NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences, located in the northern Netherlands, is one of the country’s largest public universities of applied sciences. It falls under the jurisdiction of the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science. Established in 2018 through the merger of Stenden University and NHL University of Applied Sciences, Its origins date back to 1985, and it has a strong tradition of applied education. The main campus is situated in Leeuwarden, the capital of the province of Friesland.
This city, with a history spanning seven centuries, is known as the “University City of the Netherlands.” The university also maintains satellite campuses in Emmen, Meppel, Groningen, and the island of Terschelling, as well as four overseas campuses in countries such as Thailand and South Africa. It currently has approximately 25,000 students and over 2,250 faculty and staff members, with students from 90 different countries around the world gathering here. print a hard copy of a Dutch university diploma
Top-Ranked in the Netherlands, 3rd in Europe and 8th in the World for Hotel Management
In the 2026 edition of the *Keuzegids hbo* (Dutch Higher Education Guide), NHL Stenden achieved the highest scores in four fields: Law and Public Administration, Healthcare, Earth and Environment, and Engineering and Design. It is the only large university of applied sciences in the Netherlands to be rated “Excellent” in all four of these fields, and has ranked among the top four large universities of applied sciences in the country for eight consecutive years.
A total of 32 programs have been designated as “Top Programs,” The university’s International Hotel Management program is world-renowned, ranking third in Europe and eighth globally. The School of Hotel Management operates the on-campus four-star Notiz Hotel and the Wannee restaurant, both of which are managed entirely by Hotel Management students, providing them with a real-world, hands-on learning environment.
Teaching Highlights: Problem-Based Learning and Global Exchange
The university’s competitive edge lies in its unique innovative Problem-Based Learning (PBL) approach, where students form groups to solve real-world industry challenges. From day one, students engage with authentic projects, and all undergraduate programs include real-world projects and paid internships.
The university offers the GrandTour Global Exchange Program, allowing students to study for a semester at partner campuses in Thailand, South Africa, Indonesia, Italy, or Aruba. Additionally, participation in the Erasmus+ and RUN-EU European exchange networks further broadens students’ horizons.
Transparent Tuition, Outstanding Value
For non-EU international students, undergraduate tuition for the 2026–2027 academic year is €10,335 per year. Most master’s programs also cost €10,335 per year, with only a few exceptions—such as International Leisure and Tourism Studies and Content and Media Strategy—at €11,995 per year. Non-EU students must also provide proof of approximately €14,000 in living expenses (reimbursed monthly), plus health insurance costs of about €700 per year and a residence permit fee of €243.
Admission Requirements and Diverse Academic Programs
NHL Stenden offers dozens of fully English-taught undergraduate and master’s programs in fields such as International Hotel Management, International Business, Computer Science, European Studies, Media and Entertainment Management, Teacher Education, and Artificial Intelligence. Undergraduate programs require an IELTS score of 6.0, while master’s programs require an IELTS score between 6.0 and 6.5 (depending on the program); some programs have slightly lower requirements, such as a TOEFL score of 79.
The university also offers English preparatory courses ranging from 6 to 12 months in duration. Students whose language proficiency is insufficient can use these preparatory courses to smoothly transition into their studies. Diplomas awarded by NHL Stenden are recognized by the Chinese Ministry of Education, and its graduates have gone on to build successful careers at world-renowned companies such as Apple and Disney.
