Higher tuition fees, lower study grants for students in Netherlands this academic year

The tuition fees for studying at Dutch universities or universities of applied sciences are increasing this coming academic year. At the same time, students in the Netherlands will receive lower study grants as last year’s temporary inflation increase gets scrapped, and housing continues to get more expensive.

According to Study in NL, an information portal for students, the annual tuition fees for universities will be 2,530 euros for the 2024/25 academic year - around 200 euros higher than last academic year. Tuition fees for universities of applied sciences are increasing by around 60 euros to 1,419 euros.

These tuition fees apply to Dutch students and students from other European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) countries. The EU and EEA treaties include that students in Member States are all treated the same.

Higher educational institutions decide for themselves how much tuition they charge to international students from other countries. According to Study in NL, the average tuition fee for bachelor’s programs at Dutch institutions is between 9,000 euros and 20,000 euros, and between 12,000 euros and 30,000 euros for master’s programs.

Higher tuition isn’t the only financial setback facing students this coming academic year. Those eligible for the newly reintroduced basic study grant will see the amount slashed by 164.30 euros - a temporary increase for students living away from home to cover last year’s higher inflation.

The ongoing housing shortage in the Netherlands also means that rents continue to rise. Three Dutch cities made it into the top 5 of HousingAnywhere’s ranking of the most expensive European cities to rent an apartment or room in. Rents for student rooms in Amsterdam are quickly approaching 1,000 euros per month.

If the Schoof I Cabinet implements all the plans in the PVV, VVD, NSC, and BBB’s coalition agreement, life will become even more expensive for students in the Netherlands, especially international ones. Fewer international students is a “top priority” for the new Education Minister, and plans to achieve that include higher tuition fees and giving international students less access to study grants and student financing. The new government also wants to fine students who take longer to complete their degrees.