Dutch higher education consists of two types of study programmes: profession-oriented and research-oriented programmes. Profession-oriented programmes are generally provided by universities of applied sciences (in Dutch ‘hogescholen’). Research-oriented programmes are provided by research universities.

University degrees

• Bachelor (B) degree at Universities of applied sciences: students obtain the Bachelor title after the successful completion of a 4 -year full-time profession-oriented Bachelor programme. A graduate of a profession-oriented Bachelor programme is sufficiently equipped to be able to work at a high level, but can also progress to a Masters study (1 year). In the Netherlands, general secondary education – which precedes higher education – lasts 5 years.

• Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Sciences  (Bsc) or Master of Arts (MA) or Master of Sciences (Msc) degree at Research universities:graduates can gain Bachelor degree following a three-year full-time academic university programme. After graduation they enter Master programmes (1 - 2) years. High education, which precedes higher education at Research Universities should lasts 6 years.

• PhD degree at research universities or at special international post-universities institutions.

More information see: University degree programmes