Radboud University: Rankings, Admissions, Tuition & Scholarships Guide for International Students

Radboud University is a public research university in Nijmegen, in the eastern Netherlands close to the German border. Founded in 1923 as the Catholic University of Nijmegen and renamed Radboud University in 2004, it enrolls around 24,000 students, of whom roughly one in ten is international, drawn from more than 100 countries. This guide covers exactly what Radboud University international students need to know: current QS rankings, admission requirements, tuition costs, scholarships, campus life, and the Netherlands' orientation year visa.

Quick facts snapshot

• Founded: 1923, as the Catholic University of Nijmegen; renamed Radboud University in 2004
• Location: Nijmegen, Gelderland, the Netherlands, close to the German border
• Setting: Green campus on the edge of one of the Netherlands' oldest cities
• Total enrollment: around 24,000 students, with an international share of roughly 10-13%
• Nationalities: more than 100 countries represented
• Primary intake: September, with a limited February intake for some programs
• QS World University Ranking 2027: approximately #283 globally

Rankings and global reputation

Radboud sits at about joint #283 in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and is also ranked in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. It is generally regarded as one of the Netherlands' strong comprehensive research universities, with particular recognition in psychology and cognitive neuroscience, medicine through its university medical centre, and the humanities and social sciences. Its Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour is a well-known research centre in neuroscience. When comparing Radboud University tuition fees and ranking with other Dutch universities, note that Dutch institutions cluster closely, so subject strength often matters more than a few QS places.

Academics and signature programs

Radboud offers around 50 English-taught bachelor's and master's programs alongside many Dutch-taught ones, across law, economics and management, science, social sciences, medicine and health, philosophy, theology, and the arts. Master's programs in areas such as cognitive neuroscience, artificial intelligence, molecular life sciences, and human geography attract many international students. Teaching emphasizes small-group work and independent study, and the academic culture is generally informal, with students encouraged to question and discuss.

Admissions and international eligibility

Radboud does not publish a single overall acceptance rate. Bachelor's applicants must hold a qualification judged equivalent to the Dutch pre-university diploma, and some programs use a selection or matching process, while master's applicants need a relevant bachelor's degree and a strong academic record. Applications are made through Studielink and the university's own portal, and certain popular programs have fixed enrollment capacity with earlier deadlines.

English language requirements

• Bachelor's programs: IELTS Academic overall score of 6.0 with sub-scores of at least 6.0
• Master's programs: IELTS Academic overall score of 6.5, with a writing score of at least 6.5
• TOEFL and Cambridge English scores are accepted at published equivalents
• Some programs set higher requirements or grant waivers, so verify your program page

Application checklist

A complete application usually includes certified transcripts, proof of English proficiency, a motivation letter, a CV, and sometimes references or a portfolio. Standardized tests such as the SAT, ACT, GRE, or GMAT are generally not required. Non-EU applicants should apply early because visa and residence permit processing is coordinated through the university and takes time.

Tuition, living costs, and scholarships

In 2025-26, non-EU/EEA students paid roughly €13,413 to €17,383 per year for bachelor's programs and €13,413 to €24,840 for master's programs, depending on the program, compared with a statutory fee of €2,601 for EU/EEA students. These institutional fees are higher because the Dutch government does not fund non-EU/EEA places, and fees are indexed and updated each year.

Estimated living costs in Nijmegen

• Nijmegen is cheaper than Amsterdam or Utrecht, but student housing is scarce, so start searching before you accept an offer
• Non-EU students must show proof of sufficient funds as part of the residence permit process
• Cycling is the main way to get around, and a second-hand bicycle is a small but useful early purchase
• Dutch student residence permits usually allow part-time work under set limits
• The German border is close, which makes cross-border travel and shopping easy

Scholarships for international students

The Radboud Scholarship Programme offers talented non-EU/EEA students a partial scholarship for an English-taught master's program, reducing tuition to €2,694 for 2026/27, for example, instead of around €18,000, and it also covers costs for the visa, residence permit, and health and liability insurance. The Radboud Encouragement Scholarship covers tuition and living costs for the duration of a master's program for selected non-EU/EEA applicants. Competition is strong and deadlines are early, so read the current conditions on the university's scholarships page.

Campus life and student support

The Radboud campus is compact and green, with lecture halls, the library, sports centre, and student housing within reach, and Nijmegen's historic centre is a short bike ride away. The city is often described as the oldest in the Netherlands and has a lively student scene. The university's international office supports arrival, housing, and residence permits, and the Netherlands is generally regarded as safe and easy to navigate in English.

Career outcomes and post-study work rights

Radboud graduates find work in research, healthcare, education, government, law, and business, and Nijmegen's position between the Randstad and the German Ruhr region opens both Dutch and German job markets. The university's career services provide workshops, internships, and networking events.

The Netherlands' orientation year visa

Graduates of a Dutch degree, or of a qualifying program at a recognised top-ranked foreign university, can apply within three years of completing their studies for the orientation year permit, which allows one year to look for skilled work or start a business without a work permit. It can be used only once, and holders benefit from a lower salary threshold when later hired. Confirm the current salary and eligibility conditions with the Immigration and Naturalisation Service.

Health insurance and pre-arrival preparation

Non-EU students in the Netherlands must have health insurance, either Dutch basic insurance or an approved alternative, and must register with the municipality after arrival to receive a citizen service number, which is needed for banking and many other services. Budget for the residence permit fee, insurance, and housing deposits. Radboud's international office gives pre-departure guidance and runs an orientation week.

Weighing Radboud against other Dutch universities

Radboud is smaller and quieter than universities in Amsterdam or Utrecht and less internationally focused than some Dutch peers, but it offers a close-knit campus, strong psychology and neuroscience programs, and an unusual scholarship program for non-EU master's students. Applicants who want a big-city setting or a heavily international campus may prefer other Dutch universities.

Planning your application timeline realistically

Start well before deadlines, since scholarship applications close early and housing can be difficult to find. Collect transcripts, English test results, and reference letters, and check whether your program has a selection procedure or capacity limit.

A realistic budget for a master's degree

For a one-year master's at the 2025-26 non-EU fee range of €13,413 to €24,840, tuition can be anywhere from about €13,400 to €24,800, and a two-year research master's doubles that. The Radboud Scholarship Programme can reduce the fee to €2,694, for example, and covers visa, residence permit, and insurance costs, which is a very large saving for the small number of students who receive it. Because competition is strong, budget on the basis that you may not win an award, and explore other funding as well.

Questions to ask before you accept an offer

• Does my program have a selection procedure or a limited number of places, and what is the deadline?
• When is the Radboud Scholarship Programme deadline, and must I be admitted before I can apply?
• How does the university help international students find housing in Nijmegen?
• What is the exact institutional tuition fee for my program in the year I start?
• Which of my courses are taught in English, and is any Dutch needed for internships?
• How does the program prepare graduates for the orientation year permit?

Who Radboud suits best

Radboud suits students who want a close-knit campus, a strong research tradition in psychology, neuroscience, and the social sciences, and a smaller, quieter city than Amsterdam. It may suit less well students who want a very large international community or a major financial or technology hub on the doorstep.

Step-by-step application roadmap

1. Choose your program and check whether it has a selection procedure, capacity limit, or early deadline.
2. Check the English requirement and book a test if needed.
3. Apply through Studielink and the Radboud application portal with transcripts, a motivation letter, and a CV.
4. If eligible, submit a Radboud scholarship application by its separate deadline.
5. Accept your offer and let the university start the residence permit process.
6. Arrange housing and health insurance, then register with the municipality after you arrive.

What to expect in your first months

Dutch universities tend to emphasize independent work and open discussion, and students are expected to prepare before class and speak up. The first weeks are busy with orientation, housing, and administrative tasks such as registering with the municipality and obtaining a citizen service number. Nijmegen is compact and bike-friendly, so most students settle into a routine quickly, and the international office and student associations provide a first circle of contacts.

Frequently asked questions