Scholarships in Netherlands: Types, Amount & Application Process

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Netherlands is a popular destination for international students, offering a wide range of high-quality degree programs. The average tuition fee for a bachelors program in Netherlands is between 6,000-15,000 EUR (5-13 lakhs INR), and for masters between 8,000-20,000 EUR (7-17 lakhs INR). Some Dutch universities also charge an application fee for international students. These fees typically range from 75-100 EUR (6,000-8,000 INR).

While tuition fees for non-EEA students are higher than for Dutch students, there are a number of scholarships and grants available to international students studying in Netherlands. These are offered by a variety of organizations, including the Dutch government, universities, and private foundations. According to a recent study, 84% of international students in Netherlands receive some form of financial aid.

Despite the costs associated with studying in Netherlands, it is still a relatively affordable option compared to some other popular study-abroad destinations, such as USA, Canada, Australia, and UK. Additionally, the quality of education in Netherlands is very high, and graduates are in high demand in the international job market.

Scholarships for International Students in Netherlands

According to a recent report for international cooperation in higher education, there are over 800 scholarships for international students in Netherlands each year. The value of these Dutch scholarships is typically between 5,000 and 20,000 EUR per year. Some are fully-funded scholarships in Netherlands for international students, while others cover only a portion of tuition costs. There are also a number of scholarships that provide additional benefits, such as housing, travel, and living expenses. A few major Netherlands scholarships for Indian students are as follows:

Netherlands Government Scholarship

Scholarship	Eligibility	Amount/Benefits
Erasmus+	Student or recent graduate from a higher education institution	Varies depending upon the program applied for and country of origin of the student
NL Scholarship	Enrolled in a full-time bachelors or masters program at Dutch Universities	5,000 EUR paid in the first year of program

University Scholarships for International Students in Netherlands

Scholarship	Eligibility	Awarding University	Amount/Benefits
ArtEZ Scholarship	International students enrolled in ArtEZ' full-time Bachelors or Masters course	ArtEZ University of the Arts	5,000 EUR per year
Utrecht Excellence Scholarship	International students \| Must belong to the top 10% of the graduating class	Utrecht University	Covers full tuition
University Of Twente Scholarship (UTS)	International students enrolled in graduate programs (MSc) at the University	University of Twente	3,000-22,000 EUR for one year
Maastricht University NL-High Potential scholarship	International students enrolled in full-time master programs	Maastricht University	30,000 EUR (including tuition fee waiver and monthly stipend) each academic year
Radboud Scholarship Programme	Talented, highly motivated, non-EEA students with outstanding study results	Radboud University Nijmegen	Students will pay a tuition fee of only 2,530 EUR instead of 17,000 EUR \| Also covers costs for visa, residence permit, health insurance and liability insurance
Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS)	International students enrolled in full-time master programs \| Good academic record	Leiden University	10,000 to 15,000 EUR for tuition fee
Amsterdam Merit Scholarship (AMS)	International students enrolled a degree program at the university	University of Amsterdam	25,000 EUR
Eric Bleumink Fund	International students enrolled a masters degree program at the university \| Excellent academic performance	University of Groningen	Covers tuition fee, costs of international travel, subsistence, books, and health insurance
Justus & Louise van Effen Excellence Scholarships	International students enrolled in one of the 2-year regular MS programs \| Have a cumulative GPA of 80% or higher	Delft University of Technology	Full tuition fees per year

Work While Study in Netherlands

If you are an international student wishing to work while studying in Netherlands, there are various rules, regulations and procedures to be aware of. Given below are some key points to keep in mind:

Work Restrictions for International Students: If you do not belong to the EU/EEA or Switzerland, certain restrictions apply when it comes to working alongside your studies. To engage in employment, your employer must provide you with a personal work permit.
Maximum Working Hours: With the required work permit for Netherlands, you can work a maximum of 16 hours per week throughout the year. However, during the months of June, July, and August, you can work full-time.
Work Permit Application Process: Your employer is responsible for applying for your work permit at least 5 weeks before your employment begins. The application is free of charge, but it is important to ensure the timely submission of the application to avoid any problems. You can also read about working in Netherlands after graduation!
Internships: If you are enrolled in one of the Dutch universities and plan to undertake an internship relevant to or part of your degree program, you do not require a separate work permit. Instead, a signed internship agreement involving your host institution, internship employer, and yourself is required.
Self-Employed Work: If you wish to work on a self-employed basis while pursuing your studies, you are permitted to do so in Netherlands. There is no limit on the number of hours you can work as a self-employed individual. Importantly, no additional work permit is needed.

More than 1,000 scholarships and grants are awarded to international students coming to study in Netherlands. Students are also provided interest free loans to fund their education. According to the latest data, there has been a significant increase in the number of students coming to study in Netherlands. The country is currently home to 122,000+ students from over 160 countries, making up approximately 12% of the overall student body. Quality education combined with affordability makes Netherlands one of the most lucrative locations to study abroad