Applying to Dutch universities: Studielink, numerus fixus and hard deadlines

Unlike the US or the UK, the Netherlands has one central portal for all higher education applications: Studielink. You create one account, enrol once, and register for programmes from there. After the Studielink step most institutions ask for a fuller application in their own system — a second stage people frequently forget because the first felt like completion.

Two kinds of deadline, with very different tempers

Regular programmes: each institution sets its own deadline, and for non-EEA applicants it usually falls earlier than for EU applicants because the residence permit has to be arranged. Deadlines for a September intake commonly land between early in the year and early spring, but check the programme page rather than assuming.

Programmes with a numerus fixus — a capped number of places, typically Medicine, Dentistry, Psychology, Physiotherapy and some other high-demand fields — have a national deadline, and nobody extends it.

Numerus fixus deadline: 15/01, 23:59 giờ CET
Hạn nộp qua Studielink cho ngành có giới hạn chỉ tiêu (numerus fixus) — hạn CỨNG, không gia hạn. Xét tuyển diễn ra từ 15/01 đến 15/04, kết quả công bố 15/04. Mỗi năm học chỉ được nộp tối đa 2 ngành numerus fixus (Y, Nha khoa, Vệ sinh răng miệng, Vật lý trị liệu: 1 lần/ngành/năm). Được mời thì phải xác nhận trong 2 tuần, quá hạn suất chuyển cho người khác.
Official source · checked 2026-08-25

How numerus fixus works

You apply through Studielink before the deadline, then take part in the institution's selection: a test, a written assignment, an interview, or a combination. Applicants are ranked and results are published on a fixed date. If you are offered a place you must accept it within two weeks, or it passes automatically to the next candidate. This is where places are most often lost, and the cause is usually nothing more than an unread email.

The cap of two numerus fixus applications per year also means you cannot spread bets. Choose deliberately: one ambitious and one realistic, or two comparable programmes at institutions with different selection criteria.

What the file usually contains

• Secondary school diploma and transcripts (or university transcripts), with certified translations.
• A valid English test result of the type and level the programme requires.
• A valid passport — arrange this early, since the institution needs passport details to open the residence file.
• A motivation letter and CV for most programmes; some require a portfolio or a subject test.

Translation and certification take the longest and get left until last. Starting before you have finalised your shortlist is not wasted effort.

Work backwards from the deadline

1. Fix the programme list and write down each deadline.
2. Sit the English test at least three months early, leaving room to retake.
3. Sort the passport and translations while you draft the motivation letter.
4. Submit in Studielink, then complete the institution's own application — confirm both are done.
5. Check email daily through the selection season, spam folder included.

Check the official sources

• Studielink — official guidance
• Study in NL — how to apply

Next steps

• Study in the Netherlands — overview
• The same topic across every destination
• School directory
• Talk to VNIS