Search results
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.
Learn how to choose between a research university (WO) and a university of applied sciences (HBO) in the Netherlands. Compare the 'why', 'how', 'research-oriented' and 'teaching-oriented' aspects of both types of education.
Hbo-bacheloropleidingen zijn 4-jarig (240 studiepunten). Wo-bacheloropleidingen zijn 3-jarig (180 studiepunten). De toelatingseis voor een hbo-bacheloropleiding is een diploma op minimaal mbo (niveau 4) of havoniveau. Voor wo-bachelors is dat een vwo-diploma of hbo-propedeuse.
HBO or Hogeschool institutes are focused on applied higher education and usually offer 4-year Bachelor programs geared more towards the practical labor market. The academic universities (WO) are the highest possible level of education in the Netherlands.
All HBO and WO courses fall under the bachelor-master system. Bachelor's degree programmes are broader, while master's degree programmes lead to specialisation in a chosen field. HBO bachelor's degree programmes take 4 years, WO bachelor's programmes take 3 years.
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).
