Cost of Living in Amsterdam

Studying overseas might seem to be a very captivating option for every student. Applying at your dream college, immersing in the plethora of opportunities, accelerating your career prospects and much more. But one hurdle every study abroad aspirant stumbles upon is the cost of living. Despite the apparent expense of tuition fees, there are many other expenses that must be factored into your budget. This blog will help you guide through the cost of living in Amsterdam, from accommodation to tuition fees and everything else, to help you prepare for your much-awaited journey to the Amsterdam standard of living and learning!

Study in Amsterdam

Despite the picturesque landscape and quintessential tourist destinations, Amsterdam is home to one of the highest ranked universities in Europe. Besides its scintillating academic status, its multicultural environment also provides the students with an opportunity to interact with people from different walks of life. Even though it is a Dutch-speaking country, universities in Amsterdam offer high level programs in English language, which makes it an attractive destination for international students.

Study in Netherlands [The 2021 Guide You Need]

Cost of Living in Amsterdam for International Students

Let us explore the types of expenses that make up the average cost of living in Amsterdam, from food to transportation, and what other things you need to spend on to study at this highly sought-after study destination!

Accommodation

Accommodation in Amsterdam is expensive. Not to forget, the additional costs of food, electricity, gas etc. If you are an international student, you are likely to be offered a room by the university, depending on your course. Cost of accommodation totally depends upon where and how the student chooses to live. Usually they have an option to live on-campus or off-campus. 

On-campus, the university provided hostel dormitory services that are usually inclusive in the total tuition fees. If you are looking for low-cost accommodations, then living on-campus is the best option for you because the prices are lower as compared to privately rented flat or room. 

Off campus housing costs also vary according to type of accommodation. The average monthly rent of living in Amsterdam for a single student varies from 500-1000 €. Renting your own private space would cost about INR 60,000 and if you are sharing the accommodation with a colleague or classmate, it will cost you around INR 45,000. There’s also another option of hotel stay that will cost about 65 € (INR 5,000) per night for a decent hotel, but it is not exactly economical if you are planning to stay long-term.

Food

This will largely depend on your type of accommodation. On-campus housing services usually provide food and meals that are included in the monthly tariff. If you are living in your own privately rented space, then there will be an added expense of groceries and take-out meals. The following table gives a brief account of food expenses, per person:

Travel

Travel expenditure is also an integral part of the cost of living in Amsterdam. The country has an extensive public transport system including buses, metros trams, etc, that runs all through the city. On an average, the cost of travel for a student would be around €88 (INR 7,800) per month. This also varies depending upon the distance between your location and the university. If you travel by a taxi, then the basic tariff for 8-10 kms would be €25 (INR 2000). 

Lifestyle

Apart from the essential expenses like food, travel, house rent, etc, you should also consider the expenses on leisure and utilities while calculating the cost of living in Amsterdam. These costs vary from student to student and depend on your personal preferences. You’ll require some extra pocket money for leisure and entertainment purposes, for example, going out with friends for drinks or coffee, movie theatre, museums, other sightseeing destinations, etc. These expenses can range anywhere from €50-150, depending on how much you are willing to spend.

Miscellaneous

There are a lot of other trivial expenses that need to be kept in mind. These can be anything from books and study material to laundry detergent or mobile data packs. The following list mentions some of these miscellaneous expenses that should also be included while calculating the cost of living in Amsterdam:

Tips to Manage Cost of Living in Amsterdam

Here are some of the the tips that will help you manage your cost of living in Amsterdam:

• It is more cost-friendly to live on-campus in the hostel or dormitory facilities provided by the university. Most universities in Amsterdam offer temporary accommodation to international students to help them settle first. Thus, foreign students are recommended to contact their respective university to enquire about their accommodation programs.
• Many places, such as bars, restaurants, museums, and cinemas, offer special discounts to students. It is always beneficial to keep your id-card with you at all times to submit as proof in order to avail of these student discounts. Foreign students can also acquire an International Student Identity Card (ISIC) that will allow them to avail themselves of a range of interesting discounts and offers.
• Traversing on bikes or cycles is pretty common in Amsterdam. You can rent a cycle for as little as €10/per day. Renting a cycle can save you a lot of money. And not to mention, the added benefit of getting in some physical exercise!
• While renting a private space, don’t forget to check whether the apartment is furnished or unfurnished and how much you will have to pay for additional utilities every month. You are also required to submit a small amount as a security deposit that will be deducted accordingly if you cause any damage to the house. You can get this amount back at the end of your tenancy.

This was all the relevant information regarding the cost of living in Amsterdam for international students. Do not forget, it is always better to plan your budget beforehand to avoid unnecessary spendings. Planning to study abroad? Get in touch with our Leverage Edu experts and we will guide you throughout the whole process while also taking care of other essentials like scholarships, accommodation and more! Sign up for a free session with us now!

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