Masters in the Netherlands 2026: Top Universities, Courses, Fees and Visa

Why Study a Master’s in the Netherlands?

• Programmes in English: Dutch universities teach many master’s programmes entirely in English, so you do not need Dutch to study.
• Shorter degrees: research universities often run 1-year or 2-year master’s programmes, which can reduce total cost compared with longer degrees elsewhere.
• Strong research universities: TU Delft, the University of Amsterdam, Utrecht, Leiden, Eindhoven, Wageningen, Erasmus and Groningen all appear in the QS top 160.
• Post-study option: an orientation-year permit gives graduates one year to find work (details below).

Tuition is lower than in the UK or USA for many programmes, but Amsterdam housing is expensive and rooms need early searching.

Best Universities in the Netherlands for a Master’s (QS 2027)

QS 2027 ranks as reported by NL Times; TU/e news confirms TU Delft 48th and TU/e 152nd. Ranks change each year, so check QS before you shortlist.

Popular Master’s Courses

• Business and management: finance, marketing, supply chain and international business at schools such as Erasmus (Rotterdam School of Management), UvA and Maastricht. See MBA in the Netherlands.
• Engineering: TU Delft, TU Eindhoven and Twente are the main technical universities.
• Data science and AI: offered at universities including TU Eindhoven, Leiden, Utrecht and UvA.
• Life sciences, health and psychology: Maastricht, Leiden, Utrecht, Wageningen and VU Amsterdam.

Confirm each course page for language of instruction, intake and entry requirements.

Also Read: Universities in Germany for masters

Tuition Fees

The tuition range comes from the official Study in NL site, which gives average ranges and sends you to each programme page for the exact fee. The low statutory fee of €2,694 is limited to students from the EEA, Switzerland and Suriname, so it does not apply to most Indian students.

Also Read: Cost of studying and education loans for Europe

Cost of Living and Proof of Funds

For the visa, the Netherlands expects proof of sufficient means. Saxion lists €13,644 for 12 months for 2026-27 (about ₹14.7 lakh) and says the figure is updated every year (Saxion). Your university will confirm the exact amount for your permit. This is a minimum for the visa, not a living budget: rent in Amsterdam and Utrecht is usually higher than in smaller cities, so check the university’s housing page for current room prices.

Scholarships

The NL Scholarship is €5,000 paid in the first year of study. It is open to non-EEA students who apply for a full-time bachelor’s or master’s at a participating Dutch institution and do not already hold a Dutch degree. It does not cover full tuition. Applications opened on 1 November 2025 for 2026-27, and each institution sets its own closing date, so check the institution’s page. Many universities also run their own merit awards, so search each university’s scholarship page. See scholarships for Indian students.

Also Read: Top universities in the world: rankings, tuition fees and eligibility

Eligibility and Application Process

• Academic background: a bachelor’s degree relevant to the master’s. Research universities usually expect a 3-year or 4-year bachelor’s with relevant subject credits; check how each one treats Indian degrees.
• English: IELTS or TOEFL is usually required. Minimum scores vary by programme. See IELTS vs TOEFL.
• Documents: transcripts, degree certificate, CV, statement of purpose and recommendation letters. Some business and economics programmes ask for GRE or GMAT.
• Applying: most programmes use Studielink or the university’s own portal. Deadlines for non-EU students are often earlier than for EU students, so read the programme page.

Visa and Residence Permit

Non-EU students need a residence permit for study, and the university usually starts the application with the Dutch immigration authority (IND) after you accept the offer. The permit fee is €254 as shown on school pages (RSM, Saxion). Confirm the current fee and documents on the IND website before paying.

After Your Master’s: Orientation Year

After graduating you can apply for the orientation-year permit. According to Erasmus University, the permit lasts one year and cannot be extended, you must apply within 3 years of your diploma date, the fee is €254, and employers do not need a separate work permit to hire you (Erasmus University). Check that your programme qualifies on the IND website. See countries offering post-study work visas.

Related Articles

• MBA in the Netherlands: Top Universities, Courses, Fees and More
• Countries Offering Post-Study Work Visas
• Best Countries for Indian Students in 2026
• How to Get an Education Loan for Study Abroad

Planning a master’s in the Netherlands? Talk to a GradRight counsellor about shortlisting universities, scholarships and an education loan.