Study a Master’s in Netherlands: Explore the Best Universities for International Students



Do you want to study in a European study destination popular for research, interdisciplinary courses, sustainable development, and excellent work-life balance? Well, Netherlands may be the perfect fit for your dream education. With strong Universities that offer a wide variety of English-taught courses, the Netherlands is the ideal place for a qualification that adds global perspectives and value to one’s profile, alongside providing invaluable theoretical knowledge and practical skills appreciated by top companies in the industry.

A Master’s degree in the Netherlands brings out the best in a student’s skills, helping them develop in-depth knowledge of a specific field or domain and explore diverse career paths through internships and placement opportunities. In this article, we will explore some of the top Universities in Netherlands for a Master’s degree and learn briefly about them. So, let’s get started!

Top 5 Universities for Masters in Netherlands for International Students

1. University of Amsterdam

The University of Amsterdam (UvA) is one of two large public research Universities in Netherlands, and the country’s fourth-oldest University. It was established in 1632 as the Athenaeum Illustre. The University of Amsterdam now boasts a widespread campus, home to over 34,000 students from all over the world. It ranks among the top Universities in Netherlands as per QS World University Rankings 2026. Some popular Master’s courses at the University include:

  • MSc in Business Administration
  • MSc Biomedical Sciences
  • MSc in Software Engineering
  • LLM in Law & Finance
  • MSc in Artificial Intelligence

The cost of a Master’s degree at the University of Amsterdam ranges from €18,920 to €23,400 per year. The cost of living in Amsterdam ranges between €975 and €1,500 per month, depending on the student’s living standards.

The University offers various scholarships for international students to reduce these costs, including the Amsterdam Merit Scholarship, the Amsterdam Economics and Business Talent Fund, and the Mr Julia Henriëtte Jaarsma-Adolfs Fund Scholarship.

2. Leiden University

Leiden University (LEI) is the country’s oldest public University, established in 1575 by Prince William of Orange. The University and the city of Leiden have hosted famous personalities like René Descartes, Rembrandt, and Benedictus Spinoza. Its main campus in Leiden welcomes more than 33,839 students. Leiden University ranks among the top 20 Universities in Western Europe as per QS World University Rankings 2025. International students generally opt for the following Master’s courses at the University:

  • MSc in Advanced Computing and Systems
  • MSc in Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences
  • MSc in Cybersecurity
  • LLM in International Criminal Law
  • MA in Archaeology

The tuition fees for a Master’s degree at Leiden University range from €19,750 to €20,400 per year. Alongside this, students also need to consider the cost of living in Leiden, which ranges from €968 to €1,338 per month, depending on the type of accommodation one chooses.

Fortunately, international students can apply for Netherlands scholarships from the government to enter the University or try for the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship, the LION scholarship, or the Kuiper-Overpelt Study Fund.

3. Erasmus University Rotterdam

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) is a public research University, established in 1913 as the Netherlands School of Commerce and gaining University status in 1937. The University welcomes thousands of students across 4 campuses in Rotterdam and in The Hague. Erasmus University Rotterdam is ranked among the top Universities in Netherlands for research and teaching by the QS World University Rankings 2026. Let us get a look at some of its sought-after courses below.

  • MSc in Health Sciences
  • MSc in Supply Chain Management
  • MSc in Behavioral Economics
  • MSc in Maritime Economics and Logistics

A Master’s degree at Erasmus University Rotterdam costs around €9,000 to €33,200 per year. The cost of living in Rotterdam ranges between €1,000 and €1,800 per month, depending on whether one lives on or off campus.

Erasmus University Rotterdam offers excellent Merit and Need-based scholarships for international students based on their region, including the Erasmus Trustfonds Scholarship, the L-EARN for Impact Scholarship, and the ISS Scholarship Fund for Excellent Students.

4. University of Twente

The University of Twente (UT) is a public technical University in Enschede, Netherlands. It was established in 1961 as Technische Hogeschool Twente (THT). Its all-inclusive campus hosts 13,000 students from more than 100 countries across the world. The University of Twente is ranked as the best technical University to study in Netherlands by the national ranking index Keuzegids Universiteiten. It is also ranked highly on the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025. A few popular courses offered by the University are mentioned below.

  • MSc in Biomedical Engineering
  • MSc in Business Administration
  • MSc in Health Sciences
  • MSc in Electrical Engineering
  • MSc in Computer Science

The tuition fees for a Master’s degree at the University of Twente range between €15,800 and €18,900 per year. The cost of living in Enschede costs around €1,384 per month, whether students choose to live on or off campus.

Students can cover these expenses with the help of scholarships from the University, including the University of Twente Scholarship, the Professor De Winter Scholarship, and the Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship.

5. Radboud University

Radboud University (RU) is a public University in Nijmegen, originally established as the Catholic University of Nijmegen in 1923. Its campus in Heyendaal welcomes more than 24,104 students from different walks of life. Radboud University is ranked among the top 1% of European Universities as per QS World University Rankings 2026, ranking especially high for research and teaching quality. A few Master’s courses that international students often choose at the University are mentioned below.

  • MSc in Cognitive Neuroscience
  • MSc in Artificial Intelligence
  • MSc in Computing Science
  • MSc in Microbiology
  • MA in Tourism and Culture

A Master’s degree at Radboud University costs between €13,415 and €24,840 per year. The cost of living in Nijmegen might range between €1,040 and €1,190 per month, depending on the student’s choice of accommodation and living standards.

International Master’s students can apply for Merit and Course-based scholarships at Radboud University, including the Radboud Scholarship Program, the ASML Technology Scholarship, and the Radboud Encouragement Scholarship.

In summation, the top Universities in Netherlands for a Master’s degree offer a diverse range of English-taught courses, state-of-the-art research facilities, and fantastic career prospects at manageable tuition costs. To understand the admission procedure or learn about the Netherlands student visa process, students can consider reaching out to study abroad consultants nearby. Their expert insights and end-to-end services can help one have a hassle-free application process for the upcoming intakes.

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