What qualifications do you need to study at NHL Stenden in the Netherlands?
If you want to do a bachelor's degree or an associate degree, you need to have a secondary school diploma that's at least equivalent to level 4 of the European Qualifications Framework. And you'll need to make sure your English language is up to scratch.
For master's degrees, you need to have a relevant bachelor's degree (level 7 of the European Qualifications Framework) from a recognized university.
Check out all the conditions below in terms of your qualifications and level of English and find out about the whole application process.
Already know what you want to study? We'll tell you if you're admissible.
Apply for the degree you want to do, upload a copy of your passport and your most recent list of grades, and we'll let you know if you're admissible. If you are, we'll send you a Letter of Admission. Quite comforting to know that first step is so easy, right? And once you have a Letter of Admission, you can start arranging housing.
Applications open on 1 October for degrees starting in September the following year. (Bear in mind that the academic year in the Netherlands starts at the end of August/beginning of September).
Some degrees also start in February. Applications for starting in February open on 1 July and close on 15 January.
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to one of our bachelor programmes, you'll need a secondary school diploma that's at least equivalent to level 4 of the European Qualifications Framework.
Check the admission requirements for bachelor's degrees
Is your high school diploma recognised?
NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences recognises the following general international qualifications:
- High school / secondary school diploma from an accredited institution (a detailed list of recognised qualifications can be found on nhlstenden.com).
- International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, IB Career-related certificate of the International Baccalaureate
- European Baccalaureate Diploma
- General Certificate of Secondary Education in 4 subjects (A*-C) + a General Certificate of Education with 2 relevant subjects at advanced level (D-E), 6 different subjects in total.
English language requirements
If you apply for an associate degree, bachelor's or master's programme, you may need to take a language test to prove your level of English
You do not need an additional English test if you:
- Have a diploma from a recognised European institution where English was part of the final exams
- Have GCSEs and A/AS levels
- Hold a European Baccalaureate Certificate
- Hold an International Baccalaureate Diploma or IB career-related programme taught fully in English
All other applicants need to submit a valid and adequate English language test result.
Application process
Let's take you through the application process step by step so you know what to expect.
Once you know what you want to study, check you meet the admission requirements. If you want more information about the programme, sign up for a webinar.
Studielink is the application and enrolment portal in the Netherlands. You'll need to create an account - everything's explained on the Studielink website.
Even if you just start by uploading your passport, it gets your application moving.
It's a compulsory part of the application process in the Netherlands: a Study Matching Questionnaire that helps you think about why you want to do the degree you've chosen.
If you meet all the requirements, you should get a Letter of Admission, a conditional offer letter that shows you've been accepted as a student at NHL Stenden. It will also map out the next steps you need to take to complete your enrolment. Hooray!
Important deadlines
Top tip: plan ahead so you know you've got everything you need when you need it.
| EU students | Start in September | Start in February |
| Apply from | 1 October | 1 July |
| Application deadline | 15 August | 15 January |
| Non-EU students | ||
| Apply from | 1 October | 1 July |
| Application deadline | 31 May | 31 October |
