Tuition fees and financial assistance

Tuition fees

The Dutch research universities charge tuition fees (collegegeld) for both Bachelor and Master programmes, varying according to university and academic discipline. Generally tuition fees are higher for non-EU students than for Dutch and EU students, and Dutch and EU students are charged higher fees if they are older than 30 years.

The height of the tuition fees applying to students younger than 30, of Dutch or EU nationality and enrolled on a full-time study programme is determined by government. For other students, the universities themselves determine the amount to be paid.

More information:

• Tuition fees of the different study programmes (Nuffic website)

Financial assistance for students

The government provides grants and loans for Dutch students (studiefinanciering). Monthly amounts vary according to whether the student lives at home or not, with a basic grant for all students and a supplementary grant which depends on parents’ income. Student grants are available for students who are younger than 30 years at the point of enrolment and enrolled in full-time or dual education. Non-Dutch students with certain types of residence permits are also eligible for the student grants.

EU/EEA students who do not meet the criteria for a student grant can apply for loans covering tuition fees which have to be repaid after graduation. Dutch students receiving a student grant may also apply for those loans.

Portability of student grants and loans

Since 2007, student grants have also been available for Dutch students studying abroad. This is the case not only for students who remain registered at a Dutch university while spending a limited period studying abroad, but also for those who are not registered at a Dutch university and follow a degree programme abroad.

Apart from the conditions applicable to all student grants, three more conditions apply to student grants for studying abroad: out of the six years preceding enrolment abroad, the student needs to have spent at least three in the Netherlands; the study programme abroad needs to meet certain standards; and the student must not receive any student allowance by a foreign government.

More information:

• Student grants (DUO - IB-groep website)
• Tuition fee loans for international students on (DUO - IB-Groep website)