Top Universities and Colleges in Netherlands - Courses, Fees, Scholarships, Admission Requirements & Grades

There are more than 30 universities and colleges in the Netherlands out of which the majority of colleges are located in Amsterdam, Delft, Rotterdam, and Groningen. The students can submit the test scores of TOEFL, IELTS, and PTE for admission to top-ranking universities and colleges in the Netherlands. According to the QS Global Rankings, some of the best colleges and universities in the Netherlands are the University of Amsterdam, Delft University of Technology, Wageningen University and Research Center, Utrecht University, and Erasmus University Rotterdam. Some of the popular courses in the Netherlands are MIM, BBA, MS, BE/BTech, BSc, and MA. 

According to the Ministry of External Affairs India, around 3,200 Indian students have enrolled to study in the Netherlands. 

Universities in Netherlands: Highlights

Generally, the duration of courses in universities and colleges in Germany has a duration of 12 months to 3 years. The universities and colleges in the Netherlands offer admissions during the February and September intakes every year.

Why Study in the Netherlands?

Studying in the Netherlands is the preferred choice among International students. Every year, the country hosts international students from over 150 countries worldwide and offers them quality education with many job opportunities. Let us look at all the aspects of studying in the Netherlands from the perspective of international students.

Post Work Permit in the Netherlands

International students get a Post-Study Work Permit in the Netherlands after completing the degree from the Universities in the Netherlands. International Graduates require post-study work permissions – called the Search/ Orientation Year or ‘zoekjaar’ in Dutch. As per new regulations in effect from March 1, 2016, students must apply for this permit three years after completing their degree program.

Part-Time Options

Part-time work option in the Netherlands is available for international students and they can only work either no more than 10 hours a week throughout the year or full-time in June, July, and August – but not both. Part-time work will help students manage the cost of studying and living in the Netherlands. As soon as you have a (part-time) job, you are required to have Dutch public health insurance. Some of the part-time work options for students in Netherlands are given as follows:

• Cashier at Supermarket
• Hotel Receptionist 
• Tutoring 

Student Visa Fee in the Netherlands: Visa application option and cost

International students require a visa and work permit to enter the Netherlands for study or research purposes. The Netherlands student visa process is a two-step process that requires

• The MVV or an Entry Visa to enter the Netherlands
• The VRV – or the Residence Permit – is granted to students within a month of their reaching the country

The cost of a student visa in the Netherlands is EUR 210. 

Top job sectors & Economy

The Netherlands has become an attractive place for international students. As of 2023, the three sectors that had the largest number of employees were health and social work, wholesale and retail trade, and other business support services. Some of the other in-demand job sectors in The Netherlands in the same year were Manufacturing, Education, Information and Communication, Agriculture, etc. There were over 1.4 million jobs in the health and social work sector in The Netherlands. In May 2022, the employed labour force in The Netherlands amounted to around 9.56 million individuals. Some of the popular job sectors in the Netherlands are given as follows:

• Engineering 
• IT Specialists
• Healthcare Specialists
• Finance
• Energy Sector

Top Universities in Netherlands

Some of the best universities in Netherlands for international students are given as follows:

Best Engineering Universities in the Netherlands

Based on QS Subject Rankings 2024, some of the best universities in Netherlands for Engineering courses are given as follows:

Best Arts Universities in the Netherlands

Based on the QS Subject Rankings 2024, some of the best universities in Netherlands for Arts courses are given as follows:

Best Medicine and Health Sciences Universities in the Netherlands

Based on the QS Subject Rankings 2024, some of the top medicine and health science course universities in the Netherlands are given as follows:

Top Courses in the Netherlands

Some of the top courses in the Netherlands for international students are given as follows:

Admissions Requirements in the Netherlands

The admission requirements for MIM courses in the Netherlands are given as follows:

• Minimum 75% during graduation 
• 2 Letters of Recommendation
• A clear and relevant essay in English (1,000 – 1,500 words) 
• Resume/CV 
• Proof of English Language Proficiency
• Official Transcripts
• Proof of Identity

Entrance Exams Accepted by Universities in the Netherlands

Some of the entrance exams accepted for courses in the Netherlands are given as follows:

English Language Requirements by Universities in the Netherlands

Some of the English Language Proficiency exams accepted for courses in the Netherlands are given as follows:

Cost of studying in the Netherlands

The tuition fees for courses in private universities in the Netherlands range from INR 10 L to INR 40 L.

Tuition Fees

The first-year tuition fees in the Netherlands are given as follows:

Cost of Living in the Netherlands

The Netherlands is a great choice for international students who wish to study abroad universities. The Cost of Living in the Netherlands is low compared to other countries like the UK and the US. International students need to be well prepared when preparing to study in the Netherlands and the most important preparation is to consider your living expenses. This includes food, transportation, books, clothes, and accommodation. A student should prepare to spend around INR 70K to INR 96.2K per month in the Netherlands.

Scholarships in the Netherlands

The Netherlands offers several scholarship opportunities and education loan options for international students, including non-EEA students. Best universities in Netherlands offer merit-based scholarships to international students to manage their tuition fees. International students can also apply for Education Loans in the Netherlands as it has become highly convenient with major financial institutions providing a loan at a lucrative interest rate. Here are some scholarships that are available for international students:

•       Holland Scholarships
•       Orange Tulip Scholarships
•       Radboud Scholarship Programme

Jobs in the Netherlands

Some of the popular job sectors in the Netherlands are given as follows:

• Engineering 
• IT Specialists
• Healthcare Specialists
• Finance
• Energy Sector

The average salaries for the top universities in the Netherlands are given as follows:

* Taken from unofficial sources.