October 2026

Study Business & Finance in the Netherlands

Last updated October 15, 2026

Master's Programs in Business, Finance & Economics

Business, finance, and economics are some of the most practical, widely applicable degrees you can choose they open doors across banking, consulting, tech, corporate strategy, trade, and entrepreneurship. Studying them in the Netherlands adds a business-friendly country, taught almost entirely in English, with a clear bridge into the local job market afterward.

Once you finish your degree, the Dutch "orientation year" gives you 12 months of unrestricted work rights no job offer, no employer sponsor, and no salary threshold required just to get this permit.

Over 90% of business and management programs are taught in English, so your degree doesn't require Dutch to begin with. The Netherlands is also a real business hub, home to major financial institutions, multinational headquarters, and a dense startup ecosystem.

If you land a skilled role during your orientation year, it leads directly into the Netherlands' Highly Skilled Migrant permit — no need to start from scratch or leave the country. Let's find the program that fits you.

How the Orientation Year Actually Works

The orientation year is also available to graduates of top-200-ranked universities worldwide, not just Dutch universities — so your prior degree may already count
This permit must be used within 3 years of graduating, giving you real flexibility in when you activate it
Landing a skilled role during this year connects you directly into the Highly Skilled Migrant permit afterward
Tuition varies by school, with well-known programs at Erasmus University, University of Amsterdam, and Tilburg University often in the mid-range

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