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How much does it cost to study at a Dutch university?

How much does studying at a Dutch university cost exactly? As you can imagine, we get that question a lot. Because not only do you have to pay tuition fees, you also have to buy textbooks and have a place to live during your studies in Amsterdam. What exactly are the costs involved and how much does it all add up to?

Going to university costs money. But exactly how much money can be difficult to calculate. After all, what factors do you need to take into account? For some young people and their parents, the financial aspect can be quite an obstacle and may determine whether or not you decide to study. 

You can list many of the costs in advance. There are also choices you can make that may make studying more affordable for your situation. Are you coming from abroad? Or do you already live in the Netherlands? Depending on your situation, there are several cost-cutting decisions you can make. Just a small example: many of our students at VU Amsterdam do not live in student accommodation or in Amsterdam, since VU Amsterdam is easily accessible from most parts of the country.  

Our most important tip: make a cost overview in advance. With the help of this page, you will (hopefully) get a good head start.

What are the main costs to think about when going to university?

When you or your child goes to university, the financial aspect can be quite an obstacle. Nowadays, most parents have to contribute financially to help their child study and make ends meet. But there are quite a few options for working out together what is feasible. In the Netherlands, the costs for studying are usually not as high as in other non-EU countries. However, there are still quite a few costs to think about. These are the main costs you will face:

  1. Tuition fees;  
  2. Study costs, such as books and study materials;  
  3. Living expenses, such as student accommodation, groceries, insurance, telephone, public transport, sports, etc.

We have explored these costs in more detail below. 

The cost of studying

  • Tuition fees

    There are two types of tuition fees for a study programme in the Netherlands:

    • Statutory fee;
    • Institutional fee.

    If you meet certain conditions, you normally pay the statutory fee. If you do not meet these conditions, then the institutional fee applies. This institutional fee varies per educational institution. The rates of tuition fees for Bachelor's programmes at VU Amsterdam vary and can be found on the specific programme pages.

    If you have any questions about which fee applies to you, you can always contact our Student Desk! They are always happy to help you with any questions you might have.

  • Study programme costs

    These costs vary depending on the programme. The programme you are considering can provide you with more information about this. These are mainly costs you will need to make for purchasing study books, for example.

    The Dutch National Institute for Family Finance Information calculates an average of 41 euros per month for this if you are going to follow a university programme in the Netherlands. This allows you to make a (rough) estimate. 

  • Cost of living in the Netherlands

    These expenses have the most variables. For example, are you going to live in student accommodation in Amsterdam, or do you not mind moving a bit further to save costs? This has a major impact on your monthly expenses. The NIBUD (Dutch National Institute for Family Finance Information) makes an estimate every year on what students who go to university can roughly expect. Unfortunately, this page is not available in English, but a rough estimate is around 1400 euros per month. This includes housing, groceries, costs for your study programma such as books, transportation, clothes, healthcare and your phone. This does not include your tuition fees or any student loans or scholarships.

  • Student finance 

    Financial assistance for your study costs is available through the Education Implementation Service (DUO). Depending on your situation, you can apply for a student loan, even as an international student.

    All the information you need for applying can be found on their website. 

  • Student Support Regulation for additional support needs

    VU has a fund available for students who need extra support, for example, due to a physical or sensory disability (paraplegia, hearing problems, etc.), chronic illness (diabetes, Crohn's disease, etc.), pregnancy or disabilities, such as dyslexia, autism, and psychological problems. The costs for this support are covered by VU's Student Support Regulation, and you can apply for this support at VU. 

    More information about studying at VU with a disability is available.

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