Are you considering the Netherlands as your next educational destination? Understanding the cost of living in this vibrant country is important for international students planning their budgets. From housing and transportation to food and entertainment, we’ll break down the expenses you can expect, helping you plan your financial needs with ease as you start on your academic journey in the Netherlands.
Why study in Netherlands?
Studying in the Netherlands offers multiple benefits for international students:
High-quality education: Dutch universities are known for their well-structured, modern, and innovative teaching methods and research facilities. The education system in the Netherlands ranks among the top worldwide, with several universities consistently appearing in global rankings.
English-taught programs: The Netherlands was one of the first non-English speaking countries to offer courses taught entirely in English, making it a comfortable destination for students who are proficient in English but do not speak Dutch.
Affordable tuition fees: Compared to other popular study destinations like the US or UK, the Netherlands offers relatively affordable tuition fees.
International environment: With a large international student population, studying in the Netherlands provides a global experience with diverse perspectives that enrich your education and personal growth.
Innovative and interactive teaching style: Dutch universities focus on teamwork and a student-cantered teaching style, encouraging active participation in class discussions, problem-solving, and practical experiences.
Gateway to Europe: Its geographical location makes the Netherlands a great starting point to explore other European countries, often with easy travel connections by train or low-cost flights.
Excellent career opportunities: Many programs are closely tied to industries and sectors where the Netherlands holds a leading position globally (like water management, agriculture, renewable energy, and logistics). This integration provides good internship and employment opportunities.
Liberal and welcoming culture: Known for its liberal policies and tolerance, the Netherlands offers a welcoming atmosphere for international students, which can make the transition easier and enhance the overall student experience.
Cost of studying in Netherlands for international students
The cost of studying in the Netherlands for international students can vary depending on several factors such as the type of program, and institutions. Here's a general overview:
Tuition fees
Bachelor's programs: Typically range from €6,000 (INR 5,43,954) to €15,000 (INR 13,60,121) per year.
Master's programs: Generally range from €8,000 (INR 7,25,398) to €20,000 (INR 18,13,450) per year.
Cost of living in Netherlands for international students
Here is a breakdown of the cost of living for international students in the Netherlands:
Accommodation: Between €300 (INR 27,198) and €800 (INR 72,528) per month, depending on the city and type of accommodation.
Food: Approximately €150 (INR 13,599) to €200 (INR 18,134) per month.
Public Transport: Around €35 (INR 3,173) to €70 (INR 6,346) per month.
Insurance: Health insurance is mandatory, costing about €80 (INR 7,253) to €120 (INR 10,880) per month.
Miscellaneous: This includes study materials, social activities, and other personal expenses, which can be around €100 (INR 9,067) to €200 (INR 18,134) per month.
Total estimated monthly costs: Ranges from €800 (INR 72,528) to €1,500 (INR 1,36,003).
Work opportunities after studying in Netherlands
International students can work part-time alongside their studies. During the academic year, Indian students can work up to 16 hours per week and full-time during the summer months (June to August).
Affordable cities to live in Netherlands
Cities like Enschede, Tilburg, and Maastricht tend to be more affordable compared to Amsterdam and Utrecht.
Cost of studying in top universities in the Netherlands
Here are the cost of studying at different universities in Netherlands:
University | Bachelor's programs costs | Master's programs costs | Popular programs | Scholarships |
|---|---|---|---|---|
University of Amsterdam (UvA) | €9,000 - €15,000 (₹8,16,060 - ₹13,59,735) per year | €11,000 - €20,000 per year | Business Administration, Psychology, Communication Science, Law | Amsterdam Merit Scholarship, Holland Scholarship |
Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) | €12,000 - €15,000 (₹10,88,080 - ₹13,59,735) per year | €18,750 (₹17,01,681) per year | Engineering, Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Architecture | Justus & Louise van Effen Excellence Scholarships, Holland Scholarship |
Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) | €6,000 - €12,000 (₹5,44,040 - ₹10,88,080) per year | €11,000 - €18,000 per year | Business and Economics, Medicine, Law, Social Sciences | Erasmus University Holland Scholarship, Erasmus Trustfonds Scholarship |
Leiden University | €10,000 - €15,000 (₹9,06,733 - ₹13,59,735) per year | €15,000 - €25,000 per year | Humanities, International Relations, Law, Science | Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS), Holland Scholarship |
University of Groningen | €9,500 - €13,000 (₹8,61,396 - ₹11,78,753) per year | €13,000 - €17,500 (₹11,78,753 - ₹15,86,833) per year | International Business, Economics, Medicine, Science and Engineering | Eric Bleumink Fund, Holland Scholarship |
Cost of living in different cities in Netherlands for international students
Here is the breakdown of the cost of living in different cities in the Netherlands for international students:
City | Accommodation costs | Food costs | Public transport costs |
|---|---|---|---|
Amsterdam | €500 - €1,000 (₹45,337 - ₹90,673) per month | €150 - €200 (₹13,601 - ₹18,135) per month | €50 - €100 (₹4,534 - ₹9,067) per month |
Rotterdam | €400 - €800 (₹36,269 - ₹72,538) per month | €150 - €200 (₹13,601 - ₹18,135) per month | €35 - €70 (₹3,174 - ₹6,347) per month |
Groningen | €300 - €700 (₹27,202 - ₹63,354) per month | €150 - €200 (₹13,601 - ₹18,135) per month | €35 - €70 (₹3,174 - ₹6,347) per month |
Leiden | €350 - €750 (₹31,736 - ₹67,905) per month | €150 - €200 (₹13,601 - ₹18,135) per month | €40 - €80 (₹3,627 - ₹7,254) per month |
Delft | €400 - €800 (₹36,269 - ₹72,538) per month | €150 - €200 (₹13,601 - ₹18,135) per month | €35 - €70 (₹3,174 - ₹6,347) per month |
Hope this blog helps you understand the cost of studying and living in the Netherlands, if you are also planning to study in the Netherlands and want to increase the chance of getting accepted at the top universities then consider taking an IELTS test.
Also, if you want to know or have any questions related to the IELTS test, then you can consider getting in touch with your nearest IDP IELTS test centre. Our team of IELTS experts will clear up all your doubts.