The Hague University of Applied Sciences via The Hague Pathway College: Admissions, Tuition & Progression Guide for International Students

The Hague Pathway College, often abbreviated THPC, is a pathway institution linked to The Hague University of Applied Sciences (THUAS), a Dutch public university of applied sciences with campuses in The Hague and Delft. THPC offers an International Foundation Programme and an English Academic Preparation Programme that prepare international students to progress into THUAS bachelor's and master's degrees. It is a preparatory route, not a degree, so what matters most is what you pay, what you must achieve to progress, and how the pathway years are treated for visa purposes. This guide covers exactly what The Hague Pathway College international students need to know: the programs, admissions requirements, published fees and payment rules, the degree stage at THUAS, and the Netherlands' orientation year visa.

Quick facts snapshot

• Institution type: pathway college linked to The Hague University of Applied Sciences, a Dutch public university of applied sciences
• Location: The Hague and Delft, the Netherlands
• Foundation programs: International Foundation One Year (September intake) and International Foundation Fast Track (January intake), including a Technology and Design focus
• English program: English Academic Preparation Programme
• Foundation tuition: €14,950 per year (September 2026 one-year intake) and €11,800 (January Fast Track)
• Progression: direct access to THUAS programs on completion, subject to the program's requirements
• Payment: 50% of the course fee to secure a place, with the remainder due before visa applications

Reputation and how to think about it

The pathway college itself is not ranked or a degree-awarding institution. Its standing depends on The Hague University of Applied Sciences, a large public university of applied sciences whose bachelor's and master's programs sit within the Dutch accreditation system. THUAS is not a research university in the QS sense, and I did not find a QS position for it, so applicants should judge it on accreditation, program fit, and location. The pathway's promise is a structured route into those programs for students whose qualifications or English do not yet meet direct entry.

Academics and how the pathway works

The International Foundation Programme offers a one-year route starting in September and a faster route starting in January, with study areas that include technology and design. The English Academic Preparation Programme builds academic English before a foundation or degree program. On successful completion, students gain direct access to relevant THUAS programs. Because the foundation is not a bachelor's degree, it does not by itself give any Dutch post-study rights, and it adds a year of tuition and living costs before the degree begins.

Admissions and international eligibility

THPC does not publish an acceptance rate. The foundation program is designed for applicants who have finished secondary education but lack the qualifications or English for direct entry to a Dutch bachelor's degree. Applicants submit transcripts, proof of English proficiency, and passport details, and then complete residence permit steps.

English language requirements

• One-year International Foundation (September): IELTS 5.0 overall, with 5.0 in writing and no band below 4.5
• Fast Track International Foundation (January): IELTS 5.5 overall, with 5.5 in writing and no band below 5.0
• The English Academic Preparation Programme is designed for students below these levels
• Confirm current thresholds with THPC before booking a test

Application checklist

Applicants submit certified transcripts, proof of English proficiency, and passport details. To secure a place, applicants pay 50% of the course fee shown in their offer letter, and the remainder is due before the visa application starts, with payments handled through the college's payment partner.

Tuition, degree costs, and living costs

The published pathway fees are €14,950 per year for the one-year International Foundation Programme starting in September 2026, €11,800 for the January Fast Track, and €7,100 per year for the English Academic Preparation Programme for the January 2026 intake, plus a visa administration fee of €254 that is subject to annual change. After the pathway, THUAS degree tuition for non-EEA students is €10,528 per year for bachelor's programs, compared with €2,694 for EEA students, and €22,995 for listed master's programs such as the MBA. These figures change annually, so confirm them for your intake.

Estimated living costs in The Hague and Delft

• Student housing in The Hague and Delft is scarce and expensive, so start searching early
• 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 trains connect both cities to Amsterdam and Rotterdam
• Health insurance is compulsory for residents, including students
• Costs are higher than in smaller Dutch cities, so budget carefully for rent

Scholarships

I could not confirm scholarships for pathway students from the pages I reviewed. Ask THPC which awards apply to your nationality, and whether any funding carries into the degree stage at THUAS.

Campus life and student support

The Hague is a cosmopolitan city and the seat of the Dutch government and of major international courts and organisations, and Delft is a smaller, historic university town nearby. THPC provides small classes, academic guidance, and help with residence permits and settling in, and THUAS is known for a large international student body.

Career outcomes and post-study work rights

THUAS programs are professionally oriented and link to employers in international relations, business, technology, and design, and The Hague's international organisations offer distinctive internships. Ask how THUAS measures graduate outcomes and how it supports international students seeking work.

The Netherlands' orientation year visa

Graduates of a Dutch degree 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. The permit depends on completing an accredited degree, so a foundation year alone does not qualify, and you should confirm current conditions with the Immigration and Naturalisation Service.

Health insurance and pre-arrival preparation

Non-EU students must have health insurance, and after arrival they register with the municipality to receive a citizen service number, which is needed for banking and other services. Budget for the residence permit, housing deposits, and living costs, and arrange housing early.

What to expect in your first months

The first weeks combine orientation, English and academic skills classes, and practical tasks such as municipality registration and opening a bank account. Dutch teaching emphasises discussion and independent work, so students who use academic support early tend to adjust more smoothly, and cycling in traffic is a skill worth learning quickly.

A realistic four-year budget

A one-year foundation at €14,950 followed by three years of THUAS bachelor's tuition at €10,528 per year would put tuition alone at about €46,500, and a four-year degree route starting from the pathway can approach that figure before living costs, which in The Hague or Delft add roughly €1,000 to €1,500 a month. If your English needs a preparatory year first, add €7,100. Ask THPC for the total cost of your route.

Questions to ask before you accept an offer

• Is progression to THUAS guaranteed if I pass, or does it depend on specific grades?
• What is refundable if my visa is refused after I pay 50% of the fee?
• Which THUAS programs can I enter from my foundation stream?
• How does the foundation year count toward my visa and post-study rights?
• What is the total cost from the pathway through to my degree?
• How does the college help international students find housing?

Who this pathway suits best

The pathway suits students who want a Dutch applied-sciences degree in The Hague or Delft but need academic or English preparation first. It may suit less well students who already meet direct-entry requirements, since applying directly to THUAS saves a year and money, or students wanting a research-focused university.

Step-by-step application roadmap

1. Choose your pathway and target THUAS program.
2. Check the English requirement and book a test if needed.
3. Apply with transcripts and passport details.
4. Pay 50% of the course fee to secure your place, then let the college start your residence permit.
5. Pay the remainder before the visa application begins.
6. Arrange housing and insurance, then register with the municipality on arrival.

Preparing your documents early

Gather certified transcripts, English test results, and proof of funds, and ask THPC for a written statement of fees, refund terms, and progression conditions before you send any money. Start early, because residence permit processing and housing searches take time.

Weighing the pathway against direct entry to THUAS

Students who meet the direct-entry requirements for a THUAS bachelor's degree can apply straight to the university, which saves a year of pathway tuition and shortens the route to a degree. The pathway makes sense for students whose secondary qualifications or English fall short, or who want additional support before beginning a Dutch degree. Compare total costs and timelines, and ask what grades you would need to progress.

Frequently asked questions