Study costs
On this page you’ll find an overview of the main costs to consider: tuition fees plus a realistic estimate of your monthly living costs in Leeuwarden. The exact amount will of course depend on your situation and lifestyle, but the figures below will help you to plan your budget.
1. Tuition fees
To study at a Dutch university you pay a tuition fee. The amount is calculated based on your nationality (EU/EEA or non-EU/EEA) and the type of programme (bachelor’s or master’s, university college, pre-master).
For the most up-to-date amounts, please check the programme page of your study (Global Responsibility & Leadership, Data Science & Society, Sustainable Entrepreneurship, Sustainable Futures, Speech Technology)
2. Monthly cost of living in Leeuwarden
Leeuwarden is one of the most affordable student cities in the Netherlands, especially when it comes to housing. Monthly, your biggest expense will usually be rent, followed by groceries, insurance and leisure.
Example monthly budget
Below is an example of what many students roughly spend per month:
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Rent (room / studio in a shardd house) |
€500
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Groceries |
€180 |
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Study materials |
€50
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Transport (costs for monthly renting a bike via Swapfiets) |
€20
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Sports, going out and leisure |
€150 - 200
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Clothing and personal care |
€50 - €70
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|
Phone |
€15 - €25
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Health insurance |
€155 - €160 per month
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Total: around €1,150–€1,300 per month
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More about: Housing
The average room rents in Leeuwarden are among the lowest in the country, typically around €485 per month, compared with a national average close to €600–€700 in many student cities and €948 in Amsterdam.
If you rent a self-contained studio or apartment and are 21 or older, you may be eligible for Dutch rent benefit (huurtoeslag). Whether you qualify depends on your income, savings and the “basic rent” in your contract. You can check your eligibility and make a test calculation via the official tool of the Dutch Tax Office (Belastingdienst).
More about: Materials
In addition to tuition fees and rent, you should budget for study-related costs:
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Books and digital course materials: On average roughly €50–€80 per month when spread over the year.
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Laptop: For all Campus Fryslân programmes you will need a reliable laptop. For programmes such as Data Science & Society or Speech Technology, a somewhat more powerful laptop is recommended. Most students buy a laptop once every few years.
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Excursions and study trips: Some courses include visits, but these are subsidised.
More about: Health insurance
From the age of 18, you are legally required to have health insurance while living in the Netherlands.
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For most students this means taking out a Dutch basic health insurance policy.
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A basic policy costs on average around €155–€160 per month, depending on the insurer and type of policy.
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Some students receive a healthcare allowance (zorgtoeslag) from the Dutch government, which can cover part of this monthly premium if their income is below a certain threshold. For more information check Rijksoverheid.nl
More about: Transport
Most students in Leeuwarden use a bicycle for daily travel between home, campus and the city centre and often don't need any public transport. However, if you plan to visit other cities:
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Dutch students often have access to a student travel product via DUO, which allows free or discounted public transport on specific days.
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International students do not automatically receive free public transport, but they may be eligible if they meet certain conditions, which are explained in the DUO environment dedicated to the student travel product. Meanwhile, if you plan to travel often by train or bus to other cities, it is always worth looking into discount cards and subscriptions offered by Dutch public transport companies NS and Arriva.
Funding, scholarships and working alongside your studies
How students finance their studies can differ:
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Dutch and some EU/EEA students may be eligible for student finance, loans and the student travel product via DUO.
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Scholarships: There are several scholarships for talented and motivated students. See our Scholarships page for current options and criteria.
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Part-time jobs: Many students work a few hours per week in hospitality, retail or as a student assistant at the university.
Questions?
If you are unsure whether your budget is realistic, ask current students or our student advisers for feedback via cf.prospectives rug.nl.