Higher education

There are 2 types of higher education in the Netherlands:

• higher professional education (hoger beroepsonderwijs, HBO); and
• research-oriented higher education (wetenschappelijk onderwijs, WO).

There are separate types of higher education institutions for HBO and WO.

HBO

Universities of applied science (hogescholen) offer higher professional education (hoger beroepsonderwijs, HBO) is more practically-oriented than WO. HBO consists of 7 sectors:

• economics
• healthcare
• agriculture
• education
• social and community work
• art
• technology

Students can enroll in various study programmes in each of these sectors at universities of applied sciences throughout the Netherlands. Some universities of applied sciences specialise in a particular domain, such as arts, agriculture or teacher training.

WO

Universities (universiteiten) offer research-oriented higher education (wetenschappelijk onderwijs, WO). The aim of this type of education is to educate students as scientists or for a profession in which they can apply scientific knowledge (for example as a dentist or pharmacist). The emphasis is on scientific thinking and solving scientific issues.

Numerus fixus

A numerus fixus applies to some study programmes in both higher professional education and university education. This means that the institution can only admit a limited number of students to a specific study programme. If there are more applications than available places for a study programme, the institution may select students. They look at:

• average final examination marks;
• motivation;
• personality; and
• previous school performance.

Universities of applied science (hogescholen) offer associate degree programmes. An associate degree programme is often more practically-oriented than an HBO bachelor's degree programme. Students are usually trained for a profession in demand. For instance, university of applied sciences work together with companies or organisations in the regio.

• Duration: 2 years.
• Study load: 120 ECTS.
• Content: theory is linked to practice; students learn to map and solve problems during practical assignments/internships at companies, municipalities or organisations.
• Admission requirements:
  • a HAVO diploma;
  • a VWO diploma; or
  • an MBO diploma level 4.
    Sometimes, there are extra requirements for subject combinations and/or skills.
• Function of the diploma: work or starting a HBO bachelor's programme in a related field of study. Often students can complete the bachelor's programme in a relatively short time (2 years).
• Diploma: Associate Degree (AD).

HBO bachelor's degree programmes prepare students for a particular profession.

• Duration: 4 years (240 ECTS). Students with a VWO diploma are eligible to enrol in one of the intensive programmes that an increasing number of universities of applied sciences are offering. These programmes can be completed in 3 years (see Section 7.9a WHW).
• Content: a first-year phase (propaedeutic year), after which the main phase starts (specialisation). 3rd year: generally a compulsory work placement of around 9 months. 4th year: a thesis or final project.
• Admission requirements: HAVO diploma or MBO diploma level 4, sometimes extra requirements, e.g. for subject combinations and/or skills.
• Function of the diploma: work or access to a HBO master's programme.
• Diploma: a bachelor’s degree, such as:
  • Bachelor of Arts (BA);
  • Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA);
  • Bachelor of Education (BEd);
  • Bachelor of Science (BSc);
  • Bachelor of Social Work (BSW).
    Please note: in principle graduates of bachelor's degree programmes (HBO) are entitled to use one of the traditional Dutch titles:
  • ingenieur (ing.) – after a completed degree programme in the field of technology, agriculture and the natural environment.
  • baccalaureus (bc.) – after a completed degree programme in other fields of study.
    On the central government’s website, you can find more information about the use of titles (in Dutch).

WO bachelor's programmes focus mainly on theory/academic research.

• Duration: 3 years.
• Study load: 180 ECTS.
• Content: generally a first-year phase leading to a first-year certificate; mainly (theoretical) education in 1 area of specialisation or a major/minor structure; often followed by a short thesis in the 3rd year.
• Admission requirements: a VWO diploma or an HBO first-year certificate (propedeuse) and sometimes extra requirements (e.g. a specific subject combination)
• Function of the diploma: access to a WO master's programme. Access to a HBO master's programme is also possible.
• Diploma: Bachelor of Arts (BA)/Bachelor of Science (BSc)/Bachelor of Laws (LLB).

Some universities of applied sciences offer postgraduate continuing professional education (HBO) programmes. Students can follow these programmes after obtaining at least an HBO bachelor's degree. The study programme is often paid for by an employer.

HBO master's programmes are profession-oriented. HBO master's students usually do not follow the programme full-time, but combine work and study.

• Duration: generally 1 year (60 ECTS), although several specialisations – such as art programmes and teacher training programmes – have a duration of 2 years (120 ECTS).
• Content: students acquire more in-depth knowledge of a specific profession; this culminates in a thesis or final project, with an emphasis on applied research.
• Admission requirements: usually a bachelor's degree. This can be a HBO bachelor's degree or WO bachelor's degree. Sometimes work experience is required (as well).
• Function of the diploma: usually further specialisation in a specific profession.
• Diploma: a master’s degree, such as:
  • Master of Arts (MA);
  • Master of Business Administration (MBA);
  • Master of Education (MEd);
  • Master of Science (MSc);
  • Master of Social Work (MSW).

WO master's programmes follow after WO bachelor's programmes. They also focus mainly on theory/academic research.

• Duration:
  • 1 year (60 ECTS; most specialisations);
  • 2 years (120 ECTS; technical and natural sciences specialisations, and research masters in various specialisations);
  • 3 years (180 ECTS; medicine, veterinary medicine, pharmacy and dentistry).
• Content: specific specialisation and training in research methods; generally includes a compulsory thesis.
• Admission requirements: a WO bachelor's degree, sometimes with extra requirements.
• Function of the diploma: access to a PhD programme (Doctor/PhD or PDEng) or work.
• Diploma: Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MSc), Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Business Administration (MBA). Please note: in principle graduates of master's degree programmes in university education (WO) are entitled to use one of the traditional Dutch titles:
  • ingenieur (ir.) – after a completed degree programme in the field of technology, agriculture and the natural environment.
  • meester (mr.) – after a completed degree programme in law.
  • doctorandus (drs.) – after a completed degree programme in other fields of study.
    On the central government’s website, you can find more information about the use of titles (in Dutch).

The 3 universities of technology also offer EngD programmes.

• Duration: 2 years.
• Content: emphasis on technological design; more focused on practice and business/industry than the PhD programme.
• Admission requirements: usually a WO master's degree and extra requirements, such as a motivation letter.
• Diploma: the title of Engineering Doctorate (EngD).

• Duration: generally 4 years (often without ECTS).
• Content: conducting independent research, possibly in combination with training, and the writing of a dissertation.
• Admission requirements: usually a WO master's degree and extra requirements, e.g. a personal presentation and a research plan.
• Diploma: the degree of Doctor (dr.) or PhD, following public defence of the dissertation.