Study systems in Europe

How long you study depends on the type of institution:

• associate degree – 2 years (120 ECTS), only at hogescholen; it can lead on to an HBO bachelor's,
• bachelor – 3 years (180 ECTS) at a university, 4 years (240 ECTS) at a hogeschool,
• master – 1, 2 or 3 years (60, 120 or 180 ECTS) at a university, usually 1 year (60 ECTS) at a hogeschool, sometimes 2 years,
• doctorate (PhD) – usually 4 years; there is also a 2-year engineering doctorate (EngD).

All degrees correspond to levels 5–8 of the Dutch qualifications framework (NLQF). Keep in mind that a 3-year university bachelor's and a 4-year HBO bachelor's are different paths – choose the one that fits your plans for a master's.

Netherlands – bachelor's programmes
Netherlands – integrated (single-cycle) programmes
Netherlands – master's programmes