Introduction

The higher education system in the Netherlands is based on a three-cycle degree system, consisting of a Bachelor's, Master's and PhD degree. The Netherlands has a binary higher education system.

Binary in this context means there are two types of higher education: research-oriented and applied-oriented.

  • Applied oriented education is offered by universities of applied sciences such as THUAS
  • Research-oriented education is traditionally offered by research universities.

The differences between types of university

What is the difference between a research university (WO) and a university of applied sciences (HBO)?

Study degree types at THUAS