Choose your study programme

Step 1: Picking a subject

If you're coming over here to study, you’ll probably have some notion of your field or subject of study. That is a good starting point for the process of selecting an educational institute and specific study programme. If you haven't made any decisions about the subject you want to study, you might start off by looking around on the websites of the various educational institutes provided at step 4 to get some inspiration going. You can return here after having a good look.\

Step 2: Framework conditions

Now, assuming you know what subject you would like to pursue, the next step is to think about prerequisites you might have for your study environment. Chances are that the topic you are interested in is being taught at various institutes in the area. It might therefore be a good idea to think about the framework conditions.

Do you, for instance, want to study at a large, renowned educational establishment that has a lot of facilities thanks to its size? Or would you prefer a small, intimate study environment with fewer people and perhaps more options to connect with others on a personal level?

Despite the fact that the Netherlands is a highly secular country, some institutes might have a certain religious leaning. You won't notice much of this in the larger institutes, but in some of the smaller colleges (such as the Christelijke Hogeschool Ede) this might still be a real factor.

Perhaps you already have a notion of which town you would prefer to study in. Has Arnhem attracted you with its vibrant art scene? Has Nijmegen conquered your heart with its rich Roman history? Were you wowed by the beautiful green surroundings of Wageningen? These are all important things to consider when making a choice. Having a good idea of these framework conditions could make the choice between similar study programmes at different institutes a lot easier.

Step 3: Academic or Applied?

We discussed the difference between academic universities and universities of applied sciences here, and this is another thing that you should consider carefully before making your decision. Do you want to focus on a more theoretical or more practical type of education? It might be the case, of course, that your specific subject of choice is only taught at one of the two types of university, but for all those subjects that are taught at both, the choice is yours. If you are a hands-on, practically minded person, a university of applied sciences is probably your best bet. If you are bookish and can write killer essays, academia might be for you. The length of the various study programmes is also something to consider when picking an educational institute and study programme.

Step 4: Take your pick

If you have carefully considered all of the above, we can finally take a look at what's on offer! Below you will find a short summary of every university in the area, including a link to their respective English websites. On these you will extensive information, including course offerings. The first two are the area's academic universities, the other six are all universities of applied sciences.