Universities in the Netherlands ^New

Explore the uniRank League Table and University Ranking of 55 Universities in the Netherlands

The Kingdom of the Netherlands is divided into 12 provinces (Dutch: provincies). The majority of higher education institutions meeting the uniRank selection criteria are located in the most populated province of South Holland, which hosts the largest city, Rotterdam. The following uniRank league tables and sub-rankings take into account all provinces that include at least one Dutch higher education institution meeting the uniRank selection criteria.

Caribbean Netherlands (1)  
Flevoland (1)  
Friesland (1)  
Gelderland (8)  
Groningen (2)  
Limburg (2)  
North Brabant (9)  
North Holland (7)  
Overijssel (5)  
South Holland (12)  
Utrecht (6)  
Zeeland (1)  

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Overview of Netherlands Universities

The Netherlands boasts a world-class higher education system characterized by academic excellence and innovation. Dutch universities are categorized into research universities (WO) offering theory-driven programs and universities of applied sciences (HBO) focusing on practical training. The system is predominantly public (49%) with significant private non-profit participation (51%). Key features include English-taught programs, strong international orientation, research-intensive environments and specialized institutions alongside comprehensive universities. Degrees follow the bachelor-master-PhD structure under the Bologna system.

Top 10 Netherlands Universities

1. Utrecht University (Universiteit Utrecht) (UU)
   Country Rank: 1 | World Rank: 115 | Utrecht, Utrecht | Est. 1636 | Public | Research University | Comprehensive | Fields: Humanities, Sciences, Law, Medicine | Levels: Bachelor, Master, PhD
2. University of Amsterdam (Universiteit van Amsterdam) (UvA)
   Country Rank: 2 | World Rank: 120 | Amsterdam, North Holland | Est. 1632 | Public | Research University | Comprehensive | Fields: Social Sciences, Economics, Law, Medicine | Levels: Bachelor, Master, PhD
3. Leiden University (Universiteit Leiden) (LEI)
   Country Rank: 3 | World Rank: 127 | Leiden, South Holland | Est. 1575 | Public | Research University | Comprehensive | Fields: Archaeology, Law, Humanities, Sciences | Levels: Bachelor, Master, PhD
4. Delft University of Technology (Technische Universiteit Delft) (TU Delft)
   Country Rank: 4 | World Rank: 128 | Delft, South Holland | Est. 1842 | Public | Research University | Specialized | Fields: Engineering, Technology, Design | Levels: Bachelor, Master, PhD
5. University of Groningen (Rijksuniversiteit Groningen) (RUG)
   Country Rank: 5 | World Rank: 137 | Groningen, Groningen | Est. 1614 | Public | Research University | Comprehensive | Fields: Business, Medicine, Arts, Sciences | Levels: Bachelor, Master, PhD
6. VU University Amsterdam (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) (VU Amsterdam)
   Country Rank: 6 | World Rank: 210 | Amsterdam, North Holland | Est. 1880 | Private | Research University | Comprehensive | Fields: Theology, Computer Science, Economics | Levels: Bachelor, Master, PhD
7. University of Twente (Universiteit Twente) (UT)
   Country Rank: 7 | World Rank: 226 | Enschede, Overijssel | Est. 1961 | Public | Research University | Comprehensive | Fields: Technology, Behavioral Sciences, Governance | Levels: Bachelor, Master, PhD
8. Wageningen University & Research (Wageningen Universiteit) (WUR)
   Country Rank: 8 | World Rank: 246 | Wageningen, Gelderland | Est. 1918 | Public | Research University | Specialized | Fields: Agriculture, Environmental Sciences, Life Sciences | Levels: Bachelor, Master, PhD
9. Eindhoven University of Technology (Technische Universiteit Eindhoven) (TUe)
   Country Rank: 9 | World Rank: 249 | Eindhoven, North Brabant | Est. 1956 | Public | Research University | Specialized | Fields: Engineering, Industrial Design, Applied Physics | Levels: Bachelor, Master, PhD
10. Radboud University (Radboud Universiteit) (RU)
    Country Rank: 10 | World Rank: 304 | Nijmegen, Gelderland | Est. 1923 | Private | Research University | Comprehensive | Fields: Philosophy, Medical Sciences, Law | Levels: Bachelor, Master, PhD

Analysis of University Types

The Netherlands has 55 accredited universities. Public institutions dominate research universities (49% of all institutions), while private non-profit universities represent 51% of the sector. This balanced distribution reflects the Dutch approach to combining state-funded education with specialized private initiatives.

Global Ranking and Standing

Dutch universities achieve exceptional global recognition, with 5 institutions (9% of total) ranked among the world's top 200 universities. An impressive 14 universities (25% of total) feature in the global top 1,000, highlighting the nation's strong academic reputation and research output.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Are Netherlands universities free for international students?
A: While EU/EEA students pay regulated fees (≈€2,300/year), non-EU students pay higher tuition (€8,000-€20,000/year). Scholarships are widely available.

Q: What is the main application portal for Dutch universities?
A: Studielink is the centralized application system for most research universities and applied sciences institutions.

Q: How prevalent are English-taught programs?
A: The Netherlands offers over 2,200 English-taught programs - the highest concentration in continental Europe.

Q: Do universities require Dutch language proficiency?
A: Not for English-taught programs. Only Dutch-taught degrees require language certification (NT2 or Staatsexamen).

Q: What post-study work opportunities exist?
A: Graduates receive an orientation year visa (zoekjaar) allowing 1 year to seek employment, with pathways to long-term residency.

Since 2005, UniRank provides original research, valuable information and resources to help you explore and make informed decisions about Dutch universities and their online presence.

• Oldest Universities in the Netherlands
  Explore the most traditional and long-established Dutch post-secondary institutions according to uniRank's original research.
• A-Z Universities in the Netherlands
  Search for Dutch higher education institutions listed alphabetically from A to Z.
• Dutch Universities by Town
  Look for tertiary institutions located in a particular Dutch town or city.
• Top Public Universities in the Netherlands
  Discover Dutch public higher education institutions with potentially lower tuition fees.
• Top Private Universities in the Netherlands
  Find out about Dutch private higher education institutions.
• Top Non-Profit Universities in the Netherlands
  Explore Dutch not-for-profit higher education institutions that may offer lower tuition fees.
• Top For-Profit Universities in the Netherlands
  Look for Dutch for-profit higher education institutions.
• Top Dutch Universities on Facebook
  See which tertiary institutions in the Netherlands have the most followers on Facebook, according to uniRank's original research.
• Top Dutch Universities on Twitter
  Discover the Universities in the Netherlands that are most followed on Twitter, based on uniRank's original research.
• Top Dutch Universities on Instagram
  Find out which post-secondary institutions in the Netherlands are the most followed on Instagram, according to uniRank's original research.
• Top Dutch Universities on YouTube
  Explore the Universities in the Netherlands with the most subscribed channels on YouTube, based on uniRank's original research.