Study in the Netherlands from Bangladesh

Huge English-taught choice, one-year search visa

In short

Studying in the Netherlands from Bangladesh costs roughly €8,000–€20,000 a year in tuition for non-EU students, with living costs of €800–€1,200 a month. The country offers more English-taught degrees than anywhere else in continental Europe, and graduates can apply for a one-year orientation visa to find work.

Tuition

€8,000–€20,000 per year for non-EU students, depending on institution and programme

Living costs

€800–€1,200 per month, with Amsterdam and Utrecht at the top of the range

Intakes

September (main) and February at some institutions

After graduating

Orientation year (zoekjaar) - 12 months to find work, usable within three years of graduating

Why Bangladeshi students choose Netherlands

The Netherlands built its higher education around international students earlier than most of Europe, and it shows: the range of English-taught degrees is the widest on the continent and teaching is built around discussion and group work rather than lectures alone. The constraint is housing - student accommodation in Amsterdam and Utrecht is genuinely scarce, and that needs solving before you fly, not after.

›The largest choice of English-taught degree programmes in continental Europe
›The zoekjaar orientation year lets graduates stay 12 months to find work
›Research universities and universities of applied sciences offer genuinely different routes
›Widely spoken English makes daily life straightforward from day one

Cost of studying in Netherlands

Tuition	€8,000–€20,000 per year for non-EU students, depending on institution and programme
Living costs	€800–€1,200 per month, with Amsterdam and Utrecht at the top of the range
Currency	EUR (€)
Work while studying	Up to 16 hours per week during term or full time for three summer months, with a work permit arranged by the employer

Figures are indicative and move with exchange rates and policy. Confirm current amounts on Study in NL - official information for international students before you budget or transfer funds.

Entry requirements

Academic

HSC for undergraduate, though some programmes require a foundation year; a relevant Bachelor's for Master's. Numerus fixus programmes have capped places and earlier deadlines.

English language

IELTS 6.0–6.5 is the usual requirement; TOEFL and Cambridge English are widely accepted.

No IELTS score yet? There are recognised alternatives - see which ones count, and where they don't.

MVV entry visa and VVR residence permit, applied for by the institution: step by step

1 Accept your offer; the institution applies for your MVV and residence permit on your behalf
2 Show proof of sufficient funds for the year, usually transferred to the institution
3 Take out Dutch health insurance once your status is settled
4 Collect the MVV from the visa centre serving Bangladesh
5 Register with the municipality and collect your residence permit after arriving

Official guidance: Study in NL - official information for international students

Hoping to bring your husband or wife with you? Dependant rules differ by country, by course level and by year, so this is worth checking before you apply rather than after. See our spouse & dependant visa support.

Scholarships

›Orange Knowledge Programme, for eligible postgraduate applicants
›Holland Scholarship for non-EEA students, typically a first-year award
›University-specific scholarships, several of which are substantial at Master's level

Universities we work with in Netherlands

University of Amsterdam Erasmus University Rotterdam Maastricht University Tilburg University

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to study in the Netherlands from Bangladesh?

Non-EU tuition typically runs €8,000–€20,000 a year and living costs €800–€1,200 a month, with Amsterdam and Utrecht at the top of that range. You will normally need to show the full year's living costs before the residence permit is granted.

Is student housing hard to find in the Netherlands?

Yes, and this is the most underestimated part of moving there. Amsterdam and Utrecht in particular have a genuine shortage, and universities cannot guarantee a room. Start looking as soon as you accept an offer, and treat any listing that asks for a large deposit before a viewing with suspicion.

Can I work while studying in the Netherlands?

Non-EU students can work up to 16 hours a week during term, or full time across three summer months, and the employer must arrange a work permit. The hour limit is stricter than in several other European countries, so it should not be your funding plan.

What is the orientation year (zoekjaar)?

It is a 12-month residence permit that lets graduates stay and look for work without a job offer first, and it can be used any time within three years of graduating. During that year you can work without a separate permit.

What is the difference between a research university and a university of applied sciences?

Research universities (WO) are academic and theory-led; universities of applied sciences (HBO) are practice-led and usually include a placement. HBO degrees take four years at Bachelor's level rather than three. Neither is better - they suit different plans, and the choice affects Master's eligibility later.