Study in Holland - Netherlands Scholarships and Universities

Overview

Study in Holland (studyinholland.nl) is the official portal of the Netherlands Education Support Office (Nuffic) promoting higher education in the Netherlands to international students. The Netherlands is home to 12 universities and over 40 universities of applied sciences offering more than 2,000 English-taught programs. The Holland Scholarship is the flagship national scholarship for non-EEA international students to pursue a full bachelor's or master's degree in the Netherlands. Additional funding is available through Orange Knowledge Programme (for specific developing countries), individual university scholarships, and the Erasmus+ program for EU students.

What You Can Find Here

Holland Scholarship - partial scholarship for non-EEA students at Dutch universities (EUR 5,000)
Orange Knowledge Programme - full scholarships for citizens from specific developing countries
University-specific scholarship databases for all 12 Dutch research universities and HBO institutions
Information on English-taught bachelor's and master's programs at Dutch universities
Dutch university admission requirements and application processes via Studielink
Practical information on student life, housing, and visa requirements in the Netherlands

Who Should Use This

Non-EEA international students seeking the Holland Scholarship for Dutch universities
Students from developing countries eligible for Orange Knowledge Programme
EU/EEA students seeking Dutch university programs (many are in English; EU students pay lower fees)
Students wanting a central overview of Dutch higher education programs and funding

How to Get Started

Step 1: Visit studyinholland.nl to explore programs and scholarship options in the Netherlands
Step 2: Apply for admission to your chosen Dutch program through the university's application portal or Studielink
Step 3: Apply for the Holland Scholarship through nuffic.nl/en/subjects/scholarships/holland-scholarship
Step 4: Apply to individual university scholarships directly through the university's scholarship database
Step 5: For Orange Knowledge Programme: check eligibility and apply at studyinholland.nl/scholarships/orange-knowledge-programme

Things to Check Before Applying

The Holland Scholarship is a partial scholarship (EUR 5,000 one-time) not a full scholarship - it reduces but does not cover tuition
EU/EEA students are not eligible for the Holland Scholarship but pay lower (EEA-rate) tuition
Most Dutch master's programs are 1 year in duration (60 ECTS) - plan accordingly
Dutch university admission is competitive and many programs have early selection - apply as early as possible

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Holland Scholarship?

The Holland Scholarship is a EUR 5,000 partial scholarship for non-EEA students studying a full bachelor's or master's degree at a participating Dutch university. It is awarded once and does not recur for subsequent years.

Are Dutch universities expensive?

Tuition for non-EEA international students at Dutch universities is higher than for EU students. Non-EEA fees typically range from EUR 6,000 to EUR 20,000 per year depending on program. The Netherlands is one of the more affordable Western European options for international students.

What is the Orange Knowledge Programme?

The Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP) is a Dutch Government scholarship providing full funding for citizens from specific developing countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America to pursue short courses or master's degrees in the Netherlands.

Can I study in the Netherlands in English?

Yes. The Netherlands has one of the highest rates of English-taught programs in the world, with over 2,100 English-language bachelor's and master's programs at Dutch institutions.

Are there Dutch university-specific scholarships beyond the Holland Scholarship?

Yes. Each Dutch university has its own scholarship programs. TU Delft, Leiden, Utrecht, Maastricht, and others offer partial to full scholarships for outstanding international students. Check each university's international scholarship page.