Students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) are normally required to pay several thousands of euros per year in institutional tuition fees. But when Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, most universities and universities of applied sciences, including TU/e, decided that Ukrainian refugees could study that year for the same tuition rate as Dutch and other EEA students.

Institutions had to cover the difference themselves, since the government at the time refused to reimburse the discount for Ukrainian refugee students. As a result, many institutions discontinued the reduction for first-year students in 2023-2024. However, Ukrainian students who had already started their studies were allowed to complete their program at the lower rate, provided they did not exceed their nominal study duration by more than one year.

Discount at four universities

In the upcoming academic year, only four universities will still offer the reduced rate: Maastricht University, Radboud University Nijmegen, the University of Twente, and TU/e. At TU/e, Ukrainian students continue to pay the same tuition fees as Dutch students: €2,601 for 2025-2026, regardless of whether they are enrolled in a bachelor’s or master’s program. By comparison, the standard institutional tuition fee for non-EEA students is €18,000 for a bachelor’s program and €21,000 for a master’s.

TU/e has decided to continue offering the discount, so it can keep contributing to the support of these students, a spokesperson said. The group currently consists of around twenty students.

The University of Twente has made a broader arrangement for all students with refugee status, which also applies to Ukrainians. At TU/e, refugee students from other countries may also qualify for the reduced rate if they are accepted by the Foundation for Refugee Students UAF.