Wageningen University & Research
Wageningen Universiteit
A life-sciences university focused on food, farming, nature and the environment, paired with eight applied research institutes.
- Students
- 12,407
- 5,175 undergraduates
- International
- 27%
- of students
- Tuition
- €18,300
- 2026-27
- Founded
- 1918
About WUR
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) began in 1876 as an agricultural college and was recognised as a public university in 1918. Today it combines Wageningen University with the eight applied research institutes of the Wageningen Research foundation, and focuses on food, agriculture, nature, the environment and health. The university has 12,407 students (October 2025), about 27% of them from outside the Netherlands, and organises its research through five departments and 88 chair groups: Agrotechnology & Food Sciences, Animal Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Plant Sciences and Social Sciences.
WUR offers 21 bachelor's programmes. English-taught options include Animal Sciences, Earth System Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Food Technology, International Land and Water Management, Marine Sciences and Tourism (a joint degree with Breda); Data Science for Global Challenges is taught in English and Dutch. Programmes such as Biology, Biotechnology, Nutrition and Health, and Plant Sciences are Dutch-taught.
WUR's bachelor application pages list no numerus fixus or selection round: admission depends on meeting the diploma, subject and language requirements. The university suits students who care about food systems, climate, biodiversity and sustainable land and water use, and who want to study on a green campus in a small university town.
To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life
University motto
Why students choose WUR
WUR placed 66th in the THE World University Rankings 2026, reflecting its research strength in the life sciences.
English-taught bachelors include Food Technology, Marine Sciences and International Land and Water Management, and WUR describes its joint Tourism degree as the only programme of its kind in the Netherlands.
WUR's bachelor application pages list no numerus fixus or selection round, so admission depends on meeting the requirements.
The university is part of a wider organisation with eight applied research institutes (Wageningen Research).
Admissions
2027-28 entry
Selectivity
WUR does not publish an admission rate. Bachelor's admission is based on whether your diploma is at least equivalent to Dutch VWO, includes the subjects the programme requires, and whether you meet the language requirements; WUR's application pages list no numerus fixus or selection procedure.
Typical entry requirements
| Dutch VWO | VWO diploma with the subject profile required by the programme; applied for directly in Studielink |
|---|---|
| International diplomas (IB, A-levels and others) | A diploma at least equal to Dutch VWO level, plus programme-specific subjects; WUR assesses each application from a recent list of marks and issues a (conditional) admission letter |
| English language | IELTS 6 · TOEFL iBT 80 For bachelor's programmes: IELTS Academic 6.0 overall with at least 6.0 in speaking; TOEFL iBT 80 with at least 20 in speaking (Home Edition not accepted); PTE Academic 61. Tests must be under 24 months old. Secondary education in Australia, Ireland, Canada (outside Quebec), New Zealand, the UK or the US exempts you. |
Deadlines
- Non-EU/non-EFTA applicants: Studielink application Non-binding15 April
Application documents due in Osiris by 1 May. Certified documents and full payment of the invoice (tuition, 12.5 months' living allowance, insurance and residence permit) due by 1 July.
- EU/EFTA applicants and Dutch nationals without VWO: Studielink application Non-binding15 June
Application documents due in Osiris by 1 July; certified documents by 31 August; tuition by 15 August.
- Dutch nationals with a VWO diploma (obtained after 2009) Non-binding1 August
Studielink only; no Osiris documents needed.
These are the deadlines WUR published for September 2026 entry. At the time of checking, applications for September 2027 had not yet opened and WUR had not confirmed 2027 dates, so check the Apply page before relying on them. WUR advises submitting at least a list of marks as early as possible.
How to apply
Apply for your programme in Studielink. Applicants without a Dutch VWO diploma then receive a link to WUR's Osiris application portal, where they submit a recent list of marks and other documents. WUR evaluates the file and sends a letter stating whether you are (conditionally) admitted. Certified documents and tuition payments follow; for non-EU/EFTA students the university then applies for the residence permit.
What admissions looks for
- A secondary diploma at least equal to the Dutch pre-university (VWO) level.
- The specific school subjects relevant to your chosen programme, such as mathematics, chemistry, biology or physics.
- English proficiency (IELTS 6.0 with 6.0 speaking, or equivalent), plus Dutch for Dutch-taught programmes.
Tips for applying to WUR
- 1 Apply early with just a recent list of marks: WUR says waiting for your final results will not improve your chances, and early applicants learn sooner whether they are admissible.
- 2 Non-EU students should plan for the 1 July payment deadline, which covers the first year's tuition plus 12.5 months of living costs as a deposit.
- 3 Check the language of your programme carefully: Biology, Biotechnology and Plant Sciences are Dutch-taught, while Food Technology, Environmental Sciences and Animal Sciences are English-taught.
- 4 Register on ROOM.nl as soon as possible: Idealis, Wageningen's main student housing provider, allocates rooms partly by how long you have been registered.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in EUR
EU/EFTA students may be eligible for Dutch government student finance. Non-EU/EFTA students must prepay the first year's tuition plus 12.5 months' living allowance, health insurance and residence permit costs by 1 July. WUR's scholarships are mainly for master's students.
- 51,969 euros
- Estimated 3-year total (tuition, living, insurance), EU/EFTA
- 101,466 euros
- Estimated 3-year total (tuition, living, insurance, permit), non-EU/EFTA
Academics
Food Technology (BSc)
English-taught, applying chemistry, physics and mathematics to food, from ingredient functionality to safety and packaging.
Environmental Sciences (BSc)
An English-taught programme that gives a broad foundation for understanding and tackling environmental problems.
International Land and Water Management (BSc)
English-taught and focused on sustainable land and water use worldwide.
Marine Sciences (BSc)
An English-taught bachelor's programme in marine science.
Tourism (BSc, joint degree)
An English-taught joint degree taught in Breda and Wageningen, combining social, economic and environmental sciences; WUR calls it the only one of its kind in the Netherlands.
Animal Sciences (BSc)
An English-taught programme exploring animal biology and the role of animals.
Research
- WUR combines Wageningen University with the eight applied research institutes of Stichting Wageningen Research.
- Research is organised into 88 chair groups across five departments.
- WUR researchers hold 19 ERC Starting Grants and 18 Advanced Grants awarded since 2007.
Schools & faculties
- Agrotechnology & Food Sciences
- Animal Sciences
- Environmental Sciences
- Plant Sciences
- Social Sciences
Student life
WUR describes student life in Wageningen as affordable, with pubs, festivals, top sports facilities and a large choice of study and student associations. The university says the campus and the town are inseparable, with plenty to do in town or in the green surroundings. Idealis is the main student housing provider in Wageningen and Ede, and rooms are allocated through ROOM.nl, where your registration time matters. About a quarter of students come from outside the Netherlands.
- Sports from lacrosse and wall climbing to rowing and volleyball.
- A large choice of study and student associations.
- Students from abroad make up about 27% of the student body.
- Idealis student housing in Wageningen and Ede.
Housing. WUR does not house students itself; Idealis, the main student housing provider in Wageningen and Ede, lets rooms through ROOM.nl, where a longer registration gives a better position in the queue.
Location
Wageningen is a small university town in the province of Gelderland, in the centre of the Netherlands. WUR says the campus and the city are inseparable, and that there is always something to do, whether in town or in the green surroundings. Idealis, the main student housing provider, has rooms in Wageningen and neighbouring Ede. It suits students who prefer a close-knit setting to a big city.
Nearest airport: Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
Notable alumni
- JD Jeroen DijsselbloemDutch Minister of Finance and President of the Eurogroup; engineering degree from Wageningen
- QD Qu DongyuDirector-General of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO); doctorate from Wageningen
- LF Louise FrescoAgronomist and novelist; studied at Wageningen and was President of the WUR Executive Board 2014-2022
- AV Annemiek van VleutenRoad cyclist and Olympic time-trial champion (2020); studied animal sciences at Wageningen
- RS Ramsewak ShankarPresident of Suriname (1988-1990); studied at Wageningen
- WS Willie SmitsForester and orangutan conservationist; MSc in tropical forestry from Wageningen
Frequently asked questions
Does Wageningen University have English-taught bachelor's programmes?
Yes. English-taught bachelors include Animal Sciences, Earth System Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Food Technology, International Land and Water Management, Marine Sciences and Tourism; Data Science for Global Challenges is taught in English and Dutch.
How much does Wageningen cost for international students?
For 2026-27, non-EU/EFTA bachelor's students pay 18,300 euros (WUR estimates 18,800 euros for 2027-28) and EU/EFTA students pay 2,694 euros (the statutory fee rises to 2,771 euros in 2027-28). WUR estimates living costs at about 41,400 euros over three years.
What IELTS score do I need for Wageningen?
IELTS Academic 6.0 overall with at least 6.0 for speaking, or TOEFL iBT 80 with at least 20 for speaking.
When is the application deadline for Wageningen bachelor's programmes?
For September 2026 entry it was 15 April (Studielink) and 1 May (documents) for non-EU/EFTA applicants, and 15 June and 1 July for EU/EFTA applicants. WUR had not yet published 2027 dates when we checked.
Is Wageningen selective?
WUR's bachelor application pages list no numerus fixus or selection round; you are admitted if your diploma is at VWO level, includes the required subjects and you meet the language requirements.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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