What Do You Need to Prepare for Studying in the Netherlands? A Guide to Study Costs and Admission Requirements

Studying in the Netherlands is a popular choice for many students from Hong Kong due to its relatively affordable tuition fees compared to other European countries. However, there are many preparations to make before studying abroad in the Netherlands, such as applying for a visa, arranging insurance, and finding accommodation. 

In the following sections, we will explain the key preparation steps, costs involved, and the application process for Dutch universities, along with their admission requirements.

Source: Student World Online

Before officially starting your studies in the Netherlands, there are several preparation steps to follow. If you plan to enrol in the next academic intake, it is important to do thorough research and allocate enough time to prepare for university applications, finances, and daily living arrangements. Here is a guide to the key preparation steps: 

Learn about the unique features, course details, and admission requirements of universities in the Netherlands. Prepare necessary documents in advance, such as academic transcripts, personal photograph, recommendation letters, and language proficiency certificates. 

Submit the required documents once the university application portal opens, and wait for the admission results. 

Non-EU students studying in the Netherlands for more than three months must apply for a Provisional Residence Permit (MVV) and a Regular Residence Permit (VVR). The application fee is €228. Once you receive your admission letter, you can request the university to assist with the MVV application. After entering the Netherlands, you will need to obtain the VVR from the immigration office or your university within 90 days [1]. 

Non-EU students are required to have health insurance while studying in the Netherlands and must purchase private insurance. However, if you take up part-time work during your studies, you must register for public health insurance with the local government [2]. 

After receiving your university admission letter, apply for on-campus accommodation as early as possible, as availability is limited. Alternatively, you can use local rental websites to find off-campus housing. 

Familiarise yourself with the costs associated with studying in the Netherlands, including tuition fees, accommodation, and living expenses, and ensure you have sufficient funds to cover your entire period of study.

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Tuition fees for local and EU students in the Netherlands are approximately €2,530 per year. However, students from non-EU countries generally pay significantly higher fees. For bachelor's degrees, tuition fees range from €9,000 to €20,000 per year, while master's degrees cost around €12,000 to €30,000 [3]. The exact fees depend on whether the institution is public or private, as well as the subject area and level of study. For example, business or arts-related programmes cost approximately €8,000 per year, science-related courses around €12,000, and medical courses can reach €32,000 annually [4]. Additionally, international students are required to pay an application fee of €75 to €100 at the time of registration [3]. 

For accommodation, students on a budget are advised to opt for university-arranged on-campus housing. Otherwise, renting privately in the local area may cost between €450 and €700 per month [5]. Note that rent may not include utilities, internet fees, and furniture. The exact cost varies depending on the location and rental agreement. 

In addition to tuition and accommodation fees, monthly expenses for food, transportation, shopping, and entertainment range from €800 to €1,100 (approximately HK$6,500 to HK$9,000) [5]. 

Overall, the total annual cost of studying for a bachelor's degree in the Netherlands, including living expenses, ranges from approximately €24,000 to €40,000 (HK$197,400 to HK$329,000). Compared to other European countries, the overall cost of studying in the Netherlands is relatively lower, though actual expenses depend on the type of institution, course, and individual lifestyle.

Source: iStock

The process of applying to study in the Netherlands is relatively straightforward. As long as you keep track of each university’s application and deadline dates and have all your documents ready, you can upload them to the university's system once you receive further instructions. 

Applications for Dutch universities are made via the Studielink system. Each university has a dedicated Studielink application page, though a few institutions use their own internal systems. After registering for a Studielink account, students must fill in the required information and can apply to a maximum of four programmes. Out of these, only two can be Numerus Fixus courses (programmes with limited slots), while the remaining choices must be non-restricted programmes [6]. 

Through Studielink, you do not need to upload any documents during the initial application stage. You only need to submit the application and wait for the university's instructions to upload supporting documents through their system. 

Before preparing your application, you can use the official Study in NL website's StudyFinder tool to explore available programmes, including information on quota restrictions, language requirements, deadlines, and tuition fees. 

If you plan to start in September 2025, most Dutch universities open their application period in October 2024 via Studielink or their own systems. Deadlines are typically in April or May of the following year. However, for Numerus Fixus programmes, the deadline is set for 15 January [7]. 

Since most Dutch universities offer courses taught in English, students must achieve a minimum TOEFL score of 550 in the paper-based test (or 213 in the computer-based test) or an IELTS score of 6.0 or above [8]. Additionally, students need to provide proof of qualifications equivalent to the Dutch VWO, HAVO, or MBO Level 4. 

For research universities, the diploma must be equivalent to the VWO level, while for universities of applied sciences, a HAVO or MBO Level 4 qualification is typically required [9]. 

The Netherlands’ international education organisation, Nuffic, has provided a comparison table for Dutch and Hong Kong diplomas to assist students in preparing their application documents [10]:

The information above provides a general overview of the preparation and application process for studying in the Netherlands. If you still have questions about study costs or admission requirements, feel free to contact us for more detailed guidance. We are happy to support you throughout your application journey.

References:  

1. IND - Student residence permit for university or higher professional education 

https://ind.nl/en/residence-permits/study/student-residence-permit-for-university-or-higher-professional-education#process-and-costs 

2. StudentInsurance.nl - Students from outside the EU/EEA 

https://studentinsurance.nl/health-insurance/students-from-outside-the-eu-eea/ 

3. Study in NL - Tuition fees 

https://www.studyinnl.org/finances/tuition-fees 

4. Study in Holland - Tuition Fees in the Netherlands 

https://studyinholland.co.uk/tuition_fees.html 

5. Study in NL - Daily student expenses and cost of living in the Netherlands 

https://www.studyinnl.org/finances/daily-student-expenses-and-cost-of-living-in-the-netherlands 

6. Times Higher Education - Applying to university in the Netherlands: everything you need to know 

https://www.timeshighereducation.com/counsellor/admissions-processes-and-funding/applying-university-netherlands-everything-you-need 

7. Studielink - Submit enrolment application for 2025-2026 

https://info.studielink.nl/en/news/submit-enrolment-application-for-2025-2026 

8. Study in NL - Admission requirements 

https://www.studyinnl.org/plan-your-stay/admission-requirements 

9. Nuffic - Studying in the Netherlands with a foreign diploma 

https://www.nuffic.nl/en/subjects/diploma/studying-in-the-netherlands-with-a-foreign-diploma 

10. Nuffic - Education systems - Hong Kong 

https://www.nuffic.nl/en/education-systems/hong-kong