Best 15 Languages & Linguistics Universities in the Netherlands

There are 15 publicly funded universities in the Netherlands with languages & linguistics programmes on the CROHO register — research universities (WO) and universities of applied sciences (HBO). Between them they run 44 registered programmes.

University of Amsterdam

Location Amsterdam, Noord-Holland
Institution type Research University (WO)
Matching programmes 8
QS World Ranking #55

Utrecht University

Location Utrecht
Institution type Research University (WO)
Matching programmes 9
QS World Ranking #103

Leiden University

Location Leiden, Zuid-Holland
Institution type Research University (WO)
Matching programmes 6
QS World Ranking #119

University of Groningen

Location Groningen
Institution type Research University (WO)
Matching programmes 4
QS World Ranking #147

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Location Amsterdam, Noord-Holland
Institution type Research University (WO)
Matching programmes 2
QS World Ranking #194

Radboud University

Location Nijmegen, Gelderland
Institution type Research University (WO)
Matching programmes 3
QS World Ranking #279

Tilburg University

Location Tilburg, Noord-Brabant
Institution type Research University (WO)
Matching programmes 1
QS World Ranking #347

Fontys University of Applied Sciences

Location Eindhoven, Noord-Brabant
Institution type University of Applied Sciences (HBO)
Matching programmes 2
Enrolments (2025) 38,560

Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences

Location Rotterdam, Zuid-Holland
Institution type University of Applied Sciences (HBO)
Matching programmes 1
Enrolments (2025) 37,473

NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences

Location Leeuwarden, Friesland
Institution type University of Applied Sciences (HBO)
Matching programmes 1
Enrolments (2025) 22,033

HAN University of Applied Sciences

Location Arnhem, Gelderland
Institution type University of Applied Sciences (HBO)
Matching programmes 1
Enrolments (2025) 33,559

Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences

Location Amsterdam, Noord-Holland
Institution type University of Applied Sciences (HBO)
Matching programmes 2
Enrolments (2025) 42,484

Frequently asked questions

How many universities in the Netherlands offer Languages & Linguistics?

15 of the Netherlands' 54 publicly funded universities have languages & linguistics 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.