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Netherlands Universities Application Deadlines for International Students
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Netherlands Universities Application Deadline

Netherlands Universities Application Deadline

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Stay ahead with the latest application deadlines for top universities in the Netherlands. Plan your study abroad journey with our guide to deadlines and requirement

GyanDhan
Diwakar Kumar Singh
Updated on:  29 Jan 2025  | Reviewed By:  Aman  | 38.3K | 16  min read

The Netherlands has become a very popular destination for international students, including those from India, because of the following reasons:

 

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    High-quality education
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    Cheap tuition fees
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    English-spoken and recognized courses
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    Rich culture
 

The country has around 20 research universities, universities for applied science and more, which are globally recognized and well-reputed. If you are planning to apply to Netherlands universities for the 2025-2026 academic year, it is very important to know the Netherlands university application deadline 2025 and the Netherlands intake 2025. Read on further, we will guide you with dates, intakes, and timelines.

Highlights:

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    Admission to the Netherlands universities takes place in 2 intakes - primary and secondary
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    The primary intake (Fall Intake) is in September, with deadlines ranging from January to May
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    Secondary intake (Spring Intake) is in February, with deadlines between September to November. 
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    Not all universities and courses are open for secondary intake.
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    Students must check with the individual university websites for specific dates and requirements.
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Admission Intakes in Netherlands Universities

Let us understand the admission intakes and information about Netherlands Universities:

Aspect Description

Number of universities

60+

Number of semesters 

2

Intakes Name

September intake (also called Fall intake)

February intake (also called Spring intake)

General Deadline and start of September intake

Application deadline: January-May

Class commences: September / October 

General Deadline and start of February intake

Application deadline: September-November
Class commences: February / March

Application Fees

50 - 100 EUR

 

Schedule a call for admission consultancy

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Overview of University Intake in Netherlands Universities

From the below table, we can understand the various courses offered and the popular universities offering admission for various intakes that is Fall and Spring:

Intake Program Starting Month Courses Offered Popular Universities Offering Admission

Fall

September

Business, Engineering, Medicine, Law, Arts, Social Sciences, IT

University of Amsterdam, Delft University of Technology, Utrecht University, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Leiden University

Spring

February

Selected Business, IT, Engineering, and specialized programs

University of Amsterdam, Eindhoven University of Technology, Tilburg University, HAN University of Applied Sciences

 

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List of Top Netherlands Universities

Below is the list of top Netherland universities with ranks, intakes, and courses offered.

University Name Intakes Courses Offered

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)

Fall, Spring

Engineering, Technology, Applied Sciences

University of Amsterdam (UvA)

Fall, Spring

Humanities, Social Sciences, Business, Research

Utrecht University

Fall, Spring

Sciences, Law, Humanities, Social Sciences

Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e)

Fall, Spring

Engineering, Technology, Innovation

Leiden University

Fall, Spring

Law, Medicine, Social Sciences

Erasmus University Rotterdam

Fall, Spring

Business, Economics, Social Sciences

Wageningen University & Research (WUR)

Fall, Spring

Life Sciences, Agriculture, Environmental Studies

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam)

Fall, Spring

Humanities, Business, Health Sciences

Radboud University Nijmegen

Fall, Spring

Health, Life Sciences, Natural Sciences

Maastricht University

Fall, Spring

Problem-Based Learning, Business, Law

Tilburg University

Fall, Spring

Business, Economics, Law

University of Twente

Fall, Spring

Engineering, Technology, Social Sciences

HAN University of Applied Sciences

Fall, Spring

Engineering, Healthcare, Social Studies

Fontys University of Applied Sciences

Fall, Spring

IT, Business, Arts

Saxion University of Applied Sciences

Fall, Spring

Applied Technology, Creative Programs

The Hague University of Applied Sciences

Fall, Spring

International Business, Public Administration

Groningen University

Fall, Spring

Science, Technology, Humanities

Rotterdam School of Management (RSM)

Fall, Spring

Business, Management, Economics

Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences

Fall, Spring

Business, IT, Creative Industries

Avans University of Applied Sciences

Fall, Spring

Business, Engineering, Social Sciences

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Netherlands University Application Deadline 2025-2026

The Netherlands application deadline varies depending on the university and program. Below are the usual deadlines:

Stage September Intake 2025 February Intake 2026

Applications Open

October 2024

May 2025

Early Deadlines

January 2025 (Numerus Fixus)

August 2025

General Deadlines

January to May 2025

September to November 2025

Offer Letters Released

May to July 2025

November to December 2025

Visa Applications

June to August 2025

December 2025 to January 2026 

 

Scholarships

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Application Deadlines & Timeline for September Intake 2025

The September intake is the most popular intake because of the following reasons:

 

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    The highest number of students are admitted during this intake.
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    Most courses open up during this intake.
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    Competition is also very high during this intake.
 

Let us understand the application process, deadlines, and timeline for the September intake from the table below:

Stage Timeline Explanation

Applications Open

October 2024

Start early to secure the course of your choice.

Early Deadlines

January 2025

Applicable for competitive programs like Medicine, Law, and Engineering.

General Deadlines

May 2025

Final deadline for most undergraduate courses.

Interview/Assessment Rounds

March to June 2025

Required for specific programs like Arts and/or Architecture.

Offer Letters Released

April to July 2025

Applicants are informed of the decisions taken by their respective universities.

Visa Applications

June to August 2025

International students must apply as soon as they get admission.

Application Process:

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    Do a detailed analysis of the courses, programs, and universities that offer your preferred course
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    After shortlisting your preferred universities, visit their website and apply
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    Upload necessary documents (transcripts, SOP, recommendation letters).
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    Attend interviews or submit portfolios if needed.
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    Accept offers and start the visa process
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Application Deadlines & Timeline for February Intake 2025

The February intake is very less competitive as only a few programs open up and the number of applicants is also very low. Let us understand the application process, Netherlands February intake deadline 2025 and the timeline for the February intake from the table below:

Stage Timeline Action Recommended

Applications Open

May 2025

Start by February 2025 to secure the course of your choice.

Early Deadlines

August 2025

Only a few programs open up with limited seats, so plan by March 2025 if you have a preference.

General Deadlines

November 2025

Final deadline for most programs, make sure your application does not miss this deadline.

Offer Letters Released

November to December 2025

Applicants are informed of the decisions taken by their respective universities.

Visa Applications

December 2025 to January 2026

Apply for the visa immediately after acceptance.

Application Process:

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    Do a detailed analysis of the courses, programs, and universities that offer your preferred course. Please note that the number of programs available is few as compared to the September intake.
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    After shortlisting your preferred universities, visit their website and apply
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    Upload necessary documents (transcripts, SOP, recommendation letters).
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    Attend interviews or submit portfolios if needed.
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    Accept offers and start the visa process immediately after acceptance.
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Additional Information for International Students

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    Visa requirements: Proof of funds (bank statement, financial records), health insurance, and English proficiency tests (IELTS / TOEFL) scores are required. Sometimes, an MVV (provisional residence permit) is also required, which allows non-EU students to live in the Netherlands for more than 90 days.
 
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    Preparation timeline: You should begin at least 10-12 months before your preferred intake. Please note the deadlines and do proper research so that you do not miss anything at the last moment.
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Common Mistakes to Avoid

Following are some of the mistakes that can be avoided to secure your seat in your desired university.

 

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    Missing Deadlines: Stay organized and apply early to secure a seat in your preferred university.
 
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    Overlooking supplemental documents: Double-check all required documents to prevent any issues at the last moment.
 
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    Waiting until the last minute: Avoid unnecessary stress and issues by starting early.

 

Check loan eligibility for study abroad

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for multiple intakes in the same academic year?
 

Yes, you can, however, make sure that you meet the deadlines and requirements for each intake and the courses you have planned.

Do postgraduate courses have the same deadlines?
 

No, postgraduate deadlines vary by program and university. Always check the university website for accurate and updated information regarding deadlines, requirements and more.

What happens if I miss the deadlines?
 

If you miss the deadline, then you have to wait for the next intake or you can also contact the university to explore late application options if available. You can contact your preferred university by visiting its website.

Do application deadlines differ by course or university?
 

Yes, each university and course has unique deadlines. As mentioned earlier, always check the official websites for detailed and updated information.

Are scholarships available for international students in the Netherlands?
 

Yes, many universities and colleges offer scholarships based on academic merit or financial need. Some of them are the Holland Scholarship and the Erasmus Mundus programs.

Can I work part-time while studying in the Netherlands?
 

Yes, international students can work part-time, typically up to 16 hours per week during the academic term and full-time during holidays. Please note that a work permit may be required.

What language proficiency tests are accepted by Dutch universities?
 

Most universities accept IELTS, TOEFL, and Cambridge English tests. The required scores vary depending on your chosen program.

Is health insurance mandatory for international students?
 

Yes, all students must have health insurance. EU/EEA students can use their EHIC card, however, for non-EU/EEA students, you need to have private insurance or Dutch public health insurance if you are working part-time.

Check Your Education Loan Eligibility


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