Wittenborg University: Fees, Entry Dates and Scholarships
TL;DR: Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences is a private university of applied sciences in Apeldoorn, with a study location in Amsterdam, that teaches English-taught BBA, MBA and MSc programmes. Wittenborg University has six entry dates a year, charges non-EU students €11,800 a year for the BBA, and files your Dutch residence permit itself as an IND recognised sponsor.
Wittenborg University does not work on a single yearly intake. It has six start dates spread across the year, which suits students who are ready now rather than next autumn. This guide covers the programmes, fees, entry rules and the permit steps. Wondering if you qualify? Check your eligibility with Prosper.
What kind of university is Wittenborg University?
Wittenborg is a university of applied sciences, which in the Netherlands means a practical, career-focused institution rather than a research university. Its main campus is at Brinklaan 268 in Apeldoorn, and it also teaches in Amsterdam.
Wittenborg describes itself as an "Independent State University of Applied Sciences (aangewezen)", and states that the institution itself does not receive government funding. It also states that the Dutch accreditation body, NVAO, has accredited all Wittenborg's programmes, including the BBA, MSc and MBA.
Prosper can apply to Wittenborg University for you. If you are new to the Dutch system, our guide to research universities and universities of applied sciences explains the difference.
Wittenborg University programmes
All programmes listed here are taught in English:
- Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA): 240 ECTS over four years in Apeldoorn, with pathways in International Business Administration, Economics and Business Administration, Marketing, Communications and Innovation, and Hospitality. Students who earn 80 credits in their first 12 months can fast-track to 36 months.
- MBA in International Management: 90 ECTS over 18 months, in Apeldoorn or Amsterdam.
- MSc (Master of Business Management): 18 months in Apeldoorn.
Wittenborg University entry dates
Wittenborg runs six entry dates a year for all programmes. The upcoming dates are 30 November 2026, then 8 February, 22 March, 10 May, 23 August and 11 October 2027.
Non-EU students must apply 8 to 10 weeks before the start date, because the residence permit takes time. That rules out 30 November for new non-EU applicants, so 8 February 2027 is the earliest realistic start. The official Study in NL listing gives a non-EU deadline of 8 December 2026 for that February start.
Wittenborg University fees for non-EU students
Wittenborg's tuition fee page lists these fees for non-EU students. The page does not state the academic year; Study in NL lists the BBA and MBA figures as 2026/2027 fees.
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| BBA tuition | €11,800 a year |
| MBA tuition | €23,300 in total |
| MSc (Master of Business Management) tuition | €21,300 in total |
| Residence permit (MVV) application and administration | €650 |
| Health insurance | €720 a year |
Students who need a visa pay a package fee up front for the first stage, which excludes accommodation. For example, it is €15,970 for the BBA in Apeldoorn and €17,770 for the MBA in Apeldoorn. Some nationalities must pay the full amount before the permit is filed.
Wittenborg University entry requirements
From Wittenborg's entrance criteria:
- BBA: a school diploma equivalent to Dutch HAVO, VWO or MBO-4, such as UK A Levels, the IB or a BTEC. Wittenborg does not accept bachelor's applicants who left school more than five years ago. English: IELTS 6.0.
- MSc: a bachelor's in business, economics or trade that included a thesis. English: IELTS 6.5.
- MBA: a bachelor's degree plus three years of work experience. English: IELTS 6.5.
Wittenborg does not accept IELTS online or the TOEFL Home Edition. If your score is a little short, there is a half-year Preparation course for bachelor's applicants with IELTS 5.5, and a half-year Pre-Master for postgraduate applicants with IELTS 6.0.
Wittenborg University scholarships
- Holland Scholarship, now also known as the NL Scholarship: ten awards of €5,000 for the first year of the BBA or the MSc, for applicants with IELTS 7.0 and a GPA of 7.5, per Wittenborg's scholarship page. Our NL Scholarship guide explains the national scheme.
- Wittenborg MBA Scholarship: ten awards of €5,000, which brings the MBA to €18,300. It needs three years of work experience.
Wittenborg publishes no deadlines for these awards, and you must apply before you register.
Residence permit, funds and work rights
Wittenborg is an IND recognised sponsor, and the IND states that only your educational institution can apply for your student residence permit. To keep it, you must earn at least 50% of your credits each year.
For 2026, the IND requires €1,130.77 a month for living costs for higher education students, and the IND fee for a first study permit is €254. Wittenborg's own residence permit page asks for a bank balance of €13,570 after tuition. During study you can work up to 16 hours a week, or full time in June, July and August, once your employer obtains a work permit.
Applying from Sri Lanka
Wittenborg does not publish entry rules specific to Sri Lankan qualifications, so your A/L results are assessed individually against the Dutch HAVO or VWO level. For the BBA, keep the five-year rule in mind: if you finished A/Ls more than five years ago, apply for the MBA or MSc route instead if you hold a degree.
For the permit, plan your bank evidence early, because Wittenborg asks for a balance of €13,570 after tuition. Our guide to Netherlands student visa proof of funds shows how to present it.
Frequently asked questions
Is Wittenborg University a recognised university?
Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences states that NVAO, the Dutch accreditation body, has accredited all its programmes, and that it is an IND recognised sponsor for student residence permits.
When can I start at Wittenborg University?
Wittenborg University has six entry dates a year. After 30 November 2026, the next dates are 8 February, 22 March, 10 May, 23 August and 11 October 2027. Non-EU students should apply 8 to 10 weeks ahead.
How much does Wittenborg University cost for non-EU students?
Wittenborg lists €11,800 a year for the BBA, €23,300 in total for the MBA and €21,300 in total for the MSc, plus permit and insurance charges.
What IELTS score does Wittenborg University need?
Wittenborg University asks for IELTS 6.0 for the BBA and 6.5 for the MSc and MBA. It does not accept IELTS online.
Does Wittenborg University apply for my residence permit?
Yes. As an IND recognised sponsor, Wittenborg files the residence permit application for you, and students cannot apply on their own.
More guides
Read our step-by-step guide to the Netherlands student residence permit, compare Netherlands tuition fees for non-EU students, see the Netherlands student work hours rules, learn how a pre-master in the Netherlands works, and check health insurance for international students in the Netherlands.
PS: With six start dates, Wittenborg University can fit a timeline that a September-only university cannot. Send us your results and English score and we will tell you which programme and entry date suit you. Check your eligibility with Prosper.
References
- Wittenborg University's status in the Dutch higher education system, Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences, https://www.wittenborg.eu/higher-education-system-netherlands-wittenborg-universitys-status.htm (accessed 11/11/2026)
- NVAO accreditation, Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences, https://www.wittenborg.eu/nvao-accreditation.htm (accessed 11/11/2026)
- Entry dates and course length, Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences, https://wittenborg.eu/entry-dates-course-length.htm (accessed 11/11/2026)
- Next entry to Wittenborg, Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences, https://www.wittenborg.eu/next-entry-to-wittenborg.htm (accessed 11/11/2026)
- Bachelor of Business Administration, Wittenborg, Study in NL, https://www.studyinnl.org/dutch-education/studies/bachelor-of-business-administration-1933-wittenborg-university-of-applied-sciences (accessed 11/11/2026)
- MBA in International Management, Wittenborg, Study in NL, https://www.studyinnl.org/dutch-education/studies/master-of-business-administration-mba-in-international-management-58153-wittenborg-university-of-applied-sciences (accessed 11/11/2026)
- Tuition fees, Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences, https://www.wittenborg.eu/wittenborg-tuition-fees.htm (accessed 11/11/2026)
- Package fee for students requiring a visa, Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences, https://www.wittenborg.eu/package-fee-students-requiring-visa.htm (accessed 11/11/2026)
- Entrance criteria, Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences, https://www.wittenborg.eu/entrance-criteria.htm (accessed 11/11/2026)
- English proficiency tests, Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences, https://www.wittenborg.eu/english-proficiency-tests.htm (accessed 11/11/2026)
- Holland Scholarship, Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences, https://wittenborg.eu/holland-scholarship.htm (accessed 11/11/2026)
- Wittenborg MBA Scholarship, Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences, https://www.wittenborg.eu/wittenborg-mba-scholarship.htm (accessed 11/11/2026)
- Residence permit for study, Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences, https://www.wittenborg.eu/residence-permit-study-tev.htm (accessed 11/11/2026)
- Student residence permit for university or higher professional education, IND, https://ind.nl/en/residence-permits/study/student-residence-permit-for-university-or-higher-professional-education (accessed 11/11/2026)
- Required amounts and income requirements, IND, https://ind.nl/en/required-amounts-income-requirements (accessed 11/11/2026)
- Fees: costs of an application, IND, https://ind.nl/en/fees-costs-of-an-application (accessed 11/11/2026)
- What permits do foreign workers need, Government of the Netherlands, https://www.government.nl/documents/questions-and-answers/what-permits-do-foreign-workers-need (accessed 11/11/2026)
Team Prosper
