Entry requirements for studying in the Netherlands
What you need to be admitted in the Netherlands — which is a different question from what you need for the visa. Both have to be satisfied, and the admission requirements come first.
At a glance
| English, typically | Set per programme by the institution. IELTS, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge, PTE and LanguageCert are generally accepted |
|---|---|
| Main intakes | Application deadlines: 15 Jan (numerus fixus), 1 May (other programmes). Start months are set per programme |
What admission actually turns on
- Your academic record, converted to the local system — a percentage, a CGPA or a classification.
- English, at the level above, which is course-dependent rather than national.
- Relevant background, which matters more for conversion and specialist courses.
- Your statement, which carries more weight than applicants expect at master's level.
The English requirement is a threshold rather than a competition: meeting it comfortably is enough, and a score well above it rarely compensates for a weak academic record.
What takes longest to obtain
- Transcripts from a previous university, which can take weeks.
- References, which depend on someone else — ask six weeks ahead.
- A test score, which is fixed by test availability as much as by preparation.
- Document consistency — a name spelled differently across certificates needs an affidavit.
Intakes for the Netherlands are Application deadlines: 15 Jan (numerus fixus), 1 May (other programmes). Start m. Work backwards from the earliest deadline, which is usually a scholarship rather than an admission one.
Entry requirements — FAQs
2 questions
Set per programme by the institution. IELTS, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge, PTE and LanguageCert are generally accepted Confirm the requirement for your specific course.
Usually yes, on a conditional offer. The offer becomes unconditional when results are submitted, and several later steps depend on that.
Want a figure for your own course?
A counsellor puts tuition, living costs, the visa requirement and the loan into one number — free.
Tell us about you
Start with your details — a counsellor will guide you the rest of the way.
A counsellor calls you back during office hours — 9am to 8pm IST, Mon to Sat. We are open now.
This sends an enquiry to Vibedu Study Abroad for free counselling. It is not an application to a university, a lender or a government.
Prefer to talk? A counsellor puts tuition, living costs, the visa requirement and the loan into one number — free.
Sources
Not re-checked recently — treat the figures as indicative and confirm before you rely on them.
- ind.nl/en/residence-permits/study/student-residence-permit-for-university-or-higher-professional-education
- ind.nl/en/residence-permits/work/residence-permit-for-orientation-year
- studyinnl.org/finances/tuition-fees
- studyinnl.org/finances/daily-student-expenses-and-cost-of-living-in-the-netherlands
- studyinnl.org/plan-your-stay/admission-requirements
- studyinnl.org/plan-your-stay/how-to-apply
- nllabourauthority.nl/publications/publications/2019/09/13/flyer-working-while-studying-in-the-netherlands