A lot of people search for "English-taught degrees in the Netherlands". It is worth knowing what the data can and cannot tell you.

What the register says

Our programme catalogue comes from the DUO register of recognised higher-education programmes. Of the 0 programmes in it, 0 are registered as taught in English, 0 in English and Dutch, and 0 in Dutch. For 0 programmes the register does not record a language at all. That blank does not mean Dutch, and it does not mean English. It means "not stated", so always read the programme page.

An English-taught programme still needs an English test

For English-taught programmes Study in NL says it is essential to speak, read and write English well and to have passed a language test. The tests generally accepted are Cambridge English, IELTS, LanguageCert, Pearson, TOEFL iBT and TOEIC. The required English test score is set by the institution, so check the programme.

The supply of English-taught bachelor's is shrinking

ICEF Monitor reported in February 2026 that Dutch universities have cut the number of English-taught bachelor's programmes by about a third over the past couple of years, under government pressure. It also cited preliminary data pointing to a 3.5% fall in new international undergraduates for 2025-26. That is a secondary source, so treat the exact figures as a signal, not a number to quote. The practical point for you: do not assume last year's list of English-taught bachelor's programmes still exists. Confirm it.

Does Dutch matter?

If you plan to stay and work after graduating, Study in NL says that learning Dutch will greatly enhance your opportunities on the labour market, and that Dutch can be a prerequisite for some jobs, even though many people in the Netherlands speak English. You can study in English and still plan to learn Dutch alongside.

How to use this

  1. Filter our programme list by level and city, and note which show English.
  2. Open the programme page at the institution and confirm the language of instruction, in writing if it is unclear.
  3. Check the English test and score.
  4. If you want a Dutch-taught programme, ask the institution what Dutch level it expects and how it is tested.

Sources

Opened and checked on 5 October 2026. Figures that change from year to year are marked "as of October 2026"; check the source before you rely on them.