University preparation in Netherlands for international students

Part-Time Work Opportunities for University Students in Netherlands

Students enrolled in Dutch universities are allowed to get part-time work. They can obtain a work permit either through their university or directly from the employer. However, it's important to provide that the workload does not exceed 10 hours a week or negatively impact academic performance. During the summer holidays, students are not restricted in the number of working hours.

Post-Graduation Opportunities: Preparing for Life After University in Netherlands

Non-EEA graduates who have completed their studies in the Netherlands within the past three years can apply for the "orientation year" (zoekjaar) residence permit. This permit is valid for one year, gives free access to the Dutch labour market, allowing the holder to look for a job as a knowledge migrant or to start their own business. Chances of finding employment are higher for graduates of technical and educational programs, and learning Dutch significantly strengthens one's position on the local labour market. Citizens of the EEA or Switzerland may live and work in the Netherlands without such restrictions.

The Economic Powerhouse: Why Choose the Netherlands?

Despite its relatively small size, the Netherlands is a significant global economic player. It is home to the headquarters of numerous international corporations, such as Philips, Sony, Heineken, and Microsoft. Acquiring a higher education degree in the Netherlands can be a valuable investment for a successful international career.

Sam Jones

Recruitment Director for Partnership with INTO Universities (Europe and Central Asia)

What firstly should be considered when choosing a university?

It depends on the student - everyone determines the most important criteria for himself. I would advise you to take several rankings and compare them with each other, plus take into account the cost of the course, the location of the university and its scale, the percentage of graduates' employment. See where graduates continue their studies or where they go to work.

Requirements for University Prep Courses Netherlands

To enter educational institution you are interested in, a foreign student usually needs to provide the following documents: 

• Certificate of completed secondary education;

• Language tests like IELTS or TOEFL for English-taught courses, or the NT2 certificate for courses taught in Dutch;

• Motivation letter.

Sometimes, a specialized entrance exam might be needed, although this is usually an exception rather than a rule. This requirement is stipulated by the university chosen and studying program.

Language Requirements for University Admission in Netherlands

Admission requirements are set by each institution and may vary by program, so exact test scores should be confirmed with the university of your choice. Typical minimum scores for common language tests are:

Preliminary Admission and University Preparation Course Fees

Enrollment at top universities in Netherlands usually concludes by early May. If you don't yet have the required certificates, preliminary admission is still possible, provided you have an official letter confirming the expected dates of your secondary education completion.

If you don't pass the language tests on your first attempt, don't worry. Many universities offer additional preparation courses. The cost of preparing for university in the Netherlands will depend on various factors like the course duration and living conditions.

The University of Amsterdam, in collaboration with the Cambridge Education Group, offers one of the most highly-ranked university preparation courses. This program provides several advantages:

• Option to start classes in either January or September

• Assistance with accommodation selection

• A personal teacher for one-on-one guidance

• Cultural orientation programs

• Access to the full university infrastructure

The tuition fee for these comprehensive programs can vary, making it crucial to research university preparation course fees beforehand.

There are two factors, influencing the cost of preparation of international students for university in Netherlands – course duration and conditions of living:

• For instance, 4-week program of the Saxion university will cost on average 2 000 euro (studying + accommodation)
• The tuition of semi-annual courses in different universities varies from 3,000 to 4,500 euro, annual programs – from 6,000€ to 9,000€ (includes only studying). The cost of accommodation (for example, in Amsterdam) fluctuates from 450€ to 1000€ per month.
• For comparison: the cost of annual preparation, including accommodation, will account for  on average 14,000€.

Preparation programs can last from 4 weeks to a full academic year, depending on your language proficiency level. For instance, a 4-week summer course at Saxion University of Applied Sciences aims at improving English language skills and costs approximately €2,000, including accommodation. Longer programs can range from €3,000 to €9,000 in tuition fees, with additional costs for accommodation.

1. Orange Tulip Scholarship

This general scholarship program is available to international students aged 18-35 (up to 45 for MBA programs) and covers various directions of study. The scholarship can offset costs like tuition, accommodation, visa, and insurance.

2. Holland Scholarship

The Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science is responsible for awarding this scholarship, stipulating a one-time payment of €5,000 upon admission.

3. Other Nuffic-administered options

Alongside the Holland Scholarship, Nuffic administers further funding routes for international students, including Erasmus+ and the MENA Scholarship Program (MSP). Note that the Orange Knowledge Program ended in 2024, so there are no new application rounds for it.

Get Started Today

For personalized guidance on preparing for university in the Netherlands, including scholarship opportunities and university preparation courses, feel free to contact us for a free consultation!

Whether foreign students who are interested in a university preparation program in the Netherlands need a visa depends on their nationality, the duration of their stay and the purpose of their visit. EU nationals do not need a visa to stay in the Netherlands or a work permit to work there. Students from other countries may need a visa and a work permit to enter the Netherlands for study.

The type of permission depends on how long you plan to stay. For a stay of fewer than 90 days, a short-stay (Schengen) visa may be required, and it limits your presence in the Schengen area to a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period. For a stay longer than 90 days, an entry visa (MVV, depending on nationality) together with a residence permit (VVR) is required.

The application for a student residence permit is handled by the educational institution itself. Only the host institution can apply for a residence permit for study at a university or university of applied sciences (HBO). Once you enrol in a program, the host institution contacts you to start the application procedure. As soon as it receives an approval letter (inwilliging) from the immigration service (IND), it lets you know, and you can then apply for the MVV at the Dutch embassy or consulate in your home country.

The Netherlands maintains a broad international education network that supports students preparing to enter its universities. Nuffic, the national organisation for internationalisation in education, reports more than 32,000 students and staff taking part in exchanges every year, which reflects the scale of cross-border mobility that university preparation programs contribute to.

Recognition of foreign qualifications is a routine part of admission. Nuffic issues around 49,000 credential evaluation advices each year, assessing how school-leaving certificates and other documents from abroad compare with Dutch standards. This process is directly relevant to applicants completing preparatory courses before entering a Dutch university.

The country also sustains more than 800 partnerships in the field of education, giving preparatory and degree programs a wide base of institutional cooperation for international students.

Learning programs-summary information

Top 21 boarding colleges in England 2026

Top 10 best universities in Netherlands 2026