A Dictionary of Dutchness

Hogescholen

There are two types of degree courses in the Netherlands: the academic-based courses offered by universities and the more vocationally-based courses (HBO or hoger beroepsonderwijs) offered by Hogescholen (colleges and academies). The HBO council prefers the term ‘university of applied science’ to describe hogescholen, while the Dutch international education organisation Nuffic calls them ‘universities of professional education’.