The Netherlands is a popular destination for international students, and for a good reason. First of all, there are many cheap universities in the Netherlands for international students. Secondly, the country boasts a high-quality education system and a diverse range of universities, all of which offer a unique and vibrant student experience. Moreover, universities in the Netherlands offer the largest number of programs taught in English in continental Europe, making it an extremely accessible and friendly destination for international students.
The cost of studying in the Netherlands is also relatively low compared to other popular study-abroad destinations, making it an attractive option to study abroad on a budget. For instance, the average tuition fees in the UK range from 12,000 EUR to 18,000 EUR whereas the average tuition cost in the Netherlands range from 7,000 EUR to 15,000 EUR.
This is mainly due to its excellent government-funded education system that prioritizes making high-quality education accessible for both domestic and international students.
Although education is relatively cheaper and subsidized in the Netherlands, international students are required to pay an institutional fee, which varies for different universities. In some universities, the institutional fee is considerably high, which could potentially put a dent in your pocket. For instance, a master’s degree in finance from TIAS School of Business and Society would cost around 35,000 EUR, whereas the same degree from a public university such as Tilburg University would only cost around 15,000 EUR. Therefore, it’s important to carefully evaluate different options before making a decision about studying in the Netherlands.
Nevertheless, there are more than enough cheap universities in the Netherlands, which can fulfill your educational needs.
Here are some of the cheapest universities in the Netherlands for international students.
University of Twente
the University of Twente is one of the cheapest universities in the Netherlands. Founded in 1961, the university offers strong programs in technical fields such as engineering, technology, and science. It is ranked 202nd in the world in 2023, by QS world university rankings. The university is a pioneer in technological innovation and offers popular courses such as Mechanical engineering, Industrial Engineering, etc., for quite an affordable fee. It also offers many interdisciplinary courses that bring together multiple disciplines such as ‘Technical Medicine.’
| Popular Programs | Annual Tuition Fee (2023-24) |
| Bachelor’s: Industrial Engineering and Management, Advanced Technology, Civil Engineering, Communication Science, Mechanical Engineering, Health Sciences | 9,000 EUR – 13,000 EUR |
| Master’s: Robotics, Applied Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, Public Administration | 14,000 EUR – 17,000 EUR |
Tilburg University
Tilburg University is another affordable option for international students looking to study in the Netherlands. Founded in 1927, it is one of largest universities in the Netherlands with more than 20000 students enrolled there. It was ranked 251 in the world by the Times higher education.
The university is well known for its innovative and interdisciplinary programs in the fields of economics, law, social sciences, behavioral sciences, and the humanities. It offers more than 50 courses at the master’s level and over 10 courses at the bachelor’s level.
| Popular Programs | Annual Tuition Fee (2023-24) |
| Bachelor’s: Economics, Global Law, Psychology, Liberals arts and Sciences, International Sociology | 9,000 EUR |
| Master’s: Law and Technology, Finance, Economic Psychology, Organization and Management Studies, Sociology and Population studies | 14,900 EUR |
University of Groningen
University of Groningen is the second oldest university in the Netherlands and boasts an international ranking of 145 in 2023, according to the QS world university rankings. The university prioritizes international collaboration and research and offers various programs in medicine, social sciences, and the natural sciences at all levels of study. It ranks third in the list of most international enrollments, making it an extremely accessible and cheap university for international students.
| Popular Programs | Annual Tuition Fee (2023-24) |
| Bachelor’s: Medicine, International and European Law, Economics and Business Economics, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Art History, Applied Mathematics, Media Studies | 8,000 EUR – 15,000 EUR |
| Master’s: Behavioural and Social Sciences, Clinical Neuropsychology, Business Administration, Behavioural and Cognitive Neurosciences, Digital Humanities, European Studies, International Relations | 13,000 EUR – 19,000 EUR |
The Royal Academy of Art, The Hague
The Royal Academy of Art, The Hague is a fine arts and design academy in the Hague, Netherlands. Founded in 1682, it is one of the oldest academies of fine arts in the Netherlands and has a rich history of producing prominent alumni and artists in the field. The university is known for its extensive and innovative programs in fine arts, fashion, graphic design, and interior architecture. The Royal Academy provides some of the most exciting courses with extremely cheap tuition fees.
| Popular Programs | Annual Tuition Fee (2023-24) |
| Bachelor’s: Fine Arts, Graphic and Design, Art Science, Textile and Design, Photography | 9,872 EUR |
| Master’s: Interior Architecture, Photography and Society, Industrial Design, Fine Art, Type and Media | 9,872 EUR |
Hanze University of Applied Sciences
Hanze University of Applied Sciences offers some of the most affordable and cost-efficient programs in the Netherlands. Located in Groningen, It is one of the largest applied sciences universities in the country, with over 25,000 students enrolled. The university is known for its focus on applied and practical training. It offers extensive practical programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels in the fields of engineering, business, and health.
| Popular Programs | Annual Tuition Fee (2023-24) |
| Bachelor’s: Marketing Management, Mechanical Engineering, International Business, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, etc | 8,276 EUR |
| Master’s: Renewable Energy, International Business and Management, International Communication, Smart Systems Engineering | 8,000 EUR – 10,000 EUR |
Maastricht University
Maastricht University offers some of the cheapest and affordable programs in the Netherlands.
Founded in 1976, it is one of the youngest universities in the Netherlands. The university offers a wide range of programs at all levels of study in the fields of law, economics, medical sciences, and the humanities. The university currently accommodates more than 20,000 students with a major chunk of them being international admits. It consistently ranks among the top European universities and holds a global ranking of 278 in 2023, according to the QS World University Rankings.
| Popular Programs | Annual Tuition Fee (2023-24) |
| Bachelor’s: International Business, European Law, Medicine, Psychology, Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, Liberal Arts and Sciences | 9,400 EUR – 13,000 EUR |
| Master’s: European Studies, International Business, Financial Economics, Management, Business Administration, Globalization and Development Studies, Media Studies | 16,000 EUR – 18,400 EUR |
Saxion University of Applied Sciences
The foundation of the university dates back to 1875, with the current institution coming to shape in 1998. With more than 27,000 students enrolled, it is one of the largest higher education institutions in the Netherlands. The University is highly oriented toward international education and houses more than 3,500 international students from over 89 countries. Saxion is well known for its vocational and technical programs in the fields of engineering, IT, management, and business at all levels of study.
| Popular Programs | Annual Tuition Fee (2023-24) |
| Bachelor’s: Electrical and Electronic Engineering, International Business, Hotel Management, Human Resource Management, International Finance and Accounting | 7,800 EUR |
| Master’s: Software Engineering, Management, Business Administration, Applied Nanotechnology | 8,000 EUR – 15,000 EUR |
Erasmus University
Erasmus University ranks highly among the cheapest universities in the Netherlands. Founded in 1913, it is named after the famous philosopher and theologian, Erasmus of Rotterdam. In 2020, the university housed more than 30,000 students, making it one of the most sought-after institutions in the country. It is well known for its strong programs in business, economics, law, social sciences, and the humanities. According to the QS world university rankings, it is ranked 208th globally.
| Popular Programs | Annual Tuition Fee (2023-24) |
| Bachelor’s: Economics and Business Economics, History, Arts and Culture, Arts and Sciences, International Business Administration, Communication and Media | 9,900 EUR – 13,800 EUR |
| Master’s: Business Analytics and Management, Commercial Law, Media Studies, Health sciences, Public Administration | 16,000 EUR – 21,000 EUR |
Cheapest universities in the Netherlands for Engineering
Engineering is the second most sought course by international students coming to the Netherlands. The Netherlands is a haven for students looking to master the fields of engineering and technology at cheap and affordable rates. The country offers world-class courses in engineering since it houses some of the most prominent institutes in the field such as the Delft University of Technology, University of Twente, etc.
| University Name | Programs offered | Annual Tuition Fee (2023-24) |
| University of Twente | Bachelor’s: Civil Engineering | 10,875 EUR |
| Master’s: Civil Engineering and Management, Mechanical Engineering, Construction Management and Engineering | 16,750 EUR | |
| Delft University of Technology | Bachelor’s: Aerospace Engineering | 15,950 EUR |
| Master’s: Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science and Technology | 20,560 EUR | |
| Eindhoven University of Technology | Bachelor’s: Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering | 12,300 EUR |
| Master’s: Industrial Design, Embedded Systems, Computer Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering | 17,800 EUR | |
| Hanze University of Applied Sciences | Bachelor’s: Mechanical Engineering, Sensor Technology, Electrical and Electronic Engineering | 8,276 EUR |
| Master’s: Smart Systems Engineering, Renewable Energy | 8,276 EUR | |
| Saxion University of Applied Sciences | Bachelor’s: Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Applied Computer Science, Civil Engineering | 7,800 EUR |
| Master’s: Robotics Systems Engineering | 8,900 EUR |
Cheapest universities in the Netherlands for Business
Netherlands offers some of the most compelling and affordable business programs at both the bachelor’s level and the master’s level. Business is one of the most in-demand fields among international students. As such strong business programs are offered at many universities such as the University of Groningen, Tilburg University, etc.
Here are some of the cheapest universities in the Netherlands for studying business.
| University Name | Programs offered | Annual Tuition Fee (2023-24) |
| University of Groningen | Bachelor’s: International Business, Business Administration | 11,200 EUR |
| Master’s: Business Administration, Marketing and Information Systems, Finance, Human Resource Management, Marketing | 17,800 EUR | |
| Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences | Bachelor’s: International Business Administration, Financial Services Management, Sports Business Management | 9,800 EUR |
| Master’s: Digital Marketing and Communication, Financial Services Management, Human Resource Management, Tourism and Travel | 18,300 EUR | |
| Saxion University of Applied Sciences | Bachelor’s: International Business, Marketing, Finance and Accounting | 7,800 EUR |
| Master’s: Business Administration, Facility and Real Estate Management | 8,900 EUR | |
| University of Twente | Bachelor’s: International Business Administration, Management, Society and Technology | 9,375 EUR |
| Master’s: Business Administration, Environmental and Energy Management | 14,000 EUR | |
| Tilburg University | Bachelor’s: International Business Administration, Human Resources Management | 9,000 EUR |
| Master’s: Marketing Management, Information Management, Business Analytics and Operations Research | 14,900 EUR |
Cheapest universities in the Netherlands for Economics
Economics is the most sought-after course in the Netherlands by incoming international students. Economics programs offered by universities such as Tilburg University, the Erasmus University of Rotterdam, University of Amsterdam are highly ranked globally.
Some of these universities offer world-class programs at extremely cheap rates, making the Netherlands a dreamland for aspiring economics students.
Here are some of the cheapest universities in the Netherlands for studying economics.
| University Name | Programs offered | Annual Tuition Fee (2023-24) |
| University of Groningen | Bachelor’s: Economics and Business Economics, Econometrics and Operations Research | 11,200 EUR |
| Master’s: International Development Economics, Central-East European Economies, Economics and Economic Analysis, Economic Development and Globalization, Economic Development and Growth | 17,800 EUR | |
| Tilburg University | Bachelor’s: Economics, Econometrics and Operations research | 9,000 EUR |
| Master’s: Economics, Research Master Economics, Econometrics and Mathematics Economics | 14,900 EUR | |
| Maastricht University | Bachelor’s: Economics and Business Economics, Econometrics and Operations Research | 9,400 EUR |
| Master’s: Economics, Econometrics and Operations Research, Economic and Financial Research, Financial Economics | 16,000 EUR | |
| University of Amsterdam | Bachelor’s: Economics and Business Economics, Econometrics | 9,900 EUR |
| Master’s: Behavioural Economics and Game Theory, Business Economics, Development Economics, Econometrics | 16,500 EUR | |
| Utrecht University | Bachelor’s: Economics and Business Economics | 11,523 EUR |
| Master’s: Economic Policy, Multidisciplinary Economics | 18,332 EUR |
Cheapest universities in the Netherlands for Arts and Humanities
There are many cheap universities in the Netherlands that offer a variety of programs in the fields of Arts and Humanities. The Netherlands houses many universities that offer innovative and interdisciplinary programs in disciplines such as Psychology, History, Liberal arts, etc. Universities such as Leiden University, University of Amsterdam, and Utrecht University are consistently ranked among the top universities in the world for arts and humanities.
Here are some of the cheapest universities in the Netherlands for pursuing arts and humanities
| University Name | Programs offered | Annual Tuition Fee (2023-24) |
| Tilburg University | Bachelor’s: Psychology, Online Culture: Art, Media and Society, Liberal Arts | 9,000 EUR |
| Master’s: Culture Studies, Philosophy, Christianity and Society, Sociology, New Media Design | 14,900 EUR | |
| Maastricht University | Bachelor’s: Psychology, European Studies, Liberal Arts and Sciences | 9,400 EUR |
| Master’s: Psychology, European Studies, Arts and Culture | 16,000 EUR | |
| University of Groningen | Bachelor’s: Psychology, Media Studies, History, English Language and Culture, Philosophy | 11,200 EUR |
| Master’s: Modern History and International Relations, Classics, Environmental Psychology, Journalism, Media Studies, Social Demography | 16,000 EUR | |
| Erasmus University | Bachelor’s: History, Philosophy, Arts and Culture, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Psychology | 9,900 EUR – 13,800 EUR |
| Master’s: History, Arts and Culture, Media Studies, Philosophy | 17,900 EUR | |
| The Royal Academy of Art, The Hague | Bachelor’s: Fine Arts, Graphic and Design, Art Science, Textile and Design, Photography | 9,872 EUR |
| Master’s: Interior Architecture, Photography and Society, Fine Art | 9,872 EUR |
In short, the Netherlands is a paradise for students looking for cheap and high-value educational options. Besides the affordable tuition, many of these universities offer various scholarships for international students. Students can also avail the numerous governmental scholarship programs that can make studying and living in the Netherlands extremely cheap.
However, while exploring options to study in the Netherlands, cheap tuition fees shouldn’t be the only priority. Aspiring students must also consider various other factors such as the quality of programs offered, rankings, faculty members, internship and placement opportunities, and so on. As such, the priority should be to make a wise and thought-out decision that achieves a balance between high-quality education and cheap tuition. For more information, get in touch with Gyanberry.