The capital, with everything at its price
UvA, VU and HvA: the largest range of degrees in the country. It's also the city where accommodation is hardest to find.
In short
Amsterdam has the widest university offering in the Netherlands (UvA, VU and HvA) and is the most international, but also the most expensive: a room costs around €950 a month. It's worth it if you're after a very specific degree or a big city with 24/7 life; if your priority is budget, there are equally good alternatives.
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Self-assessment
Where to study
The Netherlands has two types of university: research universities (WO), more academic, and universities of applied sciences (HBO), more practical and with company placements. These are the main options in Amsterdam:
Research university (WO)
The largest university in the country, strong in social sciences, communication, economics and psychology. Campuses spread across the city centre.
In English: For example, Communication Science, Psychology, Economics and Business Economics or PPLE.
Official website →Research university (WO)
A compact campus in Zuidas, the financial district. Good links with companies and a slightly more campus-like atmosphere than UvA.
In English: For example, International Business Administration or Econometrics and Operations Research.
Official website →University of applied sciences (HBO)
A practical focus and company placements from the early years. A very solid option if you prefer learning by doing.
In English: For example, International Business.
Official website →Cost of living
Budget between €1,325 and €1,560 a month, not counting tuition. Tuition for EU students is €2,694 a year in 2026-2027 (official fee, the same at all public universities).
If you work at least 32 hours a month in the Netherlands, you can apply for the DUO grant like a Dutch student: in 2026 that is up to €324.52 a month in basic grant, plus up to €491.08 in supplementary grant depending on your parents' income.
| Monthly spending | Approx. |
|---|---|
| Room rental | 950 € |
| Food and groceries | 250–350 € |
| Transport (bike and the odd train) | 15–40 € |
| Mobile and internet | 10–20 € |
| Leisure, materials and other | 100–200 € |
| Total | 1.325–1.560 € |
Rent: Kamernet (2025-2026). If you work in the Netherlands you will also need Dutch health insurance (from around €150 a month, with possible government help); if you don't work, the European Health Insurance Card plus supplementary insurance is enough.
Accommodation
It's the hardest market in the Netherlands: high demand, low supply and high prices. Many students end up living in nearby towns such as Haarlem, Amstelveen or Diemen and commute by train or bike. Start searching as soon as you're admitted, and be wary of any listing that asks for money before you've seen the flat or signed a contract.
City life
Beyond the canals and the clichés, Amsterdam is a city of neighbourhoods: De Pijp with its Albert Cuyp market, the Vondelpark and Westerpark parks, or the north (Noord), reached by free ferry from Central Station.
On 27 April the whole city dresses up in orange: street markets, music and boats on the canals.
The Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and dozens of concert venues, many with student discounts.
It's the quickest and cheapest way to get around. A second-hand bike is your first purchase.
Frequently asked questions
Budget between €1,325 and €1,560 a month: a room costs around €950 (Kamernet median, 2026) and the rest goes on food, transport and leisure. It's the most expensive city in the Netherlands to study in.
The two research universities are the Universiteit van Amsterdam (UvA) and the Vrije Universiteit (VU). The Hogeschool van Amsterdam (HvA) is the main university of applied sciences, with a more practical approach.
Yes, it's the most complicated city in the country. You need to start searching as soon as you're admitted, sign up for student residences and consider nearby towns such as Haarlem or Amstelveen.
Yes. UvA, VU and HvA offer full degrees in English, especially in economics, business, communication, psychology and social sciences.
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