There are two main intakes in Netherlands for international students. September is the big one with the widest course choice, and February is smaller with far fewer programmes. Studielink opens 1 October 2025 for the 2026-27 cycle, with Numerus Fixus deadlines closing 15 January and general programmes running till April or May.
When it comes to the number of intakes in Netherlands, most Indian students planning to study there go with September since scholarships and course options are best there. If you missed that window, or your course runs on the smaller February cycle, here's what you need to know.
This guide covers exact dates for the intakes in Netherlands, how Numerus Fixus works, and the application process once you're past Studielink.
Fall/September Intake in Netherlands
September is the biggest of the intakes in Netherlands, and honestly, unless you have a specific reason to wait for February, this is the one you want.
Key Dates & Application Window
Here's what the timeline actually looks like for most Bachelor's and Master's programmes.
Feature
Details
Start month
September 2026
Studielink opens
1 October 2025
General application deadline
1 May 2026 (varies slightly by university)
Course availability
Widest range across UG, PG, and research programmes
Scholarships
Most funding options are tied to this intake
Studielink itself opens on 1 October, even for regular (non Numerus Fixus) programmes. December is just when most students realistically start applying once shortlisting is done. Don't wait till then if you can help it.
Why Most Students Choose Fall
Here's what makes September the safer bet for most applicants.
You get access to nearly every programme the university offers, not a trimmed down list
Housing offices prioritise September arrivals, which matters a lot in cities like Amsterdam, whereCost of Living in Amsterdam shows just how brutal student housing can get
Orientation weeks, buddy programmes, and induction events are all built around this cohort
Winter/February Intake Netherlands
The spring intake in Netherlands is the smaller sibling. It exists, but it's not offered everywhere, and it's worth knowing upfront that it won't have the same range of choices.
Key Dates & Application Window
Here's what the timeline actually looks like for most programmes.
Feature
Details
Start month
February 2027
Applications open
Roughly August to September 2026
Application deadline
October to November 2026 (varies by university)
Course availability
Limited to select Bachelor's and Master's programmes
Scholarships
Fewer options, apply early if eligible
Who Should Actually Consider This
Choosing the spring intake in Netherlands isn't the default move, but it makes sense for a specific set of applicants.
Students who missed the September 2026 deadlines and don't want to wait a full extra year
Anyone applying to one of the handful of programmes that specifically run on a February cycle, mostly at Universities of Applied Sciences
Students who'd rather be in a smaller cohort with more one on one attention from faculty
Those who can move fast on visa paperwork, since this window gives you less runway than September does
Numerus Fixus Programmes Netherlands
January intake universities in Netherlands mostly fall under the Numerus Fixus system, where most of the confusion happens, and where students end up missing out simply because they didn't realise the deadline works differently here. If Medicine, Dentistry, Psychology, or a similar capped course is on your list, this section matters more than any other on this page. This is the part that trips people up the most, so it's worth its own section.
Which Courses Fall Under Numerus Fixus
Numerus Fixus is Netherlands' system for capping seats in high demand courses. Medicine, Dentistry, Psychology, and some International Business programmes are the usual suspects, though it varies slightly by university.
Deadline & How Selection Works
Here's what the timeline actually looks like.
Feature
Details
Studielink opens
1 October 2025
Final deadline
15 January 2026, and this one genuinely does not move
Start month
September 2026
Selection process
Matching/ranking system, not first come first served
Scholarships
Limited, given the quota
Two things worth knowing. You can apply to a maximum of two Numerus Fixus programmes in a given cycle, and missing 15 January usually means waiting a full year, not a few weeks. There's no late window here the way there sometimes is for general programmes.
How to Apply, Studielink & University Portals
Regardless of which of the intakes in Netherlands you're targeting, this is the bit that catches a lot of first time applicants off guard. Registering on Studielink is not the same as being done, there's a second step most people don't find out about until they're already behind on it.
The Application Process, Step by Step
Here's how the process actually plays out, from your first login to tracking your final status.
1. Register on Studielink first Create your account, enter your passport details, and select your programme choices. This is the national system, not the university's own site.
2. Wait for your university login A day or two after registering, you'll get access to the university's own portal (TU Delft, UvA, and others all have separate systems). This is where the real application happens.
3. Upload your documents Transcripts, English proficiency scores, SOP, LORs, and anything else the specific programme asks for. Requirements differ by course, so check the exact list on the university page.
4. Pay the application fee if required Not every university charges one, but some do. UvA, for instance, charges a non refundable €100 (₹10,817) application fee for Bachelor's applicants with an international diploma.
5. Track your status Keep an eye on both your Studielink dashboard and your email, including spam, since a lot of university communication goes out through email rather than the portal itself.
What to Keep Ready Before You Start
A little prep before you open Studielink saves you from scrambling midway through the process.
Academic transcripts and previous degree certificates: keep both original and attested copies handy, some portals ask for scanned certified versions
Valid passport: make sure it doesn't expire anywhere close to your intended start date
English proficiency scores:IELTS Exam is the most widely accepted, usually between 6.0 and 7.0 depending on the programme
Statement of Purpose and Letters of Recommendation: only if the programme specifically asks for them, not all do
Proof of funds: you'll need this later for your visa anyway, so sorting it early saves you a second scramble
If you're exploring a university in Netherlands for undergraduate in January intake options, know that most Dutch universities run on September as the primary intake, with only a handful offering courses on the February cycle. Here's where the big names stand for 2026-27.
A couple of these deadlines shift slightly by programme, so treat this as a planning guide and always cross check on the specific course page before you finalise anything.
Visa Timing & Intake Choice for Indian Students
Whichever of the january intake universities in Netherlands or the September ones you pick, your choice actually has a knock on effect on your visa timeline, and this part doesn't get talked about enough.
How Intake Timing Affects Your Visa
If you're applying for September, your university typically applies for your residence permit on your behalf once you accept your offer, as covered inStudent Visa for the Netherlands. This process can take anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months, depending on how early you're admitted.
February applicants work with a noticeably tighter runway between admission and the start date. There's simply less room to absorb delays, so any hold-up on documents or verification hits harder on this cycle.
A Realistic Prep Timeline
For September intake, aim to have your offer letter by March to April 2026, so visa processing has enough breathing room before the semester starts
For February intake, since the gap between your October to November 2026 deadline and February 2027 start is short, get your documents (proof of funds, accommodation proof) ready well before you even apply
For Numerus Fixus courses, since results come later due to the selection process, factor that delay into your visa planning from the start, not after you get the offer
Fall vs Winter, Which Intake Should You Pick
Both work, they're just suited to different situations depending on which of the two intakes in Netherlands fits your timeline better.
Go with September if: you want the widest course choice, the best shot at scholarships, and a full academic year rhythm with orientation, internships, and campus life all lined up around your start date
Go with February if: you missed the September window, your specific course happens to run in February, or you'd genuinely prefer a smaller batch size
Either way: Numerus Fixus deadlines don't bend for anyone, so if Medicine, Dentistry, or Psychology is the plan, 15 January 2026 needs to be on your calendar way before everything else
Across all the intakes in Netherlands, September remains the safer, fuller option for most students heading there. Wider course choice, better scholarship access, and a visa timeline that doesn't leave you sprinting to the finish line. February works too, but it's really meant for specific situations rather than being a genuine alternative to September.
Whichever intake you land on, the one date that shouldn't move on your calendar is 15 January 2026, if Numerus Fixus programmes like Medicine, Dentistry, or Psychology are anywhere on your list. Everything else can flex a little. That one can't.
Get your Studielink registration in early, keep your documents ready well before deadlines hit, and don't wait till the last week to start on the university portal step. That's usually where things go wrong for applicants who otherwise did everything right.
Two official ones. September, which is the main intake with the widest course range, and February, which is smaller and available at only a handful of universities. A few short courses run outside these windows, but they're not counted as nationwide intakes.
Which intake is best for the Netherlands?
September, for most students. It has the widest programme choice, better scholarship access, and gives you a more comfortable visa timeline. February only makes sense if you missed September or your specific course happens to run on that cycle.
What are the intakes for university in the Netherlands?
Dutch universities primarily follow a September start, with February offered by select institutions for select courses, mostly at Universities of Applied Sciences. Numerus Fixus programmes like Medicine also fall under the September intake, just with an earlier application deadline.
Does Netherlands require IELTS?
Most universities do ask for IELTS or an equivalent English test, since programmes are taught in English. Scores usually range between 6.0 and 7.0 depending on the course, so it's worth checking the exact requirement for your specific programme.
Is Netherlands expensive to study in compared to the UK or USA?
Tuition tends to be lower than the UK or US for most Master's programmes, though it's not what you'd call cheap either. Living costs, especially in Amsterdam, can add up fast, so budgeting properly matters more than chasing the lowest tuition number.
Can I apply to both September and February intakes in the same year?
Not really in any meaningful way, since they run on completely different timelines and mostly cover different programmes. If a course you want is only offered in September, applying for February simply isn't an option for that programme.
What happens if I miss the Numerus Fixus deadline?
You'll typically have to wait until the next admission cycle to reapply, since there's no late window for these capped programmes. This is one deadline where being a day late genuinely costs you a full year.
Do all Dutch universities charge an application fee?
No, it varies by institution. Some, like UvA, charge a non refundable fee for certain applicants, while others don't charge anything at all, so it's worth checking this on the specific university's page rather than assuming either way.
Is a study gap accepted for admission in Dutch universities?
Most universities do accept study gaps, though you may need to explain it briefly in your application or SOP if one is asked for. Longer gaps sometimes invite more scrutiny, but it's rarely a dealbreaker on its own.
How early should I start preparing for the September intake?
Realistically, 8 to 10 months before your intended start date, so you have time for Studielink registration, document collection, and the university portal process without rushing. Starting late is usually where avoidable mistakes creep in.
Are scholarships harder to get in the February intake?
Yes, funding options are noticeably thinner for February compared to September, simply because most scholarship cycles are built around the bigger intake. If financial aid is a priority, September gives you meaningfully better odds.
Akansha Semwal is a content marketer at upGrad and has also worked as a social media marketer & sub-editor. Experienced in creating impressive Statement of Purpose, Essays, and LOR, she knows how to c...
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