Higher education

In Aruba, higher education is divided into higher professional education (HBO) and research-oriented higher education (WO), just like in the Netherlands. But there are also important differences:

• There is 1 university in Aruba: the University of Aruba (UA). The UA offers higher professional education ( HBO i ) and research-oriented higher education ( WO i ).
• There is 1 other Aruban higher education institution, the Instituto Pedagogico Arubano (IPA). The IPA offers teacher-training programmes.

See Higher education | educational institutions for more information on Aruban higher education institutions.

Below, we describe diplomas from the UA and the IPA.

Students receive a Diploma Opleiding tot Volledig Bevoegd Leerkracht when they complete the Leraar Primair Onderwijs programme at the IPA. This is the teacher-training programme for primary education.

• Duration i : 4 years.
• Study load i : 240 ECTS.
• Content: higher professional education. There are 3 study phases:
  • the propaedeutic phase (year 1);
  • the middle phase (years 2 and 3); and
  • the graduation phase (year 4).
• Admission requirements: one of the following diplomas:
  • Diploma Middelbaar Beroepsonderwijs (level 4);
  • Diploma Hoger Algemeen Voortgezet Onderwijs; or
  • Diploma Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs.
• Function of the diploma: work as a teacher in primary education.
• Diploma: Diploma Opleiding tot Volledig Bevoegd Leerkracht.

Students receive a Akte van Bekwaamheid van de tweede graad tot het geven van voortgezet onderwijs in Nederlands when they complete the IPA’s teacher-training programme for Dutch language teachers in lower secondary education. This is called the Leraar Nederlands als Vreemde Taal programme.

• Duration: 4 years
• Study load: 240 ECTS.
• Content: higher professional education. There are 3 study phases:
  • the propaedeutic phase (year 1);
  • the middle phase (years 2 and 3); and
  • the graduation phase (year 4).
• Admission requirements: one of the following diplomas:
  • Diploma Middelbaar Beroepsonderwijs (level 4);
  • Diploma Hoger Algemeen Voortgezet Onderwijs; or
  • Diploma Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs.
• Function of the diploma: work as a Dutch language teacher in lower secondary education.
• Diploma: Akte van Bekwaamheid van de tweede graad tot het geven van voortgezet onderwijs in Nederlands.

Students receive a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work and Development when they complete this profession-oriented bachelor's programme at the University of Aruba (UA). The programme is available in Dutch and in English.

• Duration: 4 years.
• Study load: 240 ECTS.
• Content: higher professional education. The programme consists of a propaedeutic or a general education year, main subjects and electives/a minor. It usually also has an internship and/or a graduation assignment.
• Admission requirements: one of the following diplomas:
  • Diploma Middelbaar Beroepsonderwijs (level 4);
  • Diploma Hoger Algemeen Voortgezet Onderwijs; or
  • Diploma Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs.
• Function of the diploma: work or access to master's programmes.
• Diploma: Bachelor of Arts in Social Work and Development.

Students receive a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management when they complete this profession-oriented bachelor's programme at the University of Aruba (UA). The programme is in English.

• Duration: 3 years.
• Study load: 180 ECTS (108 US credits).
• Content: main subjects, electives, an internship and a capstone project.
• Admission requirements: one of the following diplomas:
  • Diploma Hoger Algemeen Voortgezet Onderwijs; or
  • Diploma Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs.
• Function of the diploma: work or access to master's programmes.
• Diploma: Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management.

Students receive a Bachelor of Commerce when they complete this profession-oriented bachelor's programme at the University of Aruba (UA). The programme is available in Dutch and in English.

• Duration: 4 years.
• Study load: 240 ECTS.
• Content: higher professional education. The programme consists of a propaedeutic or a general education year, main subjects and electives/a minor. It usually also has an internship and/or a graduation assignment.
• Admission requirements: one of the following diplomas:
  • Diploma Middelbaar Beroepsonderwijs (level 4);
  • Diploma Hoger Algemeen Voortgezet Onderwijs; or
  • Diploma Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs.
• Function of the diploma: work or access to master's programmes.
• Diploma: Bachelor of Commerce.

Students receive a Bachelor of Economics when they complete this profession-oriented bachelor's programme at the University of Aruba (UA). The programme is available in Dutch and in English.

• Duration: 4 years.
• Study load: 240 ECTS.
• Content: higher professional education. The programme consists of a propaedeutic or a general education year, main subjects and electives/a minor. It usually also has an internship and/or a graduation assignment.
• Admission requirements: one of the following diplomas:
  • Diploma Middelbaar Beroepsonderwijs (level 4);
  • Diploma Hoger Algemeen Voortgezet Onderwijs; or
  • Diploma Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs.
• Function of the diploma: work or access to master's programmes.
• Diploma: Bachelor of Economics.

Students receive a Bachelor of Arts in Organization, Governance and Management when they complete this research-oriented bachelor's programme at the University of Aruba (UA). The programme is available in Dutch and in English.

• Duration: 4 years.
• Study load: 240 ECTS.
• Content: research-oriented higher education. The programme consists of general education subjects, main subjects, specialisation subjects, electives/minor, an internship and/or thesis.
• Admission requirements: one of the following diplomas:
  • Diploma Middelbaar Beroepsonderwijs (level 4);
  • Diploma Hoger Algemeen Voortgezet Onderwijs; or
  • Diploma Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs.
• Function of the diploma: work or access to master's programmes.
• Diploma: Bachelor of Arts in Organization, Governance and Management.

Students receive a Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Engineering when they complete this research-oriented bachelor's programme at the University of Aruba (UA). The programme is available in Dutch and in English.

• Duration: 3 years.
• Study load: 180 ECTS.
• Content: research-oriented higher education. The programme consists of general education subjects, main subjects, specialisation subjects, electives/minor, an internship and/or thesis.
• Admission requirements: Diploma Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs.
• Function of the diploma: work or access to master's programmes.
• Diploma: Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Engineering.

Students receive a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) when they complete this research-oriented bachelor's programme at the University of Aruba (UA). The programme is available in Dutch and in English.

• Duration: 3 years.
• Study load: 180 ECTS.
• Content: research-oriented higher education. The programme consists of general education subjects, main subjects, specialisation subjects, electives/minor, an internship and/or thesis.
• Admission requirements: Diploma Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs.
• Function of the diploma: work or access to master's programmes.
• Diploma: Bachelor of Laws (LLB).

Students receive a Master of Business Administration (MBA) when they complete this profession-oriented master's programme at the University of Aruba (UA). The programme is offered in English.

• Duration: 2 years (part-time).
• Study load: 45 US credits (75 ECTS).
• Content: higher professional education. In the 1st year, students take compulsory subjects and electives. In the 2nd year, they present a research proposal or business plan, which they then develop and implement.
• Admission requirements: a bachelor’s degree and work experience.
• Function of the diploma: work.
• Diploma: Master of Business Administration (MBA).

Students receive a Master of Laws (LLM) when they complete this research-oriented master's programme at the University of Aruba (UA). The programme is offered in Dutch.

• Duration: 1 year.
• Study load: 60 ECTS.
• Content: research-oriented higher education. Students take subjects and electives. They complete a research assignment or an internship. Finally, students write a thesis.
• Admission requirements: a Bachelor of Laws (LLB).
• Function of the diploma: work.
• Diploma: Master of Laws (LLM).