Study in Netherlands for Free
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Study in Netherlands for Free

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Aishwarya
Aishwarya Bhatnagar
Study Abroad Expert
Updated on Oct 23, 2024 17:40 IST

In this article, we are going to discuss how international students can study in the Netherlands for free, without paying any tuition fees. Below we cover a few topics like admission requirements, finances required in the Netherlands, etc. that help students while studying in the country. Students can also easily check the list of top universities in the Netherlands and apply for admission.

Study in Netherlands for Free

The Netherlands is located in the heart of Europe offering opportunities to students to experience many cultures at their doorstep. Students can find higher education institutions in the country that are well-equipped to give them the best student experience possible. Many students plan to study in the Netherlands for free and apply for admission at Dutch universities yearly. The universities in Netherlands follow a binary system of education that allows students to choose between two types of degrees i.e. Research-oriented degrees that are offered by research universities and Professional degrees that are offered by universities of applied sciences.

How to Study in Netherlands for Free?

Universities offer programs in the English language that attract high numbers of international students to study higher education in the Netherlands. Higher education in the Netherlands is not free for international students. However, the Dutch government sponsors many financial schemes to make it affordable for Dutch students and reasonably economical for international students. Students who are planning to study in the Netherlands and complete their degree free are required to check the Study in the Netherlands requirements.

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Students can check the list of cheap universities in the Netherlands and apply for scholarships will help to reduce tuition fees. Students can also combine their studies while working as international students are allowed to work while Studying in the Netherlands.








Scholarships to Study in the Netherlands

Many students dream of completing their higher education for free, but it is not possible. However, students can apply for Scholarships in the Netherlands to reduce the burden. Here, we have the top 7 scholarships in the Netherlands for Indian students who are willing to study in Netherlands.







Scholarships Program

Max scholarship per student (in INR)

Leiden University Excellence Scholarships

4,55,300

University of Twente Scholarships (UTS)

4,55,300

Radboud Scholarship Programme for International Students

N/A

Utrecht Excellence Scholarships for International Students

N/A

Delft University of Technology Holland MSc Scholarship

4,55,300

University of Groningen Scholarships

4,55,300

Amsterdam Excellence Scholarship

N/A

(Source: studyabroad.shiksha.com)

Why study in the Netherlands?

The Netherlands is an excellent choice for international students to complete their higher education from abroad. Universities in the Netherlands now offer around 2100 English-taught programs and it is the first non-Anglophone country to start teaching in English. The admission process is easier than any other abroad destination attracting students worldwide. Students get an opportunity to do internships in the Netherlands or they go on exchange to other universities around the world.

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Explore MS colleges in Netherlands

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University of Amsterdam

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Delft University of Technology

Delft, NetherlandsPublic

29 courses
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Utrecht University

Utrecht, NetherlandsPublic

42 courses
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Wageningen University and Research Center

Wageningen, NetherlandsPublic

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₹ 16.53 L - 18.73 L
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University of Groningen

Groningen, NetherlandsPublic

59 courses
₹ 7.95 L - 28.28 L
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Leiden University

Leiden, NetherlandsPublic

78 courses
₹ 15.73 L - 18.73 L
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Erasmus University Rotterdam

Rotterdam, NetherlandsPublic

18 courses
₹ 7.95 L - 21.02 L
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Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam)

Amsterdam, NetherlandsPrivate

51 courses
₹ 11.35 L - 32.48 L
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Radboud University

Nijmegen, NetherlandsPrivate

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University of Twente

Enschede, NetherlandsPublic

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Is this recommendation relevant?
  • Programs are taught in the English language.
  • No language barrier when studying in The Netherlands.
  • The international population is already available.
  • Education in the Netherlands is focused.
  • Dutch universities are ranked among the top universities in the world.

Study in the Netherlands Admission Requirements

Diploma requirements may differ according to the country, but Dutch universities will always ask international applicants for an IB/EB Diploma, etc.

Read: Students Guide to the Netherlands | SOP for the Netherlands

Part-Time Work in the Netherlands

The Netherlands provides better education and an opportunity to work part-time during the study to students. This country is the home of some top universities in the world as well as in Europe. Those students who are not eligible to get scholarships in the country can do Part-Time Work in the Netherlands.

  • International students can work between 10-16 hours weekly part-time in the Netherlands.
  • Students can earn up to INR 1,700 per hour while working Part-time.
  • Dutch language is no barrier as English is used at administrative and educational levels.

Top Universities in the Netherlands

Below are some of the Netherlands' major universities for international students. You can check the current ranking of the universities declared by the QS World University Ranking 2023. If we talk about Intakes in the Netherlands then admission to these universities takes place in September (Fall) and February (Spring) intakes.

Universities in the Netherlands

QS - World University Ranking 2025

Delft University of Technology #49
University of Amsterdam #55
Utrecht University of Technology #105
Eindhoven University of Technology #136
Leiden University #141
Wageningen University & Research #155
Erasmus University Rotterdam #158
University of Groningen #159
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam #221

(Source: QS)

Related Reads: Post Study Work Permit in the Netherlands for Indian Students

For those looking at admissions abroad, can sign up for free Shiksha Abroad Counselling and get admission or application-related assistance. 

Study in Netherlands for Free FAQs

Q. Is it free to study in the Netherlands?

A. Higher education in the Netherlands is not free, however, it is subsidized by the Dutch government, making it affordable for Dutch students and also fairly accessible for international students. Students can check the scholarships program offered by the Netherlands universities to international students.

Q. Can international students study for free in the Netherlands?

A. No, International students can't study for free in the Netherlands. In general, there are no tuition-free options. The best way to study in the Netherlands for free is to obtain a scholarship. There are various scholarship options for international students, with some excellent opportunities for non-EEA students.

Q. Is Bachelor Degree free in the Netherlands?

A. No, Bachelor's Degree is not free in the Netherlands as the public universities in the Netherlands for international students charge tuition fees regardless of their country of origin. However, students coming from the EU/EEA, Switzerland, and Surinam often pay lower tuition fees than non-EU/EEA students.

Q. Which are the popular scholarship to study in Netherlands for Indian students?

A. The popular scholarship to study in Netherlands for Indian students are Leiden University Excellence Scholarships, University of Twente Scholarships (UTS), Radboud Scholarship Programme for International Students, Utrecht Excellence Scholarships for International Students, Delft University of Technology Holland MSc Scholarship, etc.

Q. Which countries give free study to students?

A. Nordic nations Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden all offer opportunities to study free or at low cost: In Norway, university study is available free of charge to all students, regardless of study level or nationality.

Q:   Is Netherlands good for internationals students?

A:

Netherlands is one of the popular study abroad destinations for international students. The country offers wide range of English programmes to students make it easy to communicate. The quality of Dutch Higher Education is well-recognized and universities offer quality education at an affordable tuition fees. Netherlands is one of the safest countries in the world as per Global Peace Index.

Q:   Can I study in the Netherlands for free?

A:

No, It’s not possible for International students to study in the Netherlands for free as there's no such tuition-free programme available for students. The best way to study in the Netherlands for free is to obtain a scholarship. There are various scholarship options for international students, with some excellent opportunities for non-EEA students.

Q:   Are 1-year Masters degrees good enough for a job in Netherlands?

A:
Hi, A one-year Masters degree may be good enough for a job in the Netherlands, depending on the specific job requirements and the field of study. According to a source, Masters programmes in the Netherlands last at least one year (60 credits), but many are longer, ranging from 1.5 to four years (90240 credits). Additionally, a source mentions that completing a postgraduate study of at least an academic year (a minimum of 10 months) in the Netherlands is one of the eligibility criteria for an orientation visa for highly educated persons. Therefore, candidates are advised to check the specific job requirements and the eligibility criteria for the orientation visa or other relevant visas for the Netherlands. Additionally, they can contact the respective universities or the Dutch embassy in their country for more information on the job market, visa requirements, and other relevant details.

Q:   What are the Netherlands visa requirements for Indian students?

A:

Netherlands is a good study abroad destination for international students because of its English language education. Program are taught in the English language and students need to submit the test score of TOEFL or IELTS. Check below the documents required for Netherlands visa:

  • Valid passport
  • Completed visa application form
  • 2 passport size photos
  • Birth certificate
  • Academic transcripts
  • Bank statement
  • Copy of travel and medical insurance policy
  • Certificate of acceptance from the educational institution

Q:   Which are the top universities in the Netherlands?

A:

The University of Amsterdam, Delft University of Technology, Utrecht University, Wageningen University & Research, Leiden University, Eindhoven University of Technology, and the University of Groningen are the top 7 universities in the Netherlands for international students studying abroad in the Netherlands.

Q:   Is the Netherlands good for MBA?

A:

Some of the top reasons to study MBA in Netherlands are:

  • Renowned universities and quality of education
  • Excellent job opportunities
  • Affordable degree; tuition fees and cost of living are comparatively lower than in other European countries
  • Enjoyable study experience as it is one of the world’s the safest and the happiest countries

Q:   How do you qualify for a Masters in Netherlands?

A:

To study MS in Netherlands, the applicants are required to meet the below-given requirements:

  • A bachelor’s degree
  • GMAT / GRE score
  • English language proficiency score
  • CV
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Letters of Recommendations

Q:   What is the salary after Masters in Netherlands?

A:

After doing Masters in Netherlands, the average salary of a Master’s graduate will be EUR 44,000 per year (Around 39 lakh) according to Payscale. The popular recruiters for MS degrees are:

  • ING Group
  • Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.
  • Nike., Inc.
  • Accenture
  • Adyen
About the Author
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Written by
Aishwarya Bhatnagar
Study Abroad Expert

Aishwarya is a professional Writer currently working as a Study Abroad Expert in the Editorial Team at Shiksha. She has over 5 years of experience and is skilled at creating Online Content with leveraged knowledge i... Read Full Bio

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Comments

(1)

v

vimal

a year ago

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Reply to vimal

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elanthendral

a year ago

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