Best Universities in the Netherlands

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Best Universities in the NetherlandsAre you curious about which universities in the Netherlands are the best? Or maybe you’re already considering studying in the Netherlands and are looking for information on the country’s top schools. In any case, you’ll want to check out this list of Dutch university’s rankings. Whether you’re interested in a prestigious research institution or a school with a more applied focus, there’s indeed something here for you!


Best Universities in the Netherlands

There are many universities in the Netherlands that offer quality education. Some of the country’s most prestigious universities are:

  • University of Amsterdam
  • Wageningen University and Research
  • Leiden University
  • Utrecht University
  • University of Groningen
  • Erasmus University Rotterdam
  • Maastricht University
  • Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

University of Amsterdam

The University of Amsterdam is one of the first and most renowned universities in the Netherlands. It was founded in 1632, making it the oldest university in the country. The University of Amsterdam offers many degree programs from bachelors to doctoral levels. It is known for its research-intensive environment, which has resulted in a number of top-notch graduates and innovative research projects.

Wageningen University and Research

Wageningen University and Research are located in the city of Wageningen, Netherlands. This university is known for its innovative research projects related to food, nutrition, health, environment, energy and sustainability. It has a strong focus on applied science and technology-oriented research. The university offers many undergraduate and graduate degree programs in various fields, including agriculture, food sciences, nutrition, health sciences, environmental science and engineering.

Leiden University

Leiden University is one of the oldest universities in the Netherlands. It is known for its high-quality education and excellence in research. The university offers a variety of degree programs from bachelor’s to doctoral levels in numerous fields such as law, economics and social sciences. It also has a strong focus on internationalization, with students from over 121 countries around the world studying at this esteemed institution.

Utrecht University

Utrecht University is located in the city of Utrecht. This university has a long history of excellence in education and research. It offers many undergraduate and graduate degree programs across a number of disciplines, including medicine, law and the humanities. The university is also known for its highly acclaimed international student exchange program, which gives students an opportunity to study at one of over 250 partner universities around the world.

University of Groningen

The University of Groningen is located in the city of Groningen. This university has a long tradition of academic excellence that continues today. The university offers many degree programs from bachelors to doctoral levels in numerous fields such as economics, business administration, law and social sciences. It also prides itself on its strong international orientation, with students from all over the world studying at the university.

Erasmus University Rotterdam

Erasmus University Rotterdam is located in the city of Rotterdam. This university is known for its focus on economics, business administration and law degrees. It also offers many other degree programs from bachelor’s to doctoral levels across a variety of disciplines such as humanities, social sciences and medicine. Erasmus University is especially well-known for its research-intensive environment, which has resulted in numerous innovative projects and top-notch graduates.

Maastricht University

Maastricht University is located in the city of Maastricht. This university has a strong tradition of excellence in education and research, particularly in the fields of law and economics. It offers both undergraduate and graduates degree programs across numerous disciplines, including medicine, humanities and social sciences. Maastricht University is particularly renowned for its stimulating international environment, with many students from around the world studying at this institution.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

The Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is located in the city of Amsterdam. This university has a strong focus on research-intensive education and boasts top-notch graduates in fields such as law, economics and social sciences. The university also prides itself on its broad range of degree programs, from bachelor’s to doctoral levels across different fields. Moreover, it hosts a highly acclaimed international student exchange program that gives students an opportunity to gain a unique global experience while studying at one of its many partner universities.

Bottom Line

The Netherlands is home to some of the world’s leading universities. The Dutch higher education system offers a variety of degree programs, from bachelor’s to doctoral levels, in different disciplines, such as law, economics and social sciences. Furthermore, many universities have strong international student exchange programs that give students an opportunity to gain valuable global experience while studying abroad.


  • Article based on personal opinion, experience and research.
  • Photos from Unsplash & canva.