Costs of living
May 04, 2011
Costs of living
Experience shows that to live in Holland for one year costs a foreign student between €400 - 700 a month. This is needed to cover daily expenses and to pay the rent and the registration and tuition fees.
The institutions do not have funds for supporting students. And unless you are from an EU member state, your opportunities for finding work are restricted. But even if you could get a job, you would probably find that you need all your time for your studies.
If you are from an EU member state, however, you are fortunate because you may be entitled to a regular student grant or to a refund of the tuition fee.
For specific information, contact the Informatie Beheer Groep by telephone on +31 (0)50 599 77 55 or via the Internet: www.ib-groep.nl.
Although differences between incomes are small in Holland, most students live towards the bottom of the economic ladder. If you have an average student income -- from a scholarship, for example -- you will find that one-third of it will go towards housing, and food will cost you another third.
Fortunately, most higher education institutions offer hot meals at reasonable prices. Many cities have pubs (called eetcafé’s) where you can eat cheaply and well. But the cheapest and most pleasant way to eat is to do your own cooking, perhaps together with housemates. Dutch supermarkets carry a large and international variety of products. The remaining third of your money will go towards books, transportation, and other expenses.