Study

Plan your study at one of our top institutes

Before you start your studies in the Netherlands, it is good to know that there are two types of institutes of higher education in the lowlands: universities of applied sciences (hbo) and academic universities. The main differences are the previous education required to get in, and whether the education offered is aimed at acquiring the skills needed for a specific profession or more geared towards academic research.

Teacher helping students

University Campus

University of Applied Sciences

Universities of Applied Sciences specialise in the practical application of arts and sciences. You will be trained for a specific role in business or another professional field you’re interested in, like the governmental sphere or the non-profit sector. During your studies, you’ll develop the skills necessary to take on your professional role within society. A study programme at a university of applied sciences usually has a nominal duration of four years. This type of education is based on theory, which is also explicitly taught, but the focus is on practical training and experience. Studying at a university of applied sciences is characterised by internships and projects that you carry out on your own or with fellow students, sometimes for external clients.

Academic Universities

As opposed to universities of applied sciences, academic universities mostly focus on theoretical education. You will bear more personal responsibility for your projects than a student in a university of applied sciences would. Throughout the courses and projects, the emphasis is on scientific research, which you will mostly carry out on your own. Lectures will be held on campus but will often also be available digitally. A university education primarily teaches students how to think scientifically. It’s less aimed at any specific profession. The academic frame of mind and intellectual ability of graduated academics makes them widely employable.

Good to know!

Sometimes a degree from a research university is seen as a higher accolade than a degree from a university of applied sciences, mostly because the educational requirements for enrolment are stricter. It’s not true to say, however, that a degree obtained from an academic university is ‘better’ or ‘more valuable’ than a degree from a university of applied sciences, and vice versa — these are truly two different types of education. When it comes to making the right choice between applied or academic higher education, it’s all about your personal preference and the (professional) future you’re striving for. Do you want to become a lawyer or a psychologist? In that case you might want to get a degree from an academic university. If you have your mind set on entering a more practical profession, like that of a legal assistant or (primary school) teacher, you’ll need a degree from a university of applied sciences. There are also plenty of subjects that are taught at both types of universities, like business and communication for instance. If you’re interested in subjects like these, you might want to ask yourself whether you prefer a more hands-on or more theoretical approach.

Study Checklist Education is about more than just going to lectures — it’s all about your chance to examine and develop your own options in life. Knowledge, skills, creativity and talent can be developed in many ways in the Arnhem – Nijmegen – Wageningen area. In our region you will find top educational facilities that’ll allow you to make the most of your academic ambitions. Before you can start the process of obtaining your degree in our area, there are important decisions you have to make first, before you can look into all the practicalities. Follow these steps set out to start your educational journey.