Comparable to 4 years of HAVO.
Nuffic currently compares Bangladesh HSC Science to four years of Dutch HAVO. This means direct research-university WO Bachelor entry is not automatically established by HSC alone.
Netherlands Guide · Bangladesh Applicants
Study in the Netherlands
Study in the Netherlands
from Bangladesh.
A complete 2026 guide to Dutch study: Bangladesh diploma equivalency, WO vs HBO, recognised sponsors, tuition, finances, MVV and residence permit, work rights, family, health insurance, housing, orientation year and highly skilled employment.
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Do not choose a Dutch programme from the university name alone
For a higher-education student residence permit, the programme must be accredited and the institution must be an IND-recognised sponsor. The IND public register is updated regularly, so check the exact institution before paying.
IND recognised study sponsors ↗Netherlands Navigator
Netherlands Guide
Search this Netherlands guide
Searches admission, institutions, finances, IND permit, work, family, housing and after-study topics.
BANGLADESH ELIGIBILITY
Bangladesh HSC is not equivalent to a Dutch VWO diploma.
Nuffic’s official credential comparisons are crucial because Dutch institutions use them when judging whether a Bangladeshi qualification fits HBO or WO entry.
Also comparable to 4 years of HAVO.
The same comparison applies to the humanities group under Nuffic’s current Bangladesh framework.
Business Studies is also compared to 4 years of HAVO.
Institutions can therefore use foundation, prior tertiary study or HBO-oriented routes depending on the programme.
Comparable to MBO level 3 or 4.
This does not mean automatic Bachelor admission. The receiving institution decides how the credential fits the programme.
Comparable to an HBO Bachelor or 2 years of WO.
This can support Master’s assessment, but Dutch universities still decide whether your degree, subject and academic level fit the intended programme.
A 4-year professional Bachelor can compare to an HBO Bachelor or 2 years of WO.
A 5-year professional Bachelor is usually compared to a WO Bachelor, sometimes an HBO Bachelor.
WO VS HBO
The Netherlands has two major higher-education tracks.
Research universities
WO focuses on academic and research-oriented study. Bachelor programmes are commonly 3 years, while Master’s length depends on the field.
Universities of Applied Sciences
HBO is professionally oriented, often includes practical projects and internships, and Bachelor programmes commonly last 4 years.
A “university of applied sciences” is a recognised Dutch higher-education institution, but it is not the same academic track as a research university. Students should choose based on career and academic goals, not just the word university.
INSTITUTION EXPLORER
Check academic type and IND sponsor status together.
University of Amsterdam
Amsterdam · broad research university across humanities, social sciences, business, science and more.
Official ↗Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Amsterdam · research university with business, computing, science, social science and health programmes.
Official ↗Delft University of Technology
Delft · leading technical research university for engineering, architecture and technology.
Official ↗Eindhoven University of Technology
Eindhoven · engineering, computing, data, design and high-tech research.
Official ↗University of Groningen
Groningen · large international research university with broad English-taught study.
Official ↗University of Twente
Enschede · technology, engineering, behavioural science and entrepreneurship.
Official ↗Erasmus University Rotterdam
Rotterdam · economics, business, social sciences, public policy and health.
Official ↗Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences
Amsterdam · professional Bachelor and Master programmes with applied learning.
Official ↗The Hague University of Applied Sciences
The Hague · internationally oriented professional programmes.
Official ↗Fontys University of Applied Sciences
Multiple southern campuses · technology, business, ICT, engineering and creative fields.
Official ↗HAN University of Applied Sciences
Arnhem / Nijmegen · engineering, business, health and applied programmes.
Official ↗Avans University of Applied Sciences
Breda / Den Bosch · professional programmes with strong applied and industry links.
Official ↗INTAKES & APPLICATIONS
September is the main intake. February is programme-specific.
Main intakeSeptemberLargest Bachelor and Master selection.
SecondaryFebruaryAvailable at selected universities and programmes.
Numerus fixusOften 15 JanuaryCompetitive programmes can use earlier national deadlines.
Other programmesInstitution-specificNon-EEA deadlines can be earlier because of immigration and housing.
IELTS · TOEFL · ENGLISH
Dutch institutions set their own English admission scores.
English-taught programmes are widespread, especially at Master’s level and across HBO. The exact accepted test and component minimums depend on the institution/programme.
Academic English
IELTS and TOEFL are widely accepted, while many institutions also accept Cambridge and sometimes other tests. Never assume one Dutch national IELTS score.
Preparatory period
The Dutch student residence permit can also cover a preparatory period, usually up to one year, where the institution requires extra courses, language or a pre-Master before full admission.
MONEY & STUDY NORM
The 2026 higher-education living-funds norm is €1,130.77 per month.
IND study norm · 2026
HBO / university€1,130.77 / month
12-month equivalent€13,569.24
TuitionAdditional
Housing / setup / travelAdditional
Your institution checks the funds.
IND requires sufficient money for 12 months. The educational institution normally asks you to prove the funds as part of the immigration process. The study norm excludes tuition.
TUITION · 2026/27
Non-EEA tuition varies much more than the statutory Dutch fee.
Study in NL planning ranges
Bachelor non-EEA average€9,000–€20,000 / year
Master non-EEA average€12,000–€30,000 / year
Application / handling feeOften €75–€100
Some programmes cost substantially more.
Medicine, specialised business, design and selected technical programmes can exceed broad national planning ranges. Use the exact programme fee.
HOUSING
Housing is one of the biggest practical risks in the Netherlands.
Severe housing shortage
Study in NL explicitly warns that there is not enough student housing for everyone and recommends arranging accommodation before arrival.
Students often live off-campus
Dutch students commonly live in shared student houses across the city rather than on a university campus.
Scam risk
Do not transfer large amounts without verifying the landlord, contract, address and whether registration is possible.
SCHOLARSHIPS
NL Scholarship is useful — but it is not full tuition.
NL Scholarship
For eligible non-EEA Bachelor or Master students at participating institutions. The scholarship is €5,000 in the first year and is not a full-tuition award.
University scholarships
Research universities and HBO institutions offer their own merit awards, faculty scholarships and tuition waivers.
Research funding
PhD positions in the Netherlands are often employment contracts rather than ordinary tuition-paying student places.
MVV + STUDENT RESIDENCE PERMIT
Your Dutch institution normally runs the immigration application.
Choose an accredited programme
The programme must meet the accreditation requirement and the institution must be an IND recognised sponsor for study.
Receive admission / registration
Obtain proof of registration or temporary registration and complete the institution’s immigration instructions.
Tuition & financial evidence
Provide the institution with the required tuition/payment information and 12-month living-fund evidence.
Institution applies to IND
The recognised sponsor submits the residence application and, where required, applies for the MVV at the same time.
Pay application fee
The 2026 study application costs €254 and is paid through the educational institution.
IND decision
The legal decision period is 60 days. Complete applications from recognised sponsors have a target decision period of about 2 weeks.
MVV / biometrics
If an MVV is required, follow the Dutch representation’s instructions for the entry visa sticker, passport and biometrics.
Travel & residence card
After arrival, collect the residence document, register locally and complete any TB-test requirement indicated in the application.
IMMIGRATION COSTS
The recognised sponsor simplifies the process, but the permit still has a fee.
Study residence application
€254 in 2026 for a first study application or change of purpose.
Orientation year
€254 in 2026 for the orientation-year residence application.
Other costs
University application fees, tuition, translations/legalisation, travel and insurance are separate.
DOCUMENTS · BANGLADESH
Dutch admission and Dutch immigration are linked through the university.
Academic admission
SSC/HSC or prior-degree certificates and transcripts, English evidence, CV, motivation/SOP, references and course-specific prerequisites as required by the institution.
Diploma equivalency
The institution can use Nuffic’s Bangladesh framework to evaluate the level of your qualification. A Nuffic comparison is not itself an admission offer.
Financial evidence
Proof that you meet the IND study norm for 12 months, plus tuition and institution-specific payment/deposit requirements.
Residence permit documents
Passport and institution/IND forms, antecedents information, financial evidence and other documents requested by the recognised sponsor.
Legalisation & translation
Official foreign documents may need legalisation and translation into Dutch, English, French or German depending on the document and procedure.
TB test after arrival
If the institution indicated that a TB test is required, make the GGD appointment within three months after receiving the residence permit.
SPOUSE & FAMILY
Family can join a student, but student-family work rights are restrictive.
Partner and minor children
Family residence applications can be made alongside the student application where the requirements are met.
Family member cannot work
IND states that a family member staying with a person whose residence purpose is study is not allowed to work in the Netherlands.
No civic integration exam abroad
Where the family member needs an MVV as the family member of a student, the normal civic integration exam abroad is not required.
WORK WHILE STUDYING
Student employment needs an employer TWV.
Option 1 · 16 hours/week
Your employer needs a work permit (TWV). You can work up to 16 hours per week throughout the year.
Option 2 · full-time summer
Instead of the weekly option, you can work full-time in June, July and August, again with the required employer TWV.
Self-employed work
IND allows study-permit holders to work as self-employed while continuing to meet student-permit conditions. Registration and tax obligations apply.
Study progress matters
You normally need to obtain at least 50% of the credits for each study year. Insufficient progress without a valid reason can be reported to IND.
HEALTH INSURANCE
Your insurance changes when you start working.
Study only
If you are in the Netherlands only for study, you are generally not allowed to take Dutch public health insurance. You need adequate home-country or private student coverage.
Study + part-time job
Once you have a part-time job, you are generally required to take out Dutch public health insurance. Self-employed students should request an SVB assessment.
AFTER STUDY
The orientation year gives graduates one year of open labour-market access.
Orientation year
Length1 year
Work permitNo TWV required
EmploymentWork freely permitted
Self-employmentAllowed
ExtendableNo
You normally apply after graduating.
Dutch accredited Bachelor and Master graduates, certain post-Master graduates, researchers and qualifying graduates from designated foreign institutions can access the orientation-year route under the applicable criteria.
HIGHLY SKILLED MIGRANT
The orientation year can make employer sponsorship easier.
Reduced salary criterion
For 2026, the reduced highly skilled migrant salary criterion is €3,122 gross per month excluding holiday allowance when the eligibility conditions are met.
Employer must be recognised
For the highly skilled migrant route, the Dutch employer must be an IND-recognised sponsor and the salary must also be market-conform.
Other work routes
European Blue Card, start-up, self-employed and other residence purposes can be relevant depending on the graduate’s job or business plan.
CITIES
Housing availability can matter more than a small ranking difference.
Amsterdam
Large international university and employer market with extreme housing pressure.
Rotterdam
Business, logistics, architecture and Erasmus University ecosystem.
Delft / The Hague
Engineering and international-organisations corridor with strong university and applied-sciences options.
Eindhoven
High-tech region anchored by TU/e and major semiconductor/engineering employers.
Groningen
Major student city with a strong international university community.
Enschede
Technology-oriented student city around the University of Twente with a different cost profile from the Randstad.
ARRIVAL
Housing, municipality registration and your residence card should be planned before landing.
Before departure
Passport, MVV if required, admission, university immigration instructions, housing, insurance and financial documentation.
After arrival
Collect the residence permit when instructed and register with the municipality if required for your stay.
BSN & practical setup
Municipal registration gives access to your Citizen Service Number (BSN), which is central to tax, employment and many Dutch services.
TB / insurance / work
Complete any required GGD TB test, make sure your insurance matches your situation and never start employee work before the employer has the required TWV.
OFFICIAL SOURCES
Use IND + Nuffic + Study in NL together.
YOUR PROFILE, NOT A GENERIC ANSWER
Find My Starting Point →Understand the Netherlands. Then test your diploma level, institution type and budget.
For the Netherlands, HSC equivalency, WO vs HBO, sponsor recognition, tuition, housing and your post-study work strategy can completely change the right route.