# List of universities in the Netherlands

A listing of universities in the Kingdom of the Netherlands:

## Research universities

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; moreover, all employees of Dutch universities have labor contracts based on private sector terms (as of 2020).
| Name | Name | Established | University status | City | Organisation | Type | Number of staff | Number of students |
| Members of the Universities of the Netherlands association |||||||||
| University of Amsterdam | University of Amsterdam | 1632 | 1877 | Amsterdam | Semi-public | Research university | 4,062 | 32,739 |
| | Academic Medical Center | 1983 | | Amsterdam | Semi-public | Research university | 4,062 | 32,739 |
| | Amsterdam University College | 2008 | | Amsterdam | Semi-public | Research university | 4,062 | 32,739 |
| Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam | Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam | 1880 | 1880 | Amsterdam | Special: Protestant | Research university | 2,200 | 18,000 |
| | VU University Medical Center | 1964 | | Amsterdam | Special: Protestant | Research university | 2,200 | 18,000 |
| | Amsterdam University College | 2008 | | Amsterdam | Special: Protestant | Research university | 2,200 | 18,000 |
| University of Groningen | University of Groningen | 1614 | 1614 | Groningen | Semi-public | Research university | 5,000 | 26,500 |
| | University Medical Center Groningen | 1797 | | Groningen | Semi-public | Research university | 5,000 | 26,500 |
| Leiden University | Leiden University | 1575 | 1575 | Leiden | Semi-public | Research university | 3,973 | 19,328 |
| | Leiden University Medical Center | 1996 | | Leiden | Semi-public | Research university | 3,973 | 19,328 |
| | Leiden University College The Hague | 2010 | | The Hague | Semi-public | Research university | 3,973 | 19,328 |
| Maastricht University | Maastricht University | 1976 | 1975 | Maastricht | Semi-public | Research university | 3,000 | 11,463 |
| | Academic Hospital Maastricht | 1974 | | Maastricht | Semi-public | Research university | 3,000 | 11,463 |
| | University College Maastricht | 2002 | | Maastricht | Semi-public | Research university | 3,000 | 11,463 |
| Radboud University Nijmegen | Radboud University Nijmegen | 1923 | 1923 | Nijmegen | Special: Catholic | Research university | 4,309* | 17,650* |
| | Radboud University Medical Center | 1956 | | Nijmegen | Special: Catholic | Research university | 4,309* | 17,650* |
| Erasmus University Rotterdam | Erasmus University Rotterdam | 1913 | 1937 | Rotterdam | Semi-public | Research university | 3,700 | 26,212 |
| | Erasmus MC | 1950 | | Rotterdam | Semi-public | Research university | 3,700 | 3,361 |
| | Erasmus University College | 2013 | | Rotterdam | Semi-public | Research university | 3,700 | 270 |
| Tilburg University | Tilburg University | 1927 | 1939 | Tilburg | Special: Catholic | Research university | 1,062* | 11,399* |
| | University College Tilburg | 2008 | | Tilburg | Special: Catholic | Research university | 1,062* | 11,399* |
| | TIAS School for Business and Society | 1982 | | Tilburg | Special: Catholic | Research university | 1,062* | 11,399* |
| Utrecht University | Utrecht University | 1636 | 1636 | Utrecht | Semi-public | Research university | 8,224 | 26,787 |
| | University Medical Center Utrecht | 1999 | | Utrecht | Semi-public | Research university | 8,224 | 26,787 |
| | University College Utrecht | 1998 | | Utrecht | Semi-public | Research university | 8,224 | 26,787 |
| | University College Roosevelt | 2004 | | Middelburg | Semi-public | University College | 8,224 | 26,787 |
| Delft University of Technology | Delft University of Technology | 1842 | 1905 | Delft | Semi-public | Technical university | 5,400 | 24,000 |
| Eindhoven University of Technology | Eindhoven University of Technology | 1956 | 1956 | Eindhoven | Semi-public | Technical university | 3,000 | 12,000 |
| University of Twente | University of Twente | 1961 | 1961 | Enschede | Semi-public | Technical university | 3,000 | 8,500 |
| Wageningen University and Research Centre | Wageningen University and Research Centre | 2000 | 1918 | Wageningen | Semi-public | Technical university | 6,500$^{##}$ | 12,847 |
| | Wageningen University | 1876 | 1918 | Wageningen | Semi-public | Technical university | 6,500$^{##}$ | 12,847 |
| | Agricultural Research Institutes | 1877 | | throughout the Netherlands | Research Institute | Technical university | 6,500$^{##}$ | 12,847 |
| Open University in the Netherlands | Open University in the Netherlands | 1984 | 1984 | Nationwide; main office in Heerlen | Semi-public | Open university | 673 | 16,888 |
| Other universities |||||||||
| University of Curaçao | University of Curaçao | 1979 | 1979 | Curaçao | Public | National university | | |
| University of Humanistic Studies | University of Humanistic Studies | 1989 | 1989 | Utrecht | Semi-public | Research university | 150 | 550 |
| Netherlands Defence Academy [nl] | 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 | Nyenrode Business University | 1946 | 1982 | Breukelen | Private | Business school | | |
| Protestant Theological University | Protestant Theological University | 1854 | 1939 | Kampen | Private | University for Protestant Theology | | |
| Theological University of Kampen | Theological University of Kampen | 1854 | 1939 | Kampen | Private | University for Protestant Theology | | |
| Theological University of Apeldoorn | Theological University of Apeldoorn | 1894 | 1962 | Apeldoorn | Private | University for Protestant Theology | | |
| Universities that no longer exist |||||||||
| Catholic University of Utrecht | Catholic University of Utrecht | 1991–2007 | | Utrecht | Private: merged into University of Tilburg | University for Catholic Theology | | |
| University of Harderwijk | University of Harderwijk | 1648–1811 | | Harderwijk | disbanded by Napoleon | | | |
| University of Franeker | University of Franeker | 1585–1811 | | Franeker | disbanded by Napoleon | | | |
| University of Nijmegen | University of Nijmegen | 1655–1680 | | Nijmegen | closed in the aftermath of the 1672 rampjaar | | | |
| University of Theology and Pastorate | University of Theology and Pastorate | 1966-1999 | | 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. English variants (MSc BSc MA BA LLB LLM BEng PhD) are not (yet) protected by Dutch law (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

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. 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 include the following:
* Amsterdamse Hogeschool voor de Kunsten (Amsterdam University of the Arts), Amsterdam
* Artez Institute of Arts, Arnhem/Enschede/Zwolle
* Avans Hogeschool, 's-Hertogenbosch/Tilburg/Breda/Etten-Leur
* Breda University of Applied Sciences, Breda
* Christelijke Agrarische Hogeschool Dronten, Dronten
* Christelijke Hogeschool Ede (Ede Christian University of Applied Sciences), Ede
* Christelijke Hogeschool Nederland, Leeuwarden
* Design Academy Eindhoven, Eindhoven
* Fontys Hogescholen (Fontys University of Applied Sciences), Eindhoven/'s-Hertogenbosch/Sittard/Tilburg/Venlo
* Fontys Hogeschool Journalistiek
* Gereformeerde Hogeschool, Zwolle
* Gerrit Rietveld Academie, Amsterdam
* The Hague University of Applied Sciences (De Haagse Hogeschool), The Hague
* HAN University of Applied Sciences, Arnhem/Nijmegen
* Hanzehogeschool Groningen (Hanze University of Applied Sciences), Groningen
* HAS University of Applied Sciences, 's-Hertogenbosch
* Hogeschool De Horst, Driebergen
* Hogeschool Domstad, Utrecht
* Hogeschool Driestar educatief, Gouda
* Hogeschool Edith Stein / Onderwijscentrum Twente, Hengelo
* Hogeschool Helicon, Zeist
* Hogeschool IPABO, Alkmaar/Amsterdam
* Hogeschool Leiden (University of Applied Sciences Leiden), Leiden
* Hogeschool Rotterdam (Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences), Rotterdam
* Hogeschool van Amsterdam (Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences), Amsterdam
* Koninklijke Academie van Beeldende Kunsten (Royal Academy of Art The Hague), The Hague
* Hogeschool Van Hall Larenstein, Leeuwarden, Wageningen, Velp
* Hogeschool Utrecht (HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht), Utrecht
* Hogeschool voor de Kunsten (Utrecht School of the Arts), Utrecht
* Hogeschool voor Economische Studies (HES), Amsterdam/Rotterdam
* Hogeschool voor Muziek en Dans, Rotterdam
* Hogeschool Zeeland (HZ University of Applied Sciences), Vlissingen
* Hotelschool The Hague
* Inholland University of Applied Sciences, Alkmaar/Amsterdam/Delft/The Hague/Diemen/Dordrecht/Haarlem/Rotterdam
* Inter College Business School, Amsterdam
* Iselinge Educatieve Faculteit, Doetinchem
* Islamic University of Rotterdam, Rotterdam
* Katholieke PABO Zwolle, Zwolle
* NHL Stenden Hogeschool (NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences), Leeuwarden
* PC Hogeschool Marnix Academie, Lerarenopleiding Basisonderwijs, Utrecht
* Pedagogische Hogeschool De Kempel, Helmond
* Saxion University of Applied Sciences, Enschede/Deventer/Apeldoorn/Hengelo
* NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences, Assen/Emmen/Leeuwarden/Meppel
* Stoas Hogeschool, Dronten/'s-Hertogenbosch/Wageningen
* Windesheim University of Applied Sciences, Zwolle and Almere
* Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences, Apeldoorn
* Zuid Nederlandse Hogeschool voor Muziek (Maastricht/Tilburg)
* Zuyd University of Applied Sciences, Heerlen/Sittard/Maastricht
** Maastricht Academy of Dramatic Arts
** Maastricht Academy of Fine Arts
** Maastricht Academy of Music
** Maastricht School of Translation and Interpreting

## Private For-Profit Medical Schools

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

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.
* EuroPort Business College (defunct)
* HBO Nederland (defunct)
* Leidse Onderwijs Instellingen (LOI)
* Markus Verbeek Praehep
* NCOI
* Nederlandse Talen Instituut (NTI)
* Schoevers
* Hogeschool Tio

## Webster University: The American University in the Netherlands

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

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).
Below are shown the international rankings of the government supported 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 (2025) | THE World (2025) | ARWU World (2024) | USNWR World (2024–25) | CWTS Leiden (2024) | CWUR World (2024) | #$^a$ |
| University of Amsterdam | 55 | 58= | 101-150 | 33= | 54 | 82 | 6$^b$ |
| Utrecht University | 105= | 66$^c$ | 55 | 46 | 71 | 73 | 6$^b$ |
| Leiden University | 141= | 73= | 101-150 | 56= | 72 | 80 | 6$^b$ |
| University of Groningen | 159= | 80= | 69 | 76= | 97 | 102 | 6 |
| Erasmus University Rotterdam | 158 | 107= | 101-150 | 70= | 104 | 101 | 6 |
| Wageningen University and Research | 155= | 67= | 151-200 | 113= | 75 | 191 | 6 |
| Delft University of Technology | 49 | 56= | 151-200 | 187= | 117 | 270 | 5 |
| VU University Amsterdam | 221 | 136= | 151-200 | 78 | 60 | 150 | 5 |
| Radboud University | 272 | 143= | 101-150 | 117= | 80 | 166 | 5 |
| Maastricht University | 230= | 132= | 201-300 | 179= | 169 | 256 | 3 |
| Eindhoven University of Technology | 136 | 185= | 401-500 | 374= | 177 | 355 | 3 |
| University of Twente | 233 | 180= | 401-500 | 412= | 274 | 459 | 1 |
| Tilburg University | 347= | 251-300 | 701-800 | 631= | 197 | 696 | 1 |
| Open University | N.A. | N.A. | N.A. | N.A. | N.A. | N.A. | 0 |
| University of Curaçao | N.A. | N.A. | N.A. | N.A. | N.A. | N.A. | 0 |
| University of Humanistic Studies | N.A. | N.A. | N.A. | N.A. | N.A. | N.A. | 0 |
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).