List of Top 18 Universities for Masters in Netherlands - Courses, Fees & Deadlines

There are some best colleges in the Netherlands for MS offering programs specially designed for international students.

The benefits of pursuing a Master’s in Netherlands are:

No Language Barriers

Around 90% of Dutch citizens speak English. The popularity of the English language makes it very informal to socialise and link with people, participate in social and cultural events, or make friends and go out.

Work Flexibility after Graduation

International students studying at the best universities in the Netherlands for Master's degrees can work in numerous fields after graduation. They can also earn a good amount of salary and other employee benefits; Holland is one of the top countries where a 4-day workweek is a standard option in all sectors of the economy.

Benefit From Low Tuition Fees

The fees for international students at Dutch universities are high, depending on the program a student wishes to pursue. There are also some scholarships in the Netherlands available for highly driven students with good grades.

Advance Your Employment Prospects

Sometimes it becomes hard for students to find a job according to their level of expertise. Pursuing a master’s program from a Dutch university helps international students in many ways. It allows students to become experts in a particular field, gives more specialised knowledge, helps them discover a good job easily, etc.

The Netherlands has great universities like TU Delft, the University of Amsterdam, Utrecht University, and many more, where students go to study for their Master’s degree. Lots of students from other countries choose these places because they are famous and have amazing faculty. 

In 2024, TU Delft had 1,296 new international Master’s students, making up 84% of its first‑year Master’s intake. The University of Amsterdam saw 55% of its first‑year Master’s students come from abroad in 2024–2025. This shows why the Netherlands is a top pick for students who love engineering and tech. 

Below is a table showing the top 10 universities in the Netherlands and how they rank in the QS World University Rankings 2026.

Let’s dive into the details of every university mentioned in the table. We will be talking about everything from average tuition fees to types of programs offered. 

1. TU Delft

TU Delft is famous for its courses revolving around making cool things like robots, bridges, and new green technology. In 2024, it had about 25,000 students and more than 2,900 teachers helping them learn. TU Delft has a big campus with lots of bikes and even wind tunnels where students test planes! Many people choose TU Delft because it’s one of the best places in Europe for studying engineering and design, and it’s ranked #49 in the world.

2. University of Amsterdam

The University of Amsterdam is one of the biggest places in the Netherlands for students who want to study many different things. In 2024, about 6,900 students were studying their Master’s there, and over 55% of them came from other countries. It has more than 200 Master’s programs, so students can choose from lots of subjects, from science to law to the arts. 

3. Utrecht University

Utrecht University started way back in 1636. Many people love studying science and health because it’s one of the oldest universities in the Netherlands, and it follows a structured pattern for each course! In 2024, there were more than 7,400 Master’s students, and many come from other countries to study here. The university has won awards for its research, and some teachers there have even won big science prizes called the Spinoza Prize.

4. Leiden University

Leiden University focuses on freedom of thought and academic curiosity, letting students explore big questions like human rights, peace, and health. In 2024, they offered over 80 Master’s programs, and many are ranked in the world’s top 100, like Archaeology (10th worldwide) and Political Science (31st worldwide). Leiden is also famous for research in health and law, and many classes mix learning with real projects so students can solve real-life problems.

5. University of Groningen

The University of Groningen loves helping students become problem-solvers for the world. Their goal is to give students skills to fix big challenges like healthy aging, energy, and a sustainable planet. In 2024, they offered over 120 Master’s programs, and they are very strong in fields like Business, Law, Artificial Intelligence, and Life Sciences. One of their cool facts is that their Business school ranks in the world’s top 100, and their Law programs are in the top 75 worldwide. Many students choose Groningen because they can join research teams and work on real projects even while studying.

6. Erasmus University Rotterdam

Erasmus University Rotterdam is famous for teaching students how to help people live better lives, especially through subjects like health, business, and social sciences. In 2024, they offered about 70 Master’s programs. Their Erasmus School of Economics and Rotterdam School of Management are both ranked among Europe’s top business schools. The university also won the Sustainable Development Goal Award in the Netherlands for helping make the world fairer and greener. Many students choose Erasmus because they love mixing business learning with projects that help communities.

7. Wageningen University & Research

Wageningen University & Research teaches things like Food Technology, where students discover how to make safe and tasty food. Environmental Sciences is also taught, where people learn how to protect forests, oceans, and clean air. In Animal Sciences, students study animals to help farmers keep them healthy, while Agrotechnology helps make new machines for growing crops in smart ways. All these courses help students find jobs working on climate change, healthy food, or caring for animals and the Earth. Wageningen is known as one of the world’s best universities for agriculture and environment and ranks in the top 1 in Agriculture worldwide.

8. Eindhoven University of Technology

Eindhoven University of Technology offers over 50 Master’s programs and was ranked in the world’s top 150 universities for engineering and technology. Eindhoven is known as the “Brainport” of the Netherlands because it works closely with big tech companies, so students often find good jobs in technology and innovation. They offer various interesting courses, like Industrial Design, for students to create cool products. One of the prominent alumni is Frans van Houten, former CEO of Philips, a giant company making electronics and medical equipment.

9. University of Twente

The University of Twente’s big goal is called “High Tech, Human Touch,”. This is because they want students to invent things that help the world, like smart medical devices or ways to save energy. Students can study things like Biomedical Engineering to help doctors, or Public Administration to learn how to run cities and help people. Scientists at Twente helped invent tiny sensors used in medical tools and machines, and they’ve done cool work in lab-on-a-chip technology. This helps doctors run tests faster and more safely. In 2024, about 30% of all Master’s students there came from other countries, and many big companies like ASML, Philips, and Siemens hire graduates from here. 

10. Maastricht University

Maastricht University teaches subjects like Business, Law, Psychology, Health Sciences, Data Science, and European Studies. The university has six big faculties and over 4,300 teachers. Most Master’s degrees here last one or two years, and many programs let students do on-campus internships with research labs, hospitals, or local businesses to get real work experience. One cool fact is that Maastricht is the only university in the Netherlands that teaches almost all its classes using Problem-Based Learning, where students work in small groups to solve real problems instead of just listening to lectures.

Every year, more than 100,000 international students apply to study in the Netherlands, but not all of them get in because the universities have certain rules and requirements. For example, at big schools like the University of Amsterdam, only about 50-55% of students get accepted for some Master’s programs. This means it’s important to know what you need to study in the Netherlands so you have a better chance of getting in. Below, we’ll explain how you can get into the top universities and what documents you’ll need.

Eligibility Criteria 

To study for a Master’s in Netherlands, students need to meet some important rules. Every university can have special rules, but most ask for the same basic things. Here’s what you usually need:

• A Bachelor’s degree in a related subject, with at least a GPA of 6.5 or 7 out of 10 (many top universities want this minimum score).
• Proof of English skills, such as:
  • 1. IELTS score of at least 6.5 overall (some programs want 7.0).
  • 2. TOEFL iBT score of at least 90 (some want 100).
  • 3. Duolingo English Test score of at least 110 (some want 120 or higher).
• Sometimes, at least 1-2 years of work experience is required for business or management courses.
• A good motivation letter explaining why you want to join the program.
• Some programs may require an entrance test (for example, GMAT for business) or an interview.
• For art, design, or architecture programs, a portfolio of your work is often required.
• You should also check visa rules and make sure you have enough money saved to show you can pay for living costs and studies.

Documents Required 

When you apply for a Master’s, you have to send many documents so the university can check how well you’ve studied and if you’re ready for the program. Sending the correct papers helps avoid delays. Here’s what you usually need:

• A copy of your Bachelor’s degree certificate showing you finished your studies.
• Transcripts of records from your Bachelor’s, showing your grades (and explaining the grading scale).
• An English test score report (IELTS, TOEFL, or Duolingo, with scores as mentioned above).
• A motivation letter explaining why you want to study this course and how it will help your future.
• A CV or resume listing your education, skills, and any work experience.
• A copy of your passport (sometimes they also ask for a photo).
• Letters of recommendation from teachers or employers (usually 1-2 letters).
• A portfolio for art, design, architecture, or creative programs.
• Some universities also ask for proof of funds to show you can afford tuition and living costs.
• Any entrance test scores like GMAT, GRE, or university-specific tests, if required

Studying for a Master’s in Netherlands can cost anywhere from €11,000 to €20,000 a year (INR 9.9 to 18L) just for tuition fees. Please note, it depends on the university and the type of course you pick. 

Students also need money for living expenses like rent, food, books, and fun activities, which can be quite high, ranging from €750 to €1,360. Knowing these costs helps students and families plan better, so there are no surprises later. 

Tuition Fee

Many students and families want to know why tuition fees are so different between universities in the Netherlands. This is because costs depend on the type of subject, how long the program takes, and whether you’re from Europe or outside Europe. Some degrees, like engineering or science, need expensive labs and machines, which makes them cost more. Below are some helpful insights about tuition fees:

• Universities in the Netherlands charge higher fees for non-European students than for Dutch and EU students.
• Some technical or business programs cost more because they need special labs, projects, or expensive software.
• Many universities offer different fees depending on whether your program lasts one year or two years.
• Some universities let you pay your fees in instalments instead of all at once, which helps manage costs.

Cost of Living in the Netherlands

Apart from tuition fees, students have to pay for daily life, like rent, food, travel, and fun activities, which might range from INR 60,000 to INR 1.2L. The Netherlands is not the cheapest country in Europe, so it’s important to plan your budget. Here’s an idea of how much you might spend each month:

Many students in the Netherlands use scholarships like the Holland Scholarship, Orange Tulip Scholarship, and Erasmus Mundus Scholarship to help pay for their studies. Even with these scholarships, more than 60% of international students still take loans or borrow money from family to manage all the costs of tuition and living. Sadly, about 12% of students think about leaving their studies early because they can’t afford to continue. That’s why planning your money is super important, and it’s even more important to know all the details about the scholarships, like who can apply, how much money you can get, and what rules you have to follow.

Below is a table to help you learn about some of the most popular scholarships for Master’s students in the Netherlands, who can apply for them, and what benefits they offer.

After finishing a Master’s in Netherlands, students often get good jobs as Data Scientists, Business Analysts, Mechanical Engineers, Software Developers, and Marketing Managers. One of the highest-paying jobs is a Data Scientist, where you can earn up to €65,000 (INR 58.5L) per year or even more if you work for big companies. A great tip for students is to start doing internships during their studies, because many Dutch companies hire interns for full-time jobs later. 

Every year, about 70% of international Master’s graduates find a job in the Netherlands out of nearly 40,000 graduates. Famous companies like Philips, ASML, ING, Unilever, and Shell are always looking for talented graduates from Dutch universities because they know they’re well-trained and ready to solve any sort of problem.

Below is a table showing some popular jobs you can get after your Master’s, how much they pay, and the skills you should have for each one.

We understand that students often feel confused about choosing the right university, figuring out costs, and making sure they meet all the admission requirements. It’s normal to worry about picking the right course, how to manage money, and how to get a good job after studying. A few helpful tips are to research each university carefully, plan your finances early, and talk to people who’ve studied in the Netherlands. But the truth is, this whole process isn’t easy, and almost everyone needs proper guidance to avoid mistakes and save time.

That’s where Yocket Premium can make a big difference. With Yocket Premium, students get one-on-one counselling, help with university shortlisting, SOP and document guidance, and support with applications and visas. It’s like having an expert friend to guide you at every step. For anyone planning to study abroad, Yocket Premium can help turn big dreams into real plans with less stress and more confidence.