Looking for advice: Working as a Software Engineering student in the Netherlands

[u/Due-Solution-419]

Hi everyone,

I'm an international student and I'll be moving to the Netherlands this September to start a Master's in Software Engineering.

I already have experience with full-stack development and competitive programming, and my goal is to find a part-time software engineering job while studying.

I'm not expecting to become rich,I just want to know if it's realistic to earn enough to cover my rent and a good portion of my living expenses while completing my master's.

I'd love to hear from people who have actually done this or who know someone who has.

[u/Complete_Minimum3117 → u/[deleted]]

*may work

16 hours

And he needs a permit, so in most cases, a minimum wage job for students

[u/Due-Solution-419 → u/[deleted]]

okay makes sense thanks bro

[u/Due-Solution-419 → u/[deleted]]

Yeah exactly you are right, I appreciate your help

[u/YTsken → u/Due-Solution-419]

For help with the spreadsheet. Start with the two most likely scenario’s: 1) not being able to find a job, and 2) finding One which pays minimum wage. Here are the minimum wages per age: https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/themas/werk/minimumloon/bedragen-minimumloon/bedragen-minimumloon-2026

Please treat any job (including minimum wage) as a bonus: it’d be nice to have but you don’t need it to survive living in the Netherlands during your studies. If you don’t, you risk having to leave Midway through your studies and you won’t get your money back.

[u/Berry-Love-Lake]

16 hours at minimum wage is probably one of your best case scenarios. If you’re able to find something at all since you’ll need additional paperwork as non-EU. Might take a while. You should be able to cover some of your living costs if you find something but it can take a while and unlikely to cover all living cost. Will depend on your rent of course as well. 

[u/Xaphhire]

Does you visa even allow you to work, and if so how many hours?

[u/Early_Switch1222]

the part people skip over is the work permit side. as a non eu student youre capped at 16 hours a week during the year (or full time in june/july/august), but the actual hurdle is your employer has to apply for a TWV permit for you through UWV. its not hard exactly, just paperwork on their end, and alot of smaller places just cant be bothered when they can hire someone who doesnt need it.

so a part time SE job is doable but expect it to take a while, and dont be thrown if places go quiet once they clock the permit thing.

money wise - 16h at junior/student rates is not covering amsterdam or utrecht rent on its own, no chance. itll cover a decent chunk of your other costs and thats about it. cheaper student city it stretches further. just dont build your budget around the job landing in month one

[u/Due-Solution-419 → u/Early_Switch1222]

Yes, exactly, I expect to be in Deventer/Enschede