Tuition Fees in the Netherlands
Studying abroad in the Netherlands is not just about investing in a bicycle. The high quality study at the Dutch universities is financed by all students through annual fees. Tuition fees in the Netherlands are invested directly in the universities and their range of services. This is reflected in modern buildings with extensive equipment. In addition, the professors can always be approached outside of the efficient courses with small groups.
Tuition fees in comparison
The statutory tuition fees in the Netherlands are the same for most courses. Currently, EUR 2,006 Wetterlijk college fees are charged annually for full-time studies. The state adjusts this amount every year.
Under certain conditions, some students also pay the placement college fee at the state universities. This applies to everyone who is over 30 years old, already has an academic degree or is not an EU citizen. Students who register their primary residence neither in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, nor in the German federal states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony or Bremen are also affected. The Dutch universities can provide information on the exact amount of the additional fees.
In a European comparison, tuition fees in the Netherlands at state universities are in the lower range. For a few courses, there is an additional contribution to the tuition fees. Private universities usually charge significantly higher fees. For example, they offer a more extensive range of services and look after the students around the clock.
Applicants pay the tuition fees in the Netherlands directly to the university via the Studielink platform before starting their studies. The universities or hogescholen themselves determine the exact deadlines. When applying via Studielink, students indicate which payment method they want to use. It is also possible to pay the tuition fees in the Netherlands for one year in up to five installments.
EU citizens under 30 years of age studying full-time in the Netherlands can apply for a fee reimbursement. To do this, you need the burger service number (BSN) issued by the Dutch registration office. The monthly grant includes, among other things, free use of public transport in the Netherlands. For more information on the amount of funding and the registration process, please contact the Dutch Ministry of Education.
Tuition fees for a summer session in the Netherlands
The cost of summer sessions in the Netherlands varies depending on the university and program . The range extends from around EUR 400 to EUR 2,000 per course. Above all, the required equipment, for example in special laboratories or excursions, determine the fees. In many cases it is possible to combine the courses in modules. In this way, students create their own program with their desired courses and individual length.
The tuition fees for a summer session in the Netherlands usually include costs for accommodation and excursions with fellow students. Scholarships and student loans are good funding options for these programs during the Dutch summer break.
Easy to finance: a semester abroad in the Netherlands
A semester abroad in the Netherlands is an ideal opportunity to broaden your horizons. With the courses, students complement their studies at their home university or discover new subject areas.
At the state universities, students pay a corresponding share of the Wetterlijk college allowance and, if applicable, placement college allowance for one or two semesters abroad. Tuition fees at Dutch private universities are usually higher, but include a more extensive range of services.
German students have numerous options for financing a semester abroad in the Netherlands. These include foreign BAföG, student loans and scholarships, for example from the DAAD. In addition, students who register on site are allowed to work alongside the lectures.
Further costs for studying in the Netherlands
In addition to the tuition fees for studying in the Netherlands, there are other costs. In addition to the cost of living, which includes food and accommodation, this includes above all study materials and transport costs. A foreign health insurance is usually not necessary for EU citizens.
Quality Assurance In Higher Education In The Netherlands
In the Netherlands, a country that belongs to European Union according to itypeauto, quality assurance in higher education takes place both through degree- specific accreditations and through regular controls.
The accreditations are carried out by the Dutch-Flemish accreditation organization NVAO ( Nederlands-Vlaamse Accreditatieorganisatie ). The NVAO is a government agency commissioned by the Dutch and Flemish governments to ensure and improve the quality of higher education.
Bachelor and master courses must be accredited by the NVAO for the first time; thereafter, a reaccreditation takes place every six years. An important evaluation criterion is the practical relevance, so that graduates are prepared as well as possible for their later professional life.
Doctoral courses are not accredited. The individual universities are responsible for their quality.
Universities as institutions do not have to be accredited separately: they are legally recognized by the state. As part of the registration process, new universities undergo initial accreditation for their courses and are then institutionally recognized by the government.
A list of all accredited study programs in the Netherlands is available in the central register CROHO ( Centraal Register Opleidingen Hoger Onderwijs ).
The work of the NVAO is controlled by the teaching inspectorate ( Inspectie van het Onderwijs ). It reports to the Dutch Ministry of Education and carries out quality controls in the universities. In doing so, compliance with the prevailing laws is checked, for example on the design of lessons, advice for students and prospective students and the implementation of final exams. The Teaching Inspectorate publishes annual reports, reports on individual universities and courses, and additional studies on specific topics, which are recorded in an annual plan.
