Best international colleges in Netherlands 2026

The best international colleges in the Netherlands for foreign students offer a variety of preparatory programs for students and applicants who want to enter colleges (MBOs), high schools (HAVO/VWO) or universities. These programs help you master academic subjects, improve your language skills and adapt to the Dutch education system, and prepare for your studies at Dutch universities as effectively as possible.:

ISK (International Transition Classes)

ISK classes are designed for teenagers aged 12-18 years old who have recently arrived in the Netherlands. The program lasts 1-2 years and involves an intensive course in Dutch, mathematics, English, natural sciences and integration into the local environment. The purpose of the program is to help a teenager transition to regular Dutch schools (VMBO, HAVO, VWO). There are such classes in most major cities, including Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Utrecht. Tuition is free for holders of a residence permit.

Foundation Year/Preparatory Year

This one-year program is designed for international students whose school education does not meet the requirements of Dutch universities. The studying takes place in English and includes academic subjects in the profile (business, engineering, etc.), preparation for IELTS and academic skills. It is available at dozens of colleges, including Hanze and Hague UAS, Saxion University of Applied Sciences, Business ONCAMPUS, Amsterdam.

In addition, there is a Preparatory Year, Each college offers its own set of disciplines: for example, at Saxion it is Business, Engineering, IT and others, with a focus on academic English and integration.

Voorbereidend Jaar — preparation for MBO or HAVO

The program is for teenagers over the age of 16 who want to enter college (MBO) or high school (HAVO), but need language or academic help. It lasts from 6 to 12 months, and is often partially or fully subsidized by the authorities. The studying is conducted in Dutch; available at ROC Mondriaan, ROC van Amsterdam, etc.

Pre-IB and Orientation Year in International Schools

International schools offer one-year programs to prepare for English studies — most often for IB or A-level. Here you can recommend the International School of Amsterdam, UWC Maastricht and the International School Eindhoven. Tuition is expensive here, but some schools offer scholarship programs.

International Year One (IYO)

The International Year One program combines the first year of a bachelor's degree and language preparation. Upon graduation, the student immediately proceeds to the second year of the university — a significant time saving. The program is suitable for students with a good school certificate and English level (IELTS from 5.0); it is available at Saxion UAS, Hanze UAS, Twente (with Navitas partners), at the Holland International Study Center in Amsterdam.

Gap-Year

For students who want to take a year off before starting their bachelor's degree, there are Gap-Year type programs in the Netherlands. These include English courses, professional trainings, and career orientation modules.

For example, Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences (Apeldoorn) offers a Gap-Year with English, business modules, soft skills, and academic preparation in a selected track.

English and Business Preparation Program

A specialized preparatory program for future undergraduate and graduate students, offering advanced English studies and basic business disciplines, is available at the Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences Apeldoorn, in Apeldoorn. It lasts from 6 months to a year, and requires a relatively high (A2-B1) level of English at the entrance. Directions of study are: business, management and economics.

Pre-university courses are designed to prepare future students with practical knowledge of their chosen academic discipline and to help them integrate into university life. By making efforts at the preparatory stage, foreign students increase their chances of successful admission, improve their English, gain an understanding of their chosen subject, learn academic writing, and acquire business correspondence skills.

Some preparatory courses provide an opportunity for guaranteed enrollment in a specific course (in 90% of cases, in a strictly defined university). In addition, it is a great adaptation tool, an opportunity to get to know other students and teachers, make friends and connections. This is a valuable experience designed to help determine their future, to answer the question of whether a student wants to study in their chosen specialty or whether they should try their luck in another field or university.

The choice of preparatory programs for foreign students is quite wide. These can be:

• Natural science disciplines,
• Social sciences and social sciences in any combination,
• Computer science,
• Engineering,
• Business Administration.

On average, a year of study at pre–university programs for international students from countries outside the European Union will cost you 7,500 - 16,000 euros.

Jake Wilson

Russia, the CIS and Europe Students Admission Regional Director at the National Mathematics and Science College

What subjects have been most commonly chosen in recent years?

STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) is becoming incredibly popular: it is logical, because it is the real key to the future, capable of providing you with a great job and a high salary. Biology, chemistry, computer science, physics, mathematics are consistently popular because they are basic to any STEM degree.

As a rule, the best international colleges in the Netherlands offer the widest placement opportunities to foreign students. These can be dormitories, student hotels, or rental housing (usually in the apartment format). Finding suitable and comfortable accommodation for a student in the Netherlands is not easy, it is an expensive pleasure. It so happens that apartments are in the greatest demand in August and September, when the school year begins: the flow of applicants coincides with the influx of tourists, so it's better to start looking for a suitable option in advance. International colleges and leading universities will provide you with proven resources and student housing agencies.

Additional living expenses for foreign children, teenagers, and adults in the Netherlands account to 800-1100€ per month. Many museums, cinemas, bars and restaurants are study-friendly, offering students a variety of discount and preferential programs.

The best international colleges in the Netherlands provide an opportunity for foreign students to prepare for their studies at prestigious universities in the country as effectively as possible.  As for the requirements, they stipulate:

• Applicants to Dutch-language programs must provide a TUL certificate (this is the national equivalent of TOEFL), an NT2-II diploma.;
• Applicants to English language programs need TOEFL, IELTS, C1 Advanced.

The list of documents varies: in some cases, the control is as strict as possible, in others, everyone is welcome and they don't find fault. Usually you need:

• A copy of your passport or ID card,
• Passport photo,
• Personal statement in English/Dutch,
• Copies of diplomas, certificates and/or a list of secondary school grades in English, French, German, Dutch,
• Proof of English/Dutch language proficiency,
• Confirmation of payment of the registration fee.

Some universities may require additional documents.:

• Resume or recommendations from 2 teachers,
• Motivation letter,
• A sample of academic written work.