Best 30 Post-initial Master Universities in the Netherlands
There are 30 publicly funded universities in the Netherlands with post-initial master programmes on the CROHO register — research universities (WO) and universities of applied sciences (HBO). Between them they run 144 registered programmes.
Location
Arnhem, Gelderland
Institution type
University of Applied Sciences (HBO)
Matching programmes
3
Enrolments (2025)
33,559
Location
Rotterdam, Zuid-Holland
Institution type
University of Applied Sciences (HBO)
Matching programmes
2
Enrolments (2025)
23,853
Location
Enschede, Overijssel
Institution type
University of Applied Sciences (HBO)
Matching programmes
6
Enrolments (2025)
24,891
Location
Amsterdam, Noord-Holland
Institution type
University of Applied Sciences (HBO)
Matching programmes
3
Enrolments (2025)
42,484
Location
Breda, Noord-Brabant
Institution type
University of Applied Sciences (HBO)
Matching programmes
1
Enrolments (2025)
6,723
Location
The Hague, Zuid-Holland
Institution type
University of Applied Sciences (HBO)
Matching programmes
1
Enrolments (2025)
2,438
Location
Utrecht
Institution type
University of Applied Sciences (HBO)
Matching programmes
4
Enrolments (2025)
37,756
Location
Heerlen, Limburg
Institution type
University of Applied Sciences (HBO)
Matching programmes
3
Enrolments (2025)
13,372
Location
Groningen
Institution type
University of Applied Sciences (HBO)
Matching programmes
1
Enrolments (2025)
26,951
Location
Zwolle, Overijssel
Institution type
University of Applied Sciences (HBO)
Matching programmes
1
Enrolments (2025)
25,743
Location
The Hague, Zuid-Holland
Institution type
University of Applied Sciences (HBO)
Matching programmes
6
Enrolments (2025)
23,974
Location
Ede, Gelderland
Institution type
University of Applied Sciences (HBO)
Matching programmes
1
Enrolments (2025)
4,747
Frequently asked questions
How many universities in the Netherlands offer Post-initial Master?
30 of the Netherlands' 54 publicly funded universities have post-initial master 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.