HZ University of Applied Sciences

Why this works

• Tuition is €8,500/year — below average for Dutch public universities of applied sciences.
• IELTS 6.0 entry threshold is accessible for most CIS applicants without extensive prep.
• EU diploma with full Schengen-area study experience opens European job markets.
• Holland Scholarship offers €5,000 (year 1) — available to RU, UA, KZ, UZ students.
• Students can work 16 h/week during term and full-time in summer without a separate work permit.
• After graduation, a 1-year Zoekjaar orientation permit lets you stay and job-hunt in the EU.

What to check

• Vlissingen is a small coastal city — limited part-time job market and nightlife compared to Amsterdam or Rotterdam.
• Daily life in the Netherlands requires Dutch; English suffices on campus but not in shops, housing, or municipal offices.
• Russian students face visa complications: embassy access only in Moscow, SWIFT transfers to NL blocked.
• Belarusian students have no confirmed standard visa pathway — IND contact required before applying.
• Accommodation costs €450–900/month in dorms or €700–1,500 privately, on top of tuition — total budget is substantial.

Accommodation

€400-700/mo private — Coastal Zeeland location. Most affordable student housing in NL. Quiet environment.

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.