guide on how to use the StudyinNL website to find universities in the Netherlands that offer free application fees and full scholarships:
Introduction
- StudyinNL is an official website run by the Dutch government that provides comprehensive information about studying in the Netherlands. It lists all recognized Dutch institutions and their English-taught programs.
- The website allows you to search for programs based on degree level, field of study and other filters like application fee and scholarship availability. This makes it very useful for finding programs with free applications and full funding.
- This guide will break down how to effectively navigate StudyinNL to shortlist Dutch universities offering free application and high scholarship chances for international students.
Searching for Programs
- Go to www.studyinholland.nl and click ‘Find your program’
- In the degree dropdown, select your desired level - Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD
- Under ‘Field of study’ you can search broadly by general area or keyword, or scroll through the list of options and select your specific major.
- Under ‘Where to study’ select ‘The Netherlands’. You can further filter by institution type or city but leave broad when first searching.
- In the scholarships filter, check the box for ‘Scholarships available’
- Under the ‘Other filters’ dropdown, check the box for ‘No application fees’
- Click the blue ‘Show results’ button at the bottom to see programs meeting your criteria.
- Browse the results and make note of promising programs with free applications and high scholarship potential. Click on each program for details.
Evaluating Programs
- When viewing individual program pages on StudyinNL, look for these key pieces of information:
- Tuition fees per year for EU/non-EU students. Note programs with lower rates.
- Scholarships mentioned on the program page, under ‘Scholarships and Grants’.
- The admissions requirements – Can you meet any minimum GPAs, test scores, or application documents required?
- Application deadlines – align any early deadlines with your application timeline
- Start dates – check if you can make the next intake based on admission processing time
- Program structure – match the format (consecutive, modular, online blend) to your needs
- Program overview and courses – assess if the curriculum, specializations, and learning outcomes fit your goals
- University and city overview – make sure the location and campus appeal suit your priorities
- Rankings – Research the university’s ratings domestically and globally
- Alumni outcomes – Look for data on graduate employment and research production
Shortlisting Universities
- Use the ‘Shortlist’ button to save desirable programs you identify on StudyinNL and review them later.
- Consider shortlisting at least 5-10 programs that align closely with your major, degree level, budget, and scholarship needs.
- When you’re ready to evaluate your shortlist, go through each program in detail and keep notes on the defining factors of each:
- University prestige and academic reputation
- The focus and structure of the program itself
- Scholarship application process and chances of being awarded
- Program costs with and without scholarship assistance
- Application requirements you already meet vs. those you still need to complete
- Opportunities for research, internships, or practical learning
- Post-study work and career prospects in the field
- The size and diversity of the international student body
- The resources and support available on campus
- Location, culture, and quality of life in the surrounding city
- Whether you could see yourself thriving and succeeding in the program
- Build your final list by selecting 3-5 programs that line up with the factors above that matter most to you.
Applying to Your Top Choices
- Once you’ve identified target programs on StudyinNL that fit your goals and offer free app fees and scholarships, follow these tips for applying:
- Visit each university’s website to learn about the full application process and requirements. Create an application checklist and timeline.
- Email program coordinators any questions not covered on the website and to express your interest. Develop a relationship.
- Note all deadlines for admission documents, tests, scholarship applications, visas, and housing deposits and arrive early if possible.
- Follow the instructions to submit a complete application for each university. Triple-check check you included everything required.
- Pay close attention to scholarship application instructions. Highlight areas like academic excellence, research goals, leadership skills, and financial need.
- Arrange for recommendations and transcripts to be sent on time from your referees and previous institutions.
- If offered admission, thoroughly review each financial aid package before accepting a spot. Be sure to compare total costs and funding sources across your options.
Conclusion
- StudyinNL is the ideal starting point for finding degree programs in the Netherlands that offer free applications and high chances of full scholarships for international students.
- Using its filters and shortlist tool enables you to easily identify programs matching your search criteria. Closely evaluating all the key details then allows you to determine your top options.
- Applying directly through each university’s website ensures you submit all required documents accurately and on time. Putting together a complete, high-quality application maximizes your odds of admission and scholarship award.
- With diligent program research, financial planning, and application preparation, StudyinNL can help you discover and secure the opportunity to study in the Netherlands tuition-free and gain invaluable academic and life experience.