Netherlands - types of higher education institutions

Higher education in the Netherlands is provided by three types of institution.

• Government-funded institutions receive funding from the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science or the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation, and charge their students government-approved fees. There are 36 higher professional education institutions and 14 universities, including the Open University.
• ‘Legal entities providing higher education’ are covered by the terms of the Higher Education and Research Act but are not funded by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. They are free to decide on their own fees and admissions policy, although students must be in possession of a HAVO, MBO or VWO certificate. Students at these institutions are eligible for student support. Like government-funded institutions, legal entities providing higher education award bachelor’s and/or master’s degrees for courses that are accredited. A small number of these institutions (primarily for faith-based higher education) do receive funding. Many of the provisions of the Higher Education and Research Act do not apply to legal entities providing higher education.
• Private-sector institutions are not covered by the Higher Education and Research Act. They include foreign universities and business schools to which Dutch government regulations do not apply.

Higher professional education

Higher professional education is provided at ‘hogescholen’ (institutions of higher professional education) and is for students aged around 17 and over. HBO institutions generally offer courses in several different fields.
 
The average size of HBO institutions is constantly increasing as a result not only of mergers but also of rising student numbers. There are 36 government-funded higher professional education institutions. In addition, there are about 60 legal entities providing higher professional education.
 
In addition to the range of initial courses of higher professional education, there are also a small number of advanced courses, most of which have been upgraded to master’s degree courses. These include art courses, courses in architecture, and teacher training courses in special education or leading to a grade 1 qualification in general subjects. These are open to students who have already completed a higher education programme.

University education

Degree courses are provided at 14 universities, including the Open University. Three universities – the universities of technology in Delft (TUD), Eindhoven (TUE) and Twente (UT) – focus predominantly on engineering and technology. Besides the 14 universities, there are a number of approved institutions, including six offering theological courses, one offering a degree course in humanism, and Nyenrode Business University.

source:
Eurypedia - The European Encyclopedia on National Education Systems
http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/education/eurydice/eurypedia_en.php