Some studies cite over 90% of Dutch residents being able to speak English fluently.
The country is also very diverse and the university system is held in high
regard.
The Netherlands has seen a significant influx of international students in the last
5 years, particularly after Brexit. This has put a strain on finding student
accommodation and increased classroom sizes, often not accompanied with a
proportional increase in the presence of teaching staff.
In fact, the Dutch government is considering a stricter ban on degrees that are
fully English taught. Exceptions will be made regularly but it is yet to be
seen how the university offering will be impacted from 2025/2026.
That is, at the time of writing, that is the earliest any significant restrictions
on English taught courses will come in. That leaves a window of a couple of
academic years for those interested to study in the Netherlands.
We also expect such restrictions to be more prominent across undergraduate
degrees. Even Dutch politicians understand that postgraduate education uses
English as a lingua franca, not just in the Netherlands but worldwide.
The potential impact on teaching standards and research output would just be
too significant.
Nevertheless, the Netherlands is a great option for many students wanting to pursue education in Europe. Either as a standalone target or as a diversification play with
other countries in Europe.
Let’s cover some of the basics.
What makes the Netherlands a popular student destination?
Dutch universities place a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary learning. This means that students are encouraged to take courses from different departments.
This is less common in more rigid university systems such as Germany or Itlay.
Dutch universities are also known for their strong research focus.
Many of the top universities in the Netherlands have world-renowned research institutes, and students often have the opportunity to get involved in cutting-edge research projects.
This is specially the case for postgraduates, but even at the undergraduate level, student access to research is more common here than in other countries.
There are a large number of international students studying in the Netherlands, so international students will not feel alone and they will have access to plenty of activities. Even if they do not speak Dutch.
Dutch universities also offer a lot of flexibility to students. Students can choose their own courses, and they can often take breaks from their studies to work or travel.
Dutch universities have a lot of autonomy, and they are free to develop their own curriculum and teaching methods. This can lead to a more varied and interesting educational experience for students.
The Dutch culture is very tolerant and open-minded. This makes it a great place to study if you want to be exposed to different cultures and ideas.
Studying a minor in the Netherlands
A minor is a secondary subject that you can study alongside your main program for half of an academic year. This is a great way to broaden your knowledge, make connections between different topics, and see your main program from a different perspective.
The Netherlands is one of the few countries in Europe that encourage studying a minor.
You don’t need to worry about choosing a minor when you’re applying for a bachelor’s degree. Applications for minor programs take place only after the first year of university.
The Dutch university education system explained
There are two main types of higher education institutions in the Netherlands: research universities and universities of applied sciences.
Research universities focus on teaching the fundamentals, theory, and methodology of subjects. Bachelor’s programs at research universities typically last three years, with two 20-week academic terms per year. Research universities are seen as far more prestigious since the entry requirements are higher.
Universities of applied sciences (UASs) focus on practical skills and the application of scientific knowledge in a professional setting.
Bachelor’s programs at UASs are typically three or four years long, and often are very geared towards employability. For example, you could study Media and Game Technologies at Breda UAS, Hotel Management at NHL Stenden UAS, or Food Technology at HAS UAS.
They may be a good option depending on the subject of your choice and your present grades. If your grades are high and you wish to study a relatively broad subject (eg. Law or Economics), we would recommend that you attend a research university.
What are the top universities in the Netherlands?
Note that we have only included research universities.
University of Amsterdam (UvA)
The University of Amsterdam is the largest and most prestigious university in the Netherlands.
It was founded in 1632 and has over 37,000 students. The university focus revolves more around social sciences than hard sciences. The university is home to some of the world’s leading researchers, and its alumni include numerous Nobel Prize winners.
Fun fact: The UvA is home to the world’s oldest academic rowing club, the Nereus Boat Club. The club was founded in 1871 and has won numerous international championships.
Utrecht University
Utrecht University is the oldest university in the Netherlands. It was founded in 1636 and has over 30,000 students. Utrecht University is particularly known for its strong research and teaching standards in the fields of law, economics, and medicine. Utrecht is known as a “mini Amsterdam” and provides a very welcoming environment for students.
Fun fact: Utrecht University is home to the world’s oldest academic chocolate factory, the Van Houten Cocoa Factory. The factory was founded in 1828 and is still in operation today.
Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)
Delft University of Technology is a public technical university in Delft, Netherlands. It was founded in 1842 and has over 28,000 students. TU Delft is known for its strong research in the fields of engineering, architecture, and the built environment. While not always featured in the rankings, TU Delft is without a doubt the top engineering school in the Netherlands, as far as reputation is concerned.
Fun fact: TU Delft is the only university in the Netherlands that has its own wind tunnel. The wind tunnel is used to test the aerodynamics of cars, airplanes, and other vehicles.
Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR)
Erasmus University Rotterdam is a public research university in Rotterdam, Netherlands. It was founded in 1913 and has over 30,000 students. Its campus is significantly more modern than other universities in Amsterdam. The university is particularly known for its business and economics departments which are linked to its independent Rotterdam School of Management (RSM). RSM is arguably the most prestigious business school in the Netherlands.
Fun fact: EUR is named after the Dutch humanist Erasmus of Rotterdam. Erasmus was a scholar, theologian, and author who lived in the 16th century. Erasmus scholarships which allow students in select EU universities to pursue exchange programs across the continent are also named after the same Erasmus!
Leiden University
Leiden University is a public research university in Leiden, Netherlands. It was founded in 1575 and has over 29,000 students. Leiden University is the oldest university in the Netherlands, and it is one of the most prestigious universities in the world. It has a strong culture that permeates into the student experience. Leiden is a small town and provides a very quiet environment.
Fun fact: Leiden University is home to the Hortus Botanicus, which is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world. The garden was founded in 1593 and is home to over 12,000 different plant species.
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU)
The Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is a public research university in Amsterdam, Netherlands. It was founded in 1880 and has over 27,000 students. The VU offers a wide range of programs in English, including bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. degrees. The university is known for its strong research in the fields of medicine, science and engineering. It has strong links to industry and places well within Engineering firms.
Fun fact: The VU is home to the VU University Medical Center, which is one of the largest and most prestigious hospitals in the Netherlands. The hospital is a major center for research and treatment in the fields of medicine, surgery, and cancer care.
Maastricht University
Maastricht University is a public research university in Maastricht, Netherlands. It was founded in 1976 and has over 18,000 students. Maastricht University is known for its strong research in the fields of European studies and politics. It is very respected among people working in European and supra-national organisations.
Fun fact: While not their focus, Maastricht University is also home to the Jan van Eyck Academie, which is one of the most prestigious art schools in the Netherlands. The academy is dedicated to training the next generation of artists.
University of Groningen
The University of Groningen is a public research university in Groningen, Netherlands. It was founded in 1614 and has over 37,000 students. Groningen is relatively isolated from the core of the Netherlands, in the northern part of the country. It ranks particularly well in social sciences. It is somewhat less international than most of the other universities in this list.
Fun fact: The University of Groningen is home to the Martini Tower, which is one of the tallest towers in the Netherlands. The tower was built in the 14th century and is a popular tourist destination.
Wageningen University & Research
Wageningen University & Research is a public research university in Wageningen, Netherlands. It was founded in 1876 and has over 30,000 students. Wageningen University & Research is the only university in the Netherlands that specializes in the field of agriculture and environmental sciences.
Fun fact: Wageningen University & Research is home to the World Vegetable Center, which is a leading research institute for vegetables. The center is dedicated to improving the production and consumption of vegetables around the world.
Radboud University Nijmegen
Radboud University Nijmegen is a public research university in Nijmegen, Netherlands. It was founded in 1923 and has over 25,000 students. Radboud University Nijmegen is known for its strong research in the fields of medicine, social sciences, and the humanities.
Fun fact: Radboud University Nijmegen is named after Radboud, the bishop of Utrecht who lived in the 10th century.
How to apply to Dutch universities
The application period for Dutch universities usually opens in October for the following academic year. The deadline for submitting an application varies depending on the type of university, the course, and whether there are any entry restrictions.
For research universities, the deadline for most courses is May 1st for EU citizens and April 1st for non-EU citizens. However, some universities have their own deadlines, so it is important to check with the university you are interested in.
For courses with Numerus Fixus, the deadline is usually January 15th. Numerus Fixus is a system that limits the number of students who can be admitted to certain popular courses.
University Colleges are much smaller institutions with much clearer limits to student numbers. As all students are required to live on campus there is a physical limit to the number of students they can recruit. The application process for University Colleges is different from that of research universities. Applicants to University Colleges may be required to attend an interview in person.
Dutch universities usually make conditional offers on the students passing their relevant qualification, rather than requiring a specific grade.
If you are applying to a course without Numerus Fixus, you may receive an offer within four weeks of applying. If your course is subject to Numerus Fixus, you may have to wait until the application deadline before the selection process can even start.
Courses with Numerus Fixus are far more competitive and may involve additional steps, such as online exams. On the other hands, courses without numerus fixus virtually guarantee admission as long as requirements are met.
Dutch degrees have a probationary period in the first year of study, during which students can be asked to leave if they are not performing well.
Until recently, it was free to apply to Dutch universities. However, some universities now charge a fee of €100 per application. This fee is waived for students with Dutch qualifications or for Dutch nationals.
Application is typically though the Studielink website. It is similar to UCAS in the UK, in a low of ways. Students can apply to 4 courses at the same time.
What if the Netherlands isn’t for me?