This is what you need to arrange if you want to study at an HBO school or university
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If you want to take an HBO or WO course in the Netherlands, you must meet certain requirements. You will have to deal with costs such as tuition fees and and rules for admission to studies. In this article you can read how and where to register, what you have to arrange and what you have to pay for. And we will tell you what help you can get.
Register for a study via Studielink
If you want to follow
In some cases, a selection process takes place because there are only a limited number of places. Sometimes there are additional admission requirements. You may have to register for these studies beforehand, so always keep an eye on the website of the course of study you want to do. Are you selected for this course of study? Then you often have to accept your place in Studielink within 2 weeks.
Sometimes you may take two courses at the same time. But you may only choose one course for courses such as medicine, dentistry, physical therapy and dental hygiene.
To study, you must pay tuition fees
If you are going to take an HBO or university course, they are called tuition fees. For the 2025-2026 academic year, the tuition fees are €2,601. After your enrolment, you can arrange payment through Studielink. You can choose whether to pay the amount at once or in 9 instalments.
Financial support is available
Status holder
If you are a status holder and are going to study, you also have to pay tuition fees. Studying in the Netherlands is not free.
Do you have your own money or a job? Then you can pay for your studies yourself. Do you not have any money or a job? Then you can borrow money via
You can borrow money not only for your studies, but also for expenses such as rent, books and transportation. This is called
You can get this support if you are between the ages of 18 and 30 and are a
If you are over the age of 30, you are no longer entitled to study financing. Do you still want to follow a
If you do not yet have residence status or come from Ukraine, you are not entitled to financial assistance
Are you an asylum seeker or Ukrainian? Then you are not entitled to study financing. You must pay your tuition fees and other costs yourself.
Are you not able to do this and do you not have a job? Then you can
If you want to study at HBO level or university, you must have B2 level Dutch
Do you want to study at HBO level or university? Then you need language level B2. HBO schools and universities often require
Schools and universities may determine the language requirements for themselves.
Do you want to take a course? Then contact the school or university and ask what requirements there are. Requirements may vary from school to school.
Are you taking a course in English? Then also contact the school or university where you want to study. That way you will know what language level you need to have and how to proof that you have that level.
Prepare for HBO or university studies with a transition year
If you want to study an HBO or university course, it might be useful to do a transition year. You take this year if the step to a course is still too big. In a transition year you learn, for example, Dutch, English and other important skills. You can find more information on the