Degrees
05 Feb 2008
Students who enrol on higher education programmes will obtain a bachelor’s degree upon completion of the undergraduate phase and a master’s degree upon completion of the graduate phase.
Universities and Universities of Applied Sciences award both types of degrees, but with a difference in orientation: most degree programmes at Universities focus on academic study and research, and those at Universities of Applied Sciences on practical, professional knowledge. Institutes for International Education offer master’s programmes, but no bachelor’s programmes.
Bachelor’s programmes
A bachelor’s programme at a University requires three years of full-time study (180 credits) to complete while a bachelor’s programme offered by a University of Applied Sciences requires four years of full-time study (240 credits).
Master’s programmes
Depending on the discipline, master’s programmes at Universities, Universities of Applied Sciences and Institutes for International Education will last one to two years (60-120 credits).
PhD
The doctorate (PhD) is only offered at Universities and takes at least four years. A master degree is compulsory for admission. For more information, download PhD programme in Holland (PDF).
Table of degrees
|
Universities |
Universities of Applied Sciences | Institutes for International Education | |
|---|---|---|---|
| PhD |
4 years |
4 years (only possible at 5 institutes) |
|
| Master (M) |
1-2 years |
||
| Master of Arts (MA) |
1-2 years |
1-2 years |
|
| Master of Science (MSc) |
1-2 years |
1-2 years |
|
| Bachelor (B) |
4 years |
||
| Bachelor of Arts (BA) |
3 years |
||
| Bachelor of Science (BSc) |
3 years |
||