Education in the Netherlands: Scholarships, public and private universities

The Netherlands ranks among the top five countries globally in terms of living standards. By obtaining an education in the Netherlands, graduates have the opportunity to find employment and establish a successful life in any country they choose.

1. 6 reasons to get an education in the Netherlands
2. Public and private universities in the Netherlands
3. Education in the Netherlands: costs, scholarships
4. Requirements for applicants

6 reasons to get an education in the Netherlands

1. English – most programs are taught in English. Universities in the country offer more than 2,100 English-language courses. The Dutch had time for this: the Netherlands was the first country in Europe, which appeared university courses in English.
2. The cost – depending on the program, the price of education in the Netherlands ranges from €5000 to €18000 per year. This is several thousands lower than in the UK or Sweden.
3. Free tuition – all educational institutions have developed programs that help win grants and scholarships for international students.
4. Top universities – twelve of the country’s universities are among the top 300 best educational institutions in the world.
5. Free courses – in addition to the basic program, many universities offer additional free courses of students’ choice.
6. Earnings – Students at Dutch universities are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week. Earnings are about €15/hour.

Public and private universities in the Netherlands

The main advantage of public universities is that they are quite ranked and prestigious not only in the Netherlands, but also in the world. Applicants can choose among 14 public research universities and 41 universities of applied sciences.

The top five public universities to look out for:

• University of Amsterdam;
• Leiden University;
• University of Maastricht;
• University of Groningen;
• Eindhoven University of Technology.
• A great advantage of studying at a public Dutch university is the relatively low cost of education. In addition, many educational institutions allocate a certain percentage of places for applicants from other countries.

Private universities in the Netherlands are internationally accredited by the NVAO (Netherlands and Flanders Accreditation Organization).

Let us tell you more about the three most unusual universities.

NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences

Almost everyone in the country knows this university. It is distinguished by the fact that its campuses are located not only in the Netherlands, but also in Qatar, Thailand, South Africa, and the island of Bali. There are 24,000 students at Stenden, 15% of whom are foreigners from 65 countries.

The cost of the bachelor’s degree is €8,350 per year, the cost of the master’s degree is €11,800.

One of the main advantages is that the university provides internships in international companies.

Global Humanistic University

The school is located on the island of Curaçao in the Caribbean Sea, which belongs to the Netherlands. It differs from other universities in that it offers online distance learning opportunities. The university has a flexible schedule that allows you to combine study and work.

GHU offers doctoral programs as well as, through academic partnerships around the world, graduate and undergraduate programs.

The peculiarity of a global humanistic university is in the language of instruction. It can be the native language of the respective academic partner.

For this purpose, GHU has more than 120 advisors and professors in more than 40 countries, speaking 20 languages.

Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences

It is a private, non-profit institution that is one of the top 40 institutions in the Netherlands.

The main advantage of the university is the low competition for admission. There are no more than two applicants for one place at Wittenborg University at a time.

Types of programs: university preparation, bachelor’s degree, master’s degree.

Popular majors: Tourism, Finance, Sports Management, and Business.

Other popular universities in the Netherlands were described here.

Education in the Netherlands: costs and scholarships

It takes three to four years to complete a bachelor’s degree program. The cost ranges from €8,000 to €20,000 per year.

Master’s programs last from one to three years. Costs range from €9,000 to €20,000 per year.

The doctoral degree takes four to five years and costs between €4,000 and €13,000.

There are scholarship programs in the Netherlands, which can cover not only the cost of education, but also accommodation, travel expenses, and medical insurance. They are available to both local and foreign applicants.

In addition to government funding, Dutch universities offer a number of scholarships in cooperation with large companies.

Each year, 15 students from countries outside the EU receive the opportunity to study for free through the program Amsterdam Excellence Scholarship. Applicants who apply for a master’s degree at the University of Amsterdam qualify for the program. The payment amounts to €25,000.

Another scholarship program is funded by the University of Utrecht Foundation. It can cover either tuition or tuition and living expenses of €1,100.

Leiden University awards a scholarship of €10,000 to €15,000 or guarantees full tuition.

Maastricht University pays scholarship holders €29,000 annually. The program includes tuition fees and a monthly stipend.

Education in the Netherlands: Requirements for applicants

Before enrolling in any university in the Netherlands, you must prepare:

• A certificate with transcript of records\ bachelor diploma 
• GPA 
• a motivation letter and CV;
• Two letters of recommendation. 

Requirements for documents may vary. The list needs to be checked with the chosen university. In addition to the above documents, the applicant may be asked for: portfolio, financial plan, essay.

There is a fee for the review of documents. The cost ranges from €75 to €100.

For admission to a Dutch university, you need an MVV (Machtiging tot Voorlopig Verblijf) visa. It must be valid for up to 5 years. The visa is issued by the university after the applicant will be accepted, will pay the tuition fee and confirm availability of funds for accommodation (for those who will not receive a scholarship or grant).

The Netherlands attracts students with a prestigious and affordable higher education, the opportunity to study for free on one of the scholarship programs, a wide range of specialties in English and well-paid part-time jobs. You can apply to a Netherlands university as early as next year. Leave a request on the website to get a free consultation with an Univibes manager.