Applying to study in the Netherlands: from programme choice to documents
Content checked: 16 September 2026
Compare specific programmes before comparing university names. Course content, prerequisites, teaching language and deadlines are often more useful than a general ranking. The study application checklist helps organise documents for undergraduate and master’s applications.
Make a programme comparison sheet
For each option, record the institution, programme, degree level, teaching language, official course link, tuition page, deadline, language requirements, prerequisites and document status. Note when you checked each page so old information is not accidentally reused for another intake.
Start with Study in NL and then verify the details on the institution’s programme page. Similar names do not always describe the same course, and two programmes at one university can have different requirements.
Prepare for your degree level
Undergraduate applicants should organise secondary-school records and graduation or enrolment evidence, then add exams and language documents as required. Master’s applicants should also map their bachelor’s courses and background to the programme’s prerequisites. Course descriptions can help when a translated course title does not explain the content clearly.
References, portfolios, research proposals and additional tests are not universal requirements. Check the programme before paying to prepare every item on a generic list. Institutions set their own admission requirements; see Study in NL’s overview.
Separate three stages
- Select a programme: confirm eligibility, costs, deadline and application route.
- Submit: follow naming and upload instructions, save the receipt and monitor requests for additional documents.
- After admission: separately confirm payment, accommodation and residence arrangements.
An admission decision does not complete every arrival formality. Do not assume there is one language score or reference count for all Dutch programmes, or that a submission on one platform removes the need to check the institution’s portal. Follow the official application overview and contact the programme when a requirement is unclear.
The checklist keeps ticked items only within the current page session and resets on reload. It does not receive or store your documents.