How to apply to a Dutch study programme in NL

Applying to Dutch higher education is usually a two-part process. Studielink is the national registration and application portal for most programmes, but the institution decides how its application works, which documents it needs and whether you meet the admission requirements. Check the programme page first, then follow the route it gives you.

Choose the exact programme and institution before you build an application checklist. The institution is the source of truth for its admission requirements and deadline. Do not order a paid credential evaluation just because you hold a foreign diploma: the institution can usually obtain advice about your diploma level and it makes the final admission decision.

The programme page tells you which route to use. Do not assume Studielink is the whole application.

• Studielink plus the institution's own application

  For most programmes you first register in Studielink. The institution may then ask for documents, a motivation letter, a language result or other information in its own portal.

• An institution-specific route

  Some institutions use another method for applicants from abroad. Follow the programme page and admissions office instructions instead of creating a Studielink application that is not required.

1. 1

   Read the exact programme requirements

   Start on the institution's page for the programme. It decides the admission requirements, language evidence, selection steps and application route.

   Do this: Save the programme's admission page and turn every requirement into a checklist before you open an application.

   Documents needed

   • Programme admission requirements
   • Your previous diploma and transcript

   Processing time

   Before you create an application

   Common mistake: Do not use a general Netherlands checklist as a substitute for the programme page. Admission requirements are set by the institution and can differ between programmes.

   Official source

   Study in NL · Check the institution website before applying
2. 2

   Confirm the deadline that applies to your programme

   Study in NL gives 15 January for numerus fixus programmes and 1 May as the general deadline for other programmes, but the exact date can vary by institution and programme.

   Do this: Put the institution's exact deadline in your calendar and work backwards from it for documents, language evidence and any selection tasks.

   Documents needed

   • The programme page showing its deadline

   Processing time

   Before the programme deadline

   Common mistake: A general 1 May date is not permission to wait until May. The institution may use an earlier deadline, especially where selection or immigration timing matters.

   Official source

   Study in NL · General deadlines and the instruction to check the exact programme deadline
3. 3

   Register in Studielink if the programme uses it

   Most programmes start in Studielink, the national registration and application portal, but Study in NL says some institutions use a different method for applicants from abroad.

   Do this: Follow the programme page. If it tells you to use Studielink, create the registration there and use the same personal details as on your identity document.

   Documents needed

   • Identity details
   • Previous-education details requested in Studielink

   Processing time

   Early enough to leave time for the institution's own application steps

   Common mistake: Do not assume Studielink is required for every international application. Check the institution first.

   Official source

   Study in NL · Studielink and institution-specific application routes
4. 4

   Complete the institution's own application

   A Studielink registration can be only the first part. The institution may ask for transcripts, language evidence, a motivation letter, a portfolio or other material in its own system.

   Do this: Watch the admissions emails and complete every institution-specific item before its deadline.

   Documents needed

   • Diploma and transcript
   • Language evidence if required
   • Any motivation letter, portfolio or programme-specific document

   Processing time

   After registration and before the institution's deadline

   Common mistake: A submitted Studielink registration does not prove the institution has received everything it needs to decide on admission.

   Official source

   Study in NL · Institution application instructions
5. 5

   Let the institution assess your foreign diploma

   The institution makes the final admission decision and can normally consult Nuffic about the level of a foreign diploma. IDW says it is often not necessary to order a credential evaluation yourself.

   Do this: Ask the admissions office what it needs from you. Pay for your own credential evaluation only if the institution or another real use case requires it.

   Documents needed

   • Diploma
   • Transcript
   • Translation if the institution requires one

   Processing time

   As part of the admission assessment

   Common mistake: A credential evaluation is advice, not an admission decision, and paying for one does not guarantee admission or exemptions.

   Official source

   Study in NL · Institution assessment of foreign diplomas and Nuffic advice
6. 6

   Check which tuition-fee type applies before you accept

   Dutch higher education uses statutory and institutional tuition fees. DUO explains the distinction and directs students to Mijn DUO to check which type applies; the institution charges the actual fee.

   Do this: Check your tuition-fee type and the amount charged by the institution before you accept the place or make a financial plan.

   Documents needed

   • Admission or enrolment details
   • The institution's tuition-fee information

   Processing time

   Before accepting the place and arranging payment

   Common mistake: Do not assume nationality alone decides the fee. The statutory-fee rules also depend on other conditions, and institutional fees are set by the institution.

   Official source

   DUO · Statutory and institutional tuition fees

• Passport or identity document
• Diploma and transcript from your previous education
• A translation if the institution requires one
• Proof of language level if the programme requires it
• Any programme-specific documents, such as a motivation letter or portfolio

• Higher education charges either statutory or institutional tuition fees. Which type applies depends on your situation; check DUO and the institution before accepting your place.

Treat the programme's published deadline as the deadline that matters. Allow extra time for previous-education details, language evidence and any selection or institution-specific steps.

Requirements depend on your situation. Check the latest requirements with the relevant authority.

• Assuming every international applicant uses exactly the same Studielink route. Study in NL says some institutions use another method for students from abroad.
• Treating a Studielink registration as a complete application when the institution still needs documents or other steps in its own system.
• Paying for a credential evaluation by default. IDW says this is often unnecessary for admission because the institution makes the decision and can usually obtain diploma-level advice.
• Using the general national deadline without checking the programme page, even though the exact deadline can vary.

• Track any conditions attached to your admission and send the remaining documents before the institution's deadline.
• If you are a non-EU, non-EEA or non-Swiss national and need the higher-education student residence route, move next to the student residence permit guide.
• Start housing research before admission is final if you are moving to the Netherlands, because finding a room can take longer than the application itself.