Financing your studies
If you have found your dream degree at one of the universities in The Hague Region, the next step is to consider how you can finance your studies. An advantage for international students is that tuition fees are fairly low in the Netherlands, compared to other countries. There are also scholarships and grants available for non-Dutch students. It is important to know that international students who are not EU/EEA or Swiss nationals will need to show they have sufficient funds for your cost of living if they want to study in the Netherlands.
Student Grants and Scholarships for International Students
There are specific grants and scholarships available for non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens. Nuffic, the Dutch organisation for internationalisation in education, is a major player in helping graduate and undergraduate students fund their studies. Their grant finder will help you filter available scholarships to see which funding opportunities are a match with your background and the study programme you want to follow. Many Dutch universities also offer scholarships to international students – check with the institution you want to attend to see what is possible. You can also look for ways to finance your studies on the Scholarship Portal.
Dutch Government Support
The Dutch government may be able to help you finance your studies via a grant or a student loan if you are under 30. Citizens of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland are eligible for student funding (studentenfinancering, ‘student financing’) if they have been living in the Netherlands for five years or longer. If you do not meet this requirement, you may still qualify, depending on your nationality. Even if you don’t meet the nationality criteria, you may still qualify for a loan to cover all or part of your tuition fees. Check the Dutch Ministry of Education’s website to see if you are eligible for government support to finance your studies.
Tuition Fees
You must pay an annual tuition fee if you are studying at a university in the Netherlands. There are two types of tuition fee: statutory and institutional. EU, EEA, Swiss, and Surinamese citizens pay the statutory fee, and other nationalities pay the institutional fee, which is usually higher. Some institutions ask for an extra contribution for specific studies or offer a discount for part-time studies. Check the university’s website for more information about tuition fees.
Cost of Living in The Hague Region
As well as financing your tuition fees, you must take living costs into account. The amount you need will vary depending on your lifestyle, your spending pattern, and your housing situation. On average, a student in the Hague region will need between €977 and €1,327 per month. If you rent a house or apartment, you will also have to pay city taxes. If you rent a room, these costs are included. Find out more about your monthly cost of living.
Sufficient Financial Means
International students students who are not EU/EEA or Swiss nationals who want to study in The Netherlands must prove they have sufficient financial means to do so. You can do this by demonstrating you have a certain amount of money on your bank account, for example, and presenting a number of documents. The amount you need is the standard amount for students living away from home as set out in the Student Finance Act 2000. This standard amount does not include tuition fees or fees for the application procedure.
Many students take on a part-time job to help finance their studies – learn more about working while studying in The Hague region. You’ll also need to open a Dutch bank account and, if you have a part-time job, you may have to file an annual tax return.
