Finances

Tuition fees

Students from the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA) pay the same tuition fees as Dutch students. The tuition fees for most programmes are determined by the Dutch government on an annual basis. Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA students vary depending on the programme. Please consult the website for the specific tuition fees for academic year 2024-2025: vu.nl/tuitionfee

Application fee

If you are applying for an English-taught Bachelor’s programme you are asked to pay a non-refundable €100 application fee. Only after you have paid this fee will we be able to start the assessment of your application file.

Scholarships

For international Bachelor's students, scholarship options are limited. However, Dutch higher education is subsidised and tuition fees are relatively low. Study in Holland offers an overview of all scholarships and grants available to international students. https://www.studyinnl.org/finances

€ 1,000 to 2,000

Monthly living costs

Some students manage to spend less, but this of course depends on your own lifestyle. Below is an example of potential costs (not including tuition fees):

Accommodation €450 - €1,250 per month

Food etc. €325 - €400 per month

Public transport €60 per month

Insurance €75 per month

Books and printing €30 per month

Other costs: clothing etc. €100 per month

Proof of financial means

When you are from a non-EU/EEA country you must prove that you are able to finance the costs of living in the Netherlands, as part of your immigration procedure. The Dutch Immigration Service determines the amount per month/year. For 2024-2025 you need to be able to prove that you have at least the minimum specified amount per month at your disposal for the total duration of your study programme enrolment. Additionally, you also need to prove that you can pay your tuition fees.