05 - Netherlands - Types of institution
Higher education in the Netherlands is provided by three types of institution.
Government-funded institutions receive funding from the Ministry of Education, Culture and
Science or the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, and charge their students
government-approved fees. There are over 50 "hogescholen" and 14 universities, including the
Open University.
"Approved institutions" derive their status from the terms of the Higher Education and Research
Act. Only some of its provisions apply to their courses, and they are not funded by the Ministry of
Education, Culture and Science. They are free to decide on their own fees and admissions
policy, although students must be in possession of a HAVO, MBO or VWO certificate. Students
at "approved institutions" are eligible for student support. Approved institutions award bachelor’s
and/or master’s degrees that are recognised by law. A small number of approved institutions
(primarily for faith-based higher education) do receive funding.
Private-sector institutions are not covered by the Higher Education and Research Act. They
include foreign universities and business schools to which Dutch government regulations do not
apply.
Higher professional education
Higher professional education is provided at "hogescholen" (institutions of higher professional
education) and is for students aged 17 and over. HBO institutions generally offer courses in several
different fields.
Institutions are required to have at least 700 enrolled students, with the exception of those providing
only primary school teacher training, which must have no fewer than 250 students. The average size of
HBO institutions is constantly increasing as a result not only of mergers but of rising student numbers.
There are 42 government-funded higher professional education institutions. In addition, there are 60
approved institutions of higher professional education which fall under the Higher Education and
Research Act but do not receive funding from the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science.
In addition to the range of initial courses of higher professional education, there are also a small
number of advanced courses, most of which have been upgraded to master’s degree courses. These
include art courses, courses in architecture, and teacher training courses in special education or leading to a grade 1 qualification in general subjects .These are open to
students who have already completed a higher education programme.
University education
Degree courses are provided at 14 universities, including the Open University. Three
universities – the universities of technology in Delft (TUD), Eindhoven (TUE) and Twente (UT) – focus
predominantly on engineering and technology. The Agricultural University in Wageningen comes under
the Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality. Besides the 14 universities, there are a number of
approved institutions, including six offering theological courses, one offering a
degree course in humanism, and Nyenrode Business University.
Eurydice - the information network on education in Europe
Date: 2009
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