Language
EnglishFull degrees taught in English
01 — Overview
Why Sri Lankan students choose The Netherlands
The country that built its higher education around teaching international students in English.
The Netherlands began teaching degrees in English earlier and more comprehensively than any other country in continental Europe, and it shows: the range of English-taught programmes is the widest on the continent, and international students are the norm rather than an exception.
The residence permit is filed at VFS Colombo, with no New Delhi appointment. After graduating you can apply for the orientation year — twelve months to find work, with no restriction on the kind of job you take while you look.
Term-time work is capped at sixteen hours a week, and non-EU students need a work permit that the employer arranges. It is a real limit, and we will be straight with you about what it means for your budget.
- 01The widest choice of English-taught degrees in continental Europe.
- 02Visa filed in Colombo, with no third-country appointment required.
- 03The orientation year — twelve months after graduation to find work.
- 04Dependents may accompany you during your studies.
- 05A genuinely international student body, so you are not the only foreigner in the room.
- 06High-tech systems, logistics and agritech sectors that recruit graduates directly.
- 07EU-recognised qualifications under the Bologna framework and the ECTS credit system.
- 08A country you can cross by train in three hours, with cycling as normal transport.
02 — Institutions
The universities we represent
Apeldoorn · Featured
Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences
A business-focused institution with a highly international student body and multiple intakes through the year, offering bachelor’s and master’s programmes in management, entrepreneurship and hospitality.
AmsterdamUE Amsterdam — University of Applied Sciences Europe
A business school since 1979, set in a restored school building on the canals of central Amsterdam. Small classes, entrepreneur lecturers and a 20-week internship in the BBA.
03 — At a glance
The facts, in one place
Capital
Amsterdam
Language of instruction
English
Currency
Euro
Bachelor’s
3–4 years
Master’s
1–2 years
Credit system
ECTS · Bologna
Visa route
VFS Colombo
Dependents
Yes
Intakes
On enquiry
Work rights
What you are allowed to work
16
Hours a week during undergraduate study.
16
Hours a week for postgraduate students.
12
Months to look for work after you graduate.
Yes
Dependents may accompany you during your studies.
04 — Entry
What The Netherlands asks you for
Requirements vary by institution and by programme. These are the documents every file needs.
- Completed secondary education, or equivalent, for bachelor’s entry
- A recognised bachelor’s degree for master’s entry
- Academic transcripts, translated and attested
- Evidence of English proficiency
- Valid passport with sufficient remaining validity
- Statement of purpose or motivation letter
- Financial documentation for the residence permit
- Health insurance valid in The Netherlands
Send us your transcripts
We will tell you what is missing and which programmes you qualify for.
05 — Costs
What a year in The Netherlands actually costs
Dutch living costs are among the higher ones in this list, and housing is the pressure point.
Tuition varies widely by field, and each university sets its own fees. Living costs depend on the city, on whether you take university accommodation or a private flat, and on how much you cook. The residence permit carries its own financial requirement, set by the migration authority and reviewed periodically.
We prepare a written cost estimate for every student we work with. Tuition for your specific programme, realistic monthly costs for the city you will actually live in, the current requirement for the permit, and the scholarships you may be eligible for. Built around your circumstances rather than a generic table — and there is no charge for it.
06 — Living
Living in the Netherlands
Housing is the single hardest part of studying in the Netherlands, and it is the thing to start earliest. Student cities are small, demand outstrips supply, and the best outcomes come from applying for accommodation the moment your place is confirmed. We will push you on this.
Once you are settled, the country is remarkably easy to live in. Cities are compact and flat, the bicycle is genuinely the main mode of transport, and the train network reaches everything. English is spoken almost universally.
The Netherlands is dense and organised rather than dramatic. The compensation is that Belgium, Germany and the whole of the Schengen area are a short train ride away.
07 — Our work
What we handle for The Netherlands
- 01University and programme selection
- 02Application filing and follow-up
- 03Statement of purpose guidance
- 04Document preparation and attestation
- 05Financial documentation review
- 06Scholarship search
- 07Residence permit filing at VFS Colombo
- 08Accommodation support in Amsterdam
- 09Pre-departure briefing
- 10On-arrival registration support
08 — Questions
What students ask us
Can I study in The Netherlands in English?
Yes. The institution we represent teaches entirely in English, and the Netherlands has the largest catalogue of English-taught degrees in continental Europe.
Where is the Dutch student visa processed for Sri Lankans?
At VFS in Colombo. The Netherlands is one of the destinations that does not require a New Delhi appointment, which removes a significant cost and complication from the process.
Can I work while studying in The Netherlands?
Yes. Undergraduates may work up to 16 hours a week during term, and postgraduates up to 16 hours. Hours are counted across the academic year, and we will explain how that works for your programme.
Can I stay in The Netherlands after I graduate?
Yes. Graduates can apply for the zoekjaar, or orientation year — a twelve-month permit to find work, during which you can take any job while you search.
Why is term-time work limited to sixteen hours?
Dutch rules cap non-EU students at sixteen hours a week during term, or full time during June, July and August, and your employer must hold a work permit for you. It is more restrictive than Poland or the Baltics and should be factored into your budget rather than discovered later.
Can my spouse or family join me?
Yes. Dependents can accompany you during your studies. Their right to work is subject to separate conditions, which we will go through with you.
Are Dutch degrees recognised internationally?
Yes. The Netherlands is part of the Bologna Process and uses the ECTS credit system, so qualifications are recognised across the European Higher Education Area and transfer readily for further study or professional registration.
Can I travel elsewhere in Europe on my permit?
Yes. The Netherlands is a full member of the Schengen area, so your residence permit allows short-stay travel across the zone without a separate visa.
How much will it cost me in total?
That depends on the programme, the university and the city, and a generic figure would mislead you. We prepare a written estimate for each student — tuition, living costs, permit requirements and any scholarships you qualify for — at no charge. Request yours here.
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🇱🇰 For Sri Lankan Students
Apply from Sri Lanka, hassle-free
Here is exactly what you need to qualify from Sri Lanka, and how Ahasa handles the entire process for you.
📝 Entry Requirements
Bachelor’s Degrees: You will need your G.C.E. O/Level and A/Level certificates. Universities in the Netherlands generally require at least 3 passes at A/Levels.
Master’s Degrees: A recognized Bachelor’s degree from a Sri Lankan university.
Note: All academic documents must be certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Colombo. Our team will guide you on how to get this done quickly.
🗣️ English Proficiency
To study in the Netherlands, IELTS (usually 5.5 – 6.5 overall) or PTE Academic are strongly recommended for a smooth visa approval. We will advise you on the exact score needed for your chosen university.
🛂 Visa Process
Sri Lankan students must apply for a student visa. Do not worry about the complex paperwork—we handle your university invitation and prepare you for your VFS Global appointment in Colombo. We also prepare you for any online video interviews required by the embassy.
💡 Why Apply with Ahasa?
We are official university representatives in Sri Lanka. That means we do not charge any agency or consultation fees. You only pay your official university tuition and standard visa application costs.
