Tuition Fees: How Much Does It Cost To Study in the Netherlands?
There are tuition fees for studying in the Netherlands. The so-called wettelijk collegegeld (“statutory tuition fees”) are set annually by law for all public universities in the country. In the 2024/25 academic year, tuition fees for all EU students studying full-time at a public university in the Netherlands amounted to €2,601 per year.
Over two thousand euros per year for a degree – that sounds like a lot at first, but as a student in the Netherlands, you can see exactly where the money goes and actively benefit from it. Dutch universities are always up to date and equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. When studying in the Netherlands, you really notice that universities are meant to be inspiring places of learning: There are inviting seating areas everywhere, workspaces for groups and individuals, freely accessible PCs, and libraries with extensive opening hours. The student-to-faculty ratio at Dutch universities is also very good. You will usually study in a group of no more than 20 students. Standing in a lecture because all the seats are taken? That doesn't happen in the Netherlands!
In addition to the state-set tuition fees, state universities also charge a so-called instellingscollegegeld (“institutional tuition fee”). This is charged, for example, if you already have a Dutch degree, are 30 years of age or older, or come from outside the EU/EEA and want to study in the Netherlands. As the name suggests, this fee is set by the universities themselves, which is why it can vary depending on the institution and degree program. However, it is at least as high as the state-set tuition fees, but usually higher. As a rough guide, you can expect costs between €6,000 and €22,000 per year.
At private universities, a bachelor's degree costs between €6,000 and €15,000 per year and a master's degree between €8,000 and €25,000 per year, regardless of where you come from.
Studying in the Netherlands is not the cheapest destination in Europe for studying abroad, but it offers excellent value for money – especially when compared to popular countries such as Australia, Great Britain or the USA and given the high quality of education you can expect there.
If you want to study in the Netherlands, you should bear in mind the living costs in addition to the tuition fees. Students report spending between €800 and €1,400 per month. However, the actual costs depend heavily on the place of study, lifestyle, and living situation. Thriving cities such as Amsterdam or Rotterdam are among the most destinations in the Netherlands.
One way to study in the Netherlands more cheaply is to not opt for a full bachelor's or master's degree, but instead to spend a semester abroad in the Netherlands. If you only study in the Netherlands for a shorter period of time, you will automatically have lower living and accommodation costs. If you choose an Erasmus partner university of your home university for your semester abroad in the Netherlands, you will also be completely exempt from tuition fees. You can find out more about the various external financing options for international students in the next section. Your dream of studying abroad in the Netherlands should not be thwarted by slightly higher tuition fees or living costs! Contact the International Office at your university to find out more about the options for studying in the Netherlands as part of a semester abroad.