TU/e is 140th in the world in QS World 2026 and 5th in the Netherlands in the overall ranking. In the engineering and technology subject areas it climbs significantly higher. It is the second technical university in the Netherlands after TU Delft and a European reference point for engineering, especially thanks to its direct link with industry in Brainport Eindhoven (ASML, Philips). For students interested in engineering taught in English, it is a very solid option.

As an EU citizen, you pay the statutory EU fee set by the Dutch government: €2,694 in 2026-27, so around €2,700 per year. For comparison, a non-EU student pays the institutional fee that exceeds €18,000 per year at bachelor's level. Housing in Eindhoven: €450-€750/month. Food: €250-€350/month. Transport: ~€40-€60/month. Total cost over 3 years of a bachelor's, all in: around €45,000-€55,000, drastically lower than the UK or the United States. Bachelor's programmes at TU/e last 3 years (180 ECTS).

Yes, almost all 15 TU/e bachelor's programmes are taught entirely in English. This includes Computer Science and Engineering, Data Science (a joint programme with Tilburg University), Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Applied Physics, Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Automotive Technology, Industrial Design, Architecture, Sustainable Innovation, Psychology & Technology and Medical Sciences and Technology. You do not need Dutch to study at TU/e, only proof of your English level (IELTS or TOEFL). You can learn Dutch optionally along the way, it is useful for part-time jobs and daily life. WIB note: the Dutch Wet internationalisering in balans law, currently being phased in, aims to rebalance internationalisation and may gradually reduce some English-taught programmes; check the exact language of your programme when you apply.

Applying to any Dutch university, including TU/e, is done centrally through Studielink, the national portal. The steps: 1) Create an account on Studielink (as an international applicant or with DigiD). 2) Select TU/e and your desired programme. 3) Receive instructions to upload your documents into the university's internal system (Osiris): high school diploma, translated transcript, proof of English. 4) For programmes with selection (numerus fixus) you complete the additional procedure. Deadline: 15 January for programmes with selection, later for the rest (check on the programme page).

Numerus fixus means a programme has a limited number of places and applicants are selected through an additional procedure, rather than admitted automatically. At Dutch universities, popular programmes can have selection: it may include a cognitive aptitude test, assessment of grades, motivation or an interview. The deadline for these programmes is usually 15 January, earlier than the standard one. The other programmes have admission based on meeting the academic requirements (high school diploma with mathematics at the required level, proof of English). Always check on the programme's official page whether it has numerus fixus.

For engineering programmes you need a science-track high school diploma, with mathematics at a high level and, depending on the programme, physics or chemistry. TU/e assesses the equivalence of your diploma with the Dutch VWO diploma and checks whether you have covered the necessary subjects at the required level. There is no single public cutoff as in Spain; what matters is meeting the subject requirements plus proof of English (IELTS 6.0-6.5 or TOEFL 90 plus). For programmes with numerus fixus, good grades and a clear technically oriented profile help in selection. Recommendation: a good average in mathematics and physics in high school and a solid IELTS score.

Brainport Eindhoven is one of the densest technology ecosystems in Europe. This is home to the headquarters of ASML (the world leader in the machines that produce chips) and the roots of Philips, plus hundreds of deep-tech companies, startups and research centres. TU/e works directly with these companies through internships, applied projects and joint research, which means access to practical experience while still at university. Many TU/e graduates stay to work in the region. For a future engineer, it is one of the best geographical positions in Europe for a tech career.

Yes, as an EU citizen you have the automatic right to work in the Netherlands without a visa. The Netherlands has a strong need for engineers, and the Eindhoven region concentrates strong demand in semiconductors, software, automotive and high-tech. Starting salaries for TU/e engineers: generally €40,000-€55,000 gross per year in tech and engineering, with rapid progression. The Netherlands also has the 30 percent ruling tax facility for certain employees, although the conditions have changed over time. In addition, with an EU-recognised degree, you can work in any country in the Union without a visa. The international community in the Netherlands is growing, especially in cities with tech hubs.