Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences: Admissions, Tuition & Scholarships Guide for International Students

Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences is a private business school in the Netherlands, established in 1987 and based in Apeldoorn, with a second campus in Amsterdam. It is a small, internationally focused institution, and all of its programs are taught in English, including 19 Bachelor of Business Administration specializations, 9 Master of Business Management programs, and 11 MBA programs. This guide covers exactly what Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences international students need to know: accreditation, admissions requirements, tuition costs, scholarships, campus life, and the Netherlands' orientation year visa.

Quick facts snapshot

• Founded: 1987
• Locations: Apeldoorn (main campus) and Amsterdam, the Netherlands
• Institution type: Private university of applied sciences focused on business and management
• Programs: 19 BBA specializations, 9 MSc programs in Business Management, 11 MBA programs, all taught in English
• Size: small; enrollment figures reported by third-party sources vary, so confirm current numbers with the school
• Accreditation: Dutch accreditation by the NVAO and FIBAA, with AMBA also reported by third parties
• Non-EU bachelor's tuition: about €11,800 per year

Rankings and reputation

Wittenborg is a small business-focused institution and does not appear in the major QS or Times Higher Education university tables, so applicants should not expect a global ranking figure. Its credibility rests instead on accreditation: its degrees are accredited under the Dutch system by the NVAO, with additional accreditation from FIBAA, and third-party sources report AMBA recognition for its MBA programs. Prospective students should confirm each accreditation on the accrediting body's own website, and should weigh the school's practical, small-cohort model against the name recognition of a larger Dutch research university.

Academics and signature programs

Wittenborg's programs concentrate on business and management, including international business, marketing, finance, hospitality and tourism, and entrepreneurship, with a strong emphasis on practical projects and internships. Cohorts are small and multinational, and teaching relies on group work and case studies, which suits students who prefer applied learning to theory-heavy lectures. Because it is a university of applied sciences, its degrees are professionally oriented rather than research-focused.

Admissions and international eligibility

Wittenborg does not publish an acceptance rate, and admission is based on prior qualifications and English proficiency. Bachelor's applicants need a secondary school diploma judged equivalent to Dutch entry standards, while master's applicants need a relevant bachelor's degree, and a six-month pre-master's program exists for applicants who need additional preparation.

English language requirements

• IELTS Academic: overall score of 6.0 for most programs
• TOEFL iBT: overall score of 90 as an alternative
• Other recognised tests may be accepted, and applicants from English-medium education may qualify for a waiver
• Confirm the requirement for your program before booking a test

Application checklist

Applicants submit certified transcripts, proof of English proficiency, a CV, and passport details. Wittenborg states that international students who need a Dutch student visa must pay a full package fee, including tuition, as part of their application, so applicants should have their funds ready before they apply.

Tuition, living costs, and scholarships

Non-EU bachelor's tuition is about €11,800 per year, compared with €5,800 for EU/EEA, UK, and Ukrainian students. Master's fees are charged as a total: about €21,300 for the MSc in Business Management and about €23,300 for the MBA, while the six-month pre-master's costs about €4,000. Study materials and online resources add about €600 per year for bachelor's students and €600 in total for master's programs, and mandatory international student health insurance costs about €720 for a year. Extensions cost extra, at €5,800 for a half-year for bachelor's students.

Estimated living costs in Apeldoorn and Amsterdam

• In Apeldoorn, students commonly budget about €800 to €1,200 per month for living expenses
• Amsterdam is more expensive, with monthly costs of about €1,000 to €1,500
• A room in student housing in Apeldoorn is reported at about €420 to €450 per month
• Non-EU students must show proof of sufficient funds for the residence permit
• Cycling is the main way to get around in both cities

Scholarships for international students

Wittenborg lists an EU Scholarship, which is limited to EU/EEA, UK, and Ukrainian students, and a Wittenborg Americas Scholarship for eligible applicants. Non-EU students from outside the Americas should therefore not assume they qualify for an institutional award, and should ask admissions directly which funding options apply to their nationality.

Campus life and student support

Apeldoorn is a mid-sized Dutch city known for its parks and its royal palace, offering a quieter, more affordable base than Amsterdam, with fast rail connections to the capital. Wittenborg's small, multinational student body creates a close community, and the school provides housing assistance, orientation, and academic support. The Netherlands is safe and easy to navigate in English.

Career outcomes and post-study work rights

Wittenborg's internships and applied projects aim to prepare graduates for business roles in the Netherlands and internationally. Because the school is small, ask how career support works, which employers recruit its graduates, and how placement data is calculated.

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 conditions with the Immigration and Naturalisation Service.

Health insurance and pre-arrival preparation

Non-EU students in the Netherlands must have health insurance, and Wittenborg lists a mandatory international student plan. After arrival, students register with the municipality to receive a citizen service number, which is needed for banking and other services. Budget for the residence permit fee, insurance, and housing deposits, and arrange housing early.

A realistic first-year budget

For a non-EU bachelor's student, the year's tuition of €11,800 plus €600 for study materials and about €720 for health insurance comes to about €13,120 before housing and food. Living costs in Apeldoorn of €800 to €1,200 per month add roughly €9,600 to €14,400 over twelve months, so a realistic first-year total is around €22,700 to €27,500. A master's student pays the whole program fee up front, so budget for the full amount plus living costs.

Questions to ask before you accept an offer

• Which accreditations apply to my exact program, and can I verify them with the accrediting body?
• What is the total package fee I must pay to obtain the student visa, and is any part refundable?
• Which campus will I study at, and how does housing work there?
• Which scholarships are open to my nationality?
• How do internships work, and does the school help find placements?
• What are the outcomes for recent graduates, and how are they measured?

Who Wittenborg suits best

Wittenborg suits students who want a practical, English-taught business degree in a small international cohort, at a lower price than many private schools elsewhere in Europe. It may suit less well students who want a globally ranked research university, a wide range of non-business subjects, or a large campus community.

Step-by-step application roadmap

1. Choose your program and campus.
2. Confirm the English requirement and book a test if needed.
3. Apply with transcripts, CV, and passport details.
4. Pay the package fee required for the visa, if applicable.
5. Let the school start your residence permit process.
6. Arrange housing and insurance, then register with the municipality on arrival.

Planning your application timeline realistically

Start early, since residence permit processing and housing searches take time, and ask Wittenborg for a written breakdown of all fees before paying.

What to expect in your first months

Small cohorts mean students get to know classmates and lecturers quickly, and group projects require teamwork across many nationalities from the first weeks. New students also handle Dutch administration, including municipality registration, health insurance, and opening a bank account. Learning to cycle safely and understanding local rules is a practical early task, and the school's support team helps with orientation and settling in.

Preparing your documents early

Gather certified transcripts, an English test report, a CV, and your passport well before applying, and be ready to pay the package fee that Wittenborg requires from students who need a Dutch student visa. Because that payment is part of the application, confirm in writing what it covers, what is refundable if your visa is refused, and the timeline for the residence permit before you send any money.

Choosing where to live

Apeldoorn offers student housing at roughly €420 to €450 per month for a room, which is considerably cheaper than Amsterdam, so many first-year students choose it for cost reasons. Amsterdam students often face a much tighter rental market, so start searching early, treat unsolicited offers with caution, and ask the school which housing partners it recommends.

Frequently asked questions