Highlights:
- Top Universities: According to QS Global Rankings, some of the best universities in the Netherlands include the University of Amsterdam, Delft University of Technology, and Wageningen University & Research Center.
- Intakes: The majority of the universities have Spring and Autumn intakes. The application period for Spring intake is from September to October and for Autumn intake is from March to April.
- Global Companies: The Netherlands hosts several major global companies such as Philips, Heineken, KLM, Shell, ING, and Unilever, providing diverse employment opportunities for graduates.
- Top Business Schools: Some of the top business schools in the Netherlands include Tilburg University's TIAS School for Business and Society, Erasmus University's Rotterdam School of Management, and Maastricht School of Management, with annual tuition fees ranging from 15,000 to 65,000 EUR.
The best universities in Netherlands include the University of Amsterdam, Delft University of Technology, Wageningen University and Research Center among others. As per the Ministry of External Affairs India, around 3,200 Indian students have enrolled to study in the Netherlands. But why? The tuition fees and cost of living in Netherlands are considerably lower than in English-speaking countries. The average tuition fee for bachelor’s programs is between 9,000 and 20,000 EUR, and for a master’s program between 12,000 and 30,000 EUR. In the USA, tuition fees range from 5,000 to 50,000 USD per year for UG and PG programs. For the yearly living costs, students spend an average of 800 - 1,100 EUR per month. Check out the top universities in the Netherlands for international students from the sections below.
Why Study in the Good Universities in the Netherlands?
Consider the reasons why you should choose to study in the best universities in the Netherlands for international students.
- In the best Netherland universities, 2,000 programs are taught entirely in English. 95% of the Dutch speak English, so it’s easy to communicate in daily life.
- The majority of the top colleges are located in Amsterdam, Delft, Rotterdam, and Groningen. These cities are regarded as the best student cities in the Netherlands as well.
- The tuition fees for bachelor and masters programs vary from 9,000 to 30,000 EUR per year.
- Holland Scholarships, Orange Tulip Scholarships, Radboud Scholarship Program are very popular scholarships to study in the Netherlands
- Students come from more than 160 different countries to study at Holland's top universities.
- The Netherlands is the gateway to Europe. Paris is in just 3 hours while London and Berlin are just a five or six-hour train ride away.
- A few global companies like Philips, Heineken, KLM, Shell, ING and Unilever are based in the Netherlands.
Table of Content
List of the Top 10 Universities Netherlands
Studying in the Netherlands is becoming popular among international students because of the ample array of world-leading universities in Holland that teach in English. Here, we have listed the ranking and acceptance rates of the top 10 Netherlands universities.
| Top Uni in Netherlands | QS Ranking | THE Ranking | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delft University of Technology | #47 | #48 | 80% |
| University of Amsterdam | #53 | #61 | 4% |
| Utrecht University | #107 | #66 | 14% |
| Eindhoven University of Technology | #124 | #168 | 50% |
| Leiden University | #126 | #77 | 30% |
| University of Groningen | #139 | #79 | 50% |
| Wageningen University & Research | #151 | #64 | 44% |
| Erasmus University Rotterdam | #176 | #99 | 53% |
| Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam | #207 | #125 | 45% |
| University of Twente | #210 | #184 | 51% |
Other than these top universities in Holland for international students, there are also another 4 universities that are ranked in QS World University Ranking 2024. These are:
- Radboud University: #222 in QS
- Maastricht University: #256 in QS
- Tilburg University: #371 in QS
Best Engineering Universities in Netherlands
Some of the best universities in Holland for Engineering are as follows
| Universities | US News- Engineering and Technology |
|---|---|
| Delft University of Technology | #25 |
| Eindhoven University of Technology | #101 |
| University of Twente | #219 |
| Utrecht University | #268 |
| University of Groningen | #284 |
| Wageningen University & Research | #328 |
| Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam | #711 |
| Erasmus University Rotterdam | #793 |
| University of Amsterdam | #825 |
Best Universities in Netherlands for Clinical Medicine
Few good universities in Netherlands for clinical medicine are tabulated below
| Universities | US News- Clinical Medicine- |
|---|---|
| Erasmus University Rotterdam | #39 |
| University of Amsterdam | #40 |
| University of Groningen | #60 |
| Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam | #62 |
| Leiden University | #79 |
| Maastricht University | #84 |
| Utrecht University | #90 |
| Radboud University Nijmegen | #101 |
| Wageningen University & Research | #278 |
| University of Twente | #543 |
| Eindhoven University of Technology | #823 |
| Tilburg University | #928 |
| Delft University of Technology | #964 |
Top Economics and Business Universities in Netherlands
The top universities in the Netherlands for economics and business, based on their reputation and research in the field, are tabulated below.
| University | US News- Business and Economics |
|---|---|
| Erasmus University Rotterdam | #10 |
| Tilburg University | #27 |
| University of Groningen | #50 |
| Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam | #55 |
| University of Amsterdam | #56 |
| Maastricht University | #71 |
| Utrecht University | #140 |
| Wageningen University & Research | #215 |
Top Universities in Netherlands for Masters
Some of the top universities in Netherlands for international students and their popular masters programs, along with their cut-off scores are presented below.
| Top Colleges in Netherlands | Popular Programs | Annual Tuition Fees | Cut-off scores |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delft University of Technology | MS in Architecture | 21,515 | TOEFL: 90 |
| Wageningen University & Research | MS in Landscape Architecture | 20,600 | TOEFL: 92 |
| Leiden University | MS in Data Science | 19,600 | IELTS: 7.0 |
| University of Groningen | MS in Artificial Intelligence | 16,700 | IELTS: 6.5 |
| Erasmus University Rotterdam | MS in Business Analytics | 22,500 | IELTS: 7.0 GMAT: 600 |
| Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam | MS in Business Analytics | 13,490 | TOEFL: 92 |
| Maastricht University | MS in Data Science | 19,100 | IELTS: 6.5 |
| Eindhoven University of Technology | MS in Architectural Urban Design | 19,300 | IELTS: 6.5 |
| University of Twente | MSc in Business Administration | 17,000 | TOEFL: 90 |
| Utrecht University | MS in Artificial Intelligence | 20,042 | IELTS: 7.0 |
Note: 1 EUR= 90.46 INR as of May 20, 2024
Admission Requirements for the Best Colleges in the Netherlands for MS
To get into the best universities in Netherlands for masters, you need to have the below-mentioned requirements
- 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 in exams to study in the Netherlands
- Official Transcripts
- Proof of Identity (passport)
- Netherlands Student Visa
Best Dutch University for Undergraduate Programs
All Dutch universities teach more than 40 different undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in English, and some – such as Leiden University – teach well over 100 degrees in English. We have listed some universities and their popular undergraduate programs here for your reference.
| Top Colleges in Netherlands | Popular Program | Annual Tuition Fees | Cut-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Hague University of Applied Sciences | BS in Industrial Engineering | 9,889 | IELTS: 6.0 |
| United International Business Schools | BA in Design Management | 18,675 | TOEFL score: 79 |
| Royal Academy of Art | BA in Interior Architecture | 10,792 | IELTS: 6.0 |
| Breda University of Applied Sciences | BS in Creative Media and Game Technology | 13,130 | IELTS: 6.0 |
| School of Business and Economics, Maastricht University | BA in Global Studies | 13,500 | TOEFL: 80 |
| Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM) | BS in International Business Administration | 11,600 | IELTS score: 6.0 |
| Utrecht University | BS in Economics | 12,598 | IELTS: 7.0 |
| University of Twente | BS in Industrial Design | 12,875 | TOEFL: 90 |
| Eindhoven University of Technology | BS in Architecture | 13,300 | IELTS: 6.5 |
| Maastricht University | BS in Economics | 13,500 | IELTS: 6.0 |
Note: 1 EUR= 90.46 INR as of May 20, 2024
Admission Requirements for UG Programs in Best Colleges in Netherlands
The admission requirements for UG programs at the best colleges in Netherlands are as follows
- Higher secondary diploma or equivalent (60% marks minimum)
- TOEFL at least 550 (paper based) or 213 (internet based);
- IELTS at least 6.0
- Personal statement to study in Netherlands
- Netherlands Student visa
Top B Schools in Netherlands for MBA
Average annual tuition fees cost around 15,000 EUR- 65,000 EUR at the top b schools in Netherlands. After an MBA in Netherlands, you can earn INR 46.70 Lakh as an entry-level employee. Few of the best business schools in Netherlands are tabulated below along with their fees and IELTS requirements.
| Top B Schools in Netherlands | Annual Tuition Fees | IELTS Score | Documents Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tilburg University- TIAS School for Business and Society | 41,500 | 6.5 | SOP, LOR, CV assessment |
| Erasmus University- Rotterdam School of Management | 64,000 | 6.5 | Official Transcripts, One prepared essay, CV or LinkedIn profile, Two referees, Satisfactory GMAT |
| Maastricht School of Management | 33,000 | 6.5 | Official Transcripts, One prepared essay, CV or LinkedIn profile, Two employer letters of recommendation, a letter of motivation of at least 3-4 pages |
| Amsterdam Business School | 46,000 | 7.0 | 3 essays of 250 words based on prompts given by a university (3rd is optional), GRE/GMAT test scores (recommended), Contact information of 2 references |
| University of Groningen | 17,800 | 6.5 | Official Transcripts, One prepared essay, CV |
Note: 1 EUR= 90.46 INR as of May 20, 2024
Admission Requirements for Top Business Schools in Netherlands for MBA
A bachelor's degree and a satisfactory GRE/GMAT score are required to apply for an MBA in the Netherlands. Students can apply directly through the university’s application portal. The basic admission requirements for MBA in the Netherlands that students must fulfill are:
- Have a bachelor's degree or equivalent.
- Have a GMAT or GRE or equivalent entrance exam test score (recommended, not necessary for all universities)
- Have work Experience (Not Mandatory, varies with the university).
- English language proficiency
- IELTS: 6.0
- TOEFL (iBT): 80 (approx)
Netherlands Student Visa
Although universities apply for student visas in the Netherlands, international students must fulfill certain basic requirements to make sure that their visa is accepted. The cost of a student visa in the Netherlands is 210 EUR. However, the basic requirements include the following
- Accepted by one of the best universities in Netherlands for international students
- Supporting documents should be legalized and translated into Dutch, English, French, or German.
- Have sufficient income to financially support your stay in the Netherlands – including your tuition fee.
- Minimum language proficiency in English and other exams to study in Netherlands
Highest Paying Careers in Netherlands
As per Statista, employees in the Netherlands earned roughly 36,500 EUR per year. Some of the highest paying professions and their average annual salaries in jobs in Netherlands are presented below
| Job Roles | Average Monthly Salary in EUR |
|---|---|
| Surgeons/ Doctors | 17,800 |
| Judges | 14,900 |
| Lawyer | 12,100 |
| Bank Managers | 11,400 |
| Chief Executive Officers | 10,700 |
| CFO | 10,000 |
| Orthodontists | 9,660 |
| College Professors | 8,610 |
| Pilots | 7,200 |
| Marketing Directors | 6,490 |
Note: 1 EUR= 90.46 INR as of May 20, 2024
Part-time Jobs in Netherlands
International students can only work 10 hours a week throughout the year or full-time in June, July, and August. But you can not do both. Dutch public health insurance is mandatory for all the part-time workers in the Netherlands. Cashiers at supermarkets, Hotel Receptionist, Private tutor are among the popular part-time jobs in Netherlands.
You can consider the aforementioned details while choosing the best uni in Netherlands. Check for the intakes, tuition fees and entry requirements before applying. There are application fees to be paid when applying to Holland top universities, ranging from 75 to 100 EUR.
FAQs
Ques: Which are the top universities in the Netherlands?
Ans: The top universities in the Netherlands include Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), University of Amsterdam (UvA), Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), Leiden University, Utrecht University, and Wageningen University & Research. These institutions are renowned for their high academic standards and research output.
Ques: What is the language of instruction at Dutch universities?
Ans: While many undergraduate programs are taught in Dutch, a significant number of Master's programs and some Bachelor's programs are offered in English. Universities like the University of Amsterdam, TU Delft, and Utrecht University have extensive English-taught programs.
Ques: What are the tuition fees for international students in the Netherlands?
Ans: Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA students range from €6,000 to €15,000 per year for Bachelor's programs and €8,000 to €20,000 per year for Master's programs. Fees vary depending on the university and the program of study.
Ques: How can I apply to Dutch universities?
Ans: Applications are submitted through the Studielink platform. Each university has its own specific requirements, which generally include academic transcripts, proof of English proficiency (like IELTS or TOEFL scores), a motivation letter, and sometimes an interview or portfolio for certain programs.
Ques: What are the living costs for students in the Netherlands?
Ans: The cost of living for a student in the Netherlands is around €800 to €1,200 per month. This includes accommodation, food, transportation, books, and other personal expenses. Amsterdam is generally more expensive compared to other cities like Groningen or Enschede.
Ques: Are scholarships available for international students?
Ans: Several scholarships are available for international students, such as the Holland Scholarship, Erasmus Mundus, and university-specific scholarships like the Amsterdam Excellence Scholarship or the TU Delft Excellence Scholarship. It's advisable to check each university’s website for specific funding opportunities.
Ques: What is the housing situation like for students?
Ans: Student housing can be competitive, especially in major cities like Amsterdam and Utrecht. Universities often offer assistance through housing services, but many students also find accommodation through private rentals or student housing organizations like DUWO. It's important to start your housing search early.
Ques: Can international students work while studying in the Netherlands?
Ans: International students can work while studying. EU/EEA students have no restrictions, while non-EU/EEA students can work up to 16 hours per week during the academic year and full-time during the summer months (June to August). A work permit is required for non-EU/EEA students.
Ques: How is the quality of education and research in Dutch universities?
Ans: Dutch universities are known for their high-quality education and research. They consistently rank high in global university rankings such as QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education. The education system emphasizes critical thinking, practical learning, and collaboration.
Ques: What is student life like in the Netherlands?
Ans: Student life in the Netherlands is vibrant and diverse. Universities offer a wide range of student associations, clubs, and sports facilities. Dutch cities are known for their high quality of life, safety, and excellent public transportation. Additionally, the Netherlands’ central location in Europe makes it easy for students to travel and explore other countries.
Found 22 universities
| CD Rank | College Info | Tuition Fees & living Cost(Avg.) | Top Courses | Ranking & Reviews | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| #1 |  Delft University of Technology, DelftSouth Holland, Netherlands82%Acceptance Rate | Tuition: $23K/Yr (€21,078/Yr)Living: $11.1K/Yr (€10,200/Yr)Admission | M.S Architecture, Urbanism and B...TOEFL90$23.5K/Yr Course duration: 2 years 43+ More Programs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| #2 |  University of Amsterdam, AmsterdamNorth Holland, Netherlands4%Acceptance Rate | Tuition: $28.9K/Yr (€26,518/Yr)Living: $1K/Yr (€925/Yr)Admission | M.B.AGMAT680TOEFL92$36K/Yr Course duration: 1 year 112+ More Programs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| #3 |  Wageningen University & Research, WageningenGelderland, Netherlands14%Acceptance Rate | Tuition: $21.8K/Yr (€19,992/Yr)Admission | M.S Landscape Architecture and P...TOEFL92$22.5K/Yr Course duration: 2 years 37+ More Programs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| #4 |  Leiden University, LeidenSouth Holland, Netherlands63%Acceptance Rate | Tuition: $20.7K/Yr (€19,033/Yr)Living: $1.1K/Yr (€1,006/Yr)Admission | M.S Data Science: Computer Scien...IELTS7$21.4K/Yr Course duration: 2 years 147+ More Programs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| #5 |  University of Groningen, GroningenGroningen, Netherlands50%Acceptance Rate | Tuition: $18.2K/Yr (€16,700/Yr)Living: $981/Yr (€900/Yr)Admission | M.S Artificial IntelligenceIELTS6.5$18.2K/Yr Course duration: 2 years 88+ More Programs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| #6 |  Erasmus University Rotterdam, RotterdamSouth Holland, Netherlands45%Acceptance Rate | Tuition: $21.7K/Yr (€19,909/Yr)Living: $1.1K/Yr (€1,000/Yr)Admission | M.S Business Analytics and Manag...GMAT600IELTS7$24.5K/Yr Course duration: 1 year 56+ More Programs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| #7 |  Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, AmsterdamNorth Holland, Netherlands40%Acceptance Rate | Tuition: $14.7K/Yr (€13,490/Yr)Living: $817.5/Yr (€750/Yr)Admission | M.S Business AnalyticsTOEFL92$14.7K/Yr Course duration: 2 years 99+ More Programs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| #8 |  Maastricht University, MaastrichtLimburg, Netherlands53%Acceptance Rate | Tuition: $17.1K/Yr (€15,700/Yr)Living: $3.4K/Yr (€3,130/Yr)Admission | M.S Data Science for Decision Ma...IELTS6.5$18.1K/Yr Course duration: 2 years 52+ More Programs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| #9 |  Eindhoven University of Technology, EindhovenNorth Brabant, Netherlands50%Acceptance Rate | Tuition: $19.6K/Yr (€17,942/Yr)Admission | M.S Architectural Urban Design a...IELTS6.5$21K/Yr Course duration: 2 years 52+ More Programs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| #10 |  University of Twente, EnschedeOverijssel, Netherlands51%Acceptance Rate | Tuition: $16.9K/Yr (€15,533/Yr)Admission | M.Sc Business AdministrationTOEFL90$18.5K/Yr Course duration: 1 year 44+ More Programs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| #11 |  Utrecht University, UtrechtUtrecht, Netherlands4%Acceptance Rate | Tuition: $21K/Yr (€19,285/Yr)Living: $1.2K/Yr (€1,100/Yr)Admission | M.S Artificial IntelligenceIELTS7$21.8K/Yr Course duration: 2 years 64+ More Programs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| #12 |  Radboud University, NijmegenGelderland, Netherlands75%Acceptance Rate | Tuition: $2.8K/Yr (€2,530/Yr)Admission | M.S Data ScienceIELTS6$2.8K/Yr Course duration: 2 years 72+ More Programs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| #13 |  Amsterdam Business School, AmsterdamNorth Holland, Netherlands4%Acceptance Rate | Tuition: $30.4K/Yr (€27,906/Yr)Admission | M.B.AGMAT680TOEFL92$36K/Yr Course duration: 1 year 12+ More Programs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| #14 |  Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM), RotterdamSouth Holland, Netherlands53%Acceptance Rate | Tuition: $23.5K/Yr (€21,585/Yr)Admission | M.S Business Analytics and Manag...GMAT600IELTS7$24.5K/Yr Course duration: 1 year 19+ More Programs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| #15 |  School of Business and Economics, Maastricht University, MaastrichtLimburg, Netherlands47%Acceptance Rate | Tuition: $17.4K/Yr (€15,981/Yr)Admission | M.A Business Intelligence and Sm...GMAT650TOEFL80$18.1K/Yr Course duration: 1 year 26+ More Programs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| #16 |  Maastricht School of Management, MaastrichtLimburg, Netherlands73%Acceptance Rate | Tuition: $23.1K/Yr (€21,160/Yr)Living: $8.9K/Yr (€8,205/Yr)Admission | M.B.AGMAT600TOEFL88PTE59$36K/Yr Course duration: 1 year 9+ More Programs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| #17 |  Breda University of Applied Sciences, BredaNorth Brabant, Netherlands57%Acceptance Rate | Tuition: $2.8K/Yr (€2,565/Yr)Admission | M.B.A ImagineeringIELTS6$2.8K/Yr Course duration: 1 year 17+ More Programs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| #18 |  Royal Academy of Art, The Hague, The HagueSouth Holland, Netherlands69%Acceptance Rate | Tuition: $11.8K/Yr (€10,792/Yr)Admission | M.A Interior Architecture (INSID...IELTS6$11.8K/Yr Course duration: 2 years 11+ More Programs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| #19 |  United International Business Schools, AmsterdamNorth Holland, Netherlands70%Acceptance Rate | Tuition: $39.3K/Yr (€36,085/Yr)Admission | M.A Design ManagementTOEFL79$30.9K/Yr Course duration: 1 year 23+ More Programs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| #20 |  The Hague University of Applied Sciences, The HagueSouth Holland, Netherlands77%Acceptance Rate | Tuition: $13.8K/Yr (€12,623/Yr)Admission | M.B.AGMAT500IELTS6.0$19.7K/Yr Course duration: 1 year 2+ More Programs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| #21 | .jpeg?h=40&w=40&mode=stretch) Nyenrode Business Universiteit, BreukelenUtrecht, Netherlands88%Acceptance Rate | Tuition: $35.3K/Yr (€32,400/Yr)Admission | M.S ManagementIELTS6.5$35.3K/Yr Course duration: 16 months Programs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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