Request Free Consultation
Move abroad with your family.
Don't know what to do Get free Counselling
Netherlands · Study abroad
Study in the Netherlands: universities, fees, and visa
To study in the Netherlands, Indian students choose top universities like TU Delft and the University of Amsterdam, with more than 2,100 English-taught programs. Your university applies for your MVV visa and residence permit through one TEV procedure. The Netherlands offers a 12-month Orientation Year, a low salary bar for skilled work, and the 30 percent tax ruling, giving some of the strongest post-study economics in Europe.
Data current as of June 2026
Why study in the Netherlands
The Netherlands pairs world-class universities with the widest choice of English-taught programs in continental Europe, an open and international society where English is spoken everywhere, and one of the clearest post-study career paths in the region.
One thing to know early. Studying in the Netherlands has no points test for admission, unlike skilled migration to Canada or Australia. Admission depends on your academic record, your course requirements, and your English ability. A salary-based test, the Highly Skilled Migrant permit, exists later for the work stage, but not for study.
With more than 2,100 English-taught programs, the NL Scholarship, the 12-month Orientation Year, and the 30 percent tax ruling for skilled work, the Netherlands offers world-class education and a strong route into the European job market. We guide Indian students through the whole journey, from admission to the residence permit.
The Dutch study-to-work ladder
The Netherlands has one of Europe’s clearest routes from study to a long-term career. The diagram shows how each stage builds on the last, from your degree to skilled work with the 30 percent tax ruling.
Your study in the Netherlands journey
The Netherlands has a clear sequence Indian students follow, from admission to the MVV and residence permit through your university, then a post-study route. The diagram shows the full flow.
Best universities in the Netherlands for Indian students
The Netherlands has 13 universities in the QS World University Rankings 2026, with TU Delft and the University of Amsterdam in the global top 60. The table shows leading choices and their guide positions.
| University | Known for | QS 2026 guide |
|---|---|---|
| TU Delft | Engineering, architecture, technology | Around 47 |
| University of Amsterdam | Social sciences, media, broad research | Around 53 |
| Utrecht University | Broad research, sciences | Around 103 |
| Wageningen University | Agriculture and life sciences, world number one | Top 150 |
| Leiden and Groningen | Law, sciences, broad research | Top 150 to 200 |
| Eindhoven and Twente | Engineering, technology, design | Top 200 to 250 |
Source: QS World University Rankings 2026 as reported by NL Times and university data, 2026. TU Delft around 47 and the University of Amsterdam around 53 are the only two in the global top 100; the others sit broadly in the top 150 to 250 and move year to year, so ranges are shown. Wageningen is ranked number one in the world for agriculture. Positions vary by source and year. Confirm current requirements with each institution.
Dutch universities cluster by strength, with TU Delft and Eindhoven leading engineering, Amsterdam leading social sciences and media, and Wageningen leading agriculture and life sciences. We help you shortlist the right ones to study in the Netherlands.
Want a university shortlist for your profile?
Get a free eligibility check and a shortlist of the best Netherlands universities for your course and budget.
Tuition fees and cost of living
Non-EU tuition in the Netherlands is paid per year and varies by university and subject, with living-cost funds shown separately for the visa. The table shows the main costs to plan for.
| Cost | Typical figure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition, non-EU students | EUR 8,000 to 25,500 / yr | Master’s often EUR 15,000 to 25,500 |
| Funds proof for visa | About EUR 1,094 / month | Roughly EUR 13,200 a year, set by IND |
| Living costs | EUR 800 to 1,200 / mo | Amsterdam and Utrecht higher |
| MVV and permit fee | About EUR 210 | Via the university TEV procedure |
| Health insurance | EUR 30 to 150 / mo | Student or Dutch basic cover |
Source: IND, Dutch university guidance, and education data, 2026, including the 2025 to 2026 living-cost figure of about EUR 1,094 a month. Tuition, the funds figure, and fees are set by universities and the authorities and can change. Many universities ask you to transfer living-cost funds in advance, refunded monthly after arrival. Confirm before you apply to study in the Netherlands.
The two big planning items are tuition for your program and the proof of funds, which must be liquid and available before the visa is processed. A scholarship can ease tuition. We confirm the exact costs for your program.
Tuition by study level and field
Fees vary a lot by level and subject. This table gives an indicative guide so you can budget by the kind of program you are targeting.
| Level or field | Indicative tuition / yr | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s, general | EUR 8,000 to 15,000 | Varies by university and subject |
| Master’s, general | EUR 15,000 to 20,000 | Most common band for taught master’s |
| Master’s, technical or business | EUR 18,000 to 25,500 | Engineering, data, and business higher |
| Universities of applied sciences | EUR 8,000 to 15,000 | Practical, career-focused programs |
| Research master’s and PhD | Often funded | PhD usually a paid position |
Source: Dutch university fee schedules and education data, 2026. These bands are indicative only and each university sets its own fees, which change yearly. A PhD in the Netherlands is usually a salaried research position rather than a tuition-paying degree. Confirm current fees with your university before you apply.
Knowing your level and field early helps you budget realistically and target the right scholarships. We map fees to your shortlist so there are no surprises.
Admission requirements at a glance
The Netherlands has no points test for admission, but each program sets clear academic and English bars. This table is an indicative guide, not official cut-offs.
| Requirement | Bachelor’s program | Master’s program |
|---|---|---|
| Academic record | Strong upper secondary | Relevant bachelor’s degree |
| English test | IELTS about 6.0 to 6.5 | IELTS about 6.5 |
| Selection | Some programs use selection | Often a related field needed |
| Extra documents | Transcripts, passport | SOP, references, sometimes portfolio |
| Dutch address | Needed before the visa | Needed before the visa |
Source: Dutch university admission guidance and the IND, 2026. These rows are indicative only, as each program runs its own selection and may ask for more, including subject prerequisites, a portfolio, or a numerus fixus selection for popular courses. Confirm each program’s exact requirements before you apply.
Because there is no single points score for admission, your profile is judged on your qualification, fit, and English. We assess your eligibility honestly before you apply.
Scholarships to study in the Netherlands
The Netherlands offers government and university scholarships for Indian students, led by the NL Scholarship. Most run alongside admission with deadlines roughly a year before your intake. The table shows the main options.
| Scholarship | Offered by | Can cover |
|---|---|---|
| NL Scholarship, formerly Holland | Dutch Ministry with universities | One-time EUR 5,000 in year one |
| University scholarships | Maastricht, Radboud, Utrecht, Leiden | Partial to fuller tuition support |
| Erasmus Mundus joint master’s | European Union | Full scholarship across countries |
| Faculty and program awards | Individual universities | Merit-based tuition reductions |
| External and donor awards | Various foundations | Varies, often partial |
Source: the Dutch Ministry of Education, Nuffic, and university scholarship pages, 2026. Eligibility, amounts, and deadlines change each year, and the NL Scholarship is a one-time award, not full tuition, for non-EEA students new to Dutch study. The Orange Tulip Scholarship was discontinued in 2024, so any current listing for it is outdated. Confirm details before applying.
The NL Scholarship is the headline government award, while university scholarships and Erasmus Mundus can go further. Because seats are few, apply early and to several. We help you find and apply for the awards you qualify for.
Want help applying for the NL Scholarship or a university award?
Get a free eligibility check and we will match you to the scholarships that fit your profile.
Popular courses for Indian students
The Netherlands is strong across engineering, business, and the sciences, with distinctive strengths in agriculture, water, logistics, and chip technology.
Engineering and tech
World-class engineering and design at TU Delft and Eindhoven, near the ASML chip ecosystem.
Business and logistics
Strong business, finance, and supply chain, anchored by the Port of Rotterdam.
Agriculture and life sciences
Wageningen leads the world in agriculture, food, and environmental science.
The MVV and residence permit process
For studies longer than 90 days, your university files a combined TEV application for your MVV and residence permit. This table explains the key steps so nothing is missed.
| Step | What it is | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Get an unconditional offer | Admission to a recognised institution | Required before the visa can start |
| Confirm and pay deposit | Pay the initial tuition deposit | Your university then acts as sponsor |
| Show funds and address | About EUR 1,094 a month plus a Dutch address | Both needed before submission |
| University files the TEV | Combined MVV and permit application | The IND decides; you usually do not apply alone |
| Collect and register | Collect the MVV, then the VVR in country | Register with the municipality on arrival |
Source: IND and Dutch university guidance, 2026. Steps, fees, and timelines are set by the authorities and can change, and you need a documented Dutch address before the application can be submitted. Apply for the January intake by around mid-October the year before, and for September well ahead. Start early.
Good planning is everything here, especially housing, since the address is a visa requirement. We confirm your funds and address, then coordinate the TEV with your university so each step lines up before your intake.
Worried about the visa and housing timeline?
We confirm your funds and address and coordinate the TEV with your university so nothing slips.
Work rights and post-study options
The Netherlands has clear rules for working during studies and one of Europe’s strongest post-study routes, with a low salary bar for skilled work.
| Stage | What you can do | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| During studies | 16 hrs / week | Or full-time in summer; employer needs a TWV |
| Mandatory internship | Full-time if part of the course | Does not count toward the 16-hour limit |
| After graduation | Orientation Year, 12 mo | No job offer needed; usable within 3 years |
| Skilled work | About EUR 2,631 / month | Highly Skilled Migrant bar for under-30s, 2026 |
| Tax benefit | 30 percent ruling | Part of salary tax-free, if eligible |
Source: IND guidance and reporting, 2026. The Highly Skilled Migrant salary threshold for recent graduates under 30 is about EUR 2,631 a month in 2026, and the 30 percent ruling and its conditions can change. Hours, thresholds, and durations are set by the authorities and can change, so confirm current details before relying on them.
The Orientation Year plus a low skilled-work salary bar and the 30 percent ruling give some of the strongest post-study economics in Europe. We explain how each stage connects.
The Indian community in the Netherlands
The Netherlands has a sizeable and growing Indian community, spread across Amsterdam, The Hague, Eindhoven, and Rotterdam, which makes settling in easier for new students.
People of Indian origin in the Netherlands cluster in and around Amsterdam, The Hague, Eindhoven, and Rotterdam, working as IT and engineering professionals and researchers, with the Eindhoven tech region and multinationals like ASML, Philips, and Shell drawing Indian talent. Add a rising student community, with more than 4,000 Indian students at Dutch universities in recent years, and you find Indian grocery stores, restaurants, temples, and cultural associations in the main cities.
Amsterdam to Eindhoven
Indian professionals cluster around Amsterdam, The Hague, Eindhoven, and Rotterdam.
Tech and research
The Eindhoven tech region and firms like ASML, Philips, and Shell draw Indian talent.
4,000 plus students
More than 4,000 Indian students at Dutch universities recently, with active networks.
For an Indian student, this community and the Netherlands’ English-friendly, international cities mean a soft landing, familiar food, and ready support, especially in the big cities.
An honest view for Indian students
The Netherlands offers world-class education and the strongest post-study economics in Europe, but tuition, liquid funds, and the housing crunch all need real planning.
Tuition for non-EU students is real and master’s programs are often EUR 15,000 to 25,500, and you must also show about EUR 1,094 a month in liquid funds before the visa is processed. Housing is the single biggest practical hurdle, very hard to find in Amsterdam and Utrecht, and a documented address is a visa requirement, so secure it early. Recent policy debate has looked at the balance of English and Dutch teaching, so confirm your program’s language. Work is capped at 16 hours and needs an employer permit.
The Netherlands charges non-EU tuition of about EUR 8,000 to 25,500 a year, while your university files one TEV application for your MVV and residence permit, you must show about EUR 1,094 a month in liquid funds plus a documented Dutch address, can work up to 16 hours a week, and after graduating can use the 12-month Orientation Year before moving to skilled work under the Highly Skilled Migrant route with the 30 percent tax ruling.
Factual overview, drawn from the IND and Dutch university guidance, current for 2026. Fees, funds requirements, salary thresholds, and visa rules are set by the relevant authorities and can change.
Meeting the requirements improves your chances, but admission and the final visa decision rest with the institutions and the Dutch authorities. We give you a realistic view and manage the timeline, including housing, with you.
Speak with BestMigrationConsultant.com about studying in the Netherlands
Our education experts guide Indian students through every step to study in the Netherlands, from universities and admission to scholarships, fees, the IND funds requirement, documents, housing, and the MVV and residence permit. Call +91-7670800002 or visit BestMigrationConsultant.com, and start with a free eligibility check today.