Netherlands · North Brabant
Study in Eindhoven in English: TU/e, engineering careers and costs
If your field is engineering, technology or design, few places in Europe match Eindhoven. It is built around Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), one of the world’s leading technical universities, in the Brainport region - the high-tech cluster behind ASML, Philips and NXP and a major share of the Netherlands’ R&D. Programmes are English-taught, the link between the university and industry is exceptionally tight, and living costs are well below Amsterdam.
Universities in Eindhoven
2 universities
Why Eindhoven
A specialist technology city where your degree sits next to the industry that hires for it.
- Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e): a world-class technical university, strong in electrical engineering, computer science, data, mechanical engineering and industrial design
- The Brainport region: ASML, Philips, NXP, DAF, VDL and a dense network of high-tech, semiconductor and automotive firms
- Fontys University of Applied Sciences and the renowned Design Academy Eindhoven add practical and design-led routes
- A compact, affordable, international student city - the country’s innovation engine without big-city prices
Universities & English-taught programmes
Strong, specific subject strength - exactly the “top for one field” situation worth choosing for.
- TU/e offers English-taught master’s across electrical, mechanical, automotive and chemical engineering, computer science, data science, AI and industrial design - and several English bachelor’s tracks
- Teaching is project- and challenge-based, often run directly with industry partners
- All TU/e programmes are taught in English, so you do not need Dutch to study
- Curriculum flexibility: industry placements, research projects in the on-campus high-tech ecosystem and exchange options across the EU
Career prospects & ROI
One of the strongest links between a university and its employers anywhere in Europe.
- Industry connections: semiconductors, high-tech systems, automotive and design recruit TU/e graduates directly - graduate employment is among the highest in the country
- Internships and working-student roles with Brainport companies are a realistic, well-trodden path into a first job
- Post-study work: the one-year orientation year (zoekjaar) to find work or start a business; tech and engineering skills are in high demand across the EU
- A TU/e degree travels exceptionally well internationally in engineering and technology
Cost of living in Eindhoven
Estimates for the 2026 academic yearA student in Eindhoven should budget around 1.125 € a month. The heaviest line by far is rent: a room in a shared flat goes for about 520 €, and most land between 420 € and 660 €.
- Room in a shared flat usually 420 € – 660 €
- 520 €
- Food and groceries
- 280 €
- Student travel pass
- 55 €
- Health insurance
- 60 €
- Phone, internet, electricity
- 80 €
- Books, sport, going out
- 130 €
- Monthly total
- 1.125 €
Ranked 2 of 4 on cost among the cities we cover in Netherlands, cheapest first.
Cheapest on our list: Maastricht, at about 1.105 € a month. →What things cost here, against the EU
Across the whole shopping basket Netherlands sits at 121.0, where the EU average is 100 (2024).
EU average = 100
Consumer prices rose 3.0% over 2025.
Where these numbers come from
The monthly budget is our own estimate, compiled from what student unions, universities and national student services publish. Use it to plan with — it is not a quote.
The price levels, inflation and rent figures are published statistics: Eurostat purchasing power parities and, for German states, the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis).
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What it costs
Top-tier technology opportunities without big-city prices.
- Tuition for non-EU/EEA students: roughly €9,000–€15,000 a year for a bachelor’s and €14,000–€20,000 for a technology master’s
- Living costs: about €950–€1,250/month - one of the more affordable major student cities in the Netherlands
- Proof of funds for the visa: roughly €14,000 for the year (about €1,150/month); the university acts as your recognised sponsor for the entry visa (MVV) and residence permit
- Part-time work: up to 16 hours a week in term (or full-time in June–August) with an employer work permit (TWV); budget about €50–€140/month for health insurance
Life, safety & culture
A compact, design-minded student city with a big international community.
- Daily language is Dutch; the tech and research community is highly international and English is the working language on campus - a little Dutch helps socially
- A walkable, very bike-friendly city with fast trains to Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Schiphol airport
- Safe and student-oriented, with strong healthcare covered by Dutch or international student insurance
- Famous for design and innovation (Dutch Design Week) with a large, growing international student body
How to apply & the bureaucracy
TU/e applies through Studielink and its own portal - start early.
- Apply via Studielink and the TU/e admissions system; non-EU deadlines are typically around 1 April for a bachelor’s and earlier for many master’s - check each programme
- English-taught programmes accept IELTS or TOEFL; bachelor’s usually need IELTS 6.0–6.5 and master’s 6.5, with the exact score on the programme page
- Some bachelor’s have a selection or fixed (numerus fixus) 15 January deadline - confirm whether yours is one
- Once admitted, the university files your entry visa (MVV) and residence permit as a recognised sponsor; allow several weeks and prepare proof of funds early
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