TRA bachelor's at a research university in the Netherlands takes 3 years, and at a university of applied sciences (hogeschool) it takes 4 years. Applications are made through the government's joint platform Studielink. For most bachelor's programs, the deadline is 1 May. For numerus fixus programs with limited places, the deadline is 15 January and there is a selection.
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Nuffic considers a Turkish high school diploma equal to at least HAVO level in the Netherlands. Research universities add further requirements. For 2027/28 entry, Leiden asks for a diploma grade of at least 80 from a general high school (Genel Lise). In the social sciences, the math grade must be above 80 every year. If it is not, an online math exam is required.
A bachelor's at a research university takes three years, at 180 ECTS. At a hogeschool, teaching focuses on putting knowledge into practice, and a bachelor's takes four years. A master's at both types of institution is at least one year, 60 ECTS.
Bachelor's applications are made through the government's joint system, Studielink. For numerus fixus programs with limited places, such as medicine, the deadline for September 2027 entry is 15 January 2027. The general deadline is 1 May, but at UvA the deadline for non-EU students with foreign diplomas is 1 April 2027.
Students from outside the EU can work up to 16 hours a week during term, or only in the summer months. For the residence permit, in 2026 the IND asks university and hogeschool students for living money of at least 1,130.77 euros a month. Universities can ask for a higher amount in their own calculations. Groningen states 1,180 euros a month for 2026.
Graduates can get a zoekjaar permit of up to one year to look for work. You apply for this permit within 3 years after graduation, and the permit cannot be extended.
The universities are the country's top three schools according to the QS World University Rankings 2026.
Examples from current fees for international students, as published on the schools' own pages.
Radboud University estimate, Nijmegen, Nibud 2024 data
€1.130,77
A month-by-month plan for 2027 entry. Official date Our suggestion
Decide on the type of course: a language course or an academic summer school. Read the level and age requirements.
Watch for the publication of the 2027 course calendar and fees.
Apply for the course and request accommodation
After admission, plan your visa and travel
Course periods: in 2026, the UvA Dutch summer course ran in three-week periods in June, July and August. The August period was full.
Narrow down your program list. Check the diploma grade, math and English requirements on the school's page.
Early round deadline for University Colleges (AUC, LUC, UCU)
Studielink deadline for numerus fixus programs
Bachelor's application deadline at UvA for non-EU students with foreign diplomas
Numerus fixus ranking numbers are announced in Studielink
Deadline at Groningen for bachelor's programs without numerus fixus (not the same at every university)
Upload visa documents to the school: the deadline is 1 June at VU and 1 July at Groningen. The school makes the MVV and residence permit application.
Collect the MVV from the consulate and start of classes
Choose programs; prepare the English exam, CV and motivation letter
Deadline at the UvA sample program (MSc Business Administration) for those who will apply for a scholarship
Application deadline for non-EU students at the UvA sample program
Groningen non-EU application deadline for most master's programs (1 March or 1 April for some programs)
Upload visa documents to the school: the deadline is 1 June at VU and 1 July at Groningen
Collect the MVV from the consulate and start of classes
Some programs, such as medicine, have limited places. These are called numerus fixus programs. The Studielink deadline for these programs is 15 January, and you can apply to at most two of them in one year. After this date, universities run their own selection. In 2026, results were announced through Studielink after 15 April.
Last checked: October 2026. Rules and amounts can change. We check the current situation together before you apply.
A bachelor's takes 3 years (180 ECTS) at research universities and 4 years (240 ECTS) at universities of applied sciences. Application and enrolment are made through Studielink, the joint platform for state higher education institutions. For most bachelor's programs the deadline is 1 May, and for numerus fixus programs it is 15 January.
Master's programs take at least 1 year (60 ECTS) at both research universities and universities of applied sciences, and can go up to 2 years depending on the program. Studielink, the joint platform of state institutions, is used for enrolment.
A large part of higher education programs are taught in Dutch. Besides these, more than 1,800 programs are offered fully in English.
The tuition fee paid by non-EU students varies from institution to institution. For example, Inholland states an annual fee of 10,360 euros for international students in bachelor's programs starting in September 2026.
The residence permit for study in the Netherlands is called a temporary residence permit for study purposes (VVR) and is issued by the IND. Inholland states the IND application fee as 243 euros.
Each year, the student must show enough financial means for living costs, tuition and health insurance. For a September 2026 start, Inholland states living costs as 1,100 euros a month, and at least 13,200 euros for the first year.
Non-EU students can work up to 16 hours a week during term with a special work permit obtained by the employer. Full-time work is possible during the summer holiday.
Graduates can get a 'residence permit for orientation year' (zoekjaar hoogopgeleiden) of up to 1 year to look for work. You can apply within 3 years after finishing your studies, and the permit cannot be extended.
The academic year starts on 1 September. Institutions usually work with two semesters, and each institution sets its own term structure.
For 2027/28, Leiden evaluates İmam Hatip, vocational and technical high school diplomas only together with university results. An Open Education High School diploma is reviewed case by case. In this case, you may be advised to start at a hogeschool first.
In the Netherlands, the university makes the MVV and residence permit application on behalf of the student. The student sends the documents and the fee to the school. After approval, the MVV is collected by appointment from the Dutch consulate chosen in the application. According to VU, the passport is handed in and the visa is placed in the passport within 10 working days.
For 2026, the IND asks university and hogeschool students for at least 1,130.77 euros a month. Schools can set their own amount. Groningen gives 14,160 euros for 12 months for 2026. This money is calculated separately from tuition.
You can enrol in at most two numerus fixus programs in one academic year. Universities run their own selection after 15 January. For September 2027 entry, ranking numbers are announced in Studielink after 15 April 2027.
The difference is big, even at the same school. At Erasmus Rotterdam for 2027/28, an economics bachelor's costs a non-EU student 14,700 euros a year and a master's 22,800 euros. At UvA, the amounts for economics and business in the same year are 15,730 and 24,500 euros.
40 subjects, 8 schools. Programmes were checked on the schools’ own websites. Tap a subject to see what you study, what graduates do and the options in other countries.
Bachelor'sIf you don't get the required language test score on time, you may hear a firmer tone (it happened), but in the end you see how hard he worked for you. Thank you so much for everything.
Bachelor'sBerkay is easy to talk to; he really listens. He told me not only the good sides but also what I needed to watch out for.
Bachelor'sBerkay felt like both a consultant and someone I already knew. He was sincere when explaining the process and never brushed off my questions. He is also very driven about moving things forward.
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