Masters Fees and Funding in the Netherlands: 2026 Guide

Written by Taru Medha

Dutch, EU, EEA, Swiss and Suriname students pay the government’s statutory rate of €2,530 per year for their first Masters. Universities are free to set their own fees for international students which are usually between €12,000 and €30,000 per year. Both home and international students are eligible for funding provided by the Dutch government. Home, EU, EEA and Swiss can apply for government loans whereas other international students can apply for a number of different scholarships.

Dutch universities have a long and proud tradition of opening their doors wide to students from all over the world who don’t mind a bit of rain and an alarming number of bicycles.

This welcoming spirit is also reflected in the generous range of funding options available for Masters students in the Netherlands.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the cost of a Dutch Masters degree — what you’ll pay, what you won’t have to pay (thankfully) and the many ways you might fund your studies without having to sell a family heirloom.

Masters fees in the Netherlands

Tuition fees for Dutch research universities and universities of applied sciences are regulated by the government.

This means that studying a Masters degree in the Netherlands is affordable for large numbers of students.

Fees for Dutch, EU, EEA, Swiss and Suriname students

Dutch students pay Masters tuition fees at the government’s ‘statutory rate’.

This is currently €2,530 per year for most full-time courses.

Part-time students pay a proportion of the full cost, depending on the intensity of their programme.

The statutory fee only applies to the first degree a student takes at each level of study.

If you already have a Masters degree, fees for a second or subsequent Masters qualification will be charged at a rate set freely by your institution.

This does not apply to second qualifications in health or education disciplines.

Fees for other international students

International student fees in the Netherlands are set freely by universities.

This usually makes them more expensive, with average fees between €12,000 and €30,000 per year (depending on the institution and course).

Additional Masters course costs

Application fee: Usually between €75-€100 and usually required for students who are not entitled to pay fees at the statutory rate.
Health insurance: You will have to take out a health insurance policy if you’re not eligible for the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or if you’re undertaking paid work in the Netherlands. This can be Dutch public health insurance (zorgverzekering) or a private insurance policy. For more information, please visit the Study in Holland website.

Need a quick overview about Masters study in Netherlands?

Read our spotlight blog on studying in the Netherlands. It's your quick checklist of everything you need to know!

Masters funding for Dutch students

Dutch students are entitled to up to €1,174.60 per month through student finance.

They’re available to students paying the statutory tuition rate.

If you’re a student paying fees set by their institution, you’ll be able to borrow a higher amount (depending on how high your fees are).

This amount is comprised of three elements: a regular loan, a supplementary grant (dependent on your financial circumstances) and a tuition fee loan.

If you minus the cost of tuition, the monthly income totals around €800 for rent and living costs.

The repayment period is 35 years, with rates linked to minimum income thresholds.

You can read more about student loans and grants in the Netherlands at the website of the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science.

Masters funding for international students

Loans for international students

Under certain circumstances, international Masters students may be eligible for student finance on the same terms as Dutch citizens.

To be eligible you must be an EU, EEA or Swiss national, be under 30 and fulfil one of the following residency criteria:

Have lived in the Netherlands for at least five years; or
Be working in the Netherlands for at least 56 hours per month; or
Be the child or spouse of someone working in the Netherlands for at least 56 hours per month

International Masters funding offered by the Dutch government

The Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs provide various forms of funding for international students to study Masters degrees at universities in the Netherlands.

Most take the form of scholarships directed at students from particular regions or backgrounds.

They include the following programmes:

NL Scholarships – NL Scholarships (formerly known as Holland Scholarships) provide up to €5,000 of funding for full-time Masters students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA). They are offered at specific Dutch universities, with 44 institutions currently participating.
Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Scholarship Programme (MSP) – MSP funding helps support education for professionals in 10 target countries to study in the Netherlands. This can include support for Masters programmes.
Orange Tulip Scholarship Programmes – A range of Orange Tulip Scholarship programmes are offered for international students in Holland. Individual schemes operate for students in India and Indonesia with support for Masters programmes available.

Erasmus+ Masters funding in the Netherlands

The Netherlands is one of several countries participating the European Commission’s Erasmus+ programme.

Erasmus+ funding provides support for postgraduate study abroad, including full Joint Masters Degrees (offered by partnerships of international universities) as well as temporary periods of study exchange and mobility. The programme also offers its own Masters Loans; in participating countries.

The Netherlands is a particularly appropriate study destination for Erasmus+ students, being the home of the programme’s namesake: Desiderius Erasmus. Erasmus was a Dutch renaissance scholar whose studies took him across international borders – an example followed by today’s Erasmus+ Masters students!

Scholarships from Dutch universities

Most Dutch universities also offer their own funding, including scholarships for Masters programmes.

Some awards will be specifically designed to attract and support international students, while others will be offered to all postgraduate applicants.

One of the best ways to get around this difficulty is to use our search engine to find your ideal Dutch Masters programme and then inquire about funding using the contact details provided.

You can also use Study in Holland's scholarship database to search a range of funding opportunities in the Netherlands.

Tips from the author

Apply for funding before you apply for your visa

You’ll usually need proof of financial resources when you apply for your visa. Scholarship confirmations are one of the ways you can show how you’ll be paying for your Masters and stay, so secure them early if you can.

Double-check scholarship eligibility

Some Dutch scholarships are specifically for non-EU students (great!), while others only apply to EU/EEA nationals. Save yourself disappointment and always read the eligibility line twice. Maybe three times.

Look into partial funding too

Don’t dismiss smaller scholarships. Even a small contribution towards your tuition or living costs can make a huge difference.

Account for living costs

It’s not just the tuition fee you think about. Think about cost of living and rent as well! Start early when looking for housing, consider university accommodation and budget realistically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I combine multiple scholarships to fund my Masters?

Often, yes! As long as the awards don’t explicitly say you cannot. Universities often allow you to combine a tuition-fee waiver with an external scholarship for living costs. Always check with your funding provider!

Do Dutch universities offer on-campus jobs to Masters students?

Most universities do! They could be assisting in labs, working at the university library and being an ambassador for the university international office, among many others. You’ll be able to look for them on university job boards or through your department.

What’s one lesser talked about tip for keeping costs low?

Join student-run social media groups or channels. These communities might share housing leads, second-hand textbooks, part-time job openings and even leftover furniture.

Search for a Masters in the Netherlands

Ready to start looking for your ideal study abroad opportunity? Browse and compare Masters degrees in the Netherlands on FindAMasters.com

Taru Medha

Taru joined FindAMasters as a Content Writer in 2022. She creates well-researched, thorough content for our guides and blogs, as well as short video content for our social profiles. She has a Bachelors degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Bennett University in India and completed a Masters degree in Global Journalism from the University of Sheffield in 2021, giving her personal experience with postgraduate study as an international student.

Masters Fees and Funding in the Netherlands: 2026 Guide

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Masters fees in the Netherlands