About the university
Utrecht University was founded in 1636 and is one of the oldest and largest universities in the Netherlands. It is a broad research university with seven faculties, covering natural sciences, medicine, veterinary medicine, geosciences, social sciences, law, economics and humanities.
Utrecht is known for life sciences, veterinary medicine, sustainability and earth sciences, pharmacy and drug innovation, psychology, and computer science including AI and game technology. In 2023 it chose to stop taking part in the Times Higher Education rankings, arguing that rankings put too much weight on competition; it still appears in QS and other league tables.
Most science, medicine and many social science departments are at Utrecht Science Park, a modern campus east of the city that also hosts the University Medical Center Utrecht and many research institutes. Humanities and law are in the historic city centre. Utrecht is a lively student city with canals and wharf cellars, and it is the hub of the Dutch railway network, with trains to Amsterdam in under 30 minutes.
For Indian students, Utrecht's popular choices are the master's in AI, applied data science, computing science, business informatics, drug innovation, epidemiology and neuroscience. Science master's are mostly two years and research-oriented. Housing in Utrecht is expensive and in short supply, so plan early.
- Founded
- 1636
- Type
- Public comprehensive research university, a member of LERU
- Students
- About 32,500 (THE data from 2023, the last year the university took part)
- International students
- About 13% (THE data from 2023)
- Campus
- Utrecht Science Park (De Uithof) plus the historic city centre
- Non-EEA tuition 2027/28
- €26,100 for most science and life sciences master's; €22,000 for many social sciences, economics and law master's
- Intakes
- September; some master's also start in February
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 2027
=113th in the world
THE World University Rankings 2023
66th in the world (the university has not taken part since)
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €26,100
- Duration
- 2 years
- Intakes
- September; February for some
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (with minimum section scores) is typical; some programmes ask for 7.0
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €26,100
- Duration
- 1 year
- Intakes
- September; February for some
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (with minimum section scores) is typical; some programmes ask for 7.0
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €26,100
- Duration
- 2 years
- Intakes
- September; February for some
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (with minimum section scores) is typical; some programmes ask for 7.0
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €26,100
- Duration
- 2 years
- Intakes
- September; February for some
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (with minimum section scores) is typical; some programmes ask for 7.0
- Postgraduate
MSc Human-Computer Interaction
- Fee / year
- €26,100
- Duration
- 2 years
- Intakes
- September; February for some
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (with minimum section scores) is typical; some programmes ask for 7.0
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €26,100
- Duration
- 2 years
- Intakes
- September; February for some
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (with minimum section scores) is typical; some programmes ask for 7.0
- Postgraduate
MSc Sustainable Business and Innovation
- Fee / year
- €26,100
- Duration
- 2 years
- Intakes
- September; February for some
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (with minimum section scores) is typical; some programmes ask for 7.0
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €26,100
- Duration
- 2 years
- Intakes
- September; February for some
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (with minimum section scores) is typical; some programmes ask for 7.0
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (EUR) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSc Artificial Intelligence | 2 years | €26,100 | ≈ ₹27.7 lakh |
| MSc Applied Data Science | 1 year | €26,100 | ≈ ₹27.7 lakh |
| MSc Computing Science | 2 years | €26,100 | ≈ ₹27.7 lakh |
| MSc Business Informatics | 2 years | €26,100 | ≈ ₹27.7 lakh |
| MSc Human-Computer Interaction | 2 years | €26,100 | ≈ ₹27.7 lakh |
| MSc Game and Media Technology | 2 years | €26,100 | ≈ ₹27.7 lakh |
| MSc Sustainable Business and Innovation | 2 years | €26,100 | ≈ ₹27.7 lakh |
| MSc Energy Science | 2 years | €26,100 | ≈ ₹27.7 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 Utrecht University with similar universities in the Netherlands.
Scholarships
- Master's, non-EEA students
Utrecht Excellence Scholarship
Value: Covers tuition and may include living costs; a small number of awards
Eligibility: Highly talented non-EEA applicants to selected master's. Check the university's scholarship pages for eligible programmes and deadlines.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Non-EEA bachelor's and master's students at participating institutions
NL Scholarship
Value: €5,000, paid once in the first year (not a full scholarship)
Eligibility: For students who have not studied in the Netherlands before. Each participating university sets its own deadline and criteria.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Joint master's run by European university groups
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master scholarships
Value: Programme costs, travel and visa costs, and a monthly living allowance
Eligibility: Top applicants from any country. Applications usually open between October and January.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- Indian Class 12 (CBSE/ISC) alone is often not enough for a Dutch research-university bachelor's; Utrecht may ask for a year of university study or extra qualifications. Check the country requirements.
- English-taught bachelor's are mainly at University College Utrecht and a few programmes such as Global Sustainability Science.
Postgraduate
- A bachelor's degree in a related subject, with required courses for each programme (for example programming and mathematics for AI and Computing Science).
- Apply through Utrecht's online application and Studielink. Non-EU deadlines are often 1 February or 1 April for September; check your programme.
- Selective research master's ask for a motivation letter and references.
- Your university applies for your entry visa (MVV) and residence permit on your behalf; you show proof of funds of €1,130.77 a month (IND, 2026).
Documents
- Valid passport
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets (bachelor's) or bachelor's transcripts and degree certificate (master's)
- English test score (IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT or another test the programme accepts)
- CV
- Motivation letter or statement of purpose
- One or two reference letters, where the programme asks for them
- GMAT or GRE score, only for programmes that ask for it
- Course descriptions or a list of courses, for programmes that check your prior knowledge
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 | 6.5 overall with section minimums is typical; some programmes ask for 7.0. |
| TOEFL iBT | Accepted; minimum set by each programme. |
| Cambridge English | C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency accepted by most programmes. |
Accommodation and living costs
Utrecht is one of the most expensive and competitive student housing markets in the Netherlands. The university works with SSH and other providers to offer a limited number of rooms to new international students; book as soon as offers open.
| Item | In EUR | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Non-EEA science master's tuition, 2027/28Many social sciences, economics and law master's €22,000 | €26,100per year | ≈ ₹27.7 lakh |
| Rent for a student roomUtrecht is among the most expensive Dutch student cities | €450–900per month | ≈ ₹47,700 – ₹95,400 |
| Groceries and meals | €200–300per month | ≈ ₹21,200 – ₹31,800 |
| Health and liability insuranceDutch basic health insurance is required, at a higher cost, if you take a paid job | €80–120per month | ≈ ₹8,480 – ₹12,720 |
| Public transportMany students cycle, which keeps this low | €50–70per month | ≈ ₹5,300 – ₹7,420 |
| IND proof of funds for living costs, 2026The amount the IND expects students to have; about €13,570 a year | €1,131per month | ≈ ₹1.2 lakh |
Campus and location
Utrecht is a historic city of about 370,000 people in the centre of the country, with canals, the Dom Tower and a large student population.
- Utrecht Science Park hosts most science, medicine and many social science faculties.
- Humanities and law are in the historic city centre.
- Utrecht Centraal is the hub of Dutch railways, with Amsterdam less than 30 minutes away.
- The university runs a large Botanic Garden at the Science Park.
Careers and graduate outcomes
Utrecht graduates work in research, life sciences and pharma, IT, consulting and government, across the Randstad. The figures below are general rules, not a promise of a job.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Orientation year permit after graduating | 1 year to look for work, with no work permit needed | IND: residence permit for the orientation year |
| Work allowed while studying | Up to 16 hours a week, or full-time in June, July and August (not both); employer needs a work permit (TWV) | IND: student residence permit |
| Minimum wage from 1 July 2026 (age 21+) | €14.99 an hour gross | Government of the Netherlands: minimum wage |
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:
Other universities in the Netherlands
Photo: Ymblanter, CC BY-SA 4.0 PublicDelft University of Technology (official website, opens in a new tab)
Delft, NetherlandsOften chosen for Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Arts, Design & Media
Photo: Fons Heijnsbroek, CC0 PublicUniversity of Amsterdam (official website, opens in a new tab)
Amsterdam, NetherlandsOften chosen for Business & Management, Data Science & AI, Law
Photo: RSM erasmus, CC BY-SA 2.0 PublicErasmus University Rotterdam (official website, opens in a new tab)
Rotterdam, NetherlandsOften chosen for Business & Management, Finance & Accounting, Medicine & Health Sciences
Photo: Kleon3, CC BY-SA 3.0 PublicMaastricht University (official website, opens in a new tab)
Maastricht, NetherlandsOften chosen for Business & Management, Life Sciences, Law
Photo: Marvin Raaijmakers, CC BY-SA 3.0 PublicEindhoven University of Technology (official website, opens in a new tab)
Eindhoven, NetherlandsOften chosen for Engineering, Data Science & AI, Computer Science & IT
Photo: Rudolphous, CC BY 3.0 PublicLeiden University (official website, opens in a new tab)
Leiden, NetherlandsOften chosen for Law, Life Sciences, Computer Science & IT
FAQs
How much does a Utrecht master's cost?
For 2027/28, €26,100 a year for most science master's and €22,000 for many social sciences, economics and law master's (non-EEA).
Why is Utrecht not in the THE rankings?
The university stopped taking part in the Times Higher Education rankings in 2023. It still appears in QS (=113th for 2027).
Is AI at Utrecht a two-year master's?
Yes, the MSc Artificial Intelligence takes two years.
Is housing difficult in Utrecht?
Yes. It is one of the most competitive cities for student rooms. Apply for university-linked housing as early as possible.
Can I work after graduating?
Yes, through the one-year orientation year permit.
Sources
- Utrecht University: institutional fees (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
- Utrecht University: master's tuition fees (opens in a new tab)
- Utrecht University: MSc Artificial Intelligence (opens in a new tab)
- Times Higher Education: Utrecht University profile (2023 data) (opens in a new tab)
- QS World University Rankings 2027: Utrecht University (opens in a new tab)
- Study in NL: NL Scholarship (opens in a new tab)
- Study in NL (Nuffic): tuition fees (opens in a new tab)
- IND: student residence permit for university education (opens in a new tab)
- IND: required amounts (income requirements) (opens in a new tab)
- IND: residence permit for the orientation year (opens in a new tab)
- Government of the Netherlands: minimum wage amounts 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.uu.nl/en (opens in a new tab)
Check the latest details