HAN University of Applied Sciences

Why this works

• Netherlands grants a 1-year Zoekjaar orientation permit after graduation, letting you job-hunt across the EU legally.
• Tuition of €9,200/year is below average for Dutch universities of applied sciences, reducing total degree cost.
• IELTS 6.0 entry threshold is accessible for CIS applicants without elite language scores.
• Holland Scholarship offers a €5,000 one-time grant in year one — available to RU, UA, KZ, and UZ students.
• Arnhem is a mid-size, affordable Dutch city with lower private housing costs than Amsterdam or Rotterdam.
• HAN covers engineering, business, and health sciences — three high-demand fields with strong EU labour-market relevance.

What to check

• Russian students face SWIFT transfer restrictions to the Netherlands — paying tuition requires intermediary services.
• Belarusian students have no confirmed standard visa pathway to the Netherlands as of 2026.
• HAN is a university of applied sciences; its applied bachelor diploma carries less brand weight than a research university degree for some employers.
• Arnhem is a small city with a limited international job market, which complicates Zoekjaar job searches after graduation.
• Private housing in the Netherlands costs €700–1,500/month and availability is tight — accommodation is not guaranteed.

Accommodation

€500-800/mo private — Affordable compared to Randstad cities. ArtEZ and HAN both in Arnhem.

Scholarships

Holland Scholarship: one-time €5,000 first-year grant for non-EU students. Apply directly to the institution. BY eligibility uncertain for 2026 intake.