Did you know that 8 Dutch Universities rank among the top 200 in the QS World University Rankings 2026? That’s a clear sign of the Netherlands’ academic excellence. When it comes to pursuing a Master's degree, timing plays a significant role. It is not just about picking a course and applying on a whim. You need proper planning! Therefore, understanding the intakes becomes your first major step.

In the Netherlands, Universities don’t accept applications year-round. Instead, they follow specific intake cycles; some intakes offer a full range of courses, while others may have limited program availability. That’s why it’s so important to check whether your preferred program is available in a particular intake before you start the application process.