Universities

Research Universities

There are 18 government-approved research universities in the Netherlands, three of which specialize in engineering. These institutions essentially train students in academic study and the application of knowledge, although many study programmes do also have a professional component and most graduates actually find work outside the research community.

Universities of applied sciences

The study programmes offered by universities of applied sciences ('hogescholen') are career-oriented. Acquiring practical work experience through internships is an integral part of professional study programmes.

Institute of international education

Holland has been offering another form of higher education for more than 50 years: advanced courses taught in English in what is known as ‘international education’.