Best 25 Development Studies Universities in the Netherlands
There are 25 publicly funded universities in the Netherlands with development studies programmes on the CROHO register — research universities (WO) and universities of applied sciences (HBO). Between them they run 54 registered programmes.
Location
Amsterdam, Noord-Holland
Institution type
Research University (WO)
Matching programmes
4
QS World Ranking
#55
Location
Utrecht
Institution type
Research University (WO)
Matching programmes
3
QS World Ranking
#103
Location
Leiden, Zuid-Holland
Institution type
Research University (WO)
Matching programmes
3
QS World Ranking
#119
Location
Rotterdam, Zuid-Holland
Institution type
Research University (WO)
Matching programmes
3
QS World Ranking
#140
Location
Groningen
Institution type
Research University (WO)
Matching programmes
1
QS World Ranking
#147
Location
Wageningen, Gelderland
Institution type
Research University (WO)
Matching programmes
3
QS World Ranking
#153
Location
Amsterdam, Noord-Holland
Institution type
Research University (WO)
Matching programmes
1
QS World Ranking
#194
Location
Maastricht, Limburg
Institution type
Research University (WO)
Matching programmes
3
QS World Ranking
#239
Location
Nijmegen, Gelderland
Institution type
Research University (WO)
Matching programmes
3
QS World Ranking
#279
Location
Eindhoven, Noord-Brabant
Institution type
University of Applied Sciences (HBO)
Matching programmes
1
Enrolments (2025)
38,560
Location
Rotterdam, Zuid-Holland
Institution type
University of Applied Sciences (HBO)
Matching programmes
3
Enrolments (2025)
37,473
Location
Leeuwarden, Friesland
Institution type
University of Applied Sciences (HBO)
Matching programmes
1
Enrolments (2025)
22,033
Frequently asked questions
How many universities in the Netherlands offer Development Studies?
25 of the Netherlands' 54 publicly funded universities have development 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.