About the university
NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences is a public university of applied sciences in the north of the Netherlands. Its main campus is in Leeuwarden, with further locations in Emmen, Meppel and Terschelling and a global network of partner institutes.
Unusually for a Dutch university of applied sciences, almost all of its international degree programmes are taught in English. It is best known for its Hotel Management School in Leeuwarden, which runs the Hospitality Management bachelor's, and it also offers business, tourism, leisure and events, creative and media, and computing degrees, including Computer Science and Information Technology in Emmen.
For Indian students, the appeal is hospitality and business degrees in English, a February intake on some programmes, one-year master's such as Computer Vision & Data Science, and lower housing costs in northern Dutch cities.
- Type
- Public university of applied sciences in the north of the Netherlands
- Locations
- Leeuwarden, Emmen, Meppel and Terschelling, plus partner locations abroad
- Degrees in English
- 29 of the 30 degree programmes in its international course list are taught in English
- Intakes
- September for all; February for some, such as Hospitality Management and International Business (Leeuwarden)
- Non-EU tuition
- €10,335 a year for 2026/27; €10,630 for 2027/28 where published
- Non-EU deadlines
- 31 May for September; 31 October for February
Rankings
Popular courses with Indian students
- Undergraduate
- Fee / year
- €10,335
- Duration
- 4 years full-time (3-year track also offered)
- Intakes
- September (non-EU deadline 31 May); February (non-EU deadline 31 October)
- English
- IELTS Academic 6.0 (5.0 advised per skill), TOEFL iBT 80 (4.5 new scale), PTE Academic 61 or Cambridge FCE 169
- Undergraduate
- Fee / year
- €10,630
- Duration
- Full-time bachelor's (NHL Stenden describes its bachelor's as 4-year programmes)
- Intakes
- September (non-EU deadline 31 May); February in Leeuwarden only (deadline 31 October)
- English
- IELTS Academic 6.0 (5.0 advised per skill), TOEFL iBT 80 (4.5 new scale), PTE Academic 61 or Cambridge FCE 169
- Undergraduate
- Fee / year
- €10,335
- Duration
- 4 years full-time
- Intakes
- September (non-EU deadline 31 May)
- English
- IELTS Academic 6.0 (5.0 advised per skill), TOEFL iBT 80 (4.5 new scale), PTE Academic 61 or Cambridge FCE 169
- Postgraduate
MSc Computer Vision & Data Science
- Fee / year
- €10,335
- Duration
- 1 year full-time
- Intakes
- September (non-EU deadline 31 May; max 25 students, first come, first served)
- English
- IELTS Academic 6.0 (5.0 advised per skill), TOEFL iBT 80, PTE Academic 61 or Cambridge FCE 169
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (EUR) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hospitality Management (BA) | 4 years full-time (3-year track also offered) | €10,335 | ≈ ₹11 lakh |
| International Business | Full-time bachelor's (NHL Stenden describes its bachelor's as 4-year programmes) | €10,630 | ≈ ₹11.3 lakh |
| Computer Science (BSc) | 4 years full-time | €10,335 | ≈ ₹11 lakh |
| MSc Computer Vision & Data Science | 1 year full-time | €10,335 | ≈ ₹11 lakh |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences with similar universities in the Netherlands.
Scholarships
- Full-time bachelor's starting September 2027, non-EEA students
NL Scholarship
Value: One-time contribution in the first year (€5,000 under the national scheme)
Eligibility: Non-EEA nationality, a letter of acceptance, IELTS 7.0 (or native English) and no previous Dutch degree. Apply 1 December 2026 to 30 April 2027; results by end of May 2027.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Bachelor's, non-EU/EEA students already enrolled
NHL Stenden Excellency Scholarship
Value: Amount not stated
Eligibility: Performance-based award for the best-performing non-EU/EEA full-time bachelor's students, granted in the first and second years. You cannot apply before you start.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- A school diploma at least equivalent to NLQF 4/EQF 4 and comparable to the Dutch diploma required. Qualifications not on NHL Stenden's list are assessed individually, with Nuffic's help if needed.
- Computer Science needs mathematics in every school year with a sufficient grade. If you do not meet this, NHL Stenden suggests BSc Information Technology, which has no maths requirement.
- Apply through Studielink. Non-EU deadline: 31 May for September, 31 October for February (31 March and 31 August for Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan).
Postgraduate
- A relevant bachelor's degree at NLQF 6/EQF 6 from a recognised university. Computer Vision & Data Science accepts ICT, mathematical engineering, AI and similar degrees; others are assessed case by case, sometimes with an interview.
- Places on some master's are limited and allocated in order of application.
Documents
- Passport
- Class 12 certificate and mark sheets (bachelor's) or bachelor's degree and transcripts (master's)
- English test from a public test session (online IELTS, PTE and LanguageCert not accepted)
- Proof of funds for the residence permit (non-EU)
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.0 overall, with 5.0 advised in each skill. IELTS Online is not accepted. |
| TOEFL iBT | 80 for tests before 21 January 2026, or 4.5 on the new 1–6 scale. |
| PTE Academic | 61 (online version not accepted). |
| Cambridge and LanguageCert | Cambridge First (FCE) grade C (169–172) or B (173–175); LanguageCert Academic 65. |
| Exemption | For prior education in a country where English is the only official language of education, or qualifications such as the IB Diploma with English in the final exams. Ask NHL Stenden whether your Indian board qualifies. Duolingo is not listed. |
Accommodation and living costs
NHL Stenden works with official housing partners; in Leeuwarden, Emmen and Meppel they can guarantee housing for international students under certain conditions. Leases usually run for at least 12 months with a deposit of at least one month's rent. NHL Stenden did not publish rent figures, but says northern cities are generally more affordable. Start early, as rooms go fast in summer.
| Item | In EUR | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Institutional tuition, 2026/27Non-EU fee | €10,335per year | ≈ ₹11 lakh |
| Institutional tuition, 2027/28 (International Business) | €10,630per year | ≈ ₹11.3 lakh |
| Study materials, International BusinessPlus €200–€600 for international activities | €450per year | ≈ ₹47,700 |
Campus and location
NHL Stenden's largest campus is in Leeuwarden, the capital of Friesland, with computing and logistics in Emmen, teacher education in Meppel and a maritime master's on Terschelling.
- Hotel Management School Leeuwarden for Hospitality Management.
- Emmen: Computer Science, Information Technology, Green Chemistry and Logistics Management.
- Meppel: international teacher education.
- Guaranteed housing possible in Leeuwarden, Emmen and Meppel under conditions.
Careers and graduate outcomes
NHL Stenden programmes are practical, with placements and projects; hospitality students train at the Hotel Management School. NHL Stenden did not publish graduate employment figures on the pages we checked. See our Netherlands guide for post-study work rules.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|
Studying in the Netherlands
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in the Netherlands. Our country guide covers them in detail:
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FAQs
How much does NHL Stenden cost for Indian students?
The institutional fee is €10,335 a year for 2026/27. For 2027/28, International Business lists €10,630. Add study materials and trips.
When are the deadlines?
For non-EU students, 31 May for September and 31 October for February starts.
What IELTS score do I need?
IELTS Academic 6.0, with 5.0 advised per skill. PTE 61 and TOEFL iBT 80 are also accepted.
Is there a scholarship?
Yes. NHL Stenden offers the NL Scholarship to non-EEA bachelor's students (it needs IELTS 7.0) and an Excellency Scholarship for top performers after they start.
Is housing guaranteed?
NHL Stenden's partners can guarantee housing in Leeuwarden, Emmen and Meppel under certain conditions. Leases usually run for 12 months.
Sources
- NHL Stenden: course list (opens in a new tab)
- NHL Stenden: tuition fees (opens in a new tab)
- NHL Stenden: International Business fees and admissions (opens in a new tab)
- NHL Stenden: Computer Science fees and admissions (opens in a new tab)
- NHL Stenden: Computer Vision & Data Science fees and admissions (opens in a new tab)
- NHL Stenden: Hospitality Management (opens in a new tab)
- NHL Stenden: master's admission requirements (opens in a new tab)
- NHL Stenden: application deadlines (opens in a new tab)
- NHL Stenden: scholarships (opens in a new tab)
- NHL Stenden: housing (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.nhlstenden.com/en (opens in a new tab)
Check the latest details