Hogescholen

Hogescholen, or universities of applied sciences, are a category of higher education institutions in the Dutch-speaking parts of the Netherlands and Belgium. They provide professional, practice-oriented education designed to prepare students for specific occupations and to contribute to the labor market. Programs typically lead to professional bachelor degrees and include substantial work placements, projects with industry, and applied research. Fields commonly offered include engineering, health care, social work, education, business, and information technology.

Hogescholen complement research universities by prioritizing applied knowledge and professional training over theoretical research. They maintain close ties with employers through internships and partnerships with industry and the public sector. In the Netherlands, hogescholen are accredited by the national accreditation body NVAO, and their programs follow the Bologna Process with bachelor and master degree structures; graduates may progress to master’s programs at universities or in joint programs. In Belgium’s Flemish Community, hogescholen similarly award professional bachelor degrees and engage in applied research, often with strong regional ties.

Internationally, hogescholen participate in student and staff mobility through programs such as Erasmus+ and offer English-taught programs in some fields to attract international students. They are part of a broader higher education landscape that also includes research universities, and they contribute to regional innovation ecosystems through applied research centers and partnerships with industry and public institutions.