The respected international reputation of the Dutch higher education sector is built on its binary system, with a distinction between research-oriented universities and professional higher education institutions (universities of applied sciences). Research universities, like the UG, offer highly academic, research-oriented programmes focused on specific subjects. Universities of applied sciences, on the other hand, are more practical and profession-oriented, designed for those looking to enter a particular career type upon graduation.

There are 14 research universities and 41 universities of applied sciences in the Netherlands. A Bachelor’s degree usually takes three years to complete at a research university as opposed to four years at a university of applied sciences. For more information on the main differences between research universities and universities of applied sciences, see the link to this resource here.

Click on the link and learn about studying in the Netherlands – the why’s, the what’s, the how’s and where’s of higher education in the Lowlands. Access ‘nuggets’ of information from each of the 8 members of the Dutch Research University Consortium to get an overview of where you might study!