Research Universities in the Netherlands
Dutch research universities are European leaders in research and education. All of the 14 Dutch research based universities are members of the Association of Universities in the Netherlands (Vereniging van Universiteiten - VSNU).
University education and research in the Netherlands has traditionally been characterised by high quality and has always been internationally oriented. The universities of the Netherlands possess a good infrastructure which facilitates internationally oriented education and research.
They continue to build on a long academic tradition, nationally and internationally, and have networks at their disposal comprising the oldest and most prominent universities in Europe and beyond.
In 1575, the first university in the Netherlands was founded in Leiden. The newest university was founded in Maastricht in 1976. See also: Degree's at Dutch Universities Please see the film about Dutch research universities on YouTube.
See programmes of universities in Holland.














