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The Netherlands Studying

  • Visa Information. Not a citizen of Australia, Canada, the EU, Iceland, Japan, Liechtenstein, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, or the US? For a study of more than 3 months, you require a student visa. Apply several (at least 3) months in advance; your study program should provide all the necessary—and abundant—paperwork. A visa costs €250 plus whatever fees the program levies if applying through it; if you do it yourself, the visa will run €433. A residence permit for study (not for paid employment), required for non-EU/EEA citizens, costs €188 extra or €433 without a visa. Study of less than 3 months may require a Schengen Visa; inquire at your country’s Dutch embassy.

Study-abroad programs range from basic language and culture courses to college-level classes, often for credit. In order to choose a program that best fits your needs, research as much as you can before making your decision—determine costs and duration as well as what kind of students participate in the program and what sort of accommodations are provided.

The best resource for English-language programs in the humanities, sciences, and social sciences is NUFFIC, Kortenaerkade 11, The Hague (☎070 426 0260; www.nuffic.nl), which caters to foreign students interested in studying in the Netherlands. Their comprehensive online search engine can help you find a course or degree program that matches your interests, time restrictions, location preferences, and budget. Institutes of International Education, which often offer instruction in English, are generally considered to be on par with renowned Dutch-language universities.

In programs that have large groups of students who speak the same language, there is a trade-off. You may feel more comfortable in the community, but you will not have the same opportunity to practice a foreign language or to befriend other international students. For accommodations, dorm life provides a better opportunity to mingle with fellow students, but there is less of a chance to experience the local scene. If you live with a family, there is a potential to build lifelong friendships with natives and to experience day-to-day life in more depth, but conditions can vary greatly from family to family.


  • Universities
  • Most university-level study-abroad programs are conducted in Dutch, although many programs offer classes in English and beginner- and lower-level language courses. Those who are relatively fluent in ...more

  • Language Schools
  • Language schools can be independently run international or local organizations or divisions of foreign universities. They rarely offer college credit but remain a good alternative to university study ...more

  • Alternative Study Abroad
  • For an alternative to a more traditional study-abroad program, check out these opportunities in agriculture, archaeology, art, and culinary technique. Also check out www.nuffic.nl for information on ...more



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