Netherlands • 2026/27 planning

Study in the Netherlands with a plan built around your profile.

From programme selection and university applications to Studielink, admission conditions, housing planning and the Dutch student residence process — build the route before you book the flight.

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Bachelor’s

Master’s

PhD / Research

Student Residence

The Netherlands advantage

International, English-taught and career-oriented.

✓

Wide range of English-taught programmes

✓

Research universities + universities of applied sciences

✓

Clear application ecosystem around institutions and Studielink

✓

One-year orientation-year route for eligible graduates

English-taught

Large international programme choice

€1,130.77

2026 monthly study norm

16 hrs/week

Student work route with TWV

1 year

Orientation-year permit, if eligible

Choose your route

Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD — the entry logic changes.

Dutch institutions set their own admission requirements. The right strategy starts with the exact programme, not a generic country checklist.

01Profile dependent

Bachelor’s

Choose between research-university and university-of-applied-sciences routes, then match your Indian school qualification to the programme’s exact entry standard.

✓Academic qualification is assessed by the institution and can depend on your diploma, subjects, grades and the chosen programme.
✓English-taught programmes normally require accepted English-language evidence and a programme-specific score.
✓Numerus-fixus programmes can have an earlier selection deadline, commonly 15 January.
✓Regular programmes often use 1 May as a general Study in NL reference point, but the exact institution/programme deadline controls.

02Profile dependent

Master’s

A relevant bachelor’s degree is normally the starting point, with the university checking academic fit, credits, subject prerequisites and language.

✓Your bachelor’s curriculum matters: title alone does not guarantee eligibility.
✓Universities may require specific prerequisite subjects, minimum GPA/grade levels or a particular number of ECTS in a field.
✓English-language proof and programme-specific documents can include CV, motivation letter, references, portfolio or tests.
✓Some programmes are highly selective and should be planned well before the deadline.

03Profile dependent

PhD / Research

Doctoral study is research-led and usually requires a strong academic profile, research fit and a suitable doctoral opportunity or supervisor.

✓A research proposal, academic CV and publications can be relevant depending on the position.
✓Many Dutch PhD opportunities are structured as research positions rather than conventional taught degrees.
✓Supervisor, faculty and funding arrangements are central to the application.
✓Residence and employment arrangements depend on the specific doctoral appointment or route.

Important

There is no single Netherlands-wide percentage rule.

The institution and programme decide admission requirements. For Indian qualifications, the selected university may assess diploma level, subjects, grades and other academic evidence before deciding eligibility.

Check My Profile

University strategy

Business, economics, social sciences, health and internationally oriented research.

Official university website →

Research universities

Academic & research-led

Strong fit for research-oriented study, academic progression and university-led programmes.

Universities of applied sciences

Professional & applied

More professionally oriented higher education routes with practical learning components.

Our approach

Fit before fame

A famous university is not automatically the right university. We compare the programme against the student's actual profile.

How Dutch higher education works

Research university or university of applied sciences?

The Netherlands has different higher-education routes. Your degree goal, academic profile and career plan should determine the route — not just the university's ranking.

Academic and research-led

Research university (WO)

A strong fit for academic progression, research-intensive study and programmes built around theoretical depth.

✓Research-focused curriculum
✓Strong academic progression
✓Programme-specific entry criteria

Professional and applied

University of applied sciences (HBO)

A professionally oriented route with practical learning and strong links to applied work and industry.

✓Applied learning
✓Professional orientation
✓Institution-specific entry rules

Fit before fame

Your profile decides

The right institution depends on the exact programme, qualification equivalence, subjects, grades, language and long-term goal.

✓Academic eligibility
✓Career objective
✓Budget + location

Admissions

A clean Netherlands application workflow.

Most applicants interact with both Studielink and the institution's own admissions environment, depending on the programme.

Profile evaluation

Review academics, subjects, English level, budget, intake and target field.

Programme shortlist

Compare research universities, universities of applied sciences and programme-specific entry rules.

Eligibility check

Match your Indian qualification against the institution's official requirements.

Application plan

Create the Studielink/institution checklist and programme-specific document set.

Application submission

Submit through Studielink where required and complete the institution portal steps.

Offer & conditions

Track conditional/unconditional admission and complete outstanding conditions.

Finance & housing

Plan tuition, living funds, insurance and housing before the residence process.

Residence process

The recognised educational institution submits the student residence application to IND.

Pre-departure

Prepare travel, accommodation, registration and arrival documents.

Studielink

Start with the correct application route.

Studielink is the official registration and application portal used by many Dutch higher education institutions. Not every institution or programme uses it in exactly the same way, so check the institution first.

Check the programme

Confirm language, entry criteria, intake and exact deadline.

Create / use Studielink

Complete the institution portal

Upload the requested documents and complete selection steps.

Track conditions

Monitor email and portal messages until admission is complete.

Deadline planning

Never build your plan around one generic date.

Study in NL lists 15 January for numerus-fixus programmes and 1 May for other study programmes as general deadlines. Always verify the selected institution and programme.

Phase 1

12–18 months before

Direction & profile

✓Choose field and degree level

✓Audit academics

✓Estimate budget

✓Start English preparation

Phase 2

9–12 months before

Programme shortlist

✓Compare universities

✓Check entry requirements

✓Identify numerus-fixus options

✓Plan documents

Phase 3

6–9 months before

Application preparation

✓Prepare SOP/motivation

✓Request references if required

✓Prepare certified/official records

✓Create application accounts

Phase 4

3–6 months before

Submission & decisions

✓Submit through Studielink where required

✓Complete institution portals

✓Track conditions

✓Respond to university requests

Phase 5

1–3 months before

Residence & departure

✓Complete university residence process

✓Arrange housing

✓Arrange insurance

✓Prepare travel and arrival documents

Numerus fixus: Study in NL says 15 January is the general deadline for numerus-fixus applications. For most other programmes it gives 1 May as a general deadline, but the institution's own deadline can differ. Do not submit based on a generic date without checking the official programme page.

Residence & visa

Student residence & visa: the university drives the process.

For university or HBO study, an IND-recognised educational institution applies for the student residence permit. If an MVV is required, the institution can handle the MVV and residence application together.

Recognised sponsor

The institution must be an IND-recognised sponsor and the programme must meet the accreditation and study requirements.

Financial requirement

For 2026, the study norm for university/HBO is €1,130.77 per month. You normally need to demonstrate funds for 12 months.

Progress requirement

Students must make sufficient academic progress. IND states that at least 50% of the credits for each study year must be obtained, subject to the rules and good-reason assessment.

2026 financial benchmark

€1,130.77 / month

IND's 2026 study amount for university and higher professional education. It is a living/study-residence requirement and does not include tuition fees.

Residence application fee

€254

Current 2026 IND study residence application fee. The educational institution handles the application/payment process.

Student work

Work is possible — but conditions matter.

A student with a study residence permit can work for an employer when the required TWV is in place. The standard route allows up to 16 hours per week or full-time during June, July and August.

Do not budget your education on the assumption that part-time work will cover your full tuition and living costs.

After graduation

Orientation year

Eligible graduates can apply for a one-year orientation-year residence permit to look for work or start a business. The permit itself cannot be extended; a qualifying graduate can move to another residence route if they meet its requirements.

Check IND orientation-year rules →

Residence-readiness checklist

Admission is not the final step.

After an offer, the recognised educational institution coordinates the student residence application. Keep your passport, admission/registration evidence, financial proof, insurance arrangements and requested institutional documents organised for the residence process.

Check IND rules →

Budget

Build the budget before choosing the city.

Tuition is only one part of the Netherlands plan. Your budget should combine tuition, living funds, housing, insurance, travel, application costs and residence-related expenses.

Tuition

Non-EEA tuition is institution- and programme-specific. Study in NL currently gives average ranges of €9k–€20k for bachelor's and €12k–€30k for master's.

Living funds

IND's 2026 study norm for university/HBO is €1,130.77 per month, excluding tuition.

Housing

The national Study in NL portal warns of a severe housing shortage. Start early and beware of scams.

Other costs

Residence fees, insurance, travel, books, application/handling fees and personal expenses are separate.

Important: the statutory €2,694 tuition fee for 2026–27 applies to eligible EU/EEA/Swiss/Surinam students under the statutory-fee conditions. Indian students generally fall under non-EEA tuition and should check the exact fee for their programme.

Scholarships

Funding options exist, but plan as if you need your own budget.

Scholarships are competitive and usually have their own deadlines, eligibility rules and application process.

NL Scholarship

€5,000 first year

Available for eligible non-EEA students at participating institutions. Study in NL states that it is not a full-tuition scholarship.

Official scholarship information →

University awards

Institution-specific

Universities can have their own scholarships, tuition reductions or faculty-specific funding. Eligibility varies by programme and profile.

Planning rule

Scholarship ≠ guaranteed funding

Keep the admission and residence financial plan viable without assuming that a scholarship will arrive.

Documents

Document control can make or break an application.

The exact list changes by programme, but a disciplined document system prevents avoidable inconsistencies.

Identity

Passport, passport-size photo where required, and personal details.

Academic

Class 10/12 records for bachelor's routes; bachelor's transcript and degree for master's; research credentials for PhD routes.

Language

Accepted English-language test evidence where required; programme-specific score.

Application

Motivation letter/SOP, CV, references, portfolio or tests where the programme asks for them.

Financial

Evidence needed for tuition planning and the IND study-funds process.

Residence

Documents requested by the recognised sponsor/university for the residence application.

Consistency

Names, dates and programme details should remain consistent across documents.

Official records

Use the version and format requested by the university or institution.

Translation / legalisation

If a programme or authority asks for translated or legalised records, follow that exact instruction.

Application fees

€75–€100 where charged

Some non-EEA applicants pay an institutional application or handling fee. It varies by institution and programme.

English proof

Programme-specific

Check the accepted test, minimum score and any exemption directly on the selected programme page.

Financial planning

Tuition + living + housing

Keep the residence financial requirement separate from tuition and your real housing/living budget.

Housing

Treat accommodation as an admission-stage task.

The Netherlands has a severe housing shortage. Study in NL explicitly advises students to arrange housing as soon as possible and before arriving.

Start early

Begin immediately after you have a realistic programme shortlist and intake plan.

Check university options

Some institutions have housing support or limited on-campus arrangements.

Verify the landlord

Study in NL warns students to be aware of scams and suspicious payment requests.

Confirm the contract

Understand rent, bills, deposit, registration and cancellation conditions before paying.

Never transfer a large housing payment simply because someone says a room is “reserved.” Verify the property, contract and payment arrangement first.

Common mistakes

Avoid the errors that create unnecessary delays.

A strong application is not just about submitting more documents. It is about submitting the right documents, to the right programme, at the right time.

Treating 15 January or 1 May as universal deadlines without checking the selected programme.

Assuming an Indian Class 12 percentage automatically guarantees admission.

Selecting a master’s programme without checking subject and ECTS prerequisites.

Submitting an English score without checking the programme's minimum and accepted test list.

Ignoring numerus-fixus selection rules.

Waiting until the admission decision to start looking for accommodation.

Budgeting only for tuition and forgetting the separate IND living-funds requirement.

Assuming a student residence permit gives unrestricted employee work rights.

Using an unofficial or outdated university requirement page.

Uploading inconsistent versions of transcripts, passports and other academic records.

Universe Visa Solutions

Netherlands planning without guesswork.

We help you structure your programme shortlist, application documents, university process and student-visa readiness around your actual profile.

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What we help you control

✓Programme and university shortlist

✓Eligibility and academic document review

✓Application workflow and deadline planning

✓Admission-document preparation

✓Residence / visa document readiness

✓Pre-departure checklist

Packages

Netherlands assistance packages.

Clear pricing structure, with third-party university, government and other external charges kept separate.

Admissions01

University Admission Package

Netherlands

₹59,000

Including applicable taxes

₹0 advance

Payment after receiving an offer letter.

✓Profile and programme strategy
✓University shortlist
✓Application workflow
✓Document coordination
✓Application tracking

University application fees, handling fees, courier charges and other third-party/student-side costs are separate where applicable.

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Visa02

Visa Assistance

Netherlands

₹35,000

Including applicable taxes

₹0 advance

Payment after visa approval.

✓Residence document checklist
✓Financial-document organization
✓University/IND process guidance
✓Submission-readiness review
✓Pre-departure document check

IND fees, insurance, university charges, travel and other third-party costs are separate.

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General Consultation

Netherlands

Profile-first guidance

A focused consultation for students who want to understand eligibility, programme options, budget, intake planning and the best next step.

General Consultation | Netherlands

Choose this if you are still deciding your route.

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FAQs

Netherlands study questions, answered clearly.

Rules can change and programme-level requirements always control, so use these answers as a planning framework and verify the final requirement with the official source.

Q1What are the main intakes in the Netherlands?+

September is the major intake for many programmes. Some institutions and programmes also offer a February intake. The exact intake availability is programme-specific, so applicants should check the selected university rather than assume that every programme has two intakes.

Q2Is 15 January the deadline for every Dutch university?+

No. Study in NL gives 15 January as the general deadline for numerus-fixus programmes and 1 May as a general reference deadline for other programmes. The institution and programme can set different dates, so the official programme page is the final authority.

Q3Can Indian students apply after Class 12?+

Potentially, depending on the programme and the institution's assessment of the Indian qualification. Dutch institutions set admission requirements and may use Nuffic guidance when assessing foreign qualifications. There is no single Netherlands-wide Class 12 percentage rule for every programme.

Q4Is IELTS mandatory?+

For English-taught programmes, institutions generally require proof of English proficiency and commonly accept tests such as IELTS, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge English, Pearson or other listed tests. The exact accepted test and score are programme-specific.

Q5Can I study in English in the Netherlands?+

Yes. The Netherlands has a wide range of English-taught programmes, particularly at master’s level and also across many bachelor’s programmes. Always verify the exact language of instruction on the official programme page.

Q6How much is tuition for Indian students?+

Indian students are normally non-EEA students and therefore usually pay the institution's non-EEA tuition rate. Study in NL currently gives average ranges of about €9,000–€20,000 for bachelor's and €12,000–€30,000 for master's, but the actual programme fee can be outside these ranges.

Q7What is the 2026 living-funds requirement?+

For university and higher professional education, the 2026 IND study amount is €1,130.77 per month. This is a residence-permit financial requirement and does not include tuition.

Q8Can students work while studying?+

Yes, but paid employment has conditions. For students with a study residence permit, an employer generally needs a TWV work permit, and the student may work up to 16 hours per week or full-time in June, July and August.

Q9Does the university apply for my student residence permit?+

For university or HBO study, the educational institution applies for the student residence permit. It must be an IND-recognised sponsor and the programme must meet the relevant requirements.

Q10What is the IND application fee?+

The current 2026 fee shown by IND for a study residence permit is €254. The educational institution handles the application and payment process with the student.

Q11Do I need an MVV?+

For applicants who require an entry visa for the Netherlands, the recognised educational institution can apply for the MVV and residence permit together. The exact process depends on nationality and circumstances.

Q12What is numerus fixus?+

Numerus fixus means that a programme has a limited number of available places. If applications exceed capacity, the institution uses a selection procedure. Study in NL lists 15 January as the general deadline for numerus-fixus applications through Studielink.

Q13Is housing easy to find?+

No. Study in NL warns of a severe housing shortage and advises international students to start arranging accommodation as early as possible, ideally before arrival.

Q14Can I stay in the Netherlands after graduation?+

Graduates can, where eligible, apply for the one-year orientation-year residence permit to look for work or start a business. The permit is valid for one year and cannot itself be extended.

Q15Is the orientation year automatic after any foreign bachelor’s degree?+

No. The IND rules distinguish Dutch study, qualifying research and certain foreign qualifications. A foreign bachelor's degree alone does not qualify for the orientation year under the route described by IND; a qualifying foreign master's/doctoral route may qualify subject to additional requirements.

Q16Are scholarships available for Indian students?+

The NL Scholarship is available to eligible non-EEA students at participating institutions and is currently €5,000 for the first year. It is not a full-tuition scholarship and institution-specific conditions apply.

Ready when you are

Let's build your Netherlands application plan.

Start with your profile. We'll map the programme, university, timeline and next steps around your actual case.

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Official source directory

Use primary sources for final checks.

Admissions and immigration rules can change. Before submitting an application, verify the selected programme and current IND requirements.

Study in NL

Official national starting point for international students.

Study in NL — How to apply

Studielink, deadlines and numerus-fixus guidance.

Study in NL — Admission requirements

Qualification and language guidance.

Study in NL — Tuition fees

2026–27 statutory fee and non-EEA tuition guidance.

IND — Student residence permit

Residence requirements and sponsor process.

IND — Required amounts

2026 study-funds requirement.

IND — Fees

Current residence application fees.

IND — Orientation year

Post-study orientation-year rules.

Universe Visa Solutions

Study abroad • admissions • visa assistance

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Information on this page is for guidance and planning. University admission, tuition, residence and immigration outcomes depend on the current rules of the selected institution and Dutch authorities.