The Netherlands runs more than 2,100 English-taught bachelor’s and master’s programmes, which is one of the highest counts outside the English-speaking world. You do not need Dutch to study or live there comfortably since most of the population speaks fluent English.
Dutch universities also rank consistently well in global tables. Institutions like Delft University of Technology, the University of Amsterdam, Wageningen University, and Leiden University regularly appear in the global top 100, which matters when you are explaining your degree choice to employers back home.
There is also a practical advantage South Asian students often underestimate. The Netherlands sits at the centre of Europe, so weekend access to Germany, Belgium, and France is part of daily student life rather than a special trip.
Studyinfo Tip: Do not pick the Netherlands because it sounds easier than the UK or Canada. Pick it because the programme fits your goals. We have seen students switch destinations mid-application after realising they chose based on rumours rather than research.
Best Universities and Courses to Consider
Dutch higher education splits into two tracks. Research universities (WO) focus on academic and theoretical study, while universities of applied sciences (HBO) lean practical and career-focused. Both are respected, but they suit different students.
| University | Known For | Track |
|---|---|---|
| Delft University of Technology | Engineering, technology | WO |
| University of Amsterdam | Social sciences, business, humanities | WO |
| Wageningen University | Agriculture, environmental science | WO |
| Erasmus University Rotterdam | Business, economics, law | WO |
| Leiden University | Law, international relations | WO |
If your background is more vocational or you want a faster route into the job market, universities of applied sciences such as Inholland or The Hague University of Applied Sciences run strong English-taught HBO programmes with built-in internships.
Studyinfo Tip: South Asian students with engineering or business backgrounds tend to do well at HBO institutions because the practical, project-based teaching style closely matches how many of you were taught at home. Do not assume a research university is automatically the better choice.
Tuition Fees and Cost of Living: What South Asian Students Should Budget For
Non-EU students pay institutional tuition fees, which generally range from €6,000 to €25,000 per year depending on the programme and university. Engineering, business, and specialised master’s programmes sit at the higher end, while many bachelor’s programmes at applied sciences universities sit lower.
Living costs add another €800 to €1,200 per month depending on the city. Amsterdam and Rotterdam run more expensive than smaller cities like Groningen, Enschede, or Nijmegen, so your choice of city affects your budget as much as your choice of university.
For your visa application, the Dutch immigration service requires proof you can cover roughly €1,094 to €1,225 per month for a full year, which works out to around €13,000 to €14,700 in total financial proof on top of tuition. This figure is reviewed annually, so always confirm the current amount on the official IND website before you apply.
Housing is the part most students underestimate. Dutch student cities have genuine housing shortages, and securing a room often takes more effort than the visa process itself. Apply for university housing the moment you accept your offer rather than waiting until your visa is approved.
The Dutch Student Visa Process for South Asian Applicants
The Dutch system works differently from the UK or Canada in one important way. You do not apply for your visa yourself. Your university applies on your behalf once you accept your offer and pay your deposit, which removes a layer of stress but also means your timeline depends on how fast your university’s international office moves.
The process combines two permits applied for together, an entry visa called the MVV and a residence permit called the VVR, through a procedure known as TEV.
- Get accepted into a programme at a recognised Dutch institution.
- Submit your documents, including academic transcripts, passport, proof of funds, and health insurance, to your university’s international office.
- Your university submits the application to the IND on your behalf.
- Once approved, collect your MVV from the Dutch embassy or visa application centre in your home country.
- Travel to the Netherlands, register with the local municipality, and collect your VVR residence card.
Processing typically takes 4 to 8 weeks once your university submits the file, so submit your documents early rather than near the deadline. Indian applicants collect their MVV through a visa application centre, while Bangladeshi and Nepali applicants should expect additional document verification, which means starting the process even earlier is worth it.
Scholarships and Funding Options for South Asian Students
Funding is where most South Asian students lose the most time, mainly because they apply too late. Scholarship deadlines often fall months before the university application deadline, not after.
The Holland Scholarship (sometimes listed as the NL Scholarship) offers a one-time €5,000 grant to non-EEA students starting a bachelor’s or master’s degree at a participating institution. It is not a full ride, but it meaningfully reduces your first-year cost.
The Orange Tulip Scholarship, managed by Nuffic through its NESO offices, is specifically available to students from select countries, including India. Award values vary enormously by university, from partial waivers of €2,000 to full tuition coverage with a living allowance at institutions like TU Delft and Wageningen.
Beyond the Holland Scholarship and OTS, check each target university’s own scholarship page directly. Award schemes change yearly, and several institutions run their own merit grants that are not advertised on the national portals.
Studyinfo Tip: Apply for the Holland Scholarship and your university scholarship at the same time you submit your admission. Most students treat funding as a step two, and by the time they get an offer, the scholarship window has already closed.
Browse our Scholarships page for a running list of South Asian-eligible funding for the Netherlands and other destinations.
Can Average Students Win This?
Yes, but with a clear understanding of where the competition actually sits. Dutch admissions are generally less obsessed with a single GPA number than UK or US systems, and applied sciences universities in particular weigh practical experience, internships, and motivation letters heavily.
We have worked with students with average grades and gaps on their transcripts who got into strong HBO programmes in business and engineering by writing a motivation letter that explained their gap honestly and connected it to why they wanted that specific programme. Admissions officers at Dutch universities read hundreds of generic letters, so a specific, honest one stands out immediately.
If your grades are average, here is what actually moves the needle:
- Apply to applied sciences universities (HBO) alongside research universities, since they weigh practical skills more heavily.
- Use your motivation letter to explain context, not excuses. A gap year spent working is an asset if you frame it correctly.
- Build a portfolio of relevant projects, internships, or certifications if your academic record alone is not strong enough to carry the application.
What we will not tell you is that average grades make this effortless. Highly competitive scholarships like TU Delft’s flagship awards remain extremely selective, with only 10 to 15 awards given each year. But general admission, especially at HBO level, is far more reachable than students assume.
What Nobody Tells You About Studying in the Netherlands
Most guides stop at tuition and visas. Here is what actually catches South Asian students off guard once they arrive.
The Dutch government has been actively working to manage and, in some cases, reduce the number of English-taught programmes through legislation known as the Balanced Internationalisation policy. This means some programmes that were English-taught in past years may shift toward requiring Dutch language components. Always confirm a programme’s current language status directly with the university before you commit, not from an old blog post.
Housing contracts in Dutch cities often run on a different rhythm than students expect. Many private landlords ask for a guarantor or several months of rent upfront, and student housing waitlists open before your visa is even approved. Apply for housing the same week you accept your offer.
What Nobody Tells You About Studying in the Netherlands
Most guides stop at tuition and visas. Here is what actually catches South Asian students off guard once they arrive.
The Dutch government has been actively working to manage and, in some cases, reduce the number of English-taught programmes through legislation known as the Balanced Internationalisation policy.
This means some programmes that were English-taught in past years may shift toward requiring Dutch language components. Always confirm a programme’s current language status directly with the university before you commit, not from an old blog post.
Housing contracts in Dutch cities often run on a different rhythm than students expect. Many private landlords ask for a guarantor or several months of rent upfront, and student housing waitlists open before your visa is even approved. Apply for housing the same week you accept your offer.
Banking takes longer than people assume. You typically need a Dutch address and a BSN (citizen service number) before you can open a full bank account, which creates a chicken-and-egg problem in your first two to three weeks. Bring enough cash or a usable international card to cover that gap.
Finally, the 16-hour work week limit during term time is strictly enforced, and your employer needs a work permit (TWV) from UWV before you start, not after. Do not assume you can start a part-time job the way you might in Canada.
Working During and After Your Studies
Non-EU students can work up to 16 hours a week during term time, or full-time during June, July, and August. Common student jobs include hospitality, retail, and logistics, particularly in larger cities.
After graduation, the Orientation Year (zoekjaar) permit gives you 12 months to search for a job or start a business without needing a separate work visa, which is one of the more generous post-study options in Europe. Once you secure a qualifying job offer, you can typically transition to a Highly Skilled Migrant visa.
Before You Apply: Checklist
- Confirm your target programme is still officially English-taught before applying
- Check your financial proof requirement on the IND website for the current intake year
- Apply for the Holland Scholarship and any university-specific scholarship alongside your admission application, not after
- Start your university housing application the same week you accept your offer
- Gather notarised academic transcripts and translations early, since this step often causes the most delay
- Check IELTS or TOEFL requirements for your specific programme, since they vary by university
- Browse Find a Course to compare English-taught programmes across Dutch universities
Making the Move
Studying in the Netherlands is not the easiest path in Europe and it is not the hardest either. It rewards students who plan early, especially around scholarships and housing, more than it rewards a perfect transcript.
If you are a South Asian student weighing your options, the combination of English-taught programmes, a clear post-study work route, and a central European location makes it one of the more practical choices available right now. Explore our Find a Course page to start comparing programmes that match your profile, or get in touch through our Contact page if you want help working through your specific case.