Saxion University of Applied Sciences at a glance
- City
- Enschede
- Type
- Public university
- Website
- saxion.edu
Key takeaways
- Saxion's non-EU bachelor's fee is €9,360 per year for 2026/27; the 2027/28 amount is not published yet.
- Applicants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Iran, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Yemen must apply by 1 April 2027.
- Other non-EU applicants have until 1 June 2027; degree programs start only in September.
- The NL Scholarship (€5,000) and Saxion Talent Scholarship (€2,750) take applications from 1 November 2026 to 1 May 2027 and are awarded by lottery.
- English requirement: IELTS Academic 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 80, with no Dutch needed for English programs.
On this page
Saxion University of Applied Sciences is one of the cheapest public options in the Netherlands for non-EU students: its bachelor's fee is €9,360 per year for 2026/27. It offers practical, career-focused degrees in English at campuses in Enschede, Deventer and Apeldoorn, and it handles the visa procedure for you.
There is one catch you must know now: if you are from Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Iran, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Nepal, Sri Lanka or Yemen, your deadline for September 2027 is 1 April 2027, two months earlier than for other non-EU applicants.
Why Saxion is good value
Universities of applied sciences (hogescholen) focus on professional practice, projects and internships. Their non-EU fees are usually lower than at research universities, and Saxion's bachelor's fee is among the lowest we track in the Netherlands. They also accept diplomas at the Dutch HAVO or MBO-4 level, which opens the door for many students whose school certificate does not match the VWO level that research universities expect.
- Practical programs in engineering, ICT, business, hospitality and health
- Short Degree Programmes (1–2 years) if you already completed at least three years of bachelor's-level study in the field
- Saxion arranges the visa and residence permit procedure
- No application fee is mentioned on the official application pages
Saxion tuition fees and total costs
Saxion publishes a full cost table for non-EU/EEA students. The figures below are official; the 2027/28 amounts were not yet online in October 2026.
| Cost | 2025/26 | 2026/27 |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's / Short Degree tuition | €9,030 | €9,360 |
| Visa / residence permit (administration) | €243 | €254 |
| Insurance (first-year students) | €681 | €681 |
| Proof of financial means (per year) | €12,519 | €12,963 |
Master's fees are set per program: ICT Software Engineering €10,560 and Applied Nanotechnology and Innovative Textile Development €10,940 per year. The MBA costs €16,130. Joint master's follow the consortium's fees. Housing is not included and Saxion lists it as limited availability.
Compare total cost, not only tuition
Tuition plus proof of funds is the real first-year amount you need to show. Our cost of studying in the Netherlands guide explains how to budget for rent, food and transport.
English-taught programs at Saxion
Bachelor's (4 years unless noted)
- Engineering and tech: Applied Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, ICT – Software Engineering, Creative Media and Game Technologies
- Business: International Business, International Finance and Accounting, International Human Resource Management
- Hospitality and other: Hotel Management, Tourism Management, Fashion and Textile Technologies, Physiotherapy
- Short Degree Programmes: Civil Engineering (1 year), International Business (1 year), International Finance and Accounting (2 years)
Master's
- Applied Nanotechnology (MSc, 2 years) and Innovative Textile Development (MSc, 1.5 years)
- ICT Software Engineering (12 months) and Business Administration (MBA, 1 year)
- Joint master's: Applied Quantum Technology, Gamified Reality Applications (GRACE), Citizen-Centered Digital Health and Social Care
Admission requirements
For a bachelor's you need a diploma with good results at least equivalent to Dutch HAVO, VWO or MBO-4; Saxion may send your documents to Nuffic for evaluation. Some programs have subject requirements. For a master's you need a relevant bachelor's; some programs add a CV, motivation and an intake interview.
English: IELTS Academic 6.0, TOEFL iBT 80, Cambridge 169, PTE 61 or LanguageCert 65, at most 2 years old at the start. TOEFL MyBest scores are not accepted. Exemptions exist, for example for an English-medium bachelor's with a signed medium-of-instruction statement.
Applying from Afghanistan
Nuffic compares the Afghan 12th Grade graduation certificate to a Dutch HAVO diploma, which gives access to universities of applied sciences such as Saxion. Your documents must be legalised by the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and then the Afghan embassy in The Hague. See our documents and legalization guide.
Deadlines for September 2027
| Applicant group | Apply by | Documents and payment by |
|---|---|---|
| Afghan, Bangladeshi, Indian, Iranian, Nepalese, Nigerian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Yemeni nationals | 1 April 2027 | 1 May 2027 |
| Other non-EU applicants (bachelor's and master's) | 1 June 2027 | 1 July 2027 |
| Bachelor's Physiotherapy (all non-EU) | 1 April 2027 | 1 July 2027 |
Degree programs for international students start only in September; the February intake is for exchange students. The opening date for applications was not stated on the official page.
Scholarships
- NL Scholarship – €5,000: for non-EEA students in all bachelor's and the MSc Applied Nanotechnology, Innovative Textile Development and ICT Software Engineering. Requires a GPA of 80%+ and IELTS 7.0.
- Saxion Talent Scholarship – €2,750: for bachelor's students with a GPA of 75%+ and IELTS 6.0.
- Both: apply between 1 November 2026 and 1 May 2027. Winners are chosen by lottery, so treat it as a bonus, not a plan.
Living in Enschede, Deventer or Apeldoorn
Check which of Saxion's three campuses your program uses before you search for a room. Study in NL says students spend on average €1,000–€1,500 a month and an average room costs about €550, depending on the city. Saxion lists housing as limited, so start early and never pay for a room you have not seen. You may work up to 16 hours a week, or full-time in June to August, once your employer has a work permit (TWV) for you.
Honest pros and cons
Benefits
- Bachelor's tuition of €9,360 (2026/27), among the lowest non-EU fees we track
- Accepts HAVO-level and MBO-4-level equivalents
- Saxion handles the visa procedure and arranges first-year insurance
- Short Degree Programmes can save time if you already studied the field
Difficulties
- Earlier 1 April deadline for Afghan, Pakistani, Indian, Iranian and several other nationalities
- Scholarships are awarded by lottery
- Only a September start for degree students
- Housing has limited availability
How to apply to Saxion step by step
- 1
Pick a program
Check the program's Requirements tab for subject rules.
- 2
Get your English certificate
IELTS 6.0 is enough for admission; aim for IELTS 7.0 if you want the NL Scholarship.
- 3
Apply in Studielink
Submit via Studielink before your nationality's deadline.
- 4
Apply for a scholarship
Between 1 November 2026 and 1 May 2027.
- 5
Send documents and pay
Final diploma, translations and payment by 1 May 2027 (listed nationalities) or 1 July 2027 (others).
- 6
Visa and arrival
Saxion applies for your permit; you collect the MVV. See our Netherlands student visa guide.
Don't miss the early 1 April date: track deadlines for free on FindUniPath. More low-cost options are on the Netherlands country hub.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Saxion cost for international students?
For 2026/27 the non-EU bachelor's fee is €9,360 per year. Master's cost €10,560–€10,940 per year and the MBA €16,130. Saxion's 2027/28 fees were not yet published in October 2026.
What is the Saxion deadline for Pakistani and Indian students?
Nationals of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Iran, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Yemen must apply by 1 April 2027 and complete documents and payment by 1 May 2027.
Does Saxion accept a 12th-grade certificate?
Saxion accepts diplomas at least equivalent to Dutch HAVO, VWO or MBO-4. Nuffic compares the Afghan 12th Grade certificate to HAVO; for other countries check Saxion's admission page.
What IELTS score do I need for Saxion?
IELTS Academic 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 80 for admission. The NL Scholarship requires IELTS 7.0.
Can I start at Saxion in February?
No. Degree programs for international students start only in September; February is for exchange students.
Official sources
Checked on 16 October 2026. Rules, fees and dates change — always confirm on the official page before you apply.
- 1.Saxion — Total costs for international students
- 2.Saxion — Application deadlines
- 3.Saxion — Admission and entry requirements
- 4.Saxion — Programmes
- 5.Nuffic — Afghanistan: level of diplomas
- 6.NetherlandsWorldwide — Legalising documents from Afghanistan
- 7.Study in NL — Finding a place to live
- 8.IND — Student residence permit