Study in the Netherlands

Quick facts

• Population: 16,979,120 (2016)
• Capital: Amsterdam
• Geographical size: 41,540 km²
• GDP: € 697.219 billion (2016)
• Official EU language(s): Dutch
• Currency: Euro

Higher education in Holland

• Number of higher education institutions: 62
• Number of students in higher education: 685,000 (2012, Euromonitor International from national statistics/UNESCO)
• Number of international students in higher education: 55,420 (2012, UNESCO)
• Language of instruction: Holland offers more than 2100 English-taught study programmes and courses covering a broad range of fields. All programmes and courses lead to a Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctoral/PhD degree, a diploma or certificate. For those students who master the Dutch language, Holland also offers many different programmes in Dutch.
• Typical tuition fees: In Holland tuition fees are relatively low, compared with English-speaking countries. Annual tuition fees for a degree programme or course at a Dutch higher education institution start at € 1,900 for students from the European Union (EU). The cost of programmes and courses for non-EU students are generally higher.
• Typical tuition fee for EU-students:
  • Bachelor’s degree: €1,951
  • Master’s degree: €1,951
• Typical tuition fee for non EU-students:
  • Bachelor’s degree: (average) €6,000 – €15,000
  • Master’s degree (average) €8,000 – € 20,000
• Average length of a full-time higher education programme in Holland:
  • Bachelor’s degree programme: 3 – 4 years
  • Master’s degree programme: 1 – 2 years
  • Doctorate/PhD: 4 years

Overview

Holland stands out for its great inventiveness, its problem-solving attitude and its openness to the world. Studying in Holland offers you the space to be a pioneer, be creative and get connected.

Research has shown that international students choose Holland because of the academic quality and the cosmopolitan atmosphere.

The Netherlands is the largest provider of English-taught study programmes in mainland Europe with more than 2,100 international study programmes available.

Holland offers a large variety of study programmes in different disciplines: degree programmes, short courses, summer courses, and so on. All programmes and courses lead to a Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctoral/PhD degree, a diploma or certificate. Whatever type of student you are, chances are that you will find the programme that matches your preference and situation.

The Dutch teaching style is interactive and student-centred. It focuses on teamwork, which makes it easy to meet other international students. A large part of study programmes is dedicated to writing papers and working in groups to analyse and solve specific problems. You will also have a chance to get practical work experience through internships or do experiments in laboratories, depending on the field of study.

Life in Holland is not expensive compared with English-speaking countries, and tuition fees are relatively low. With the renowned quality of education and the comparatively low cost of living, studying in Holland will give you true value for money. There are many sources of funding available to you for studying in Holland.