Study in the Netherlands from Pakistan
Hundreds of English-taught degrees and a very international classroom.

Intakes
September, February
Visa
MVV entry visa and residence permit
Quick snapshot
Studying in the Netherlands, in 30 seconds
IntakesSeptember, February (some)Details
Per year, in rupeesRs 62 lakh – Rs 1.1 croreDetails
Tuition€8,000 – €20,000 / yearDetails
Living costs€1,000 – €1,400 / monthDetails
VisaMVV entry visa and residence permit · Very easyDetails
Work rightsLimited hours in term; orientation year after study
EnglishIELTS, TOEFL
Universities16 profiled, Tier 1 firstOpen
Scholarships8 fully funded options trackedDetails
Quick answer
Pakistani students can study in the Netherlands on a MVV entry visa and residence permit after receiving the University sponsorship. Main intakes are September, February (some). Expect tuition of roughly €8,000 – €20,000 / year and living costs of €1,000 – €1,400 / month. Work rights: limited hours in term; orientation year after study. English: IELTS, TOEFL.
Reviewed by the TeamOnline counselling team · Updated October 2026
Why Pakistani students choose the Netherlands
The Netherlands offers one of the largest selections of English-taught programmes in continental Europe. Its orientation year lets graduates stay and look for work.

Popular courses
What Pakistani students most often study here.
Where you’ll study in the Netherlands
Student cities and the universities we know best.
Student cities
Counsellor’s tip
Applications for non-EU students often close earlier than for EU students, so check each programme’s deadline. Start your housing search the moment you accept.
Work and jobs: Most people speak English, which makes job hunting easier. The orientation year lets graduates stay to look for work.
Universities are listed for orientation only. TeamOnline shortlists from many institutions based on your profile.
How hard is it to study in the Netherlands?
Our assessment for Pakistani students, from the files we handle.
Getting in
Moderate
Research universities are selective; universities of applied sciences less so.
Visa
Very easy
Your university applies for the permit for you.
Cost
Moderate
Tuition for non-EU students plus high rents.
Work rights
Moderate
Limited hours in term; one-year “orientation year” after graduation.
Undergraduate applications
Apply through Studielink and the university; numerus fixus programmes have early deadlines.
Master’s & PhD applications
Studielink plus the university portal; many deadlines fall between January and May.
What it costs
Indicative figures. Your counsellor confirms current numbers for your course.
One year, tuition + living, in rupees
Rs 62 lakh – Rs 1.1 crore
Rough estimate at about Rs 280 per US dollar. Scholarships can bring this to zero.
| Tuition | €8,000 – €20,000 / year |
|---|---|
| Living costs | €1,000 – €1,400 / month |
| Funds to show for the visa | Tuition still owed + living costs for the required period |
| Other costs | Visa fee, health cover or surcharge, flights, deposit |
Netherlands MVV entry visa and residence permit: step by step
Very easy: Your university applies for the permit for you.
- 1AdmissionFrom a recognised sponsor university.
- 2FundsUsually paid to the university or shown as required.
- 3University appliesThe university files the MVV and residence permit application.
- 4Collect MVVAt the Dutch embassy after approval.
- 5Residence cardCollected after arrival.
Watch out: Housing is the real challenge: start looking the moment you accept.
Scholarships for the Netherlands
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s · Master’s
Fully funded · Mostly November–February.
Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility · Undergraduate · Master’s · PhD
Fully funded · Through your home university.
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships · PhD · Postdoc
Fully funded · Usually autumn to December.
ETH Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme · Master’s
Fully funded · With your ETH application.
“la Caixa” INPhINIT Doctoral Fellowships · PhD
Fully funded · Usually autumn.
Amsterdam Excellence Scholarships · Master’s
Fully funded · Usually January.
Justus & Louise van Effen Excellence Scholarships · Master’s
Fully funded · Usually December.
Eric Bleumink Fund (University of Groningen) · Master’s · PhD
Fully funded · Usually early in the year.
Deadlines for the Netherlands
Full timeline →“la Caixa” INPhINIT Doctoral FellowshipsUsually November · scholarship~53 days
Swiss Government Excellence ScholarshipsUsually December · scholarship~84 days
Justus & Louise van Effen Excellence ScholarshipsUsually December · scholarship~84 days
Amsterdam Excellence ScholarshipsUsually January · scholarship~115 days
Radboud Scholarship ProgrammeUsually February · scholarship~125 days
Eric Bleumink Fund (University of Groningen)Usually February · scholarship~125 days
Studying in the Netherlands: FAQs
01Can Pakistani students study in the Netherlands?
Yes. Pakistani students apply to universities in the Netherlands and then for a MVV entry visa and residence permit, which is built on the University sponsorship. TeamOnline handles the applications and the visa file.
02When are the intakes in the Netherlands?
The main intakes are September, February (some). Start preparing 8 to 12 months before your intake.
03How much does it cost to study in the Netherlands?
Tuition is roughly €8,000 – €20,000 / year, and living costs are roughly €1,000 – €1,400 / month. These are indicative figures; your counsellor confirms current numbers for your course.
04Can I work while studying in the Netherlands?
Limited hours in term; orientation year after study.
05Do I need IELTS to study in the Netherlands?
IELTS, TOEFL. Requirements vary by university and course.
06Is it hard to get into universities in the Netherlands?
Moderate. Research universities are selective; universities of applied sciences less so.
07Is the MVV entry visa and residence permit hard to get from Pakistan?
Very easy. Your university applies for the permit for you. Watch out: Housing is the real challenge: start looking the moment you accept.
08How do I apply to a master’s in the Netherlands?
Studielink plus the university portal; many deadlines fall between January and May.
09Which universities in the Netherlands do Pakistani students apply to?
Well-known options include Delft University of Technology, University of Amsterdam, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Eindhoven University of Technology. The right shortlist depends on your grades, budget and course, and TeamOnline builds one for your profile.
10What are the best cities for students in the Netherlands?
Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Delft, Eindhoven are popular with international students. Most people speak English, which makes job hunting easier. The orientation year lets graduates stay to look for work.
Best Universities In The Netherlands
Tier-1 first. Every profile has costs, how to apply and the scholarships that fund you.
How We Get You To The Netherlands
One counsellor from your first question to your flight.
Honest shortlist
Universities and scholarships you can realistically win, not the ones that pay agents most.
Applications that stand out
SOPs, CVs and references shaped with you, then checked line by line.
Visa file done right
Funds, documents and interview practice for your country’s rules.
Ready to fly
Accommodation, travel and pre-departure briefing so you land prepared.
Next step
Ready to apply to the Netherlands?
Book a free profile assessment with a counsellor.













