Why Study in the Netherlands?
Higher education in the Netherlands is subsidised by the government and helps to keep tuition costs below that of the main study abroad destinations – USA, Australia and the UK. The qualifications will boost your career prospects as well as show you as an ‘out-of-the-box’ thinker for choosing a less well-known destination.
The Dutch are a welcoming nation of open minded and tolerant people and you will find a very diverse culture in most cities and their Universities. There is a lot to do and see in the country, some of which is described in the “About the Netherlands” section to the right. The country offers excellent transport links to other European countries which gives you the option of travelling and sightseeing in other popular destinations such as France and Germany at a low cost during your time there. For more information on Studying in the Netherlands visit the official Nuffic Site.
About the Netherlands
The capital of The Netherlands is Amsterdam where you will find over 20 education institutions of varying sizes. It is a cultural hub of The Netherlands and offers numerous museums and points of interest as well as having a very active social scene and nightlife. Other major cities such as Rotterdam, The Hague (Den Haag), Utrecht and Eindhoven all have education institutions and their location is shown on the map below. Over 16 million people live in the country where the main language is Dutch but most speak excellent English. The Netherlands has a typical maritime climate with mild winters and cool summers. Expect changeable weather conditions throughout the year with few extremes. Tourist Highlights in the Netherlands include:
- Van Gogh Museum (Amsterdam)
- Mauritshuis (Den Haag)
- Anne Frank Huis (Amsterdam)
- Keukenhof Gardens (Lisse)
For more information on The Netherlands you can read our Living in The Netherlands article, visit the official Holland tourism site or read the popular Lonely Planet guide.
Cost of Studying & Living
The currency in the Netherlands is the Euro (€).
On average, a student from an EEA country or Switzerland can expect to pay €2,060 as their annual tuition fee for the academic year 2018/19. Students from other countries can expect to pay between €6,000 and €15,000 for a bachelor’s programme and between €8,000 and €20,000 for a masters programme. However, this does depend on your choice of higher education institution. If you choose a private university, your tuition fees will be higher. Universities in the Netherlands offer two different payment plans, and you may be eligible for a tuition fee loan or grant. Nuffic maintain a database of these that you can search.
The expected cost of living is approximately €800-€1,100 a month for a typical student life.
Discounts for students are available on many leisure activities and transport costs can be reduced by buying a discount card for rail travel.
The main living costs are:
- Rent – €350-€800 per month
- Groceries/Eating Out – €180 per month
- Study Materials – €50 per month
- Insurance (if you are not an EHIC holder) – €80 per month
- Clothes/Entertainment – €100 per month
Financing your studies is something that needs to be thoroughly considered. Dependent on your nationality, working while studying for a limited number of hours is allowed. Your employer will have to apply for a work permit on your behalf and you should not assume there will be a job available as part of your budgeting.
Healthcare Insurance
If you are a citizen of the EU/EEA or Swiss national, and you are not working or doing an internship whilst you study in Holland, you are likely to be eligible for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which should cover any medical costs during your time in Holland. You can apply for an EHIC card in your own country before starting your studies.
Should you take on employment or a paid internship during your time in Holland, you are obliged to take out Dutch public healthcare insurance cover, known as zorgverzekering. This insurance covers only your medical expenses. Your chosen university in Holland should be able to assist with selecting the best deal for you from those available from Dutch insurance companies.
