46 public universities in the Netherlands in 2026
The public universities in the Netherlands offer accessible education to as many students as possible, with recognised programs and a strong tradition of academic research.
46 public universities
Netherlands has public institutions offering a wide range of programs, often with government-regulated fees and a strong tradition of academic research.
Windesheim University of Applied Sciences
A top-rated hogeschool in Zwolle: 80+ programmes including the Global Project and Change Management honours college.
Fontys University of Applied Sciences
One of the largest universities of applied sciences in the Netherlands, based in Eindhoven: engineering, health, education, arts and business.
HAN University of Applied Sciences
HAN, the hogeschool of Arnhem and Nijmegen: automotive, engineering, health, education and social studies.
HZ University of Applied Sciences
HZ in Middelburg, Zeeland: English-taught degrees in water, engineering, business and tourism, by the sea.
Inholland University of Applied Sciences
One of the largest Dutch universities of applied sciences in the Amsterdam region: business, tech, care, media and tourism.
NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences
A hogeschool in the north of the Netherlands (Leeuwarden, Emmen, Groningen): design, hospitality, technology and innovative teaching.
Zuyd University of Applied Sciences
Zuyd, the hogeschool of Maastricht, Heerlen and Sittard: arts, hospitality, health and psychology in the Euregio.
Utrecht University
The largest university in the Netherlands, founded in 1636 in Utrecht: top research, a broad disciplinary range and renowned international colleges.
University of Groningen
The Netherlands' second-oldest university, founded in 1614: a broad, research-intensive community of 36,000 students in vibrant student city Groningen.
Leiden University
Founded in 1575, the Netherlands' oldest university combines centuries of scholarship with strengths in law, humanities, medicine and international studies.
Maastricht University
The Netherlands' most international university, based in Maastricht and renowned for Problem-Based Learning and strong programmes in health, law and economics.
Eindhoven University of Technology
A leading technical university in Eindhoven's Brainport region: advanced engineering, data science and close ties with high-tech industry.
Tilburg University
A research university specialised in the social and human sciences: economics, law, psychology, sociology and theology.
University of Twente
A research university in Enschede with the Netherlands' only true campus: technology, entrepreneurship and people-centred social science under one roof.
Erasmus University Rotterdam
A Rotterdam research university named after Erasmus, world-renowned for economics, management, medicine and law, in Europe's largest port city.
Wageningen University & Research
A world-leading university for food, agriculture and the environment, located in Wageningen, the heart of the Dutch life-sciences cluster.
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
A public research university on Amsterdam's modern Zuidas campus, founded in 1880 as a 'free' university, with a broad disciplinary range and social commitment.
Open University of the Netherlands
The Open University of the Netherlands: distance learning from bachelor to PhD, study anytime and anywhere.
Radboud University
A leading Dutch research university in Nijmegen, known for its green campus, close personal guidance and strong record in health, science and social sciences.
Delft University of Technology
The Netherlands' oldest and largest technical university, founded in 1842: world-class engineering, architecture, aerospace and innovation in Delft.
Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences
The Netherlands' largest "green" university of applied sciences, in Velp and Leeuwarden: agriculture, nature, food and agribusiness.
VIAA University of Applied Sciences
A Christian university of applied sciences in Zwolle, known for its primary teacher training and theology programmes.