Why Study in Netherlands?

Do you dream of studying in Europe? Holland, also known formally as The Netherlands, is located in the heart of Europe and attracts students from all over the world every year. The Netherlands is becoming one of the most popular countries on the planet for experts, drawing in a record number of international students and young professionals each year. This country offers a diverse environment, vibrant lifestyle, and limitless opportunities.

Kithmini Kawya
University of Tasmania, Australia

“I left a few other options behind and consulted Aspirations Education to get my visa done, because I had incredible confidence upon their student placement process and the transparency of each and every documentation process that followed. Moreover, I was guided through by a professional career guidance and a reliable counseling service in my journey to pursue my future education milestones.”

Offer Programmes in English

The Netherlands is known as the first non-English speaking country in which universities started to design higher education in English to accommodate students coming from abroad. Since the middle of the last century, Dutch universities have offered English-taught undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate programmes, as well as short courses.

Internationally Recognized Degrees

Netherlands has been recognized as a knowledge centre with rich study traditions and well-known universities. Scientific research done at Dutch universities is very highly valued at both the national and international level.

Innovative Education System

The Dutch educational system is interactive and focuses on teamwork, helping international students meet one another. During their studies in Holland, students become open minded specialists with a global outlook and an international orientation.

Multicultural Environment

International students from all over the world come to study in the Netherlands, mostly from Germany, China, Belgium, Italy and Spain. Most Dutch universities have international student associations, which help students throughout their studies. The Netherlands is also a unique non-Anglophone country, where approximately 95% of locals speak English. This factor makes living, studying, and working in the Netherlands very convenient, comfortable and pleasant for international students.

Affordable Study Costs & Living Expenses

The tuition fees and other expenses for those who come to study in Holland are relatively low compared to other European countries. The cost of study programmes for non-EU students in the Netherlands are set freely by universities. The average tuition fee may vary from €8,000 to €20,000 per year (depending on the institution and course).

Holland, Gateway to Europe

Due to its central geographic and economic position in continental Europe, The Netherlands is often described as the gateway to Europe. It takes only about an hour to fly from Amsterdam to Paris, Berlin, Brussels, or London. The Netherlands is also the place where German, British, and French cultures meet. In this technologically advanced country, nearly any household can receive TV programmes from neighboring countries and beyond.

Top Scholarships

Wittenborg University

Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences is offering Twenty (20) €5,000 'Holland Scholarships' to study a bachelor's or master's degree at Wittenborg. The Holland Scholarship is paid to successful students in 10 monthly installments starting the month they commence their studies.

The University Twente

The University Twente Scholarship (UTS) is a scholarship for excellent students from both EU/EEA as well as non-EU/EEA countries, applying for a graduate programme (MSc) at the University of Twente. The students receive between € 3,000 and € 22,000 for one year

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

• Completed Visa application form
• Valid passport
• Two photographs
• Birth certificate
• Academic transcripts
• Official letter from the institution of study in the Netherlands
• Statement of Purpose
• Financial proof for the entire period of study (around 870 EUR/month)
• Travel and health insurance
• Visa application fee
• Photocopies of all the original documents
• Biometric information

Many students choose to work while pursuing their education in the Netherlands. Depending on their nationality, students may work for a limited amount of hours/week with a work permit from their employer. Foreign students (non EU/EEA/Swiss) with a valid residence permit are allowed to work either full-time seasonal work in June, July and August, or part-time work of no more than sixteen hours a week outside the summer period.

According to the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND), students need € 11,000 per year to cover living expenses including accommodation, food, health insurance, and transport costs in the Netherlands. International students who require a visa must have this amount in their bank account in order to start the Entry and Residence Procedure (TEV). Students must also pay the tuition fee for the first study year before it begins.

Requirement of a Provincial Residence Permit, officially known as Machtiging tot Voorlopig Verblijf (MVV). This is also known as the permit to enter the Netherlands. MVV allows entry in the country for a six-month period only, so a mere MVV will not suffice. Hence, VVR.

VVR is permitted for study purposes only and is valid for the duration of the programme the student had enrolled in. There is another condition attached with the validity of VVR. It stays valid provided the student scores 50% of credit throughout the course duration.

Check the application deadline directly with the universities you are interested in because they may vary. The application deadline for most courses: 1st of May and some universities, the application deadline is: 1st of February or the 1st of March. The general recommendation is that you apply in advance so that you will have enough time to arrange your visa.

If you have 5 years of consecutive legal stay in the Netherlands, you may be eligible to apply for a permanent Dutch residence permit. If you studied in the Netherlands, half of that study period will be counted towards the five years. Furthermore, you must have sufficient long-term income, you may not have a criminal record and you need to have passed the civic integration exam, unless an exception applies.