Best 9 Area Studies Universities in the Netherlands
There are 9 publicly funded universities in the Netherlands with area studies programmes on the CROHO register — research universities (WO) and universities of applied sciences (HBO). Between them they run 23 registered programmes.
Location
Amsterdam, Noord-Holland
Institution type
Research University (WO)
Matching programmes
3
QS World Ranking
#55
Location
Leiden, Zuid-Holland
Institution type
Research University (WO)
Matching programmes
7
QS World Ranking
#119
Location
Groningen
Institution type
Research University (WO)
Matching programmes
3
QS World Ranking
#147
Location
Enschede, Overijssel
Institution type
Research University (WO)
Matching programmes
1
QS World Ranking
#203
Location
Maastricht, Limburg
Institution type
Research University (WO)
Matching programmes
4
QS World Ranking
#239
Location
Nijmegen, Gelderland
Institution type
Research University (WO)
Matching programmes
2
QS World Ranking
#279
Location
Leeuwarden, Friesland
Institution type
University of Applied Sciences (HBO)
Matching programmes
1
Enrolments (2025)
22,033
Location
Heerlen, Limburg
Institution type
University of Applied Sciences (HBO)
Matching programmes
1
Enrolments (2025)
13,372
Location
The Hague, Zuid-Holland
Institution type
University of Applied Sciences (HBO)
Matching programmes
1
Enrolments (2025)
23,974
Frequently asked questions
How many universities in the Netherlands offer Area Studies?
9 of the Netherlands' 54 publicly funded universities have area studies programmes on CROHO, the Central Register of Higher Education Programmes. That count covers both research universities (WO) and universities of applied sciences (HBO).
How is this ranking put together?
Order comes from a published-figures-only composite: QS World position, breadth of recognised programmes, share of programmes taught in English and scale by DUO enrolments. No university pays for placement, and no judgement of teaching quality is invented.