Thinking of the Netherlands may paint a picture of beautiful scenery laid with bright tulips, colorful houses, winding canals, impressive buildings, and wonderful nature. There is no doubt that many would not just want to visit the place but might also think of getting a degree there. By chance, are you one of them?
Not only is Dutch education high-quality, internationally oriented, and relatively good value, but it is also quite accessible, owing to the wide range of English-taught programs offered. Besides that, the opportunities and cultures in the area also add to the learning experience. Traveling and adventure will not be missed if you study in this country. Here are some of the best English-taught universities in the Netherlands.
Top Universities for English-taught Programs in the Netherlands
| University | Undergraduate English-taught options | Graduate English-taught options |
|---|
| University of Amsterdam | Examples include Actuarial Science, Business Administration, Business Analytics, Communication Science, Computational Social Science, Econometrics and Data Science, Economics and Business Economics, and English Language and Culture. | Master’s options include Accountancy and Control, Actuarial Science and Mathematical Finance, Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Business Administration, Business Data Science, Chemistry, and Information Studies. English-language Ph.D. opportunities are also listed. |
| Delft University of Technology | Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, Earth, Climate and Technology, and Nanobiology. | English-taught master’s options include Aerospace Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Applied Physics, Architecture, Urbanism and Building Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Civil Engineering, and Strategic Product Design. Doctoral research opportunities are also available. |
| Utrecht University | English Language and Culture; Economics and Business Economics; Molecular and Biophysical Life Sciences; Philosophy, Politics and Economics; and English-language university college programs. | Master’s options include Applied Cognitive Psychology, Business Informatics, Biofabrication, Drug Innovation, Economic Policy, Game and Media Technology, Law and Economics, Linguistics, and Theoretical Physics. English-language Ph.D. study is also available. |
| Leiden University | International Studies, International Relations and Organisations, English Language and Culture, Liberal Arts and Sciences: Global Challenges, and Security Studies. | English-taught master’s options include Computer Science, International Relations, Public Administration, Clinical Psychology, Biomedical Sciences, and Law and Finance. Ph.D. tracks are also available; confirm language arrangements for the specific research project. |
| Wageningen University & Research | Animal Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Food Technology, International Land and Water Management, Marine Sciences, Earth System Sciences, Tourism, and Data Science for Global Challenges. | Master’s options include Food Technology, Food Safety, Plant Sciences, International Development Studies, and Sustainable Business and Innovation. English-language doctoral research is available; thesis-language requirements depend on the chosen arrangement. |
| Radboud University | Artificial Intelligence and International Business Administration. | Research Master’s in Cognitive Neuroscience and the Data Science and AI specialization within Computing Science. English-taught doctoral training includes sociology through the Interuniversity Center for Social Science Theory and Methodology. |
| Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam | Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence. | Master’s in Artificial Intelligence and the joint Computer Science degree with the University of Amsterdam. English-language doctoral training includes management and organization research through ABRI and environmental and sustainability research through SENSE. |
| University of Groningen | International Business and Economics and Business Economics. | Master’s in International Business and Management and Computing Science, including AI Engineering and Software Engineering and Distributed Systems tracks. The Faculty of Science and Engineering offers English-language Ph.D. programs. |
| Eindhoven University of Technology | Computer Science and Engineering and Electrical Engineering. | Master’s in Computer Science and Engineering. English-language doctoral research opportunities include computational geometry and computational topology; availability depends on individual research positions. |
| University of Twente | Advanced Technology, Creative Technology, and Technical Computer Science. | Master’s in Computer Science and Robotics. English-language doctoral research includes geo-information science and earth observation through the ITC faculty. |
| Erasmus University Rotterdam | International Bachelor Economics and Business Economics and International Bachelor Communication and Media. | Health Economics specialization within the MSc Economics and Business. English-language doctoral opportunities include the Full-time Ph.D. Programme in Management and Economics through the Erasmus Research Institute of Management. |
| IHE Delft Institute for Water Education | No bachelor’s degree is identified; the institute specializes in postgraduate education and professional training. | MSc and Research MSc in Water and Sustainable Development. English-language doctoral research addresses water-related challenges, with Ph.D. degrees awarded jointly with partner universities. |
1. University of Amsterdam
The University of Amsterdam is one of the best English-taught universities in the Netherlands. It traces its history to 1632, making it one of the oldest universities in the country. Besides being one of the Netherlands’ most prestigious institutions, it is ranked among the top 100 universities worldwide in major global rankings. More than 34,000 students make their way around the university every year, including thousands of international students.
Academic programs at the university are offered in either Dutch or English. At the undergraduate level, the University of Amsterdam offers more than 20 English-taught bachelor’s programs. Examples include Actuarial Science, Ancient Studies, Archaeology, Business Administration, Business Analytics, Communication Science, Computational Social Science, Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology, Econometrics and Data Science, Economics and Business Economics, English Language and Culture, and other programs.
For the master’s degree level, the University of Amsterdam offers over 170 English-taught programs, making it one of the European universities with a large selection of international master’s programs. These programs include Accountancy and Control, Actuarial Science and Mathematical Finance, Arts and Culture, Asset Management, Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, Biological Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Business Administration, Business Data Science, Chemistry, Communication Science, and Information Studies.
What Current Students / Alumni of University of Amsterdam Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | English in Practice | Local-Language Insight |
|---|
Banu Keikina
Master’s in Forensic Science | All her classes are conducted in English. She also finds communication with faculty and other students straightforward in English. | Dutch is not required to complete her studies. She finds everyday life manageable in English but considers Dutch beneficial for finding employment. |
Melina Coelho Garcia
Master’s in International Trade and Investment Law | Her classes were conducted in English. | She reports being able to study, live, and work using English, while recommending Dutch to expand academic, cultural, social, and professional opportunities. |
Belén Estrella Fiallo
Dual Master’s in Journalism, Media, and Globalization; specialization in Media and Politics | She specifically identifies English as the teaching language for her classes at the University of Amsterdam. | — |
2. Delft University of Technology
The Delft University of Technology is also commonly known as TU Delft. It is regarded as the oldest and largest technical university in the Netherlands and among the country’s most prestigious academic institutions. It traces its roots to the Royal Academy, which was founded in 1842.
The university offers a variety of programs to its thousands of students. These courses may be taught in Dutch, English, or both. At the bachelor’s level, only four programs are offered fully in English. Current English-taught options include Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, Earth, Climate and Technology, and Nanobiology.
As for master’s degree students, all TU Delft master’s programs are taught in English. Students may choose from programs such as Aerospace Engineering, Applied Earth Sciences, Applied Geophysics, Applied Mathematics, Applied Physics, Architecture, Urbanism and Building Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Complex Systems Engineering and Management, Nanobiology, Strategic Product Design, and more. Ph.D. research opportunities are also available at TU Delft, and doctoral research projects are generally structured around a four-year trajectory.
3. Utrecht University
Founded in 1636, Utrecht University is a historic public university and a wide-ranging international research university. It also has Nobel Prize winners and other distinguished individuals among its alumni and faculty.
Utrecht University currently states that six bachelor’s programs and over half of its master’s programs are taught in English. Examples at the bachelor’s level include English Language and Culture, Economics and Business Economics, Molecular and Biophysical Life Sciences, Philosophy, Politics and Economics, and the English-language programs at its university colleges.
Some English-taught master’s degree programs include Applied Cognitive Psychology, Arts and Society, Biology of Disease, Business Informatics, Biofabrication, Cancer, Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Clinical Psychology, Comparative Literary Studies, Drug Innovation, Economic Policy, Gender Studies, Game and Media Technology, Law and Economics, Linguistics, Theoretical Physics, and Toxicology and Environmental Health. Ph.D. programs at Utrecht University are also offered fully in English.
For international students seeking programs delivered in English, Utrecht University provides a comprehensive and supportive educational experience. Adriana Figueredo from Paraguay, who pursued a master’s degree in Law and Technology, specifically chose her program because it was “taught entirely in English, in an emerging field at the intersection of law and technology.” Her experience highlights the university’s dedication to providing accessible and cutting-edge education to a global audience, ensuring that language is not a barrier to accessing specialized and relevant fields of study.
What Current Students / Alumni of Utrecht University Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | English in Practice | Local-Language Insight |
|---|
Hendy Kristyanto
Master’s in Cancer Genomics and Developmental Biology | He completed an English-taught master’s program. Understanding different English accents was part of his initial adjustment to the international academic environment. | He recommends asking local students or the international office for help with language difficulties and building a supportive friendship network. |
Khizar Ahmad
LL.M. in Law and Technology | All his classes and course materials are in English. He also describes academic communication in his program as English-medium. | He reports no academic obstacles from not knowing Dutch, although learning it can enrich the wider experience. |
Adriana Figueredo
Master’s in Law and Technology in Europe | She completed a program taught entirely in English, which was one of her reasons for choosing it. | — |
4. Leiden University
Leiden University is the oldest university in the Netherlands, founded in 1575. Its main location is in Leiden, and it also has a campus in The Hague. Besides its strong academic profile, it participates in Leiden-Delft-Erasmus Universities, a strategic alliance with Delft University of Technology and Erasmus University Rotterdam.
There are many English-taught undergraduate programs at Leiden University. The university currently lists 16 English-taught bachelor’s programs for international students. Examples include International Studies, International Relations and Organisations, English Language and Culture, Liberal Arts and Sciences: Global Challenges, and Security Studies.
Meanwhile, Leiden University offers 80 master’s programs and more than 200 specializations, many of which are available in English. Examples include Computer Science, International Relations, Public Administration, Clinical Psychology, Biomedical Sciences, Law and Finance, and other fields. There are also Ph.D. tracks available, and a Ph.D. trajectory at Leiden takes four years on average.
5. Wageningen University and Research
Wageningen University & Research is another institution among the best English-taught universities in the Netherlands. This public institution focuses on food, climate, nature, health, and sustainable living environments. The university’s history started in 1876 when the Agricultural College in Wageningen was taken over by the state. The formation of Wageningen University & Research began in 1997, and the institution later adopted Wageningen University & Research as its unified brand.
The university offers 20 bachelor’s programs, including eight English-taught bachelor’s programs. These include Animal Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Food Technology, International Land and Water Management, Marine Sciences, Earth System Sciences, Tourism, and Data Science for Global Challenges.
On the other hand, the institution also has more than 30 master’s programs and several online master’s programs. Examples include Food Technology, Food Safety, Plant Sciences, International Development Studies, Sustainable Business and Innovation, and many more. As for Ph.D. students, English language proficiency is required; Dutch proficiency is also required if the final thesis is written in Dutch.
6. Radboud University
Radboud University is located in Nijmegen, the Netherlands, and offers programs across science, humanities, social sciences, and management. Its research environment includes the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, where researchers connect neuroscience with fields such as psychology, artificial intelligence, and language studies.
English-taught bachelor’s options include Artificial Intelligence and International Business Administration. Both take three years and comprise 180 ECTS credits. Artificial Intelligence combines computing and mathematics with subjects including neuroscience, psychology, logic, and linguistics. International Business Administration examines organizations through management, economics, communication, and social sciences, including how businesses respond to stakeholders and environmental challenges.
At graduate level, the English-taught Research Master’s in Cognitive Neuroscience takes two years and includes practical research training connected to the Donders Institute. The two-year Computing Science master’s also offers an entirely English-taught specialization in Data Science and AI. Doctoral opportunities include sociology research through the Interuniversity Center for Social Science Theory and Methodology, in which Radboud participates. Its four-year PhD program is fully taught in English and combines dissertation research with structured courses, research presentations, and an internship.
What Current Students / Alumni of Radboud University Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | English in Practice | Local-Language Insight |
|---|
Afsana Mimi
Research Master’s in Social and Cultural Science | All her classes and coursework were conducted in English. | She experienced no academic problems from not knowing Dutch. |
Alisha
Master’s in Biomedical Science | Her classes were conducted in English. | She reports that not knowing Dutch was not an academic issue, while still recommending learning the language. |
Farzana Shaheen
Joint Master’s in Education in Museums and Heritage | All courses remained in English throughout her multinational program, including her study period at Radboud. | She encountered language challenges outside class in the Netherlands. Across her international study experience, learning basic local language helped with daily interactions and cultural engagement. |
Hilal
Master’s in Molecular Mechanisms of Disease | She reports that all her studies were conducted in English; her academic history includes this master’s at Radboud. | — |
Kathryn
Research Master’s in Behavioral Science | All her courses are in English, which she also finds widely used outside the classroom. | Although she is learning Dutch, she reports that she could manage without speaking it. |
7. Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, commonly called VU Amsterdam, is a multidisciplinary research university in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Its campus in the Zuidas Innovation District brings together researchers across science, business, humanities, and social sciences. English-language study opportunities extend from bachelor’s degrees to specialized doctoral training.
English-taught undergraduate options include Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence, both three-year, full-time programs. Computer Science covers algorithms, software engineering, computer systems, cybersecurity, and AI, with electives and a minor allowing students to develop particular interests. Artificial Intelligence emphasizes systems that work with people, connecting technical development with human cognition and societal applications such as healthcare, sustainable energy, and socially responsible technology.
English-taught master’s options include the two-year Artificial Intelligence program and the two-year Computer Science joint degree with the University of Amsterdam. The latter offers specializations including Big Data Engineering and Software Engineering and Green IT. VU’s graduate schools also provide English-taught doctoral research training. Examples include management and organization research through the Amsterdam Business Research Institute and environmental and sustainability research through the SENSE research school.
What Current Students / Alumni of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | English in Practice | Local-Language Insight |
|---|
Prachi
Joint Master’s in Software Engineering for the Green Deal | Her courses were taught in English, so she did not experience significant academic language barriers. | Across her study countries, shopping, transport, and paperwork sometimes presented language challenges. She used basic local phrases, translation apps, and help from others. |
Daniela Fajardo
Master’s in Software Engineering for Green Deal | Her program was taught in English, and she reports no academic language barrier. | She found English widely spoken in daily life in the Netherlands. She nevertheless encourages learning Dutch for cultural engagement and wider opportunities. |
Syed Shaharyar Ahmed
Master’s in International Technology Law | All classes in his program are conducted entirely in English. He also finds academic life and everyday campus interactions manageable in English. | Dutch is not an academic barrier in his experience; basic Dutch can help with social and cultural integration. |
Rosheen Naeem
Master’s in Software Engineering for Green Deal | English remained the teaching language throughout her program, including her semester at VU Amsterdam. She reports no language-related difficulties in her studies. | Across her international study experience, she used basic local phrases and translation tools for everyday interactions; she identifies Italy as the most challenging country for language. |
Dua
Joint Master’s in Neuroscience | Her lectures, slides, assignments, and examinations are all in English. | She reports no communication problems in Amsterdam because English is widely spoken. |
Hiba
Joint Master’s in Software Engineering for Green Deal | English was the teaching language throughout her program, including the research-focused semester in the Netherlands. | She encountered no significant language barrier but recommends learning basic Dutch for everyday communication during a stay in the Netherlands. |
8. University of Groningen
The University of Groningen is a comprehensive research university in the northern Netherlands. Its academic offerings span economics, business, science, engineering, humanities, and social sciences. Students can choose English-language degrees at undergraduate and graduate levels, while doctoral candidates conduct research within specialized institutes and graduate schools.
English-taught bachelor’s options include International Business and Economics and Business Economics. Both comprise 180 ECTS credits over three years. International Business examines international markets, cross-cultural management, and business strategy. Economics and Business Economics allows students to develop interests through profiles in Economics, Business Economics, or International Economics and Sustainable Development, connecting economic analysis with issues affecting companies and societies.
English-taught master’s options include the one-year International Business and Management program and the two-year Computing Science program. Computing Science offers tracks such as AI Engineering and Software Engineering and Distributed Systems, with opportunities for research involving industry. The Faculty of Science and Engineering explicitly offers four-year PhD programs entirely in English. Research areas include synthetic biology and sustainable energy, with candidates developing independent projects within established research groups.
What Current Students / Alumni of University of Groningen Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | English in Practice | Local-Language Insight |
|---|
Ivena Nathania Victor
Joint Master’s in Clinical Linguistics | She reports that everything was taught in English, with no change in teaching language between her study countries. | She experienced no significant language barrier because people around her spoke English. |
Smarika Kafle
Joint Master’s in Sustainable Drug Discovery | Her program was taught in English throughout, including her study period in the Netherlands. | She found communication easy in the Netherlands and began learning Dutch to understand everyday conversations. |
Yalnaz Aamna Alam
European Master’s in Clinical Linguistics | She reports that English was widely spoken around her and that she did not encounter severe language barriers. She does not separately specify the classroom teaching language. | — |
Prajna Sinha
European Master’s in Clinical Linguistics | She describes communication in the Netherlands as easy because English was widely spoken. Her account does not separately confirm the classroom teaching language. | Her experience of learning Dutch for groceries relates to her subsequent stay in Belgium, rather than her study period in the Netherlands. |
Iqra Ali Mirza
European Master’s in Clinical Linguistics | She reports no language barriers in the Netherlands, where people switched to English when she struggled with Dutch. She does not separately specify the classroom teaching language. | She found people accommodating when her Dutch was insufficient for an interaction. |
9. Eindhoven University of Technology
Eindhoven University of Technology, abbreviated TU/e, is a research university in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. Its engineering and technology research connects with the surrounding Brainport region, whose industries include semiconductors, photonics, and advanced manufacturing. Collaboration with technology companies forms an important part of its research environment.
Verified English-taught undergraduate options include Computer Science and Engineering and Electrical Engineering. Each leads to a Bachelor of Science and comprises 180 ECTS credits over three years. Computer Science and Engineering develops the mathematical and technical foundations needed to design reliable software systems and web services. Students learn to evaluate program correctness and efficiency while considering how people use software, with electives supporting further specialization.
The English-taught Master of Science in Computer Science and Engineering comprises 120 ECTS credits over two years, providing a graduate pathway for further study in computing. English-language doctoral research is also available. A verified example is computational geometry and computational topology, where doctoral researchers investigate algorithms for spatial data. The university’s four-year research position combines supervised investigation, conference participation, and teaching responsibilities, and explicitly states that Dutch is not required.
What Current Students / Alumni of Eindhoven University of Technology Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | English in Practice | Local-Language Insight |
|---|
Srinivasan Seshadri
Master’s in Chemical Engineering | He says the availability of English-taught master’s courses made his academic transition easier. He describes most master’s courses as English-taught, rather than explicitly confirming every class he took. | He considers Dutch advantageous for employment involving local colleagues, clients, or organizations and recommends using the university’s Dutch courses. |
Aaradhya
Master’s in Sustainable Energy Technology | All his classes were conducted in English. He found faculty and most students comfortable communicating in English, which eased his adjustment. | — |
10. University of Twente
The University of Twente is located in Enschede, in the eastern Netherlands. Its teaching and research combine engineering and technology with behavioral, management, and social sciences. This combination supports programs concerned with both technological development and how people, organizations, and communities use new technologies.
Fully English-taught bachelor’s options include Advanced Technology, Creative Technology, and Technical Computer Science. Each takes three years. Advanced Technology combines fields such as electrical engineering, mathematics, mechanical engineering, and robotics. Creative Technology brings together design, technology, and AI to address societal challenges. Technical Computer Science covers programming, databases, networks, and systems, using project-based learning within the Twente Education Model.
English-taught master’s options include the two-year programs in Computer Science and Robotics. Robotics integrates mechatronics, software, AI, and ethical considerations, with applications in industry, healthcare, and human–robot interaction. English-language doctoral research is available through Twente Graduate School, including geo-information science and earth observation at the ITC faculty. Its four-year PhD pathway combines original research with at least 30 credits of training or practical activities, culminating in a dissertation and public defense.
What Current Students / Alumni of University of Twente Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | English in Practice | Local-Language Insight |
|---|
Lizeth Chávez
Master’s in Bioengineering Technologies within Biomedical Engineering | Her classes are conducted in English. | She reports no problems from not knowing Dutch and notes that Dutch-language courses are available. |
11. Erasmus University Rotterdam
Erasmus University Rotterdam is a research university in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, with academic offerings in economics, management, health, law, social sciences, and culture. Its English-language programs include undergraduate degrees, specialized master’s pathways, and doctoral research training, with several programs based at the Woudestein campus.
The International Bachelor Economics and Business Economics is taught in English and comprises 180 ECTS credits over three years. Students develop foundations in economics, business, and data analysis, then shape their studies through majors, electives, or study abroad. Another three-year English-taught option is the International Bachelor Communication and Media, which examines media and communication through international perspectives and includes research methods and practical communication workshops.
At master’s level, the English-taught Health Economics specialization within the MSc Economics and Business takes one year and comprises 60 ECTS credits. Students use economic tools to examine healthcare costs, inequalities, and policy choices. Doctoral opportunities include the English-language Full-time PhD Programme in Management and Economics, hosted by the Erasmus Research Institute of Management. This pathway combines academic research development with individual supervision and leads to an Erasmus University doctorate.
What Current Students / Alumni of Erasmus University Rotterdam Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | English in Practice | Local-Language Insight |
|---|
Mukhlisa
Joint Master’s in Law and Economics | English was the teaching language across all three study countries, including the Netherlands. Initially, fast discussions and spontaneous academic speaking required adjustment, which she addressed through participation and group work. | — |
12. IHE Delft Institute for Water Education
IHE Delft Institute for Water Education is a specialized postgraduate institute in Delft, the Netherlands. A UNESCO Category 2 center, it focuses on water-related education, research, and professional development. Its academic work connects engineering, natural sciences, and social sciences to challenges involving water and sustainable development.
The institute’s published degree portfolio focuses on master’s and doctoral education; no English-taught bachelor’s degree was identified. Its short courses and professional training should therefore be distinguished from undergraduate qualifications. These offerings primarily help water-sector professionals update their expertise, while the degree programs provide advanced academic and research preparation.
All IHE Delft educational programs are taught in English. The MSc in Water and Sustainable Development is a one-year, 68-credit program anchored in professional practice. The Research MSc in Water and Sustainable Development takes two years and comprises 120 credits, with more individually tailored research preparation. Doctoral candidates investigate water-related challenges, including hydroinformatics and resilient water infrastructure, supported by specialist supervision and personalized training. PhD degrees are awarded jointly with partner universities, rather than independently by IHE Delft alone.
What Current Students / Alumni of IHE Delft Institute for Water Education Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | English in Practice | Local-Language Insight |
|---|
Faisal Muneer
Joint Master’s in Environmental Technology and Engineering | He reports being able to manage student life using English across his study countries. He does not explicitly specify the teaching language of his classes. | He encountered language barriers and recommends learning the relevant national language, including Dutch for the Netherlands, when planning a career there. |
Olawale Quadri Ogunsola
Joint Master’s in Groundwater and Global Change; MSc in Water Science and Engineering at IHE Delft | His program was conducted in English at every mobility university, including IHE Delft. | He reports language barriers across his European mobility experience but does not identify a separate Dutch-language requirement or difficulty. |
The Netherlands is known as a safe and welcoming country with an international student community. Students who are interested in English-taught university programs should highly consider it. The above-mentioned universities offer many such opportunities, so begin your career journey now.
We hope you found this article on the best English-taught universities in the Netherlands informative and helpful. If you are interested, explore Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees for International Students!
