For many Dutch higher-education programmes, Studielink is the central enrolment portal, but an application is not just a Studielink click. The institution may still require documents, matching activities, language evidence, selection or additional admission steps.
Practical application order
- Choose a recognised programme and read its own admissions page.
- Check whether your prior diploma and subjects meet the entry requirements.
- Check the programme’s application deadline, especially for selection/numerus-fixus programmes.
- Apply through Studielink when the programme uses it.
- Complete the institution’s separate document/admission process.
- Arrange tuition payment, immigration formalities if relevant, housing and student finance separately.
How to sign up: Studielink and the institution
For most Dutch HBO and WO programmes, start by checking the programme’s own admissions page and then submit the enrolment request through Studielink. The institution may then send you to its own portal for transcripts, diploma documents, language evidence, selection, matching or other programme-specific requirements.
- Choose the exact programme. Read the institution’s admissions page before registering.
- Check the deadline. For first-time bachelor applications the general deadline is 1 May; numerus fixus programmes generally use 15 January. A programme can have additional or earlier practical deadlines, especially for international applicants.
- Create/access Studielink and submit an enrolment application. Select the correct institution, programme and start date.
- Complete the university or hogeschool’s own admission steps. Studielink registration alone is not an admission decision.
- Respond to selection or matching requirements and upload requested documents by the institution’s deadline.
- After admission, complete enrolment. Follow the institution’s instructions for tuition payment, identity/residence checks and any immigration process. Arrange housing early; admission does not provide accommodation automatically.
Useful starting points: Studielink help, Government.nl application guidance and Study in NL.
Research universities (WO)
The Netherlands has a compact research-university sector. The links below go to the institutions themselves; always use the specific programme page for admission requirements and deadlines.
- University of Amsterdam (UvA) — Amsterdam.
- Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) — Amsterdam.
- Leiden University — Leiden and The Hague.
- Utrecht University — Utrecht.
- Erasmus University Rotterdam — Rotterdam.
- Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) — Delft; technology and engineering.
- Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) — Eindhoven; technology and engineering.
- University of Groningen — Groningen.
- Maastricht University — Maastricht.
- Radboud University — Nijmegen.
- Tilburg University — Tilburg.
- University of Twente — Enschede.
- Wageningen University & Research (WUR) — Wageningen; particularly associated with life sciences, agriculture, food and environment.
- Open Universiteit — primarily distance/open higher education, with a different study model from the campus universities above.
Why is Radboud University called Radboud?
Radboud University was founded on 17 October 1923 as the Catholic University Nijmegen. Its creation formed part of the Catholic emancipation movement: Catholics were strongly under-represented in areas such as public administration, law and medicine, and a Catholic university was intended to expand access to academic education and professional life. The initiative came from the Saint Radboud Foundation, named after Bishop Radboud, associated with scholarship and Roman Catholic higher education. The university adopted the name Radboud University in 2004. This history explains the name; today’s applicant should use the university’s current programme and admissions pages rather than assume that its historical Catholic origin determines admission.
Major universities of applied sciences (HBO)
HBO is professionally oriented higher education. There are many more hogescholen than the examples below; the Association of Universities of Applied Sciences maintains the full list of the 36 publicly funded hogescholen.
- Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (HvA)
- HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht
- Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences
- The Hague University of Applied Sciences
- Fontys University of Applied Sciences
- HAN University of Applied Sciences
- Hanze University of Applied Sciences
- Avans University of Applied Sciences
- Saxion University of Applied Sciences
- NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences
- Windesheim University of Applied Sciences
- Inholland University of Applied Sciences
- Breda University of Applied Sciences (BUas)
- HZ University of Applied Sciences
Language requirements
Dutch-taught and English-taught programmes can impose language requirements. The accepted test and score are institution/programme specific. For Dutch learning routes, NT2 and inburgering information, see our Learning Dutch as an adult guide.
Recognition and accreditation
Before paying for an unfamiliar programme, verify the institution and programme. Dutch higher education includes publicly funded and private providers, and recognition/accreditation matters if you need a formally recognised qualification.