In this article at World Scholars Hub, we have listed the best universities in Netherlands that you would love as an international student looking to study in the European country.
The Netherlands is located in northwestern Europe, with territories in the Caribbean. It is also known as Holland with its capital in Amsterdam.
The name Netherlands means “low-lying” and the country is indeed low-lying and actually flat. It has a large expanse of lakes, rivers, and canals.
Which gives room for foreigners to explore the beaches, visit lakes, sightseeing through the woods, and interchange with other cultures. Especially the German, British, French, Chinese, and many other cultures.
It is one of the world’s largest populated nations, which continues to have one of the most progressive economies in the world, regardless of the country’s size.
This indeed is a country for adventure. But there are other key reasons why you should pick the Netherlands.
However, if you are curious about what it feels like to study in the Netherlands, you can get to find out what it is really like to study in the Netherlands.
Table of Contents
Why Study in the Netherlands?
1. Affordable Tuition/Living Expenses
The Netherlands offers tuition to students, both local and foreign at a low cost.
Netherlands tuition is relatively low due to the Dutch higher education which is subsidized by the government.
You can find out the most affordable schools to study in the Netherlands.
2. Quality Education
Dutch educational system and standard of teaching are of high quality. This makes their universities acknowledged in many parts of the country.
Their teaching style is unique and their professors are friendly and professional.
3. Degree Recognition
The Netherlands is known for a knowledge center with well-known universities.
Scientific research done in the Netherlands is taken very seriously and any certificate gotten from any of their prestigious universities is accepted without any doubt.
4. Multicultural Environment
The Netherlands is a country where people of various tribes and cultures reside.
An estimate of 157 people from different countries, especially students, are found in the Netherlands.
List of the Best Universities in Netherlands
Below is a list of the best universities in the Netherlands:
- University of Amsterdam
- Utrecht University
- University of Groningen
- Erasmus University Rotterdam
- Leiden University
- Maastricht University
- Radboud University
- Wageningen University & Research
- Eindhoven University of Technology
- Vrije University
- University of Twente
- Tilburg University
- HAN University of Applied Sciences
- Delft University of Technology
- Nyenrode Business University.
15 Best Universities in the Netherlands
These universities in the Netherlands offer quality education, affordable tuition, and a conducive learning environment for both domestic and international students.
1. University of Amsterdam
Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Rankings: 55th in the world by the QS world university rankings, 14th in Europe, and 1st in the Netherlands.
Abbreviation: UvA.
About University: The University of Amsterdam, usually known as UvA is a public research university and one of the top 15 universities in Netherlands.
It is one of the largest public research institutes in the city, was established in 1632, and then later renamed.
This is the third oldest university in the Netherlands, with over 31,186 students and seven faculties, namely: Behavioral Sciences, Economics, Business, Humanities, Law, Science, Medicine, Dentistry, etc.
Amsterdam has produced six Nobel laureates and five prime ministers of the Netherlands.
It is indeed one of the best universities in the Netherlands.
Location: Utrecht, Utrecht province, Netherlands.
Ranking: 13th in Europe and 49th in the world.
Abbreviation: UU.
About University: Utrecht University is one of the oldest and highly-rated universities in Netherlands, which focuses on quality research and history.
Utrecht was established on 26 March 1636, however, Utrecht University has been producing a good number of distinguished scholars among its alumni and faculty.
This includes 12 Nobel Prize laureates and 13 Spinoza Prize laureates, nevertheless, this and more have placed Utrecht University consistently among the top 100 universities in the world.
This top university is ranked one of the best universities in the Netherlands by the Shanghai ranking of world universities.
It has over 31,801 students, staff, and seven faculties.
These Faculties include; the Faculty of Geo-sciences, Faculty of Humanities, Faculties of Law, Economics and Governance, Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Science, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.
3. University of Groningen
Location: Groningen, Netherlands.
Ranking: 3rd in the Netherlands, 25th in Europe, and 77th in the world.
Abbreviation: RUG.
About University: The University of Groningen was founded in 1614, and it is third on this list of the best universities in Netherlands.
It is one of the most traditional and prestigious schools in Netherlands.
This University has 11 faculties, 9 graduate schools, 27 research centres and institutes, including more than 175 degree programs.
It also has alumni that are winners of the Nobel Prize, Spinoza Prize, and Stevin Prize, not only these but also; members of the Royal Dutch family, multiple mayors, the first president of the European Central Bank, and a secretary general of NATO.
Groningen University has over 34,000 students, as well as 4,350 doctoral students together with numerous staff.
4. Erasmus University Rotterdam
Location: Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Ranking: 69th in the world in 2017 by Times Higher Education, 17th in Business and Economics, 42nd in clinical health, etc.
Abbreviation: EUR.
About University: This university gets its name from Desiderius Erasmus Roterodamus, which is a 15th-century humanist and theologian.
Apart from being one of the best universities in the Netherlands, it also has the largest and foremost academic medical centres, likewise trauma centres in the Netherlands.
It is best ranked and these rankings are worldwide, making this university stand out.
Finally, this university has 7 faculties that focus on just four areas, namely; Health, Wealth, Governance, and Culture.
5. Leiden University
Location: Leiden and The Hague, South Holland, Netherlands.
Ranking: top 50 worldwide in 13 fields of study. Etc.
Abbreviation: LEI.
About University: Leiden University is a public research university in the Netherlands. It was founded and established on the 8th February 1575 by William Prince of Orange.
It was given as a reward to the city of Leiden for its defense against Spanish attacks during the Eighty Year’s War.
It is one of the oldest and most reputable universities in the Netherlands.
This university is known for its historical background and its emphasis on social sciences.
It has over 29,542 students and 7000 staff, both academic and administrative.
Leiden proudly has seven faculties and more than fifty departments. However, it is also housing over 40 national and international research institutes.
This university consistently ranks among the top 100 universities in the world by international rankings.
Produced 21 Spinoza Prize Laureates and 16 Nobel Laureates, which includes Enrico Fermi and Albert Einstein.
6. Maastricht University
Location: Maastricht, Netherlands.
Ranking: 88th place in the Times Higher Education World Ranking in 2016 and 4th among young universities. Etc.
Abbreviation: UM.
About University: Maastricht University is another public research university in the Netherlands. It was founded in 1976 and established on the 9th of January 1976.
Apart from being one of the 15 best universities in Netherlands, it is the second youngest of the Dutch universities.
It has over 21,085 students, whereas 55% are foreign.
Moreover, about half of the Bachelor’s programs are offered in English, whilst the others are taught partially or wholly in Dutch.
In addition to the number of students, this university has an average of 4,000 staff, both administrative and academic.
This university frequently ranks top on the chart of Europe’s leading universities. It is ranked among the top 300 universities in the world by five major ranking tables.
In the year 2013, Maastricht was the second Dutch university to be rewarded the Distinctive Quality Feature for Internationalization by the Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO).
7. Radboud University
Location: Nijmegen, Gelderland, Netherlands.
Ranking: 105th in 2020 by the Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities.
Abbreviation: RU.
About University: Radboud University, formerly known as Katholieke Universiteit Nijmegen, bears the name of Saint Radboud, a 9th-century Dutch bishop. He was known for his support and knowledge of the less privileged.
This university was established on 17th October 1923, it has over 24,678 students and 2,735 administrative staff.
Radboud University has been included in the top 150 universities in the world by four major ranking tables.
In addition to this, Radboud University has alumni of 12 Spinoza Prize laureates, including 1 Nobel Prize laureate, that is, Sir Konstantin Novoselov, who discovered graphene. Etc.
8. Wageningen University & Research
Location: Wageningen, Gelderland, Netherlands.
Ranking: 59th in the world by the Times Higher Education Ranking, world best in agriculture and forestry by the QS World University Rankings. Etc.
Abbreviation: WUR
About University: This is a public university that specializes in technical and engineering sciences. Nevertheless, Wageningen University also focuses on life sciences and agricultural research.
Wageningen University was established in 1876 as an agricultural college and was recognized in 1918 as a public university.
This university has over 12,000 students from over 100 countries. It is also a member of the Euroleague for Life Sciences (ELLS) university network, known for its agriculture, forestry, and environmental study programs.
WUR was placed among the top 150 universities in the world, this is by four major ranking tables. It was voted the top university in the Netherlands for fifteen years.
9. Eindhoven University of Technology
Location: Eindhoven, North Brabant, Netherlands.
Ranking: 99th in the world by QS World University Ranking in 2019, 34th in Europe, 3rd in the Netherlands. Etc.
Abbreviation: TU/e
About University: The Eindhoven University of Technology is a public technical school with over 13000 students and 3900 staff. It was established on the 23rd of June 1956.
This university has been ranked in the top 200 universities in three major ranking systems, from the year 2012 to 2019.
TU/e is a member of the EuroTech Universities Alliance, a partnership of universities of science and technology in Europe.
It has nine faculties, namely: Biomedical Engineering, Built Environment, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Design, Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Industrial Engineering and Innovation Sciences, Applied Physics, Mechanical Engineering, and finally, Mathematics and Computer Science.
10. Vrije University
Location: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands.
Ranking: 146th in the CWUR World University Ranking in 2019-2020, 171st in the QS World University Ranking in 2014. Etc.
Abbreviation: VU
About University: Vrije university was founded and established in 1880 and has consistently ranked among the best universities in the Netherlands.
VU is one of the large, publicly funded research universities in Amsterdam. This university is ‘Free’. This refers to the independence of the university from both the State and the dutch reformed church, thereby giving it its name.
Although founded as a private university, this university has received government funding on an occasional basis just like public universities since 1970.
It has over 29,796 students and 3000 staff. The university has 10 faculties and these faculties offer 50 bachelor programs, 160 masters, and a number of Ph.D. However, the language of instruction for most bachelor courses is Dutch.
11. University of Twente
Location: Enschede, Netherlands.
Ranking: Among the 200 most prestigious universities by Times Higher Education Ranking
Abbreviation: UT
About University: The University of Twente collaborates with other universities under the umbrella of 3TU, it is also a partner in the European Consortium of Innovative Universities (ECIU).
It is one of the best universities in Netherlands and is also among the top 200 universities in the world, by multiple central ranking tables.
This university was founded in 1961, it became the third polytechnic institute to become a university in the Netherlands.
Technische Hogeschool Twente (THT) was its first name, however, it was renamed in 1986 as a result of the changes in the Dutch Academic Education Act in 1964.
There are 5 faculties in this university, each organized into several departments. Moreover, it has over 12,544 students, 3,150 administrative staff, and several campuses.
12. Tilburg University
Location: Tilburg, Netherlands.
Ranking: 5th in the field of Business Administration by Shanghai Ranking in 2020 and 12th in Finance, worldwide. 1st in the Netherlands for the last 3 years by Elsevier Magazine. Etc.
Abbreviation: None.
About University: Tilburg University is a university that is specialized in Social and Behavioral Sciences, as well as, Economics, Law, Business Sciences, Theology, and Humanities. This university has made its way among the best universities in the Netherlands.
This university has a population of about 19,334 students, whereby 18% of them are international students. Although, this percentage has increased over years.
It also has a good number of staff, both administrative and academic.
The university has a good reputation in both research and education, even though, it is a public research university. It awards approximately 120 PhDs yearly.
Tilburg University was founded and established in 1927. It has 5 faculties, which include the school of Economics and Management, which is the largest and oldest faculty in the school.
This school has several undergraduate and graduate programs taught in English. Tilburg has different research centres which makes it easier for students to learn.
13. HAN University of Applied Sciences
Location: Arnhem and Nijmegen, Netherlands.
Ranking: None presently.
Abbreviation: Known as HAN.
About University: HAN University of Applied Sciences is one of the largest and best universities in the Netherlands. Especially, in terms of applied sciences.
It has over 36,000 students and 4,000 staff. HAN is particularly that knowledge institute found in Gelderland, it has campuses in Arnhem and Nijmegen.
On the 1st of February 1996, the HAN conglomerate was established. Then, it became a large, broad-based educational institution. Thereafter, the number of students increased, while the cost decreased.
However, this is entirely in line with the goals of the government and the Association of Universities of Applied Sciences.
Nevertheless, the university changed its name from, Hogeschool van Arnhem en Nijmegen, to HAN University of Applied Sciences. Although HAN has 14 schools within the university, these include the School of Built Environment, School of Business and Communication, etc.
That does not exclude the various undergraduate and postgraduate programs. This university is not just known for its foundation and great alumni, but also as one of the best universities in the Netherlands.
14. Delft University of Technology
Location: Delft, Netherlands.
Ranking: 15th by QS World University Ranking in 2020, 19th by Times Higher Education World University Ranking in 2019. Etc.
Abbreviation: TU Delft.
About University: The Delft University of Technology is the oldest and largest Dutch public-technical university in the Netherlands.
It has been consistently ranked as one of the best universities in Netherlands and in the year 2020, it was on the list of the top 15 best universities of engineering and technology in the world.
This university has 8 faculties and numerous research institutes. It has over 26,000 students and 6,000 staff.
However, it was established on the 8th January 1842 by William II of the Netherlands, this university was first a Royal Academy, training civil servants for work in the Dutch East Indies.
Meanwhile, the school expanded in its research and after a series of changes, it became a proper university. It adopted the name, the Delft University of Technology in 1986, and over the years, it has produced several Nobel alumni.
15. Nyenrode Business University
Location: Breukelen, Netherlands.
Ranking: 41st by Financial Times Ranking for European Business Schools in 2020. 27th for open programs by the Financial Times Ranking for executive education programs in 2020. Etc.
Abbreviation: NBU
About University: Nyenrode Business University is a Dutch Business University and one of the five private universities in the Netherlands.
However, it is also counted among the 15 best universities in Netherlands.
It was founded in 1946 and this educational institute was founded under the name; Netherlands Training Institute for Abroad. However, after its establishment in 1946, it was renamed.
This university has a full-time and part-time program, which gives its students room for school and work.
Nevertheless, it has a variety of programs for both graduate and undergraduate students. This university is fully accredited by the Association of AMBAs and others.
Nyenrode Business University has a good number of students, which includes international students. Moreover, it has several faculties and staff, both administrative and academic.
Conclusion
As you have seen, each of these universities has its unique, distinct features. Most of them are public research universities, however, for more detailed information on each of these universities, please follow the link attached.
To apply for any of the above universities, you can follow the instructions on the university’s main site, through the link attached to its name. Or, you can use Studielink.
You can check study abroad in the Netherlands for more information on the Netherlands.
Meanwhile, for international, master’s students who are confused about how to go about the preparation to study in the Netherlands, you can check out how to prepare for master’s in the Netherlands for international students.