NETHERLANDS
Wageningen University
public · Founded 1876 · Languages: English, Dutch
In short
Wageningen University & Research is a leading Dutch institution in life sciences, healthy food, and the living environment, attracting over 100 nationalities. It is particularly recognized globally for its agriculture and forestry programmes and offers a diverse range of English-taught courses.
Key facts
- Type
- Public
- Founded
- 1876
- Students
- 11,278
- International students
- 3,000
- Acceptance rate
- 60%
- Tuition (intl)
- €3–22k/yr
- Languages
- ENGLISH, DUTCH
- Location
- Netherlands
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) is a world-leading public institution in the Netherlands dedicated to the life sciences and the domain of healthy food and the living environment. Located in the town of Wageningen, it combines a research university with specialised research institutes, and is repeatedly ranked the top university worldwide in agriculture and forestry. WUR is highly international, offering a wide range of English-taught Bachelor's and Master's programmes and attracting students and researchers from over 100 countries.
Why study here
- Study at the world's leading university for agriculture, environmental science, and food research.
- Choose from a broad portfolio of English-taught Master's programmes across the life sciences.
- Benefit from the distinctive Wageningen approach, integrating natural and social sciences to solve global challenges.
- Join an exceptionally international, green, and student-centred campus community.
- Access strong links to industry, government, and global research networks in food, climate, and sustainability.
Student life
Wageningen offers a close, international student community on a modern, sustainable campus surrounded by greenery. Student associations, sports facilities, and study clubs are active, and the international student body makes the campus genuinely multicultural. The town of Wageningen is compact and student-friendly, and the central location in the Netherlands makes it easy to travel to cities such as Utrecht, Arnhem, and Amsterdam.
Fees
InternationalAnnual tuition for non-EU/EEA international students is approximately EUR 16,000–18,000 for most Bachelor's programmes and EUR 18,000–21,500 for Master's programmes.
HomeEU/EEA students pay the statutory tuition fee set by the Dutch government, approximately EUR 2,530 per year (with a halved rate for eligible first-year students).
LivingLiving costs in Wageningen are around EUR 900–1,200 per month for accommodation, food, insurance, and personal expenses.
Tuition fees vary by programme and are revised annually. Non-EU students should also budget for health insurance and visa/residence permit costs.
Admissions
Bachelor's entrySecondary school diploma equivalent to Dutch VWO, with required subjects (often mathematics, chemistry, or biology depending on programme).
Master's entryRelevant Bachelor's degree with sufficient grades; some programmes require specific prior coursework.
LanguageProof of English proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL) unless exempt; Dutch-taught programmes require Dutch proficiency.
IELTS Academic6.5 overall (Master's), with minimum component scores
TOEFL iBT90 or higher
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 2025123
QS by Subject — Agriculture & Forestry1 (world leading)
Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025Top 70–80 band
NTU Ranking — Agricultural SciencesTop globally
University scholarships
Wageningen University Foundation (Anniversary) ScholarshipPartial tuition support for outstanding non-EU Master's students
Holland ScholarshipEUR 5,000 (first year, for non-EEA students)
Orange Knowledge Programme / Orange Tulip ScholarshipVaries by country and programme
Accreditation
Wageningen University is accredited by the Dutch-Flemish Accreditation Organisation (NVAO) and is a research university recognised within the Dutch higher education system.
For international students
NetherlandsStudent visa & funds
Non-EU students cannot apply for their own residence permit; only an IND-recognised institution (a registered sponsor) submits the application on their behalf. The permit is issued for up to five years and stays valid for three months after the programme ends. For university and HBO students the IND requires proof of at least €1,130.77 per month (the 2026 study norm) for living costs, held by the student or guaranteed by the institution. Students must also keep satisfactory progress — at least 50% of annual credits — to retain the permit.
Working while you study
Non-EU students may work a maximum of 16 hours per week during the academic year, or alternatively full-time during June, July and August. In either case the employer must first obtain a work permit (TWV) from the UWV before the student starts; the student cannot apply for it themselves. Internships that are a formal, graded part of the degree are exempt from the TWV requirement when a tri-party agreement is in place, as is volunteering with a Volunteer Declaration.
After you graduate
After a bachelor’s, master’s or PhD at a Dutch institution, non-EU graduates may apply for the orientation year permit (zoekjaar), valid for one year and not extendable. During this year the holder may work freely — no employer TWV is needed — and may also freelance or start a business. The application must be made within three years of graduating. Graduates of a foreign university ranked in the global top 200 can also qualify with English proficiency at IELTS 6.0 or equivalent.
English tests
- IELTS6.0–6.5 for bachelor’s; 6.5–7.0 for most master’s; specialist master’s up to 7.0–7.5
- TOEFL iBT80–90 for bachelor’s; 90–100 for master’s; some research universities require 100
Main intakes
SeptemberFebruary
Typical living cost
€1,200/month
Approximate all-in student budget; major cities run higher.
Scholarships
for Netherlands
full fundingDutch Research Council (NWO)
NWO Rubicon Programme
For researchers who have recently completed (or are about to complete) a PhD, who want to gain research experience at a foreign institution (or at a Dutch institution if coming from abroad). It is a postdoctoral programme; applicants must have obtained their doctorate within the last ~12 months and apply through NWO with a host.
full
Funding
€180k
Max
Mar 31, 2027
Deadline
full fundingNuffic (Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP) Scholarships
Open to mid-career professionals who are nationals of, and currently living and working in, one of the listed OKP partner countries. Applicants must have proficiency in English or French, be in work that aligns with one of the priority areas designated for their country, be able to show they will use and transfer their new knowledge within their employing organization, and agree to comply with the obligations and conditions of the OKP. A limited number of awards is granted to motivated female and male professionals.
full
Funding
€40k
Max
Mar 31, 2027
Deadline
full fundingUniversity of Groningen
Welcoming International Talent (WIT) PhD Fellowship
Open to Early-Stage Researchers of any nationality who, at the call deadline, have no more than four years of full-time-equivalent research experience and have not yet been awarded a doctoral degree. Applicants must hold a qualification that grants access to doctoral studies, meet the MSCA mobility rule (not having lived or worked in the host country for more than 12 months in the previous three years), and have at least certified B2-level English.
full
Funding
€32k
Max
Mar 18, 2027
Deadline
full fundingMaastricht University
UM Brightlands Talent Scholarship
Open to non-EU/EEA and Swiss nationals under 35 who have conditional admission to a participating master's programme affiliated with a Brightlands campus, have not previously enrolled in Dutch higher education, and demonstrate strong academic performance.
full
Funding
€31k
Max
Feb 1, 2027
Deadline
full fundingMaastricht University
Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship
Open to talented students from outside the EU/EEA, Switzerland and Suriname who have applied for admission to a participating full-time Master's programme at Maastricht University, meet the programme's admission requirements, have not previously studied for a degree in the Netherlands, and are no older than 35 on the cycle's start date.
full
Funding
€30k
Max
Feb 1, 2027
Deadline
full fundingDelft University of Technology (TU Delft)
Justus & Louise van Effen Excellence Scholarship
For exceptional non-EU/EEA students applying for an MSc programme at Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) with an excellent academic record. The scholarship is merit-based and competitive; you apply for it after applying for admission to an eligible TU Delft master's, by the deadline (commonly 1 December).
full
Funding
€30k
Max
Dec 1, 2026
Deadline
Frequently asked questions
What makes Wageningen University unique?
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Wageningen University is a world-leading public institution focused on life sciences, healthy food, and the living environment. It is particularly renowned as the top university worldwide for agriculture and forestry, offering a distinctive approach that integrates natural and social sciences to address global challenges.
What programmes does Wageningen University offer?
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Wageningen University offers a wide range of English-taught Bachelor's and Master's programmes across the life sciences. They are known for their strengths in agriculture, environmental science, and food research.
What are the tuition fees for international students?
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Annual tuition fees for non-EU/EEA international students are approximately EUR 16,000–18,000 for most Bachelor's programmes and EUR 18,000–21,500 for Master's programmes. EU/EEA students pay the statutory Dutch government fee.
What are the living costs in Wageningen?
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Living costs in Wageningen are estimated to be around EUR 900–1,200 per month, covering accommodation, food, insurance, and personal expenses.
What are the admission requirements for Wageningen University?
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Admission depends on the programme. Bachelor's programmes require a secondary school diploma equivalent to the Dutch VWO, and Master's programmes require a relevant Bachelor's degree. Proof of English proficiency (like IELTS or TOEFL) is also necessary unless exempt.
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