The UAF focuses on educational opportunities for Ukrainian refugees. Our services are supplementary to existing government facilities. Refugees from Ukraine who currently approach the UAF, for example with questions about study and work, are helped on their way with information and advice. See 'For refugees from Ukraine'. 

The UAF is committed to supporting Ukrainian students who want to study in the Netherlands. We offer guidance and financial support, both before and during the study, so that students can develop optimally and successfully follow and complete their education.

Before Ukrainian students start studying in the Netherlands, the UAF offers various forms of support:

Study choice guidance. Students receive guidance in choosing a suitable study that matches their ambitions and background.

Preparing for the study and eliminating deficiencies. This can consist of orientation to the Dutch education system and developing study skills, so that students can make a good start. Students who miss certain subjects to be admitted to a study can receive support to catch up on these backlogs.

Entrance exams. The UAF can reimburse the costs of entrance exams such as the IELTS exam, which may be necessary to start a course of study.

When a student has started studying, the UAF continues to provide support. This can include:

• With the permission of the educational institution, Ukrainian students can benefit from the statutory tuition fee rate, which significantly reduces the cost of studying.
• Students can receive compensation for study materials such as books.

• Dutch, English and professional language courses help students improve their language skills. Study skills courses and computer courses are also available.

• Travel expenses to the educational institution, tutoring and courses can be reimbursed by the UAF.

• If additional financial support is required, the UAF can assist in applying for a loan from the Credit Bank.

Thanks to this support, the UAF increases the chance that Ukrainian students can successfully follow and complete their studies in the Netherlands. This gives them better opportunities on the labor market and they can lay a strong foundation for their future.

Refugees from Ukraine can study at a university or college in the Netherlands, provided they have the required prior education level and meet the admission requirements for the course they want to follow.

• Go to nuffic.nl to see how your previous education in Ukraine compares to the Dutch education system. 
• Request a diploma evaluation at IDW.
• Study in NL provides more general information about Dutch education system and to seek training.
• If you have found a suitable course, contact the educational institution directly about your application. Please note that the deadline for applying for a course at a university or college is generally 1 May. For MBO courses, the deadline is usually 1 April. For certain courses with additional requirements, the deadline may be earlier.

The Dutch government brochure also provides information about studying at an institution of higher education in the Netherlands.

Refugees from Ukraine can also follow a MBO course, but most MBO courses require a high level of Dutch.

The brochure from the Dutch government provides information about studying at MBO level in the Netherlands.

The above information applies to refugees from Ukraine who fall under the Temporary Protection Directive. If you had a temporary Ukrainian residence permit before you came to the Netherlands, you are no longer covered temporary protection directive. Unfortunately, we cannot help you in this situation. If you want to study in the Netherlands, you need a residence permit for study purposes. The IND provides more information about it applying for a residence permit for study. The tuition fees for international students therefore apply to you. We advise you to contact the international office of the educational institution of your choice to discuss your situation and the options for a residence permit for study purposes.

If you had a temporary Ukrainian residence permit before you came to the Netherlands, and you have now applied for asylum in the Netherlands, please view our information for asylum seekers and refugees.

Go to nuffic.nl to see how your diploma or previous education in Ukraine compares to the Dutch education system. 

You can also use a request international diploma evaluation at IDW. A diploma evaluation shows which level in the Dutch education system is comparable to your diploma. This information will help you apply for training or look for a job.

For people covered by the Temporary Protection Directive, the institutional tuition fee generally applies, as students from outside the EU. All schools and universities decide independently of each other whether to deviate from this for the academic year 2025-2026. Several educational institutions do maintain statutory tuition fees for students who started earlier. If you do not yet know which tuition fee rate applies to you, please contact the educational institution directly.

The UAF will support Ukrainian students again in the academic year (2025-2026). If you become a client of the UAF, you can discuss possibilities regarding preparation for IELTS with your trajectory supervisor.

You can inquire about available Dutch courses at the municipality where you are registered. Our website also provides some tips to practice and learn Dutch.

UAF Academy

The UAF has developed the online learning and development platform the 'UAF Academy'. Here you can start learning the Dutch language and find information about study and work in the Netherlands. The e-learning courses at the UAF Academy are free. Click here for more information and registration conditions. 

At the moment, the UAF can only help scientists who have an asylum residence permit in the Netherlands and speak Dutch at B1 level to find PhD/research/teaching positions in the Netherlands.

• The Organisation Scholars at Risk may be able to help you find a job at a Dutch university. You can contact them directly about the possibilities.
• You can also search for available PhD positions at Dutch universities via academictransfer.com. If you find an interesting position or department, you can contact the university directly to discuss the possibilities.

It is possible to follow the Bachelor's program in Medicine at Maastricht University and the University of Groningen in English. The master's programs required to qualify for Medicine in the Netherlands are only taught in Dutch and therefore require you to speak Dutch at B2 - C1 level. During the bachelor's program in Groningen you are required to learn Dutch in order to qualify for the master's degree.  

It is not certain that you will be able to pick up your studies where you left off. You may have to redo part of the program. Maastricht University and the University of Groningen can best advise you on this and on the options for obtaining exemptions. 

If you live near one of these cities, there may be opportunities to attend colleges as a guest student while awaiting next year's selection process. Click here for more information:

• University of Maastricht
• University of Groningen

To be allowed to work as a medical professional in the Netherlands, you need BIG registration. The BIG register is a legal, online and public register for professions in individual healthcare. 

BIG registration is mandatory for 12 healthcare professions in the Netherlands: clinical technologist, dentist, doctor, healthcare psychologist, midwife, nurse, pharmacist, physiotherapist, physician assistant, psychotherapist, registered dental hygienist (temporary BIG registration) and educational psychologist. 
Only healthcare professionals who are registered in the BIG register may use the protected professional title and independently perform the reserved actions associated with the profession. Click here for more information. 

Obtaining a BIG registration is an intensive procedure with many steps. Here you can read more about the procedure.

Before you start the procedure, you must speak Dutch at B2/C1 level. This probably also applies to a residence permit. 

It may also be useful to check the website of the Association of Foreign Graduate Physicians for more information relevant to your situation. 

Regarding learning Dutch, you can inquire about available Dutch courses at the municipality where you are registered. 

You can also do so on our website find tips for learning the Dutch language.

UAF Academy

The UAF has developed the online learning and development platform the 'UAF Academy'. Here you can start learning the Dutch language and find information about study and work in the Netherlands. The e-learning courses at the UAF Academy are free. Click here for more information and registration conditions.