On this page
Why the Netherlands matters for English speakers
The Netherlands has built the most accessible English taught university system in continental Europe. Around a third of bachelor programmes at the 13 research universities are taught fully in English and have been admitting international students for decades. The Dutch academic style sits between the UK and the US, with a tutorial heavy first year, problem based learning at Maastricht and Utrecht University College, and a strong tradition of small group teaching. Dutch graduates carry weight in European labour markets, and the country's central location makes it convenient for families based across the EU and beyond.
For international school leavers, three things matter. The Netherlands accepts the IB Diploma well, with published conversion tables. English language schools deliver the entry requirements for almost all programmes. The Dutch government's one year orientation visa (zoekjaar) gives graduates a year to find work after graduation, which has been a structural advantage for non EU students. For an English speaking student with strong school grades, a Dutch bachelor is a competitive alternative to the UK or the Anglosphere.
The English language policy debate
Dutch universities have admitted such large numbers of international students in the past decade that housing in Amsterdam, Utrecht and Groningen has come under sustained pressure. In response, the Dutch government passed legislation in 2024 to slow the growth of English taught bachelors. The new rules require each new English language bachelor to meet a labour market needs test and require Dutch universities to demonstrate that a defined fraction of teaching remains in Dutch. The legislation has been politically controversial and the implementation continues to evolve in 2026.
For prospective international students, the practical effect is limited in the near term. Existing English bachelors at the major research universities are protected. A small number of programmes have been withdrawn or merged. Capacity caps on international intake have been introduced at some universities, particularly for selective courses like psychology and business administration. The picture for any specific programme should be verified on the university's website before applying. The structural commitment to English taught higher education in the Netherlands remains in place at master's level and in selective bachelors.
The Dutch research universities
There are 13 publicly funded research universities in the Netherlands plus a number of university colleges and applied sciences universities. The ones that matter for international school leavers are below. For each, the English taught bachelor offer is meaningful, the international student community is established, and the academic reputation is strong by European standards. The HBO universities of applied sciences (Hogescholen) offer more vocational bachelors and are a separate route worth considering for students aiming at applied careers.
| University | City | Strongest in | Notable English bachelors |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Amsterdam (UvA) | Amsterdam | Humanities, social sciences, business | PPE, Psychology, Business Administration |
| VU Amsterdam | Amsterdam | Business, economics, life sciences | International Business, Lifestyle Informatics |
| Utrecht University | Utrecht | Sciences, humanities, social sciences | University College Utrecht, Economics and Business |
| Leiden University | Leiden / The Hague | Law, international relations, sciences | International Studies, International Relations |
| Erasmus University Rotterdam | Rotterdam | Economics, business, medicine | International Business Administration, Econometrics |
| Delft University of Technology | Delft | Engineering, computer science | Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science |
| Eindhoven University of Technology | Eindhoven | Engineering, design | Industrial Design, Mechanical Engineering |
| Groningen University | Groningen | Liberal arts, sciences, international law | University College Groningen, IRIO |
| Maastricht University | Maastricht | Business, European studies, problem based learning | European Studies, International Business |
Plan the curriculum and school step now
If the Netherlands is a likely destination, the IB Diploma travels there particularly well. Use the curriculum quiz to confirm the curriculum fit and the school finder to surface schools with strong IB outcomes. The Amsterdam city guide sets out the schools that feed these universities most reliably.
Strong English taught bachelors
The English taught Dutch bachelor catalogue is dominated by economics, business administration, international relations, psychology, social sciences and engineering. The most established programmes are PPE at the UvA, International Business Administration at Erasmus, International Studies at Leiden, European Studies at Maastricht, Industrial Design at Eindhoven, Aerospace Engineering at Delft, and Liberal Arts at one of the three university colleges (Utrecht, Groningen, Maastricht). For sciences, Wageningen offers fully English bachelors in life sciences and food systems. Twente offers strong English bachelors in psychology, business, and engineering.
University colleges are a distinctive Dutch model worth knowing. They are selective, small, residential and broadly liberal arts based. They offer the closest equivalent to a US liberal arts experience in the Netherlands. Class sizes are 15 to 25, teaching is intensive, and the cohort is mostly international. University College Utrecht is the oldest and largest; UC Maastricht, UC Roosevelt and UC Groningen offer similar models. They are not for everyone but for the right student they are an excellent fit.
Tuition and the cost of living
Non EU tuition for English taught bachelors at Dutch research universities in 2026 ranges from EUR 9,000 to 17,000 a year. The lower end applies to humanities and social sciences. The higher end applies to business administration, economics and STEM. University college tuition sits at the upper end of the range. EU and EEA students pay the statutory tuition fee of around EUR 2,500 a year. Tuition is paid by semester. There is no Dutch government loan equivalent for non EU students.
Living costs in Amsterdam run EUR 14,000 to 18,000 a year for a single student in shared accommodation. Utrecht, Leiden, Rotterdam and Groningen are around EUR 11,000 to 14,000. Maastricht is the cheapest, around EUR 10,000 to 12,000. The housing market in Amsterdam is the binding constraint for international students; many first year students live initially in temporary university housing and find shared apartments through tenant agencies. Scholarships exist (the Holland Scholarship offers EUR 5,000 in the first year) but are limited.
Entry from IB, A Levels and AP
Dutch universities accept the IB Diploma, A Levels and AP for direct entry. The IB is the most straightforward, with published conversion tables from each university. Standard offers run 30 IB points for general programmes, 32 to 36 for selective ones, and higher for the most selective (Erasmus Econometrics, Delft Aerospace, UvA Psychology). Subject specific minimums apply to STEM courses. A Levels are accepted at offers of BBB to AAA depending on the programme. AP scores are accepted but typically need to be three to five APs at grade 4 or 5 supported by a strong high school transcript.
English language requirements are usually waived for students from English speaking schools with at least six years of English instruction. Otherwise an IELTS of 6.5 (7.0 for some programmes) or TOEFL iBT 90 (100 for some) is required. Some selective programmes use additional admissions tests; Maastricht does a matching procedure that includes interviews and assignments. The Dutch international school stream piece covers the route for families based in the Netherlands.
When and how to apply via Studielink
Most Dutch universities use the central Studielink portal for application. Students create a Studielink account, list up to four programme choices, and submit supporting documents. Selective programmes (numerus fixus) have a binding deadline in mid January; non selective programmes have a deadline of 1 May for international students. Applications are processed by the universities directly after submission through Studielink. Some programmes run their own additional application portal alongside Studielink for personal statements and additional materials.
The application typically includes the high school transcript, predicted grades, an English language test if needed, and a short motivation letter or personal statement for selective programmes. References are usually not required outside the most selective courses. The Dutch application is significantly less elaborate than the UK personal statement plus reference or the US Common App. Our international school to university guide covers the practical workflow.
FAQ
Are Dutch universities really taught in English?
Yes. Around 30 per cent of bachelor programmes at Dutch research universities are taught fully in English. Almost all master's programmes are in English. The Dutch government has signalled a tightening of this policy from 2025 onwards but most existing English bachelors are protected.
How much do Dutch universities cost an international student?
Non EU tuition for English taught bachelors at Dutch research universities ranges from EUR 9,000 to 17,000 a year. EU students pay the statutory tuition fee of around EUR 2,500. Living costs run EUR 12,000 to 16,000 a year in Amsterdam, slightly less in Utrecht, Leiden and elsewhere.
Do Dutch universities accept the IB and A Levels?
Yes. Dutch universities accept the IB Diploma and A Levels for direct entry, usually with a course specific minimum. The IB Diploma is the most straightforward; the standard offer is 30 to 36 points depending on the programme.