Netherlands February Intake: Master's Deadlines from Sri Lanka

TL;DR: A Netherlands February intake exists for some English-taught master's programmes, but not most. For non-EU applicants, deadlines fall between 1 October and 1 November, months before the course starts. Tilburg University closes on 1 October, the University of Groningen's economics and business faculty on 15 October, and Radboud University and VU Amsterdam on 1 November. Check that your exact programme offers February, then apply now or plan for September.

Missed the September start and wondering whether you can still begin a Dutch master's early next year? You can, in some programmes. The catch is timing: for students who need a visa, the February deadlines arrive in October and November, not in the new year.

Not sure your degree fits an English-taught Dutch master's that starts in February? Check your eligibility with Prosper.

Which programmes start in February

The main intake in the Netherlands is September. The University of Twente says every programme starts on 1 September, and only some master's programmes and specialisations also start in February. Tilburg University runs its spring semester from late January to June, and admits to selected programmes then.

The University of Groningen lists February starts in its Faculty of Economics and Business, psychology, educational sciences and philosophy. Several of these are Dutch-taught, and some Dutch law programmes are closed to non-EU applicants entirely. So the first step is simple: open the page for your exact programme and confirm it offers February for international students.

Netherlands February intake deadlines for non-EU applicants

Dutch universities set earlier deadlines for non-EU students because the university must apply for your residence permit before you travel.

If your programme closes on 1 October, that intake has effectively passed. A 1 November deadline still gives you time to prepare a complete application.

Want a view on whether a February start or a September start suits your degree and grades better?

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Should you start in February at all?

February is not always the better choice, even if you are ready now. VU Amsterdam states plainly that it does not recommend international students start a master's in February. The reasons it gives are practical: there are no introduction activities, and the semester schedule does not line up with a February start.

That matters for a one-year master's. Some courses in the first semester build the base for later courses. Joining halfway can mean taking modules out of order. Ask the programme two questions before you apply:

1. Does the February cohort follow a planned study path, or do you join mid-sequence?
2. Can you still finish in the normal length of the degree?

If the answers are unclear, a September start with a stronger application may serve you better. Most programmes open for the next September intake through Studielink from October, and VU Amsterdam's non-EU deadline for September is 1 April.

The visa step, and how long it takes

As a non-EU student, you need a residence permit for study, and usually an entry visa called an MVV. Your university is the recognised sponsor and applies to the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) for you. The IND's legal decision period is 60 days. When a recognised sponsor submits a complete application, the IND's target is two weeks.

That speed depends on you. Your university will ask for your offer conditions, proof of funds and tuition payment before it applies. Delays usually come from missing documents, not from the IND.

How to apply for a February start

1. Confirm February. Check your programme's own page for a February intake and the non-EU deadline.
2. Register on Studielink. VU Amsterdam, for example, asks you to apply through Studielink, then upload documents to its own portal within 48 hours, and pay a €100 application fee.
3. Prepare your English test and transcripts. Have your degree certificate, transcripts and test result ready as clear PDFs.
4. Plan your funds early. Your sponsor needs proof of funds before it can apply for your permit.

If you are considering a bachelor's instead, read our note on the Netherlands international student cap.

Applying from Sri Lanka

Sri Lankans apply as non-EU applicants, so the non-EU deadlines above apply to you, along with the residence permit for study and, usually, the MVV entry visa.

For funding, see our guide to the NL Scholarship for Sri Lankan students.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a Netherlands February intake for master's programmes? Yes, for some programmes. Most Dutch master's start only in September, so confirm on the programme's own page.

What is the deadline for a February start? It depends on the university. Tilburg closes on 1 October, Groningen's economics and business programmes on 15 October, and Radboud and VU Amsterdam on 1 November.

Do I need a visa for a February start? Yes. Your university applies to the IND for your residence permit. The legal decision period is 60 days, with a two-week target for complete applications.

Is February a good time to start? It can be, but VU Amsterdam advises against it for international students, because the semester schedule does not line up with a February start.

Can I switch to September if I miss February? Yes. Most programmes open applications for September from October, and VU Amsterdam's non-EU deadline for September is 1 April.

PS: The right intake follows the right programme, not the other way round. Prosper applies to two or three carefully matched universities for each student, and for the Netherlands that means checking the intake, the deadline and the study path before you pay any fee. If you want help deciding between February and September, check your eligibility with Prosper and we will go through the options with you.

Check your eligibility ›