Top Universities in the Netherlands

Famous for its tourist attractions and popular culture, the Netherlands attracts many individuals, whether it be for vacation, work or study. In fact, it has become the study destination of choice for many students as a number of universities offer higher education with English as the medium of instruction. This in addition to the environment and lifestyle that can be experienced in the country are just some of the reasons why people choose to take their tertiary studies in the Netherlands. However, the most important thing to note in exploring the option to study in this country is its high quality of education, which is proven by its top universities:

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HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht
With over 38,000 students representing over a hundred nationalities, HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht is a good example of a truly international institution. Despite its high number of students, you can expect to attend courses in a small-scale setting, as personal supervision and practical experience in courses are given emphasis in the University. It offers more than 92 study programmes in different fields and is home to six research centres for the following: Communication and Journalism, Education Research, Innovation and Business, Innovation in Healthcare, Social Innovation and Technology and Innovation.

Find out more about HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht

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Inholland University of Applied Sciences
Another university that focuses on practice-based learning is Inholland University of Applied Sciences. It also has around a hundred nationalities represented in its student body, with its international student population continuously growing. Its list of programmes include Aeronautical Engineering, International Music Management, Mathematical Engineering and Media and Entertainment Management. Its campuses are located in Amsterdam, Delft, Haarlem and The Hague, all of which are prominent areas of the country.

Find out more about Inholland University of Applied Sciences

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Wageningen University
Individuals interested in pursuing further education in life sciences will find Wageningen University a viable option. The University offers 29 Master’s of Science programmes that are focused on “healthy food and living environment”. Aside for placing high in university rankings, it also prides itself in being one of the top institutions in the world in the worldwide publication index for the field of food, agriculture, plants, animals and environment. With numerous partnerships with international companies and governments, it prepares its student body (25% of which is composed of international students) for opportunities around the world.

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Erasmus University Rotterdam
Founded in 1913, Erasmus University Rotterdam has since established itself as a top educational and research institution, consistently ranking in various lists of top universities in the world. Its programmes and research are concentrated on four areas, which are health, wealth, governance and culture. It has various international programmes taught in English at the bachelor, Master, post-experience Master and doctorate levels, all of which are research-driven and address the University’s goal of academic excellence. Like the previously mentioned institutions, Erasmus University Rotterdam has over a hundred nationalities represented in its student body.

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Eindhoven University of Technology
Specializing in engineering science and technology, Eindhoven University of Technology’s distinctive research areas include Broadband Telecommunication Technologies, Nano-Engineering of Functional Materials and Devices and Process Engineering and Control. It offers state-of-the-art equipment and facilities that allow its students to be innovative as well as entrepreneurial. 33% of its 3,055 employees, 4% of its nearly 5,000 bachelor students and 16% of its Master students make up its international community.

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University of Groningen
The second oldest university in the country boasts of having been the study or work place of a Nobel Prize winner, the first Dutch astronaut and the first president of the European Bank. It also takes pride in its socially relevant research areas of energy, healthy ageing and sustainable society. It has 55 bachelor’s degree programmes and 111 Master’s programs (26 and 95, respectively, of which are taught in English) across 11 faculties and nine graduate schools. With over 4,225 international students and participation in six Erasmus Mundus programmes, it’s no surprise that it is considered as an active figure in international education. In addition, 37% of its academic staff is international, and more 120 nationalities are represented in its international community.

See all courses available at the University of Groningen

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Leiden University
Next on the list is the oldest university in the Netherlands, Leiden University. Founded in 1575, it has cemented itself in different fields such as medicine and humanities. Its list of 46 bachelor’s and 73 Master’s programmes cover various disciplines across seven faculties and over 40 research institutes. With these numbers, the University is of particular interest to anyone interested in pursuing studies with a multidisciplinary approach. Based on the latest statistics given by the university, it has 110 different nationalities among its 2,252 international students.

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Utrecht University
Recently ranked 5th in Veterinary Science by subject and 44th in Life Sciences and Medicine by faculty by the QS World University Rankings, Utrecht University has proven its high quality and innovative education. Its multidisciplinary research and education is focused on four themes: Dynamics of Youth, Institutions, Life Sciences and Sustainability, and this is evident in its seven faculties. It has over 1,600 students from abroad in its 183 undergraduate and graduate programs, 90 of which are conducted in English.

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Delft University of Technology
As a provider of technical education for over 170 years, Delft University of Technology has a long tradition of academic excellence in the fields of science, engineering and design. Two of its bachelor’s programmes and all of its Master’s programmes are taught in English. 30% of its Master’s students and 60% of its PhD students belong to its international community, which is also strengthened by its partnerships with universities and industry links across the world.

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University of Amsterdam
Located in the famous city, University of Amsterdam is one of the most well-known universities in the country. Aside from its location, it is also famous for constantly ranking as the top university in the Netherlands and its various centres of expertise. It has 20 research priority areas, which include cultural heritage and identity, global health and development and quantum matter and quantum information. With over a hundred of its study programmes taught in English and a 3,000-strong international community of students and researchers, it is an ideal choice for prospective students looking at the Netherlands as a study destination.

Related topics

• Study in the Netherlands
• Netherlands Student Visa Guide
• Study in Europe