Saxion University of Applied Sciences

Key Highlights

• Publicly funded Dutch university of applied sciences
• Campuses in Enschede, Deventer, and Apeldoorn
• 25,472 students reported for 2024–2025
• Current institution emerged from regional higher-education mergers

Student Life & Environment

Student life is distributed across three cities, so the experience depends substantially on the programme location. In Enschede, Saxion’s main Ko Wierenga building is about a five-minute walk from the main railway station. It contains a library, food outlets, bicycle parking, and study facilities. Other Enschede teaching buildings are clustered nearby, creating a city-centre campus rather than an isolated residential campus. Students can join both study associations and general student associations. Study associations are linked to academic fields and may organize workshops, company contact, excursions, networking, tutoring, and social events. General associations focus more on shared interests and social activity. The listed options include cultural, faith-based, LGBTQ+, professional, and programme-related communities, though availability differs among cities. Saxion’s support structure includes an International Office, Career Services, a Service Point, library and laboratory access, entrepreneurship and honours opportunities, sport and culture, and arrangements for students with additional needs. The Service Point can direct students to counsellors, student psychologists, language support, and registration or legal-stay information. Students nevertheless retain substantial responsibility for managing their own study progress. Sport and cultural opportunities are generally accessed through local providers and student discounts rather than a single university athletics system. Saxion also operates an onboarding programme and promotes a social platform for connecting Dutch and international students. New arrivals should check which services and activities are available at their own location.

Location & Surroundings

This record is tied to Enschede, but Saxion is not an Enschede-only institution. Applicants may instead be assigned to Deventer or Apeldoorn according to their programme. The Enschede city campus includes the Ko Wierenga main building on M.H. Tromplaan and several nearby teaching buildings. Its central position makes rail travel and everyday city services accessible without requiring a remote-campus commute. Enschede lies in the eastern Netherlands, close to the German border. Saxion describes it as roughly one hour from that border, while its campus information places the main building within a short walk of Enschede’s central station. Cycling and public transport are therefore practical considerations when comparing accommodation. Housing is a significant planning issue. Saxion housing is optional and must be reserved; it is not automatically included with admission. For the 2026 intake, the institution lists estimated Enschede base rents of €346–€550 per month for single rooms with shared facilities. Service costs are additional, and Saxion explicitly says these estimates are not final prices. Students should confirm the contract dates, total monthly charge, deposit, commuting time, and cancellation terms before committing.

Costs & Career Outcomes

For 2026–2027, Saxion lists a €2,694 statutory tuition fee for eligible EU/EEA bachelor’s students. Eligibility is governed by nationality or residence status and prior-degree conditions, so not every European resident necessarily pays that rate. The listed non-EU/EEA bachelor’s and short-degree tuition is €9,360. Master’s tuition depends on the individual programme and must be checked on its programme page. Non-EU/EEA students should budget beyond tuition. Saxion’s 2026–2027 overview lists a €254 visa or residence-permit administration charge, €681 insurance for first-year students where Saxion arranges it, and €12,963 as proof of financial means for an academic year. Proof of funds is not an additional tuition fee; Saxion holds and later refunds the relevant money after the student opens an eligible account. Students are advised to bring funds for their initial weeks because reimbursement can take time. For Enschede housing in 2026, estimated base rent was €346–€550 monthly, with service charges still to be added and final prices pending. Contracts cannot simply be ended early, making total contract cost more useful than the advertised base rent alone. Food, transport, study materials, and personal expenses also require a separate budget. Career Services helps students search for internships and graduation assignments and prepare for career decisions. Applied projects, internships, and client-based teamwork can provide professional evidence, but outcomes depend on the programme, language skills, work authorization, and individual experience. No current institution-wide salary or placement rate was verified, so applicants should ask each programme for recent graduate-outcome data.