Low Tuition Universities in Netherlands, Admission Requirements and Essential Information for International Students

Do you want to study in a country with low tuition fees and living costs? Study in Netherlands.

Netherlands is one of the most sought-after destinations for international students. Higher education in the Netherlands is known for its high quality and its international study environment.

This article will highlight the higher education system in Netherlands, tuition fees, living costs,admission requirements and lists of low tuition universities in Netherlands

But first, let take a brief introduction to Netherlands

About Netherlands

The Netherlands, also informally known as Holland is located in northwestern Europe, bordering Germany and Belgium. The country is home to around 17.6 million people, and has a large international population. A founding member of many international and intergovernmental organisations

The Netherlands uses the Euro (€) as its currency. The national language of the Netherlands is Dutch.

Higher Education System

The Netherlands offers bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD degrees:

Bachelor’s Degree: bachelor’s degree program in the Netherlands requires 3 years of study (180 credits). Graduates obtain a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science (BA/BSc) degree, depending on the discipline. A bachelor’s degree program offered by universities of applied sciences requires 4 years of study (240 credits). The degree indicates the field of study (for example, Bachelor of Engineering, B Eng).

Master Degree: master’s program in the Netherlands lasts at least one year (60 credits), ranging from 1,5 to 4 years (90-240 credits). Graduates obtain a Master of Arts or Master of Science (MA/MSc) degree. A master’s in the Netherlands awarded in the applied arts and sciences requires the completion of 60-120 credits. Students then graduate with one of the following degrees: Master of Arts (MA), Science (MSc), Business Administration (MBA), Social Work (MSW), or Education (Med).

PhD: PhDs are four-year doctorate programmes covering a specific field of theoretical knowledge involving research and writing a thesis.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees depend on the institution and your nationality. For bachelor’s programs, prices for EU students range from €1,000–2,500 per year, and EU students can access the same student financing options as Dutch students. Tuition fees for non-EU students range from €6,000 to €15,000 per year.

For EU master’s programs, the costs are comparable to bachelor programs, ranging from €1,000–2,500 per year, with similar student financing options to Dutch students. Non-EU master’s students pay a higher yearly rate of between €8,000–20,000 per year, depending on the institution. Tuition at both levels is usually charged on a semester basis, just prior to the start of the semester. Your institution will advise you on the best payment methods.

Living Costs

Your living costs will depend on where you live in the Netherlands. The bigger cities will be more expensive than the smaller cities and towns.

Accommodation Costs:

The accommodation has the biggest chunk of the living cost in Netherlands for international students. Living expenses in Netherlands for students vary from city to city and your preferred lifestyles.

In general, you will find accommodation between Euro 300-500 per month. Rent in major cities like Amsterdam can be around Euro 500 or higher per month. The student generally rents a single apartment, shares a rented apartment, or has student houses.

Renting a single apartment (studio): 500 – 1,000 EUR/month
Sharing a rented apartment: 400 – 700 EUR/month
Student houses: 350 – 600 EUR/month

Food Costs:

Most higher education institutions offer hot meals at reasonable prices. All cities have pubs (called eetcafés) where you can get a good meal at a good price. In the bigger cities you will find lots of foreign restaurants. But the cheapest way to eat is to do your own cooking.

Some average prices:

a cup of coffee/tea in a café: € 3,00
a cheese sandwich: € 4,00
dinner in a typical student restaurant: € 12,50

Transportation Costs:

The country has a broad public transport system, including buses, metros trams, etc., that run throughout the city. On average, a student’s travel cost would be around 88 EUR (INR 7,800) per month. It also varies depending upon the distance between your location and the university. Apart from it, you can rent a bike in town, as it is a cheap mode of transportation. In addition, there are student discounts that you can get while using these public transports by showing your student I-Card.

Admission Requirements

The requirements will change with the Universities and courses you choose. However, the following documents are generally required:

• A valid passport

• Academic transcripts

• Passport photographs

• To prove your English Language abilities you will be asked to give English Language tests such as IELTS, TOEFL etc.

• Standardized entrance exams such as GRE, GMAT etc(if required)

• Letter of Recommendation

• Statement of purpose

• Resume/ Curriculum Vitae

• Portfolio (if required)

Sample of academic written work