The global demand for computer science and IT graduates and professionals is constantly increasing. The Netherlands has been experiencing a skills shortage in ICT (information and communication technology) industry. Because of this, the Dutch government as well as universities have taken initiatives to encourage the development of computer science talent. The Netherlands is one of the best countries to study for a master’s degree in computer science. A total of eight universities offer English-taught masters in computer science in the Netherlands.
The program is available as a Master of Science or an MSc degree that lasts for 2 years. You can pursue the degree either with a specialization or without one. Dutch universities like the Delft University of Technology, the University of Twente, Utrecht University, etc., offer the program without a specialization. On the other hand, universities like Leiden University, the University of Groningen, and Radboud University provide an MS in computer science with a range of specializations.
The basic eligibility criterion for an MSc in computer science in Holland is to have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or related fields. Since the program is taught entirely in English, students also need to produce English language proficiency test results.
Overview: Masters in Computer Science in the Netherlands
| Number of universities | 8 |
| Degree type | Master of Science (MSc) |
| Duration | 2 years |
| Minimum eligibility | A bachelor’s degree in computer science or related fields |
| Annual tuition fees | 16,000-22,000 EUR |
| Cost of living | 10,000-13,000 EUR |
Why Study Masters in Computer Science in the Netherlands?
High-ranking universities: The Dutch universities offering masters in computer science rank highly in the QS ranking. They all fall under the 300 QS World University Rankings 2023 rankings.
Multicultural environment: As per the “Study in NL” website, international students in the Netherlands come from 160 different countries. This kind of diversity makes studying, working, and living in the Netherlands easy for foreign students.
Wide range of specializations: A master’s in computer science in the Netherlands comes with many specializations. For example, Leiden University offers 6 specializations in computer science including data science, artificial intelligence, bioinformatics, etc.
English-taught degrees: Although the Netherlands is a non-Anglophone country, over 95% of its population speak English and thus English-taught degrees are rampant in this country. Over 2,000 programs are taught in English in the Netherlands.
Affordable tuition and cost of living: A graduate degree in computer science in the Netherlands cost 6,000-22,000 EUR per year which is affordable compared to one in English-speaking countries. Similarly, it costs anywhere from 10,000 to 13,000 EUR to live in the country which is affordable enough for international students.
Scholarship opportunities: Scholarships are offered to international students at almost all the universities in the Netherlands. These scholarships get their funding from the Dutch government, foreign organizations, and Dutch universities. One of the most popular scholarships in the Netherlands is the Holland Scholarship.
Excellent career opportunities: Being the 18th largest economy in the world, the Netherlands offers quite a lot of job opportunities for computer scientists. The Dutch government also offers an “orientation year” for international students to find a job in the country after graduation.
If you are planning to study master’s in computer science in the Netherlands, then let us help you find the best universities. Our platform Gyanberry provides personalized university comparisons to help you choose the best and most affordable university. For more information, get in touch with us today!
Top Dutch Universities Offering English-Taught MSc in Computer Science
Rankings
| University Name | QS World University Rankings 2023 |
| Delft University of Technology | 61 |
| Utrecht University | 112 |
| Leiden University | 131 |
| Eindhoven University of Technology | 138 |
| University of Groningen | 145 |
| University of Twente | 212 |
| Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam | 214 |
| Radboud University | 232 |
Application Deadlines for MS in Computer Science in the Netherlands
| University Name | Program Name | Duration in Years | Application Deadlines 2023-24 |
| University of Twente | Computer Science | 2 | May 1 and October 1, 2023 |
| Delft University of Technology | Computer Science | 2 | January 15, 2024 |
| Leiden University | Computer Science: Data Science | 2 | April 2023 |
| Computer Science: Bioinformatics | |||
| Computer Science: Computer Science and Science Communication and Society | |||
| Computer Science: Foundations of Computing | |||
| Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence | |||
| Computer Science: Advanced Computing and Systems | |||
| University of Groningen | Computing Science | 2 | May 1, 2024 |
| Radboud University | Computing Science (with specializations) | 2 | April 1, 2024 |
| Utrecht University | Computing Science | 2 | September 1, 2023 |
| Eindhoven University of Technology | Computer Science and Engineering | 2 | May 1, 2023, and May 1, 2024 |
| Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam | Computer Science (joint degree in collaboration with the University of Amsterdam) | 2 | April 1, 2023 |
Basic Entry Requirements for Masters in Computer Science in the Netherlands
Bachelor’s degree: The basic eligibility for a master’s in computer science in the Netherlands is a bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field. The curriculum of the degree must have covered sufficient mathematics, logic, computer programming, and computer science. The university admission committee will assess if your undergraduate degree is sufficiently related to the level of the Dutch BSc in computer science.
If your bachelor’s degree in computer science is not on par with a Dutch BSc in computer science, you can always opt for a pre-masters program. For instance, the University of Twente provides a (pre-)Master’s in Computer Science of 6 months duration to fulfill the eligibility criteria. Radboud University and Utrecht University also offer customized pre-master courses in English.
English language proficiency: Since the program is taught in English, international students have to prove their English proficiency with any one of the following:
- 6.5 IELTS overall band
- 90-92 TOEFL internet-based
- C1 Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English
In addition to this, international students need to produce the following documents as a part of the admission process
- Valid passport
- Recent passport photographs
- Academic transcripts
- Bank statement proving sufficient funds to cover tuition and living expenses
- Health certificate
Cost of Studying Masters in Computer Science in the Netherlands
Tuition Fees
The cost of a master’s in computer science in the Netherlands falls in the range of 16,000-22,000 EUR per year. This is quite affordable compared to tuition fees in the US and the UK. The lowest fee, i.e., 15,580 EUR, is offered by Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam for its joint master’s degree in computer science with the University of Amsterdam. Whereas Utrecht University charges the highest tuition fees for its MSc in Computing Science at 21,736 EUR per year.
| University Name | Annual Tuition Fees (EUR) |
| University of Twente | 16,750 |
| Delft University of Technology | 20,560 |
| Leiden University | 19,600 |
| University of Groningen | 20,700 |
| Radboud University | 17,000 |
| Utrecht University | 21,736 |
| Eindhoven University of Technology | 17,800 |
| Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam | 15,580 |
Living Cost
It costs anywhere between 800-1,100 a month, which adds up to 9,600-13,200 EUR per annum for the cost of living in Holland. A breakdown of living costs for international students in the Netherlands is as follows:
| Particulars | Annual expense in EUR |
| Housing | 3,600-7,200 |
| Food | 2,000 |
| Health insurance | 500-1,000 |
| Transportation | 1,000 |
| Personal expenses | 1,500-1,800 |
Total Cost of Studying
Considering the average tuition fees and cost of living, we can roughly estimate the total cost of studying MS in computer science in the Netherlands. On average, the tuition fees add up to 19,000 EUR per year, and after adding the average cost of living, i.e., 11,500 EUR per year, the cost of studying adds up to 30,500 EUR per year.
Career Prospects & Annual Salaries for MSc in Computer Science Graduates in the Netherlands
Holland is home to some of the world’s biggest multinationals, including Heineken, Philips, KLM, ING, Shell, and Unilever. These companies hire computer science graduates for technology development and solving computing problems. Their duties include creating or revising algorithms, writing codes, evaluating computer systems, designing computing models, and researching to test new theories. The average salary of computer science graduates in the Netherlands is 48,276 EUR per year. Here are some average annual salaries for computer science specializations offered to graduates in Holland.
| Data Science | 60,000 |
| Artificial Intelligence | 56,892 |
| Software Engineering | 53,000 |
| Bioinformatics | 49,615 |
| Cybersecurity | 36,000 |
Source: Glassdoor
Conclusion
Computers and programming have become integral parts of our lives in this globally connected world. With so much demand for computer science graduates everywhere, a bachelor’s degree in the field is seldom sufficient. Thus, many students opt for a master’s degree for excellent career growth. A master’s in computer science in the Netherlands is a great way to start a career in this field. Eight Dutch universities offer the course in English, with fees ranging from 16,000 to 22,000 EUR. The minimum eligibility requirement to apply for an MSc in computer science in the Netherlands is a bachelor’s degree in computer science. Merely fulfilling the basic requirements does not guarantee admission to Dutch universities. Students have to fulfill credit requirements, English language proficiency requirements, etc., to be able to be considered for admission. If you are confused about these admission requirements, book a free video call with our experts.
