Utrecht University is a public research university in the Netherlands with over 38,000 students from 122 countries, of whom 5,419 were international in 2025.[1] It is 113th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, down 10 places.[2]
For 2026/27 the statutory fee is €2,694 for full-time EU/EEA, Swiss and Surinamese students.[3] Non-EU/EEA students pay a programme-specific institutional fee: from €13,415 for most humanities, social science, law and economics bachelor’s programmes up to €32,562 for master’s programmes in pharmacy, veterinary medicine and medicine.[4] The application fee is €100.[5]
Key facts
| Official name | Universiteit Utrecht |
| Location | Utrecht, Netherlands (main address Heidelberglaan 8, 3584 CS Utrecht)[6] |
| Type | Public research university[7] |
| Founded | 1636 (26 March), growing out of the Illustrious School of Utrecht of 1634[7] |
| Students | Over 38,000 from 122 countries; 5,419 international students in 2025[1] |
| Programmes | 54 bachelor’s (12 in English) and 147 master’s (105 in English) on the bachelor’s facts page[8] |
| Faculties | Seven, plus University College Utrecht and University College Roosevelt[7] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 113th[2] |
| Tuition 2026/27, statutory rate | €2,694 full-time · €2,394 part-time[3] |
| Tuition 2026/27, non-EU/EEA bachelor’s | €13,415 to €28,416 depending on programme[4] |
| Tuition 2026/27, non-EU/EEA master’s | €21,342 to €32,562 depending on programme[4] |
| Application fee | €100, paid in OSIRIS Online Application[5] |
| Official website | uu.nl |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 5 November 2026.
About Utrecht University
Utrecht University was founded on 26 March 1636. It grew out of the Illustrious School of Utrecht, which dates from 1634.[7] The university has seven faculties: Geosciences; Humanities; Law, Economics and Governance; Medicine; Science; Social and Behavioural Sciences; and Veterinary Medicine. Most science and administrative functions are at Utrecht Science Park on the edge of the city, while Humanities and Law, Economics and Governance are in the city centre.[7]
University College Utrecht is an interfaculty unit; University College Roosevelt is based in Middelburg, Zeeland.[7]
The university says it has over 38,000 students from 122 countries, and 5,419 international students in 2025.[1] Its bachelor’s facts page gives “5,400+” international students from 122 countries, and around 1,500 international students arriving each year for English-taught degrees and other courses.[8] Wikipedia gives 38,493 students for 2025.[7]
How is Utrecht University ranked?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, Utrecht University is 113th in the world with a score of 66.6. It dropped 10 places. Among Dutch universities it is third, behind TU Delft (48th) and the University of Amsterdam (60th) and ahead of Leiden (119th).[2] Wikipedia also lists Utrecht at joint 113th for QS 2027.[7] Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.
What can you study at Utrecht University?
The bachelor’s facts page counts 54 bachelor’s programmes, 12 of them in English, and 147 master’s programmes, 105 in English.[8] The master’s information page gives a slightly different count, 109 English-taught programmes out of “over ±150” graduate programmes.[1]
Some programmes have limited places (numerus fixus). For the 2027/28 application cycle the university lists five: Biomedical Sciences (175 places), Veterinary Medicine (225), Pharmacy (300), Medicine (297) and Psychology (600). Five more use selection only: Bestuurs- en Organisatiewetenschap (Dutch-taught), Philosophy, Politics and Economics, University College Roosevelt, University College Utrecht and Utrecht Law College (Dutch-taught). Applicants receive a ranking number, and selection can involve 20 to 50 hours of homework.[9]
How much does Utrecht University cost in 2026/27?
The statutory fee for 2026/27 is €2,694 for full-time and €2,394 for part-time EU/EEA, Surinamese and Swiss students. Non-EU/EEA students pay an institutional fee, unless they receive a UAF grant (for refugee students) or meet the DUO nationality requirement for a government study grant, in which case they pay the statutory fee.[3] The amounts below are from the university’s “fees per programme” list dated 3 September 2026.[4]
| Programme area (examples) | Non-EU/EEA per year, 2026/27 |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s: humanities, social sciences, psychology, law, economics | €13,415 |
| Bachelor’s: sciences, geosciences, artificial intelligence, biomedical sciences | €17,073 |
| Bachelor’s: pharmacy, veterinary medicine, medicine | €28,416 |
| Bachelor’s: Philosophy, Politics and Economics (statutory €5,388) | €15,977 |
| Bachelor’s: University College Utrecht (statutory €5,591) | €17,073 |
| Master’s: humanities, social sciences, law, several geosciences programmes | €21,342 |
| Master’s: sciences, health, teaching programmes | €25,306 |
| Master’s: pharmacy, veterinary medicine, medicine | €32,562 |
For 2027/28 the same list shows non-EU/EEA rates from €15,100 to €29,400 for bachelor’s and from €22,000 to €33,500 for master’s programmes.[4]
Second degree in the Netherlands
If you already hold a Dutch master’s or similar degree obtained after 1 September 1991 and enrol in a second master’s, you pay an institutional fee even as an EU/EEA student. For 2026/27 these EU/EEA institutional amounts run from €14,995 to €28,294 depending on the programme (the highest for pharmacy, veterinary medicine and medicine). First degrees in education or health may still qualify for the statutory fee.[3][4] Exceptions to the standard bachelor’s rule exist for University College Utrecht, University College Roosevelt and Philosophy, Politics and Economics.[3]
Fee pages on uu.nl carry no “last updated” date, and the amounts can change, so confirm your programme’s rate before you apply.
How do you apply to Utrecht University?
The university describes the same route for international bachelor’s applicants:[5]
- Check the entry requirements of your programme.
- Prepare your documents: a passport or EU ID scan, proof of previous education, proof of Dutch and/or English, certified translations if needed, and programme extras such as a motivation letter.
- Start an enrolment application in Studielink. Outside the Netherlands you can create an account without DigiD. You can have up to four active enrolment applications per academic year.
- Complete the OSIRIS Online Application, upload your files and pay the €100 application fee, or request an exemption (granted only in very specific cases).
Meeting the entry requirements is not enough for limited-enrolment or selective programmes: you must also be selected.[5] Check on the programme page whether yours is one of them. Master’s programmes set their own admission requirements and application steps on their programme pages. We give no deadlines because they change every year and differ by programme.
Which English level do you need?
Utrecht uses “EMI” levels (English Medium of Instruction). For English-taught bachelor’s programmes the EMI-ready level asks for these minimum scores:[10]
| Test | Overall | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.0 | 5.5 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 5.5 |
| TOEFL iBT, before 21 Jan 2026 | 83 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 16 |
| TOEFL iBT, from 21 Jan 2026 (1 to 6 scale) | 4.5 | 3.5 | 4 | 4 | 3.5 |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | 169 | 162 | 165 | 165 | 162 |
| Cambridge C2 Proficiency | 180 | 162 | 165 | 165 | 162 |
IELTS and TOEFL scores may not be more than two years old. IELTS Online, IELTS One Skill Retake and TOEFL MyBest scores are not accepted. Exemptions exist for several diplomas, such as the International Baccalaureate with English A or B and the European Baccalaureate with English, and for diplomas or English-taught degrees from listed countries.[10]
For master’s programmes, every programme decides which of the three EMI levels it needs (EMI-ready, EMI-experienced or EMI-advanced). The level is shown under “Application and admission” on each programme page.[11]
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Utrecht University cost for non-EU students?
Which Utrecht University programmes have limited places?
Biomedical Sciences, Veterinary Medicine, Pharmacy, Medicine and Psychology have limited places. Philosophy, Politics and Economics, both university colleges, Utrecht Law College and Bestuurs- en Organisatiewetenschap use selection.[9]
What English score do I need for Utrecht University?
Is there an application fee at Utrecht University?
Yes, €100, paid in OSIRIS Online Application. You cannot submit without paying it or being granted an exemption.[5]
How is Utrecht University ranked?
113th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, down 10 places, and third among Dutch universities.[2]
More about studying in Netherlands
- Netherlands: best universities
- Study in Netherlands: complete guide
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in Netherlands
- Amsterdam Business School (University of Amsterdam)
- Amsterdam University College
- Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)
- Eindhoven University of Technology
- Erasmus University Rotterdam
- Leiden University College The Hague
- Leiden University
- Maastricht University
- Nyenrode Business University
- Open Universiteit (Open University of the Netherlands)
- Radboud University
- Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM)
- Tilburg University
- University College Utrecht
- University of Amsterdam (UvA)
- University of Groningen
- University of Twente
- Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
- Wageningen University & Research
Sources
[1] Utrecht University: About Utrecht University (master’s) (page without a date; international count for 2025)
[2] NL Times: TU Delft continues as Netherlands’ top university in QS World Rankings (QS publishes the ranking at topuniversities.com, which blocks automated access) (article of 18 Jun 2026; QS edition 2027)
[3] Utrecht University: Tuition fees (master’s) (page without a date; the bachelor’s fee page gives the same statutory amounts)
[4] Utrecht University: Fees per programme 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 (PDF) (document dated 3 Sep 2026)
[5] Utrecht University: Application procedure (bachelor’s) (page without a date)
[6] Utrecht University: Contact (page without a date)
[7] Wikipedia: Utrecht University (history, faculties, colleges and campus; the ranking table repeats QS 2027 at joint 113th)
[8] Utrecht University: Facts and figures (bachelor’s) (page without a date)
[9] Utrecht University: Limited enrolment and selection (bachelor’s) (page without a date; covers the 2027/28 application cycle)
[10] Utrecht University: EMI-ready English requirements (bachelor’s) (page without a date; refers to the TOEFL change of 21 Jan 2026)
[11] Utrecht University: English language requirements (master’s) (page without a date)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.