Utrecht University, founded in 1636, is one of the oldest and largest universities in the Netherlands. In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published in June 2026, it was 113th in the world and third in the Netherlands. It’s known for veterinary medicine, earth sciences, sustainability, law, psychology and the life sciences, and it combines a historic city centre with the large Utrecht Science Park campus.
Utrecht teaches most of its bachelor’s programmes in Dutch, but it offers several in English, and each one sets its own English level and deadline. Here are 10 things you can do to give yourself the best chance, based on Utrecht University’s own guidance and official Dutch government information.
1. Choose an English-taught programme
Utrecht’s English-taught bachelor’s programmes include Economics and Business Economics and Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE), and University College Utrecht (UCU) offers an international liberal arts and sciences degree on its own residential campus. Check the language of instruction on your programme page, because many Utrecht bachelor’s degrees are taught only in Dutch.
2. Apply through Studielink and OSIRIS
You first register for your programme in Studielink, the national application system, which opens on 1 October 2026 for 2027 entry. You then receive login details for Utrecht’s OSIRIS Online Application, where you upload your documents. There’s a €100 application fee, which you must pay before you can submit your application. Utrecht University application procedure.
3. Know your deadline
For Economics and Business Economics, the latest date for non-EU students is 1 April and for EU students 1 May. Programmes with limited places (limited enrolment) close on 15 January 2027, and their programme questionnaire must be completed by 31 January 2027. PPE and UCU have their own application processes, so check their pages. Deadlines close at 23:59 Central European Time. Economics and Business Economics: application and admission.
4. Take part in matching or selection
Many Utrecht programmes without limited places use matching, a compulsory activity that helps you check whether the programme suits you. For Economics and Business Economics, you can join a matching day in April or June, and choosing April leaves you time to change your plans. Programmes with limited enrolment select their students through their own procedures, which also consider skills beyond your grades. Utrecht limited-enrolment programmes.
5. Meet the mathematics and diploma requirements
Your diploma must be at the level of the Dutch pre-university (VWO) diploma, and many programmes require a specific mathematics level. For example, Economics and Business Economics requires Mathematics A at VWO level, and if you don’t meet it, you can take an exam at Boswell-Bèta or CCVX, or the online OMPT-A test, with a minimum score of 75%. Apply early so the admissions team can check your diploma and advise you.
6. Meet the English requirement for your EMI level
Utrecht uses three English levels: EMI-ready, EMI-experienced and EMI-advanced. For EMI-ready programmes, such as Economics and Business Economics, you need IELTS Academic of 6.0 overall, and for EMI-experienced programmes you need 6.5 overall, with minimum scores for each section. TOEFL iBT is also accepted. Your test can’t be more than two years old, and IELTS Online isn’t accepted. Practise with our free IELTS and TOEFL practice tests. Utrecht English language requirements.
7. Understand the fees
Students from the EU/EEA, Switzerland and Suriname pay the statutory fee, which is €2,771 for 2027-28. Other students pay an institutional fee. For 2027-28, Utrecht’s non-EU fee for bachelor’s programmes is €15,100 for most programmes in the social sciences, humanities, economics and law, €18,700 for most science programmes, and €29,400 for Medicine, Pharmacy and Veterinary Medicine. PPE costs €17,900 and UCU €21,600. Utrecht University tuition fees.
8. Look for scholarships
Utrecht University was one of the universities taking part in the NL Scholarship for 2026-27. This scholarship gives €5,000 in your first year to non-EEA students who haven’t studied in the Netherlands before, so check whether Utrecht offers it for your programme in 2027-28. PPE also has a scholarship programme for students who add to the diversity of the programme, and you must apply for it by 14 January. NL Scholarship.
9. Let Utrecht University apply for your residence permit
If you’re not from the EU/EEA or Switzerland, you’ll need a residence permit for study, and many nationalities also need an entry visa (MVV). You don’t apply to the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) yourself: once you’ve been admitted, Utrecht University applies for you as a recognised sponsor, and you pay the fee to the university. You must show that you can cover your living costs, which the IND sets at €1,130.77 a month for university students in 2026 (about €13,570 a year), on top of your tuition. This is why the deadline for non-EU applicants is usually earlier than for EU students. The permit lasts for the length of your programme plus three months, and to keep it you must earn at least 50% of your credits each year. IND required amounts.
10. Plan for work during and after your studies
With a student residence permit you can work up to 16 hours a week during the academic year, or full time in June, July and August, but your employer needs a work permit (TWV) for you from the UWV. After you graduate, you can apply for the orientation year (zoekjaar) residence permit, which lets you stay for 12 months to look for a job or start a business, and during it you can work without a work permit. You can apply for it up to three years after you graduate. IND: international students.
Applying for a master’s or PhD at Utrecht?
Utrecht offers a large number of English-taught master’s programmes, including two-year research master’s. Each sets its own entry requirements and deadlines, and for 2027-28 the non-EU fee is €26,100 for many science master’s. For a PhD, you usually apply for an advertised position, which is a paid job. See our 50 sample SOPs and free GRE practice tests.
Be ambitious, but apply to a balanced list
Some Utrecht programmes are competitive, so apply to other options too. Read our guides to TU Delft, the University of Amsterdam, Leiden University and Erasmus University Rotterdam. Our guide to studying in the Netherlands explains how the Dutch system works, and our free study abroad assessment can help you build a shortlist.
Information was taken from Utrecht University’s official admissions, English language and tuition fee pages, official Dutch government sources and the QS World University Rankings 2027, and checked in October 2026. Admissions rules, deadlines, fees and immigration rules can change, so always confirm the details on Utrecht University’s website before you apply. StudyAbroadMarket is not affiliated with Utrecht University.