How to Study in Netherlands without IELTS - Top Universities, Scholarships, Requirements

International English Language Testing System ( IELTS )

Raushan
Raushan Kumar
Assistant Manager Content
Updated on Oct 16, 2025 11:19 IST
You want study in Netherlands but no IELTS score? Don’t worry we got you. Here we tell about universities in Netherlands without IELTS, how to meet English language requirements, and ways to study in Netherlands without IELTS.
Study in Netherlands without IELTS

The Netherlands is now a place many international students go, and yes many Indians also. You find a safe and friendly country, with cost of living in Netherlands not too high compared to other study abroad places. If you want good education, the top universities in Netherlands are always strong option.

Studying in Netherlands is getting more famous also because some students can study without IELTS requirements. Many people ask, is IELTS required for admission in Netherlands? It’s a very common doubt.

Truth is, some universities in Netherlands don’t make IELTS compulsory. They accept other English tests like TOEFL, PTE, or even Duolingo. So if you planning to study in Netherlands without IELTS, you can show these scores instead. Just get good marks in one of them. That means you got many choices if you don’t want to take IELTS but still wish to do your studies in Netherlands.

Table of contents
  • How to study in the Netherlands without IELTS?
  • Alternative English Proficiency Tests to Study in Netherlands
  • Scholarships in the Netherlands without IELTS
  • Top universities to study in the Netherlands without IELTS
  • Top universities to study in the Netherlands Accepting TOEFL

How to study in the Netherlands without IELTS?

Step 1: Application Process

  • Shortlist a course and university you want to apply.
  • Apply online for the University or colleges you have selected in the Netherlands.
  • Must complete a secondary school diploma from a school recognized by the relevant authorities i.e. New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, Canada (without Quebec), Ireland, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

Step 2: Interviews

Once your profile got shortlisted by the university, you may be asked to conduct a personal interview. This interview is conducted to check your English language skills. To be accepted into a university in the Netherlands without IELTS, you must clear this interview in the best possible way.

Step 3: Cost of Study in the Netherlands

After your interview is done, the university will send you confirmation that you got into the program. Then you need to pay tuition fee for your course. The cost of study in Netherlands for international students is more than local Dutch students pay. For a bachelor’s degree the fees is expected to be EUR 6,000 up to EUR 15,000 per year. If you want a master’s degree in Netherlands, then the fee can be between EUR 8,000 and EUR 20,000 yearly. So better to plan early and calculate your budget.

Step 4: Apply for Scholarships in Netherlands

As an international student, you can try for different Netherlands scholarships. Many universities and higher education institutes provide these to help students. The aim is simple, they want to encourage more students to study in Netherlands. You can apply scholarships for bachelor, master, or even PhD programs in Netherlands. Some are fully funded, and some are partially funded, it depends on the scheme and your eligibility. Getting a scholarship in Netherlands can reduce your study cost a lot.

Step 5: Apply for a Students visa in the Netherlands without IELTS

The application od Netherlands student visa is accepted without IELTS if you show other English test scores that the university accepts. It can be TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo English Test, or maybe Cambridge English Qualification. Some universities allow that. The Netherlands visa rules are getting strict slowly, but it is still possible when you already have admission letter from a Netherlands university without IELTS.

Documents Required

  1. Valid passport
  2. Two photographs
  3. Birth certificate
  4. Academic transcripts
  5. The official letter from the academic institution in the Netherlands
  6. Financial proof for the entire period of study (around 870 EUR/month)
  7. Travel and health insurance
  8. Visa application fee
  9. Photocopies of all the original documents
  • Biometric information
  • CV

Know more about how to Study Abroad without IELTS.

Alternative English Proficiency Tests to Study in Netherlands

There are many Dutch universities accept alternative English proficiency tests:

English Test

Minimum Score Required

TOEFL iBT

90

PTE Academic

62

Duolingo English Test

110

Cambridge English Qualifications (CAE/CPE)

180

Scholarships in the Netherlands without IELTS

Students can apply for Scholarships in the Netherlands without IELTS for Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D. degree programs. This country is one of the preferred choices for international students as universities offer a wide range of English language programs. The scholarship program covers financial conditions like tuition fees, monthly stipends, residence facilities, medical insurance, etc.

List of Scholarships in the Netherlands

Also Read

Score Predictor

Predict your IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE in just 4 steps!

Share 12th Board, Percentage, english score
Get estimated scores or IELTS, TOEFL & PTE


Top universities to study in the Netherlands without IELTS

Students can find below the list of universities in the Netherlands to study without IELTS.

Top universities to study in the Netherlands Accepting TOEFL 

One can check the top university in Netherlands without IELTS. These universities accepts TOEFL scores.  

  • University of Amsterdam
  • Utrecht University
  • Delft University of Technology
  • Leiden University
  • Wageningen University and Research Center
  • University of Groningen
  • Erasmus University Rotterdam
  • Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam)
  • Radboud University
  • Eindhoven University of Technology

 Related Reads

Study in Canada without IELTS

Study in the UK without IELTS

Study in Australia without IELTS

Study in the USA without IELTS

Q:   How much percentage is required in 12th for IELTS?
A:

IELTS IDP has not set any 12th score requirements for taking the IELTS. You can take the IELTS irrespective of the marks you scored in the 12th standard. So, one can attempt the IELTS exam without worrying about their class 12th score.

Q:   Can I study in UK without IELTS?
A:
However, there are several universities in the United Kingdom that do not require IELTS which means you can study in UK without IELTS. Examples include Sheffield Hallam, University of Warwick, University of Bristol, Swansea University and University of Greenwich.
Q:   Can I qualify IELTS?
A:

There are no strict IELTS eligblity criteria. So, any candidates with 16 plus years of age can apply for IELTS and with better preparation can easily qualify for the test. 

About the Author
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Written by
Raushan Kumar
Assistant Manager Content
Raushan Kumar is a skilled writer and a Study Abroad Expert in the Editorial Team at Shiksha. He oversees various aspects of studying abroad, including educational opportunities, entrance exams, colleges, latest new Read Full Bio
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