Tuition fees rise to 2,771 euros

From September 2027, students will most likely pay 2,771 euros in tuition fees for their degree at a university of applied sciences or university. This is evident from new inflation figures published by Statistics Netherlands (CBS).

The statutory tuition fee follows inflation. Fuel, groceries and visits to cafés become more expensive, so tuition fees – with some delay – also go up.

CBS has now released a ‘rapid estimate’ for the month of April, in other words an initial calculation. This figure can still change, but that will have little effect on the new tuition fee.

The Ministry of Education determines the new rate on the basis of inflation over one year: from May 2025 up to and including April 2026. Average inflation over that period was 2.85 percent. Tuition fees will therefore rise by 77 euros.

This academic year, students pay 2,601 euros. From next September that will become 2,694 euros and a year later therefore 2,771 euros. It will differ by at most one or two euros if CBS still arrives at a different percentage. The Ministry of Education will announce the official new rate sometime in the coming months.

April only

Until 2022, the new tuition fee was based on inflation in one month, namely April. The difference was usually a few tens of euros. But in April 2022 inflation was exceptionally high (almost ten percent), and politicians were alarmed that tuition fees would rise by more than 200 euros.

Then minister Robbert Dijkgraaf quickly amended the regulation: from then on, the ministry would base its calculation on inflation over a full year, which would produce fewer peaks and troughs. A year later, that sharp increase came anyway.

Statutory

Note that this only concerns the statutory rate. In principle, the government funds one bachelor’s and one master’s degree. Anyone wishing to pursue a second degree after that pays the institutional rate, which universities and universities of applied sciences may set at their own discretion and which is usually thousands of euros higher.

There are exceptions for retraining into healthcare or education, given the staff shortages in those sectors. There is also an arrangement for students taking two degrees at once: they may complete both degrees at the regular rate.