The Netherlands’ strong and thriving economy is largely driven by its technological innovations and significant investments in higher education, particularly through its globally recognized universities and research institutions. Dutch universities consistently rank among the world’s top academic institutions, including the prestigious Delft University of Technology.
Master’s degree programmes in the Netherlands typically last one year. The wide variety of academic fields and the interdisciplinary nature of many programmes provide an extensive range of options. In addition to research universities, which focus primarily on academic and theoretical knowledge, the Netherlands also has Universities of Applied Sciences. These institutions offer more practice-oriented and career-focused education at a lower tuition fee and are widely popular throughout the country.
It is important to note that not all Universities of Applied Sciences are recognized by the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND). Only admission from institutions approved by the IND qualifies applicants for a student residence permit.
For international students, education in the Netherlands is not tuition-free. However, if your spouse holds a valid Dutch work permit or residence permit for employment, you qualify for the tuition fees applicable to Dutch nationals, which are substantially lower than the international fees — often up to 20 times less. Further information, including videos and articles about work permits, can be found on this website.
International students are permitted to work up to 16 hours per week during the academic year and full-time during official university holidays, in accordance with IND regulations.
Most Master’s degree programmes are taught in English. Admission requirements typically include a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 for research universities, and 6.0 for Universities of Applied Sciences.
Bachelor’s degrees awarded by all public universities and Islamic Azad University in Iran are recognized by Dutch higher education institutions. This means Iranian Bachelor’s degree holders are eligible to apply to leading Dutch universities without needing to submit previously published academic research.
Upon receiving an admission letter, you must pay the full tuition fee for the academic year. In addition, you are required to demonstrate sufficient financial means to cover your living expenses during your stay, as specified annually by the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND). Proof of financial means can be submitted either by transferring the required amount to the university or by providing an official bank statement from an Iranian bank. If you deposit the financial guarantee with the university, the full amount will be refunded upon your arrival in the Netherlands. Unlike Germany, Dutch universities do not freeze or restrict access to these funds.
Obtaining a Master’s degree from a Dutch university provides a solid foundation for pursuing doctoral studies. In the Netherlands, PhD candidates are employed by their university and receive a salary throughout their studies. For more details, refer to the section on PhD and postdoctoral studies on this site.
Graduates holding a Master’s degree from a Dutch institution are well-positioned to enter the job market in the Netherlands, the European Union, or even the United States. Dutch qualifications are internationally recognized and highly respected. Due to the abundant employment opportunities and competitive salaries in the Netherlands—often exceeding those available in Iran—many graduates prefer to remain in the country for work.
After completing your Master’s degree, you are eligible for a one-year orientation year residence permit (“zoekjaar”) to search for employment or start a business. Crucially, the time spent in the Netherlands as a student counts towards the legal residence period, which is a significant advantage compared to countries like Germany and the UK, where study periods are generally not counted towards permanent residency or naturalization.
After five consecutive years of legal residence in the Netherlands, you may apply for Dutch permanent residence and subsequently Dutch citizenship, entitling you to a Dutch passport and birth certificate.
To start your legal and streamlined migration process for study purposes, you are encouraged to schedule an online consultation with Mr. Khademi, an experienced attorney-at-law and founder of the legal institute AdvoLinK, based in the Netherlands, via this website.