25 Best Universities In Netherlands For International Students 2024

If you are looking to study in Netherlands, you are surely making a great choice. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences. With more than 54 universities and colleges in Netherlands, you’ll surely have a wide range of choices.

Out of 54 universities in Netherlands, University of Amsterdam and Utrecht University are the top-performing schools in Netherlands. This list covers both public and private institutions in Netherlands.

To help you narrow down your school options, we’ve compiled the best universities in Netherlands. We based our rankings on academic reputations from reputable sources and the number of international students. By doing this, you’ll have an efficient way of comparing your target universities and choose your host university in Netherlands.

How do I get admission to the best universities in Netherlands?

Applying to the universities in Netherlands involves submitting requirements and following specific admissions procedures set by your chosen university. The requirements often include a student visa, application packages, and language scores. Check out our guide for international students who want to study in Netherlands to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

How much are the tuition fees at the best universities in Netherlands?

Tuition fees at Netherlands’s universities can vary depending on which university, degree, and program you will be enrolling in. Generally, tuition fees for the bachelor’s level range from 4,140 Euros to 20,500 Euros , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 4,025 Euros to 38,500 Euros. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in Netherlands!

As we cover the best universities in Netherlands for international students, feel free to check out the university’s information on Admission, Tuition, Courses, and Language Requirements by looking at the individual university pages.

Top Universities in Netherlands for International Students

The University of Amsterdam is among the top public universities in the Netherlands (UvA). It has been in the academic industry for centuries, and its prominence in the global community is quite evident. Known to be the leading institution in science and innovation, it also offers outstanding educational programs in other areas of study, such as social sciences, humanities, and arts. The university is undoubtedly a remarkable institute that provides the highest standards of teaching and research.

Utrecht University is one of the public universities in the Netherlands. Founded in 1636, the university is known for its academic excellence and innovation. Over 35,000 students are enrolled across its degree programs in Sciences, Humanities, Law, Economics, and Medicine.

Wageningen University and Research (WUR) is one of the renowned universities in the Netherlands and across the globe. It is known for its high standard of teaching and research, especially for its globally acknowledged scientific quality. Most educational programs offered at the university concentrate on natural sciences, food technology, and environmental sciences as one of WUR’s missions is to improve society’s quality of life.

The University of Groningen is the second oldest university in the Netherlands. It has a long history of academic excellence and has established itself as one of the most prestigious institutions in the country. Graduates from UG are highly valued in their fields and a few have been awarded Nobel prizes. The university strives to continue its legacy by offering quality education, supporting research, and fostering a global outlook.

One of the most prominent technical universities in the Netherlands is Delft University of Technology (TU Delft). It is the home of more than 27,000 students and over a thousand academic faculty members. The TU Delft campus is known to be one of the largest campuses globally. The university has such a big student body because it offers comprehensive and innovative top-rated programs in applied science, engineering, and technology. Most of the programs are internationally acknowledged making them more appealing to prospective local and international students.

Leiden University is a world-class public institution in the Netherlands. Several undergraduate and graduate programs are offered in English and Dutch. A broad scope of subjects is covered by its seven faculties, from German languages to medicine. Established in 1575, the university has grown into a community of 34,000+ across Leiden and The Hague. It is top-ranked by various organizations, such as the QS World Rankings and Times Higher Education.

Erasmus University Rotterdam, or Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam in Dutch, is one of the elite public universities in the Netherlands. The institution has gained recognition in the local and international community for its high-quality education. It has been consistently included in the national and global academic rankings. In addition, the university has partnered with other renowned foreign institutions to offer joint programs for eligible students.

The Free University of Amsterdam, commonly referred to as VA Amsterdam, is a public university with more than 140 years history. It offers degree programs in Sciences, Business and Economics, Theology, Law, Medicine, and Humanities. The university has more than 31,000 students, with nearly 5,200 international enrollment.

Radboud University, also known as Radboud University Nijmegen, is a public and Catholic institution. Its first name was Catholic University Nijmegen. Meanwhile, its present name was derived from a former Dutch Bishop and now-saint. Various organizations place Radboud University in high rankings among international schools, arts and humanities subjects, graduate employability, impact rankings, and world reputation.

The University of Twente is a public technical university established in 1961. Thus, most of its programs are specialized in the sciences, like engineering, technology, life sciences, natural sciences, and medicine. However, the university also has courses in business and social sciences. This top-ranked institution welcomes students at various levels, including pre-university, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate. It was ranked 1st by Times Higher Education for its Impact Rankings: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.

Maastricht University is one of the leading research universities in the Netherlands. It is known for having a unique method called Problem-Based Learning, which allows students to work in small groups and experience more hands-on training compared to traditional university learning. This method has been implemented since the university’s establishment and is continually improved by the faculty.

Educating competent students and professionals is one of the primary goals of Eindhoven University of Technology. Founded in 1956, the university offers top-quality education to students of all ages and offers comprehensive undergraduate, graduate, and professional studies. And to fully provide the highest standard of teaching, the university has made strong partnerships with local and international companies and universities to collaborate in developing world-class programs.

Formerly known as Roman Catholic Business School, Tilburg University has educated countless students since its establishment in 1927. Over the years, the institution has thrived and made numerous improvements as it aims to be among the leading universities in the Netherlands. Today, the university is one of the respected higher education schools across the globe.  It has gained several national and international recognitions and achievements for its efforts in providing top-class education.

IHE Delft Institute for Water Education is the most prominent and largest international institution that provides graduate studies in water education. Its multidisciplinary programs are regarded as one of the best and have been acknowledged for their efforts to sustain the global water crisis and come up with resolutions. Moreover, this renowned institute has been educating elite students and professionals from all over the globe. Most of its graduates are intellects and experts who hold high positions in water industry sectors.

Fontys University of Applied Sciences is a specialized institution offering undergraduate and graduate-level studies. Its name is derived from the Latin for “source”. Such is fitting for an institution that aspires to be a reservoir of knowledge for students. Education at Fontys is practical and research-based, giving individuals much room to learn and adapt to real-world working conditions. English-taught courses for bachelor’s and master’s students are available at Fontys. They may be in full-time or part-time schedules.

Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences is known as Hogeschool van Amsterdam in Dutch. This specialized institution mainly offers bachelor’s courses, along with a select number of master’s programs. These programs may be pursued full-time or part-time. Some are also English-taught, making it easy for international students to pursue studies at AUAS. Various disciplines are covered by its courses, including design, business, health, technology, and more.

HAN University of Applied Sciences is a specialized institution for the sciences and is one of the most extensive of its kind in the Netherlands. The programs it offers are science-related, like technology or life sciences. These programs may be available in English and full-time or part-time schedules. It has two locations, one in Arnhem and the other in Nijmegen. The university also has a research facility in Doetinchem, another city in the Netherlands.

HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht is a polytechnic university that offers comprehensive academic programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. One of its primary goals is to educate thousands of students to become eligible professionals who will significantly contribute to industry-specific sectors. By doing so, the university thrives on providing advanced educational programs and high standards of teaching.

Inholland University of Applied Sciences is a young university with several campuses in various cities in Western Netherlands. Currently, the institution offers degree programs with Dutch and English as mediums of instruction. For prospective students looking for career-oriented programs, the university offers some of the most innovative degree programs in the country. Several of its English-taught bachelor’s programs are specifically designed for international students.

Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences prioritizes the success of students. As a recognized institution, the university only provides the highest quality of education. It also offers numerous opportunities such as training, internship programs, and networking events for its students. Guided support from the academic faculty will also be provided to ensure that students gain the necessary knowledge, advance their skills, and develop core capabilities.

Breda University of Applied Sciences is offering undergraduate and graduate programs. This vocational institution provides bachelor’s, master’s, pre-master, executive, professional, academic, and part-time courses. These may be English or Dutch-taught. Several disciplines, such as data science, games, hotel, and tourism, are covered by the programs offered by BUAS. Their hospitality and leisure management courses are particularly well-ranked, ranking 26th in the QS Top Universities.

Rooted in its mission to make a contribution to society, Hanze University of Applied Sciences offers degree programs with a strong focus on applied research and innovation. It is one of the largest technical universities in the Netherlands. Its campus is located in Groningen and houses several modern facilities to aid students’ learning and research.

Avans University of Applied Sciences or AVANS Hogeschool in Dutch is a young university that provides top-notch educational programs at the bachelor’s and master’s levels. This thriving institution is committed to generating competent professionals by providing high standards of teaching and research. Since the learning approach is practice-based, students will develop core capabilities and necessary skills that would be beneficial for their future career endeavors.

Windesheim University of Applied Sciences, a public vocational institution, offers several bachelor’s and associate programs in English or Dutch. Windesheim is one of the country’s leading applied science universities. However, it keeps its population small to maintain a more personal approach to education. Thus, rarely do class sizes exceed 20 students.

Saxion University of Applied Sciences, or Hogeschool Saxion in Dutch, was established in 1998. Its three campuses across Eastern Netherlands offer programs in Finance, Engineering, Business, and Digital Media. At present, the university is home to nearly 27,000 students.