• Student
  • 30/04/2026
  • Nederlands

Tuition fees to rise to 2,771 euros

Students will most likely pay 2,771 euros in tuition fees for their program at a university of applied sciences or a research university starting in September 2027. This is based on new figures on inflation released by Statistics Netherlands (CBS).

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image iStock / jroballo

Statutory tuition fees track inflation. Fuel, groceries, and going out to cafés are becoming more expensive, and so tuition fees—with some delay—go up as well.

For the month of April, CBS has now published a “flash estimate,” or an initial calculation. This figure may still change, but it will have little impact on the new tuition fee.

The Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) determines the new rate based on inflation over a one-year period: from May 2025 through April 2026. Average inflation during that time was 2.85 percent. As a result, tuition fees will increase by 77 euros.

This academic year, students are paying 2,601 euros. Starting this September, that will be 2,694 euros, and a year later, 2,771 euros. The difference will be no more than one or two euros if CBS ultimately arrives at a slightly different percentage. The Ministry of Education will announce the official new rate sometime in the coming months.

© HOP. Rate for 2027 based on CBS inflation figures (collegegeld = tuition fee).
April only

Until 2022, the new tuition fee was based on inflation in a single month: April. The difference usually amounted to a few dozen euros. But in April 2022, inflation was exceptionally high (nearly ten percent), and politicians were alarmed that tuition fees would rise by more than 200 euros.

Then-Minister Robbert Dijkgraaf quickly adjusted the regulation: from then on, the ministry would base its calculations on inflation over an entire year, which would result in fewer spikes and dips. A year later, that sharp increase still materialized.

Statutory

Note that this only concerns the statutory rate. In principle, the government funds one bachelor’s degree and one master’s degree. Anyone wishing to pursue a second degree must pay the institutional tuition fee, which universities and universities of applied sciences are free to set themselves and which is usually several thousand euros higher.

There are exceptions for those retraining for careers in healthcare or education, given staff shortages in those sectors. There are also arrangements for students enrolled in two programs: they are allowed to complete both degrees at the standard statutory rate.

This article was translated using AI-assisted tools and reviewed by an editor.

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