Find your institution's book list

Higher education institutions in the Netherlands

If you are going to study at an institution of higher education in the Netherlands, you can choose between two types of higher education:

• Higher professional education (hbo). This is usually referred to as a university of applied sciences or hbo.
• Research-oriented education (wo). This is usually referred to as a university.

Universities of applied sciences and research universities in the Netherlands operate according to the Bachelor-Master system. The average Bachelor's degree takes 3 or 4 years to complete. Most Master's programmes last 1 or 2 years. As a student, you must earn a certain number of ECTS credits, study credits, or credits to successfully complete an academic year and ultimately your entire programme before obtaining your Bachelor's or Master's degree.

Universities of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands

Universities of applied sciences, or hbo institutions, focus more on practical skills. If you study at a university of applied sciences, completing an internship is often mandatory. Well-known hbo programmes include Law, Applied Psychology, Commercial Economics, and Nursing. Universities of applied sciences are accessible to students who have obtained a HAVO or VWO diploma.

Universities in the Netherlands

Universities focus more on research. As a university student, you are trained to become a researcher, although most graduates eventually pursue careers in the business sector. Well-known university programmes include Law, Medicine, Psychology, and Business Administration. Universities are accessible to students who have obtained a diploma from pre-university education (VWO).

Numerus Fixus (Limited Enrolment)

Some programmes at universities of applied sciences or research universities have a so-called numerus fixus. This means that an educational institution admits only a maximum number of students to the programme each year. If there are more applications than available places, the university of applied sciences or university may select the best candidates. Selection may be based on factors such as average exam grades, motivation, and other academic achievements.

Associate Degree

You can also choose to pursue an Associate Degree programme at a university of applied sciences. These programmes are generally shorter and more practically oriented. They are specifically designed to prepare you for a profession. Associate Degree programmes often collaborate closely with companies in the region. An Associate Degree programme lasts 2 years (120 ECTS credits).

Overview of institutions

Need books for your studies at a university of applied sciences or university? Start on the page of your educational institution. Find your institution in the list below — see Dutch original for full list of affiliated universities of applied sciences (hbo) and universities (wo) including Avans, Fontys, HAN, HvA, HU, Inholland, NHL Stenden, Saxion and many more.

Top 10 most searched higher professional education programmes

Are you planning to study at a Dutch university of applied sciences? Then you can choose from many different programmes. Which hbo programme you choose naturally depends on your interests and talents. Once you have selected your programme, you can study in student cities throughout the Netherlands, from Leeuwarden to Maastricht and from Vlissingen to Enschede. These are currently the ten most searched-for hbo programmes:

1. Nursing
2. Law
3. Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
4. Hotel Management
5. Pedagogy
6. Nutrition and Dietetics
7. Applied Psychology
8. Social Work
9. Human Resource Management (HRM)
10. Commercial Economics

In addition, we also offer many textbooks for the following programmes:

1. Theology
2. History
3. Dentistry
4. Educational Sciences
5. International Relations
6. Health Sciences
7. Behavioural Sciences
8. Pharmacy
9. Econometrics
10. Biomedical Sciences

Have you already chosen your programme and are you a current or prospective student? Then you can buy your textbooks at Studiewinkel. For many programmes and educational institutions, we offer ready-made book lists. And if you order two or more Dutch-language textbooks at the same time, you will receive a 5% discount on your books.

Find books for your hbo programme now >

Top 10 most searched university programmes

Are you planning to pursue an academic degree at one of the universities in the Netherlands? If so, you will also have a wide range of study programmes to choose from. Which university programme you select depends on many different factors, such as your previous education, the professional field in which you see yourself working, and your personal interests. First determine which field of study suits you best, and then look for the most suitable university. You can find universities in most major cities across the Netherlands, from Maastricht to Amsterdam and from Groningen to Utrecht. These are currently the 10 most searched-for university programmes:

1. Medicine
2. Mathematics
3. Communication
4. Economics
5. Business Administration
6. Architecture
7. Physics
8. Criminology
9. Chemistry
10. Computer Science

Do you already know which programme you are going to study and are you a current or prospective student? Then buy your textbooks at Studiewinkel. For many programmes, degree courses, and educational institutions, we offer ready-made book lists. This ensures that you receive the correct textbooks on time. And if you order two or more Dutch-language textbooks at the same time, you will receive a 5% discount on your books.

Find books for your university programme now >