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Certain colleges are seen as easy (like community college) and some are really hard (like Ivy League). And then some jobs end up only accepting people from the more difficult universities. This is the exact same as HBO vs. WO, but we're not afraid to call them different things.
Tu Eindhoven, JADS, Twente University, Nijmegen University, Wageningen University and the Open University are WO institutions. The rest are not. Usually at HBO institutions - of applied sciences is added.
HBOs are Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS), with some Dutch UAS ranking v highly in international rankings. You'll not be gaining an inferior eduction compared to WO (obviously depends on the UAS and on the WO), but they are simply different in their teaching approach.
Research university (WO): The emphasis is on learning to look analytically and critically at the way a certain field can be approached. Higher professional education (HBO): Higher professional education trains for a specific profession. You apply your knowledge and work in a solution-oriented way.
Hbo degree programmes have a professional orientation. Wo degree programmes have an academic orientation. Hbo Bachelor's programmes take four years (240 ECTS). Wo Bachelor's programmes take three years (180 ECTS).
More tools for your study choice. What is the difference between hbo and wo? How can parents help you choose? Student Stories. Rankings.
The Dutch educational system in divided in 2 ways. ⇒ According to age: – Elementary school (till the age of 12) – Secondary school (high school), from the age of 12 to 16, 17 or 18. ⇒ Further education after secondary school (high school): according to level: mbo (ROC), hbo (HAN University of Applied Sciences) or university (Radboud University).
