Study in the Netherlands
The Netherlands offers high-quality education and excellent value for your money. Dutch Higher Education is well-recognized, whilst the tuition fees and living expenses are relatively lower than in English-speaking countries. Because the Dutch society is internationally-minded and English-fluent, about 93% of the population speak in English fluently.
Benefits of Studying in the Netherlands
An international and multicultural environment
The Netherlands is also a unique non-Anglophone country, where approximately 93% of locals speak English. This factor makes living, studying, and working in the Netherlands very convenient, comfortable and pleasant for international students. The Netherlands is also very open and tolerant, welcoming everyone to share their opinions and express themselves. This is very much encouraged during your studies.
Affordable study costs
Studying in the Netherlands is not that expensive, compared with other English-speaking countries such as the UK or US. Dutch higher education is subsidized by the government and tuition fees are relatively low. With the country’s renowned standard of education and comparatively low cost of living, studying in the Netherlands will give you true value for money. Annual tuition fees for a degree program or course at a Dutch higher education institution start at approximately €1,900 for EU students and €6,000 for non-EU students, depending on the institution.
Innovative teaching methods
The Dutch educational system is of high quality and Dutch universities are acknowledged worldwide for their well-designed, modern courses and facilities. The teaching style focuses on teamwork, which makes it easy for international students in the Netherlands to meet Dutch people as well as other international students.
Affordable living expenses
Compared with other western European locations, the cost of living in the Netherlands is relatively low. From my own experience and from my friends’, you will need between €800 and €1,000 per month. To fund this, you can combine part-time jobs and study finance. If you are a EU student, you can work 32 hours a month and be eligible for a €265 grant and a student OV-Chipkaart for free public transportation either during the week or weekends.
A wide range of degrees taught in English
The Netherlands is known as the first non-English speaking country in which universities started to design higher education study programs in English, to attract students coming from abroad. More than 2,100 English-taught study programs and courses are available in the Netherlands.
Excellent opportunities for travel
The Netherlands is centrally located in Europe and is in easy reach of all major European cities. The Netherlands is often described as the “gateway to Europe”. It takes only about an hour to fly from Amsterdam to Paris, Berlin, Brussels, or London. It also has great connections and accessibility by train to all major European cities.
Internationally recognized degrees
The Netherlands has also been recognized as a knowledge center with rich study traditions and well-known universities. Scientific research at Dutch universities is very highly valued at both the national and international level. Education in the Netherlands meets all international standards and is well-reputed worldwide.
Popular Courses in Malaysia
- Business administration
- Culinary arts
- Engineering
- Information technology
- Hotel management
- Computer science
- Aeronautics and aviation
Top Ten Dutch Universities
Erasmus University Rotterdam
Delft University of Technology
University of Amsterdam
University of Groningen
Leiden University
Radboud University
Utrecht University
HAN University of Applied Sciences
University of Twente
Hotelschool The Hague
Nyenrode Business University
Cost of Living in the Netherlands
Expenses | Cost per Month |
Housing | 400 – 700 EURO |
Food | 100 EURO |
Transportation | 50-100 EURO |
Other Expenses | 200 – 300 EURO |
Top Scholarships
NL Scholarship
The NL Scholarship (formerly known as Holland Scholarship) is meant for international students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) who want to do their bachelor’s or master’s in the Netherlands. Are you ready for the chance of a lifetime? Apply for the NL Scholarship!
This scholarship is financed by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science as well as several Dutch research universities and universities of applied sciences.
The scholarship amounts to € 5,000. You will receive this in the first year of your studies. Please note that this is not a full-tuition scholarship.
OKP scholarship
An OKP scholarship is intended to supplement the salary that you should continue to receive during your study period. The allowance is a contribution towards your costs of living, the costs of tuition fees, visas, travel, insurance and thesis research. If applicable, the scholarship holder is expected to cover the difference between the actual costs and the amount of the personal OKP scholarship amount. For more information, please visit the SCHOLARSHIP page on the website.
Work and Careers
Working part-time is incredibly common, and you can find rewarding jobs in hospitality and other service sectors. Moreover, it’s a great opportunity to learn new skills, meet other students and make the most out of your student life.
There are different requirements and allowed working hours for international students in the Netherlands:
- Non-EU/EEA students can work up to a maximum of 16 hours per week. However, they can work full-time in June, July and August. A work permit for these students is required, but only the employer can apply for it before hiring the student. The work permit must be requested via UWV Werkbedrijf and can take around 5 weeks to finalize.
Additional information for non-EU/EEA students:
- For voluntary work in the Netherlands, a work permit is no longer required, and the so-called Volunteer Declaration (Vrijwilligersverklaring) is now enough.
- A work permit is also not necessary for relevant internships alongside your studies. However, you should sign a tri-party internship agreement between you, your academic institution and the internship provider.