List of universities in the Netherlands

See also: Dutch universities

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A listing of universities in the Kingdom of the Netherlands:

## Research universities

[edit]

Research universities in the Netherlands are institutions of tertiary education that in Dutch are called universiteit. Their focus is towards academic education and scientific research. They are accredited to confer bachelor's, master's and (with the exception of the Netherlands Defence Academy) doctoral degrees. Prior to the Bologna Process, the universities granted drs. (doctorandus), mr. (for law studies) and ir. (for engineering studies) degrees, which are equivalent to current MA, LLM or MSc degrees. The term universiteit is reserved to doctorate granting institutes in the Dutch context, and the additional qualifier "research" is hardly ever used in practice.

There are Semi-Public Universities and Private Universities in Netherlands. The semi-public status of most Dutch universities arises from the fact that they have both public and private characteristics. In this respect, their public funding is entirely output-based, determined by the number of undergraduate and graduate degrees delivered. Except for this output-based funding, Dutch universities are largely private entities that, since 1998, own and operate their real estate at their own risk;[1] moreover, all employees of Dutch universities have labor contracts based on private sector terms (as of 2020).[2]

Name | Established | University status | City | Organisation | Type | Number of staff | Number of students

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Members of the Universities of the Netherlands association
University of Amsterdam[3] | 1632 | 1877[4] | Amsterdam | Semi-public | Research university | 4,062 | 32,739
| Academic Medical Center | 1983 |  | Amsterdam
| Amsterdam University College | 2008 |  | Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam | 1880 | 1880[4] | Amsterdam | Special: Protestant | Research university | 2,200 | 18,000
| VU University Medical Center | 1964 |  | Amsterdam
| Amsterdam University College | 2008 |  | Amsterdam
University of Groningen | 1614 | 1614 | Groningen | Semi-public | Research university | 5,000 | 26,500
| University Medical Center Groningen | 2005 |  | Groningen
Leiden University | 1575 | 1575 | Leiden | Semi-public | Research university | 3,973 | 19,328
| Leiden University Medical Center | 1996 |  | Leiden
| Leiden University College The Hague | 2010 |  | The Hague
Maastricht University | 1976 | 1975 | Maastricht | Semi-public | Research university | 3,000 | 11,463
| Academic Hospital Maastricht | 1974 |  | Maastricht
| University College Maastricht | 2002 |  | Maastricht
Radboud University Nijmegen | 1923 | 1923[4] | Nijmegen | Special: Catholic | Research university | 4,309* | 17,650*
| Radboud University Medical Center | 1956 |  | Nijmegen
Erasmus University Rotterdam | 1913 | 1937[4] | Rotterdam | Semi-public | Research university | 3,700 | 26,212[5]
| Erasmus MC | 1950 |  | Rotterdam  | 3,361
| Erasmus University College | 2013 |  | Rotterdam  | 270
Tilburg University | 1927 | 1939 | Tilburg | Special: Catholic | Research university | 1,062* | 11,399*
| University College Tilburg | 2008 |  | Tilburg
| TIAS School for Business and Society | 1982 |  | Tilburg
Utrecht University | 1636 | 1636 | Utrecht | Semi-public | Research university | 8,224 | 26,787
| University Medical Center Utrecht | 1999 |  | Utrecht
| University College Utrecht | 1998 |  | Utrecht
| University College Roosevelt | 2004 |  | Middelburg | Semi-public  | University College
Delft University of Technology | 1842 | 1905 | Delft | Semi-public | Technical university | 5,400 | 24,000
Eindhoven University of Technology | 1956 | 1956 | Eindhoven | Semi-public | Technical university | 3,000 | 12,000
University of Twente | 1961 | 1961 | Enschede | Semi-public | Technical university | 3,000 | 8,500
Wageningen University and Research Centre | 2000 | 1918 | Wageningen | Semi-public | Technical university | 6,500## | 12,847
| Wageningen University | 1876 | Wageningen
| Wageningen Research | 1877 |  | throughout the Netherlands | Research Institutes
Open University in the Netherlands | 1984 | 1984 | Nationwide; main office in Heerlen | Semi-public | Open university | 673 | 16,888[6]
Other universities
University of Curaçao | 1979 | 1979 | Curaçao | Public | National university |  |
University of Humanistic Studies | 1989  | 1989  | Utrecht  | Semi-public  | Research university  | 150  | 550[7]
Netherlands Defence Academy [nl] | 1823  | 2005  | Breda/Den Helder  | Special: National Military Academy  | Military Academy, since 2005 includes Department of Military Sciences  | ~75  | ~200
Privately Funded Universities (accredited as Universiteit by Dutch law) (by type)
Nyenrode Business University | 1946 | 1982 | Breukelen | Private | Business school |  |
Protestant Theological University | 1854 | 1939 | Originally Kampen, moved to Amsterdan and Groningen (2010) and then to Utrecht (2024) | Private | University for Protestant Theology |  |
Theological University of the Reformed Churches | 1854 | 1939 | Originally Kampen, moved to Utrecht in 2021 | Private | University for Protestant Theology |  |
Theological University of Apeldoorn | 1894 | 1962 | Apeldoorn | Private | University for Protestant Theology |  |
Universities that no longer exist
Catholic University of Utrecht | 1991–2007 |  | Utrecht | Private: merged into University of Tilburg | University for Catholic Theology |  |
University of Harderwijk | 1648–1811 |  | Harderwijk | disbanded by Napoleon |  |  |
University of Franeker | 1585–1811 |  | Franeker | disbanded by Napoleon, since 2017 the Academie van Franeker was developed to revive the academic traditions of Franeker[8], and the commercial school Euler-Franeker memorial university [9] honours it's heritage with several programmes accredited by the National Accreditation Agency of Curaçao |  |  |
University of Nijmegen | 1655–1680 |  | Nijmegen | closed in the aftermath of the 1672 rampjaar |  |  |
University of Theology and Pastorate | 1966-1999[10] |  | Heerlen | Private: merged into Radboud University Nijmegen in 1993, Heerlen location closed 1999 | University for Catholic Theology |  |

† 2003–2004; ‡ 2004–2005; # 2005–2006; * 2006–2007; ##including research staff at the associated institutes. All figures without signs are estimates or from undated sources. According to Dutch law, it is illegal to use protected titles which can only be given by universities that are accredited. Protected titles are ing. bc. mr. ir. drs. and dr.[11] English variants (MSc BSc MA BA LLB LLM BEng PhD) are not (yet)[12] protected by Dutch law[13] (but using the title "dr." based on a PhD degree, without permission from DUO, is a violation of Dutch law as the title "doctor" is protected). One may bear in the Netherlands foreign titles according to the laws of the country wherein they were granted, but without translating them in Dutch.

## Universities of applied sciences

[edit]

Universities of applied sciences (Dutch: hogeschool) in the Netherlands are focused on professional education rather than scientific research. While the literal translation of hogeschool is "high school", these are second-tier institutes of higher education, and can be compared with colleges or polytechnics or similar in other countries. They are accredited to confer bachelor's and master's degrees. Prior to the Bologna Process, they also conferred professional engineer's (abbreviated ing.) degrees. Dutch universities of applied sciences are not accredited to confer doctoral (PhD) degrees; PhD studies can sometimes be conducted in the context of a university of applied sciences, however, the title will be granted by one of the research universities, and a full professor of that university will be appointed as principal supervisor (promotor). In international contexts, the phrase University of Applied Sciences is used for the majority of these schools, as suggested by the Dutch Minister of Education.[14] Some specific exceptions have been made. For example, tertiary art schools and schools of education use an internationally recognisable name of choice.

The Dutch Universities of Applied Sciences funded by the governement are:

* Aeres Hogeschool, Dronten, Almere and Wageningen
* Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (Dutch: Hogeschool van Amsterdam), Amsterdam
* Amsterdam University of the Arts (Dutch: Amsterdamse Hogeschool voor de Kunsten), Amsterdam
* ArtEZ University of Arts (Dutch: ArtEZ hogeschool voor de kunsten), Arnhem, Enschede and Zwolle
* Avans University of Applied Schiences (Dutch: Avans Hogeschool), 's-Hertogenbosch, Tilburg, Breda, Etten-Leur
* Breda University of Applied Sciences, Breda
* Codarts University of the Arts (Dutch: Codarts hogeschool voor de kunsten), Rotterdam
* Design Academy Eindhoven, Eindhoven
* Driestar Christian University (Dutch: Driestar hogeschool), Gouda
* Ede Christian University of Applied Sciences (Dutch: Christelijke Hogeschool Ede), Ede
* Fontys University of Applied Sciences (Dutch: Fontys Hogeschool), Eindhoven, 's-Hertogenbosch, Sittard, Tilburg and Venlo
* Fontys School of Fine and Performing Arts (Dutch: Fontys Hogeschool voor de Kunsten), Tilburg
* Gerrit Rietveld Academie (also known as: Rietveld School of Art & Design and Rietveld Academy), Amsterdam
* HAN University of Applied Sciences, Arnhem and Nijmegen
* Hanze University of Applied Sciences (Dutch: Hanzehogeschool Groningen), Groningen
* HAS Green Academy, 's-Hertogenbosch and Venlo
* Hogeschool De Kempel, Helmond
* Hogeschool IPABO, Alkmaar and Amsterdam
* Hogeschool KPZ, Zwolle
* HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht (Dutch: Hogeschool Utrecht), Utrecht
* Hotelschool The Hague, Amsterdam and The Hague
* HZ University of Applied Sciences, Vlissingen and Middelburg
* Inholland University of Applied Sciences (Dutch: Hogeschool Inholland), Alkmaar, Amsterdam, Delft, Diemen, Dordrecht, Haarlem, Rotterdam and The Hague

* Iselinge Hogeschool, Doetinchem
* Marnix Academie, Utrecht
* NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences (Dutch: NHL Stenden Hogeschool), Leeuwarden, Emmen, Meppel and Terschelling
* Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences (Dutch: Hogeschool Rotterdam), Rotterdam
* Saxion University of Applied Sciences (Dutch: Hogeschool Saxion), Enschede, Deventer and Apeldoorn
* The Hague University of Applied Sciences (Dutch: De Haagse Hogeschool), The Hague
* Thomas More Hogeschool, Rotterdam
* University of Applied Sciences Leiden (Dutch: Hogeschool Leiden), Leiden
* University of the Arts The Hague (Dutch: Hogeschool der Kunsten Den Haag), The Hague
* Royal Academy of Art (Dutch: Koninklijke Academie van Beeldende Kunsten), The Hague
* Royal Conservatoire (Dutch: Koninklijk Conservatorium), The Hague
* Utrecht School of the Arts (Dutch: Hogeschool voor de Kunsten Utrecht), Utrecht
* Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences (Dutch: Hogeschool Van Hall Larenstein), Leeuwarden and Velp
* Viaa Christian University of Applied Sciences (Dutch: Hogeschool Viaa), Zwolle
* Windesheim University of Applied Sciences, Zwolle and Almere
* Zuyd University of Applied Sciences (Dutch: Zuyd Hogeschool), Heerlen, Maastricht and Sittard
* Maastricht Academy of Dramatic Arts (Dutch: Toneelacademie Maastricht), Maastricht
* Maastricht Institute of Arts, Maastricht
* Maastricht Academy of Music (Dutch: Conservatorium Maastricht), Maastricht
* Maastricht School of Translation and Interpreting (Dutch: Vertaalacademie Maastricht), Maastricht

### Former universities of applied sciences (not exhaustive)

[edit]

* Stoas Hogeschool, Dronten, 's-Hertogenbosch, Wageningen => part of: Aeres Hogeschool
* Christelijke Agrarische Hogeschool Dronten, Dronten => part of: Aeres Hogeschool
* Christelijke Hogeschool Nederland, Leeuwarden => part of: NHL Stenden Hogeschool
* Hogeschool De Horst, Driebergen => part of: Hogeschool Utrecht
* Hogeschool Helicon, Zeist => part of: Hogeschool Leiden
* Hogeschool Domstad, Utrecht => part of: Hogeschool Utrecht
* Hogeschool Edith Stein / Onderwijscentrum Twente, Hengelo => part of: Saxion Hogeschool
* Hogeschool voor Economische Studies (HES), Amsterdam => part of: Hogeschool van Amsterdam
* Hogeschool voor Economische Studies (HES), Rotterdam => part of: Hogeschool Rotterdam

## Private for-profit medical schools

[edit]

Although there are none of these schools in the mainland, many exist in the Dutch Caribbean either in the special municipalities of the Netherlands or constituents countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Only one (Saba University) has direct accreditation from Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders, which accredits universities in the Netherlands and Flanders.

* Aureus University School of Medicine
* Xavier University School of Medicine
* Avalon University School of Medicine
* St. Martinus University Faculty of Medicine
* Saba University School of Medicine
* American University of Integrative Sciences
* American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine

## Private for-profit business schools and other universities of applied sciences

[edit]

A number of private universities of applied sciences (hogescholen) are active in the Netherlands. Some of these are exclusively distance learning (online) medium learning providers.

* Euler-Franeker Memorial University, Willemstad (Curaçao) and Amsterdam
* EuroPort Business College (defunct)[15]
* HBO Nederland (defunct)[16]
* Hogeschool Tio
* Inter College Business School, Amsterdam
* Islamic University of Rotterdam, Rotterdam
* Leidse Onderwijs Instellingen (LOI)
* Markus Verbeek Praehep
* NCOI
* Nederlandse Talen Instituut (NTI)
* Schoevers
* Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences, Apeldoorn

## Webster University: the American university in the Netherlands

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Webster University Leiden is a university outside the Dutch system, offering Bachelor and Master programs in the Netherlands. Webster University is a private, non-profit American university, accredited in the United States by the Higher Learning Commission's North Central Association. The International Business and Management program, as well as the Applied Behavioral and Social Sciences program are accredited in the Netherlands by the NVAO at the hbo (professional master) level.

## International rankings

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In relation to their population size, Switzerland (first), Sweden (second) and the Netherlands (third) are the three countries with the highest number of universities among the 100 best of the Academic Ranking of World Universities (2014-2015).[17]

Below are shown the international rankings of the government funded research universities of the Netherlands, and the number of times they rank in the top 200 of one of the six prominent global rankings:

University  | QS World
(2026)[18] | THE World
(2025)[19] | ARWU World
(2024)[20] | USNWR World
(2025–26)[21] | CWTS Leiden
(2024)[22] | CWUR World
(2025)[23] | #a

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University of Amsterdam | 53  | 58=  | 101-150  | 33  | 54  | 83  |

Utrecht University | 103=  | 66 c | 55  | 49  | 71  | 78  |

Leiden University | 119=  | 73=  | 101-150  | 56  | 72  | 88  |

University of Groningen | 147=  | 80=  | 69  | 75  | 97  | 104  |

Erasmus University Rotterdam | 140=  | 107=  | 101-150  | 76  | 104  | 111  |

Wageningen University and Research | 153=  | 67=  | 151-200  | 115=  | 75  | 193  |

VU University Amsterdam | 194=  | 136=  | 151-200  | 79=  | 60  | 159  |

Delft University of Technology | 47=  | 56=  | 151-200  | 191  | 117  | 269  |

Radboud University | 279  | 143=  | 101-150  | 122  | 80  | 172  |

Maastricht University | 239  | 132=  | 201-300  | 176=  | 169  | 264  |

Eindhoven University of Technology | 140=  | 185=  | 401-500  | 409=  | 177  | 366  |

University of Twente | 203=  | 180=  | 401-500  | 427=  | 274  | 463  |

Tilburg University | 347=  | 251-300  | 701-800  | 653=  | 197  | 733  |

Open University | N.A.  | N.A.  | N.A.  | 1659=  | N.A.  | N.A.  |

University of Curaçao | N.A.  | N.A.  | N.A.  | N.A.  | N.A.  | N.A.  |

University of Humanistic Studies | N.A.  | N.A.  | N.A.  | N.A.  | N.A.  | N.A.  |

Notes:
N.A.: Not Applicable
a Number of times the university is ranked within the top 200 of one of the six global rankings.
b The university is ranked within the top 150 of all six global rankings.
c THE World University Rankings 2023 (rankings thereafter are not available).

## See also

[edit]

* List of colleges and universities by country
* List of colleges and universities
* Academic Degree

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Algemene Rekenkamer, Vastgoed bij universiteiten: Twintig jaar na overdracht van eigendom (Real estate of universities: Twenty years after the transfer of ownership), 2018. Available from: https://www.rekenkamer.nl/publicaties/rapporten/2018/01/18/vastgoed-bij-universiteiten
2. ^ "Verandering rechtspositie medewerkers in het openbaar onderwijs - Werken in het onderwijs - Rijksoverheid.nl". 21 March 2018.
3. ^ "Facts and figures". University of Amsterdam. Archived from the original on 24 June 2011. Retrieved 9 July 2011.
4. ^ a b c d Rüegg, Walter (ed.): A History of the University in Europe. Vol. III: Universities in the Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Centuries (1800–1945), Cambridge University Press ISBN 978-0-521-36107-1, pp. 39
5. ^ "Annual Report 2015" (PDF). Erasmus University Rotterdam. Retrieved 4 January 2017.[permanent dead link]
6. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 August 2015. Retrieved 2015-09-19.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
7. ^ "Introduction - University of Humanistic Studies". www.uvh.nl. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
8. ^ https://www.academiefraneker.nl/ [bare URL]
9. ^ [1]
10. ^ "Centrum Theologie en Pastoraat - Publicaties". Archived from the original on 12 January 2008. Retrieved 2008-01-11.
11. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 November 2010. Retrieved 2010-10-24.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
12. ^ "Uitvoering motie bescherming naam universiteit | Kamerstuk". Rijksoverheid.nl. Archived from the original on 28 May 2013. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
13. ^ "Briskmagazine.nl: Zet gerust MBA achter uw naam". Archived from the original on 17 June 2009. Retrieved 2010-06-19.
14. ^ "Ministerie van Onderwijs, Cultuur en Wetenschap | Organisatie | Rijksoverheid.nl" (PDF). Minocw.nl. Retrieved 1 August 2016.[permanent dead link]
15. ^ https://www.ad.nl/rotterdam/europort-business-school-is-accreditatie-definitief-kwijt~a97f3ec0/ [bare URL]
16. ^ "Waarom Hogeschool HBO Nederland - Hogeschool HBO Nederland". Archived from the original on 4 April 2018.
17. ^ "Top of the class". The Economist. 28 March 2015. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
18. ^ "QS World University Rankings 2026". Quacquarelli Symonds Ltd. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
19. ^ "World University Rankings 2025". Times Higher Education (THE). Retrieved 9 October 2024.
20. ^ "2024 Academic Ranking of World Universities". Shanghai Ranking Consultancy. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
21. ^ "2025-2026 Best Global Universities Rankings". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved 21 June 2025.
22. ^ "CWTS Leiden Ranking 2024 - PP top 10%". Centrum voor Wetenschap en Technologische Studies (CWTS), Leiden University. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
23. ^ "Global 2000 List by the Center for World University Rankings; 2025 Edition". Center for World University Rankings (CWUR). Retrieved 7 June 2025.

## External links

[edit]

* Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO)
* CROHO (the official register of all recognized Dutch higher education studies)
* Universiteiten van Nederland
* Universities NL Network

* v
* t
* e

Universities in the Netherlands

Public|

* University of Amsterdam
* Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
* Delft University of Technology
* Eindhoven University of Technology
* University of Groningen
* Leiden University
* Maastricht University
* Nijmegen Radboud University
* Open University
* Erasmus University Rotterdam
* Tilburg University
* University of Twente
* Utrecht University
* Wageningen University
* University of Humanistic Studies

Private|

* Nyenrode Business University
* Protestant Theological University
* Theological University of the Reformed Churches

Defunct|

* Catholic University of Utrecht
* University of Harderwijk
* University of Franeker
* University of Nijmegen

* v
* t
* e

List of universities in Europe

Sovereign states|

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States with limited
recognition|

* Abkhazia
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