Whether or not you need a visa and/or a residence permit when entering the Netherlands for study purposes, depends on:
- Your nationality – as stated on your passport
- The duration of your stay: shorter or longer than three months
- Your purpose of stay: in your case, this will be to study
It is recommended that you start the application process early, about three months before you plan to enter the Netherlands, as it may take some time for you to collect all the relevant documents.
The website of Study in Holland can provide you with the most current the information you need on this subject, including a very handy tool: the Visa Wizard, which will show you which immigration procedure applies to you. They also provide information on insurance, daily expenses, student life, learning Dutch, the Netherlands in general, and much more.