Education in the Netherlands
The Dutch approach
Universities in the Netherlands offer more than 1,150 international course programmes conducted in the English language. As such, our country is the largest supplier of English-language course programmes in continental Europe. The Netherlands has received international acclaim for the groundbreaking Problem-Based Learning, or ‘PBL’ system, that teaches students to analyse and solve real problems independently, through a mix of theory and application, teamwork and self-study and through challenging the self-discipline of the students.
Dutch universities
Higher education in the Netherlands is offered at approximately 55 universities. Two major types of universities can be distinguished, i.e. 'universiteiten' (research universities) and 'hogescholen' (universities of applied sciences). The research universities train students for the independent practice of science and academic research, whereas the universities of applied sciences focus more on the application of knowledge and the direct preparation of students for their professional careers. At the Fontys University of Applied Sciences, we place the emphasis on competency-based education and we are proud to be one of the largest universities of applied sciences in the Netherlands.
Universities of Applied Sciences
In the Netherlands, there are approximately 40 universities of applied sciences and Fontys is one of the largest and best known. Universities of applied sciences offer four-year course programmes, leading to a Bachelor’s degree upon completion of the undergraduate phase and one-year course programmes, leading to a Master’s degree upon completion of the postgraduate phase. The course programmes are designed to target specific domains within the employment market and always include internships and/or work placement periods.
"Studying at Fontys in an international environment"
-
Associate Degree Programme
Fontys has Associate degree programmes, but these programmes are only in Dutch. The NLQF/EQF level is 5. The programme is mainly designed to prepare students for the labour market in a shorter space of time of 2 years (120 ECTS credits). Admission: HAVO diploma or MBO diploma (qualification level 4). After graduation students can take the associated HBO bachelor's programme. In many cases, they will be able to complete this bachelor's programme in a relatively short space of time (2 years).
Upon graduation you are conferred a degree by the Executive board. You are also entitled to a title when you receive a bachelor’s degree.
- Associate Degree
Upon graduation you receive the Associate degree.
-
Bachelor's Degree Programme
In the Netherlands a normal Bachelor’s degree programme has a duration of 4 years and 240 ECTS credits. Admission: havo-diploma, mbo-diploma (qualification level 4) or vwo-diploma (level 4+). The programme always leads to a profession. The degree upon graduation is Bachelor. All bachelor’s degree programmes in higher professional education are rated at NLQF/EQF level 6.
After the bachelor’s degree you may enrol in a master’s degree programme or you may participate in a Master's degree program at a research university via a pre-master (bridging program).
Look at the course information at the 'Course content' section, where you will find more information about your study per course.
Degrees and Titles
Upon graduation you are conferred a degree by the Executive board. You are also entitled to a title when you receive a bachelor’s degree.
Bachelor’s Degree
Upon completing a Bachelor’s degree programme you are entitled to hold a Bachelor’s degree:
- Domain Economy: Bachelor of Science or
Business Administration: Bachelor of Business Administration
Laws: Bachelor of Laws
- Domain Education: Bachelor of Education
- Domain Engineering: Bachelor of Science
- Domain Healthcare: Bachelor of Science
- Domain Visual Arts: Bachelor of Arts
- Domain Music: Bachelor of Music
- Social studies: Bachelor of Arts
-
Master's Degree Programme
If you want to enrol in a master's degree programme, you may not be automatically admitted to any specific master's programme. Admission may be subject to selection criteria. As a result, it is important for students to make a conscious decision when choosing a master's programme
Master’s Degree programmes have a minimum duration of 1 year and 60 ECTS credits. There are also Master's degrees of 2, 3 or 4 years with 90, 120 or 240 credits. As to the content: students acquire more in-depth knowledge of a specific profession; this culminates in a thesis or final project, with an emphasis on applied research. All master's degree programmes are generically rated at NLQF/EQF level 7. Look at the course information under the 'Course content' section, where you will find more information about your study per course.
Degrees and Titles
Upon graduation you are conferred a degree by the Executive board. You are also entitled to a title when you receive a bachelor’s degree.
Master’s Degree
Upon completing a Master’s degree programme you are entitled to hold a Master’s degree. At Fontys you can obtain the following degrees:
- Domain Education: Master of Education
- Domain Healthcare: Master of Science
- Domain Visual Arts: Master of Arts
- Domain Music: Master of Music
- Social studies: Master of Arts
- Domain Language and Culture: Master of Science
It is appropriate to state your graduate status after your name: a M followed by an abbreviation, e.g. Master of Education will be “M Ed.”.
