Amsterdam is classified as an Alpha world city in the 2024 Globalization and World Cities Research Network analysis. It is also highly international, with residents representing almost 180 nationalities.
Although Amsterdam is not one of the cheapest cities for students, it attracts students from around the world. The University of Amsterdam estimates that students spend approximately €975 to €1,500 per month on living expenses, including rent but excluding tuition. The city is home to some of the finest educational institutions in the Netherlands and offers an international environment in which students can study and build professional networks.
If you are planning to pursue your studies in the Netherlands, Amsterdam is a useful place to compare universities. However, tuition varies considerably according to the institution, program, nationality, residence status, and whether the student qualifies for the Dutch statutory tuition rate. Let’s take a look at these affordable universities for international students.
Affordable Universities in Amsterdam for International Students
1. VU Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, commonly known as VU Amsterdam, is a research university founded in 1880 through a private Protestant Christian initiative led by Abraham Kuyper. It is one of Amsterdam’s major research universities, alongside the University of Amsterdam.
VU Amsterdam offers bachelor’s and master’s programs across a wide range of disciplines, including numerous English-taught options. Students should check the page for their chosen program because the applicable institutional tuition fee can vary significantly. Applicants should also confirm the program’s language requirements, as programs may be delivered in English or Dutch.
2. Gerrit Rietveld Academie
The history of Gerrit Rietveld Academie can be traced to 1924, when three schools merged to form the Institute of Applied Art Education. The academy moved into a building designed by architect and designer Gerrit Rietveld in 1967 and was renamed in his honor in 1968.
Gerrit Rietveld Academie is a small-scale, internationally oriented university of applied sciences specializing in fine arts and design. Its departments include Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Fashion, Photography, Ceramics, Jewellery, Architectural Design, Image and Language, and DOGtime, its part-time bachelor’s program. More than half of its students come from outside the Netherlands, and English is the academy’s primary language of communication. Its master’s education is provided through the Sandberg Instituut.
3. Amsterdam University of the Arts
- Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: €2,694 at the statutory rate; institutional fees for new students generally range from €8,250 to €10,162, depending on the program
Amsterdam University of the Arts is a university of applied sciences comprising six specialized academies in Amsterdam. Its subject areas include theater, film and television, music, dance, architecture, fine art and design, arts education, and cultural heritage.
AHK offers associate degree, bachelor’s, and master’s programs. The study mode and language of instruction vary by program, so applicants should consult the individual program page to determine whether a course is full-time or part-time and whether it is taught in English or Dutch.
4. University of Amsterdam
- Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- 2026–2027 Tuition Fees: €2,694 at the statutory full-time rate; non-EEA bachelor’s fees start at €13,900 and vary by faculty and program
The University of Amsterdam traces its origins to the Athenaeum Illustre, which was established in 1632. It is one of the best-known public universities in the Netherlands and has more than 44,000 students, making it one of Europe’s larger broad-based research universities.
The university is organized into seven faculties: Humanities, Social and Behavioural Sciences, Economics and Business, Law, Science, Medicine, and Dentistry. Tuition and admission requirements differ substantially among these faculties and their individual programs.
5. Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences
Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences is an independent university of applied sciences specializing in business and management. It was founded in Deventer in 1987 and moved its main campus to Apeldoorn in 2010. It currently has study locations in Apeldoorn, Amsterdam, and Munich.
Its current bachelor’s portfolio includes pathways in International Business Administration, Entrepreneurial Business Administration, Marketing Communication and Information, and Hospitality Business Administration. It also offers Master of Business Administration and Master of Business Management programs. Eligible full-time students from the EU, EEA, United Kingdom, or Ukraine may qualify for a €6,000 scholarship; bachelor’s students must meet the institution’s annual credit requirements for the scholarship to be renewed.
6. Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences
Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences provides professionally oriented higher education through seven faculties. The university reports more than 44,000 students and offers 57 bachelor’s programs, 22 master’s programs, and nine associate degree tracks.
Its academic areas include business and economics, digital media and the creative industries, education, health, social sciences and law, sports and nutrition, and technology. Applicants should consult the individual program page because not every program is available in English or open to international applicants.
The city of Amsterdam offers students a rich history, cultural diversity, distinctive architecture, and access to an international professional environment. However, tuition eligibility and living expenses can substantially affect the total cost of studying in the city. Students should therefore compare the applicable institutional or statutory tuition rate, additional program costs, housing expenses, and scholarship conditions before applying.
We hope this article on affordable universities in Amsterdam was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Netherlands Study Page and Available Programs for International Students in Europe!
