How to Study in Rotterdam for International Students

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Rotterdam, one of the beautiful cities in Netherlands, is a city that needs to be considered when planning on studying abroad. Here, you can immerse yourself in a rich local culture and learn about its history and the factors that make it unique.

When it comes to the choices that are available, Rotterdam currently has 4 universities, from which 2 universities are a part of the public sector and 2 universities are private institutions.

In case you are not just searching for a place to study, but you are trying to be a part of the best schools available, you have several choices, such as Erasmus University Rotterdam and Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences.

Being able to study in Rotterdam as an international student starts with planning ahead of time, as the process of researching your institution, filling out forms, and completing your paperwork can take a vast amount of time. In this article, you will find out the application process to study in Rotterdam, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!

1. Cost of Studying in Rotterdam

The cost of your studies in Rotterdam may vary depending on various factors such as your degree, program, and chosen university. In Rotterdam, the average tuition fee for international students is 8,226 Euros.

Here are some of the universities here with their tuition fees for bachelor's and master's degrees:

Institution Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee Master’s International Tuition Fee
Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences 8,760 Euros - 9,800 Euros 11,100 Euros - 12,200 Euros
Erasmus University Rotterdam 7,000 Euros - 13,500 Euros 4,300 Euros - 19,600 Euros
Codarts University for the Arts 8,915 Euros 4,025 Euros - 8,915 Euros

If you're looking for an affordable school to enter in Rotterdam, check out our article on cheapest universities in Rotterdam for international students.

Aside from tuition fees, you also need to consider other costs like your accommodation, travel, and daily expenses. It's a good thing to compute these costs beforehand to make sure that you have enough budget for your studies.

2. Requirements to Study in Rotterdam for International Students

Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in Rotterdam, it’s time to consider preparing the paperwork to apply to those universities. Academic institutions have varying admission requirements, but the ones you should always prepare in advance are your academic records, such as a transcript of records or diploma from a previous academic level, and travel documents, such as your passport and visa.

Some institutions that offer master’s programs might also ask for a statement of purpose, a curriculum vitae or résumé, and letters of recommendation. There are also degree programs where you need to take an admissions test before you can apply. Besides these, universities might also require you to submit proof of language proficiency.

In Rotterdam, English and Dutch are the languages of instruction. If you’re looking to study in any of the academic institutions here, you might need to prove language proficiency by taking standardized tests, such as TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo for English. Depending on the institution and the language of instruction for your program, you might also have to prove your language proficiency by submitting NT2-II for Dutch.

To give you an idea, here are some universities in Rotterdam and their required minimum scores for each program level.

Islamic University of Applied Sciences Rotterdam

Bachelor’s degree

Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Erasmus University Rotterdam

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Typically, you can find information about language requirements on the admissions requirements page of the university. You can also check out if the university has a dedicated language requirements page for international students.

Application Procedure to Study in Rotterdam

The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in Rotterdam have online applications available on their websites, like Erasmus University Rotterdam and Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in Rotterdam.

Erasmus University Rotterdam

Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences

Codarts University for the Arts

Make sure to gather all the information you need for the admission process. As you apply to these institutions, expect that they may ask for additional requirements depending on your nationality, degree, or program. So, it’s best to keep your lines active.

After completing your academic and language requirements, it’s time to apply!

The admission process in Rotterdam differs from one university to another, so it’s best to contact your chosen school beforehand. Please note that the admission process for international students may take some time, so be sure to know the application dates and apply early.

The application process may take weeks or months, depending on your timing, nationality, degree, and other factors. To make the most of your application, make sure to completely follow the admission steps and submit the necessary requirements to ensure that you’ll be accepted to your chosen university in Rotterdam.

The key to being admitted to your chosen school will depend on your punctuality and the quality of your application. So make sure to complete the requirements beforehand and follow the steps in applying. After this, you’ll wait for a week or a month for the results.

4. Visa Application for International Students in Rotterdam

If you’re going to study in Rotterdam, you will need to apply for a student visa in Netherlands

In this section, let’s briefly discuss the requirements needed and how you can apply for a student visa in Netherlands. If you’re going to stay here for your studies, you will need to obtain a Schengen visa..

To start your student visa application in Rotterdam, you will need to present the following:

  1. Valid passport or travel document
  2. Appendix Antecedents Certificate
  3. Proof or temporary proof of registration as a student at a university
  4. University or institution must be a recognised sponsor with IND
  5. Full-time enrollment in an accredited program
  6. Proof of adequate funds to support studies and stay in Netherlands

Kindly take note that these requirements may vary depending on your nationality. So, please expect that may ask for additional requirements. Moreover, you will be required to pay a student visa application fee. The visa application fee in Netherlands is 171 EUR.

After preparing your requirements and application fees, it’s time to apply for a student visa! The first steps in getting your student visa are:

  1. Locate the nearest embassy or consulate in your country.
  2. Gather all the required documents.
  3. TFill up the visa application form and pay the required fees.
  4. Schedule and attend the interview at the nearest Dutch embassy or consulate.

For more information regarding the specific steps in applying for a student visa, visit or contact the nearest embassy or consulate in your home country. They are the ones responsible for processing your student visa application.

That’s it! After getting your student visa, you can now officially study in Rotterdam. Make sure to book a flight early, before your classes start, so that you’ll have ample time to explore and familiarize yourself in your new place!