can work in the Netherlands without a permit.  

If you are from outside the EU: It is possible to work in the Netherlands alongside your studies, however you need to find an employer who is willing to apply for a work permit for you which has to be applied 5 weeks before you start working. Furthermore you are allowed to work an absolute maximum of 16 hours per week. It is further possible to take an internship, as long as it is related to your field of study or part of your current study.

There are two main kinds of universities in the Netherlands: Research Universities and Universities of Applied Sciences (HBO). Research universities offer more research-focused programs with a focus on theory and critical thinking. You can either pursue a Bachelor, Master or Doctorate degree.

Universities of Applied Sciences are more professionally oriented, where the focus is on developing skills and helping you prepare for a professional career. Here, you can study a Bachelor or a Master degree.

For more detailed information on this, check out our information page for detailed information about the differences between Research and Applied Science universities via https://discov.ai/research-vs-applied-science/.

There are a few things to think about when moving to the Netherlands, such as finding housing, registering, insurance, etc. If you are coming from outside of the EU, you will also need to obtain a visa. Fortunately, in most cases your educational institution will apply on your behalf. Take a look at these useful links to help you prepare for the Netherlands. 

General tips: http://www.eurogates.nl/ tips-new-students-netherlands/ 

Student Visas: https://www.expatica.com /nl/moving/visas/netherlands-student-visa-108430/

Residence permits: https://ind.nl/en/forms/3087.pdf,  https://dutchreview.com/ expat/studying/moving-to-study-in-the-netherlands-7-things-to-know/

Student Housing: https://www.studyinholland.nl/ plan-your-stay/finding-a-place-to-live 

Unfortunately we do not currently offer fully online courses through our platform at this point. While most courses in the Netherlands do apply hybrid learning techniques, under normal circumstances you will also be required to be physically present. 

If you have matched with one of our partner universities, you can book a free consultation session with one of our educational consultants. We still provide consultation services even if you have not matched with a partner university! We have various application plans to suit your needs.

Take the questionnaire to receive your top options and we’ll provide detailed information on how we can help you.