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

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.

Start Your FREE IELTS Preparation Today

Note: Weekend classes are 2 days/week, and Weekday classes are 4 days/week. 

Alternative English Proficiency Tests to Study in Netherlands

If you do not want to take the IELTS exam, there are other options to show you know English. Many Dutch universities and the visa office accept different certificates. These tests are often faster to get results or you can even take them on your computer at home.

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

• Leiden University Excellence Scholarships
• Erasmus University Netherlands Scholarships
• Maastricht University Scholarships
• TU Delft Excellence Scholarships Netherlands
• Radboud University Scholarships
• Holland Government Scholarships
• Netherlands Government Scholarships

Also Read

• Scholarships to Study in Netherlands
• Education Loan for Studying in Netherlands

Top universities in Netherlands without IELTS

Finding the best universities in Netherlands that do not strictly ask for IELTS can make your application much easier. Many of the top-ranked Dutch universities are flexible if you have other proof of your English skills. Below is a list of some of the best universities you can look at for the 2026 academic year:

• University of Amsterdam
• University of Groningen
• Leiden University
• Erasmus University Rotterdam
• Utrecht University
• Wageningen university and research

Is IELTS mandatory for a Netherlands student visa?

Many students get confused about the Dutch student visa and the IELTS test. The truth is that the IND (which is the immigration office in Holland) does not strictly require an IELTS certificate from every student. Instead, they let the Dutch universities decide if your English is good enough. If your school gives you an acceptance letter without IELTS, then the visa office usually will not ask for it either.

This is because your university acts as a legal sponsor for your MVV visa. If you prove your English to the school using an MOI letter or a different English proficiency test, that is usually enough. You still need to follow other visa rules like showing your bank statement to prove you have money for living costs. Some people might get a short visa interview at the embassy, so you should be ready to speak a bit of English there.

Important Netherlands Student Visa Facts

• University Approval: If the university says yes to your MOI certificate, the visa office follows their lead.

• Sponsorship: The Netherlands visa process is mostly handled by your school.

• Other Documents: You still need a valid passport and health insurance.

• English Level: You don't need a specific IELTS band score if the school waives the requirement for you.

Even if the visa office is not strict about the test, you must check the university website carefully. Every university has their own rules for International students and some are more strict than others.

 Related Reads