In the Keuzegids Hbo 2026, HZ is once again ranked among the top 3 in the Netherlands in the "best medium-sized universities of applied sciences" category. As a comprehensive university of applied sciences, HZ boasts an excellent institutional score of 73 points. No fewer than 18 study programmes are in the top 3 in the Netherlands, and 14 of its programmes have been rated as "top programmes."

The best programmes in the Netherlands

HZ once again scores high in rankings based on student evaluations from the 2025 National Student Survey (NSE), labor market figures, and study success rates, such as dropout rates and graduation rates.

A total of 18 HZ programmes are in the top 3 in the Netherlands. Eight of these programmes can call themselves the best in their category:

  • The Bachelor's programmes in higher professional education (HBO) are Pedagogy, Communication, International Business, Global Project & Change Management, and Maritime Officer.
  • The Associate Degree programmes (two-year higher professional education programs) are Food, Business & Innovation in Vlissingen and Built Environment and Management at the Associate Degree Academy in Roosendaal. The academy is a collaboration between HZ and Avans University of Applied Sciences.

Quality seal for top programmes

This year, HZ once again boasts a large number of top programmes: 14 HZ programmes have earned this designation in their respective categories. Top programmes have scored more than 75 points and are eligible to use a quality seal:

  • In the social domain, these are the Bachelor's programmes in Primary Education, Pedagogy, and Social Work.
  • In the economic domain, these are the Bachelor's programmes in Communication, Human Resource Management, and Tourism Management.
  • In the technical domain, these are the Bachelor's programmes in Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Global Project & Change Management, Logistics Engineering, and Maritime Officer.
  • Associate degrees are awarded in Food, Business & Innovation in Vlissingen, and the HZ licenses in Built Environment and Management are awarded at the Associate Degree Academy in Roosendaal. The academy's Engineering programme (in collaboration with Avans) also deserves the seal of excellence.

Keuzegids Hbo

The Keuzegids Hbo 2026 was compiled by an independent editorial team. The Guide provides a systematic quality comparison of related higher education programs. The editors draw on reliable sources, such as student ratings from the National Student Survey (NSE), labor market data from the Research Centre for Research and the Labor Market (ROA), and study success rates from the Association of Universities of Applied Sciences. All information about the guide, rankings, and methodology can be found at www.keuzegids.nl.

A total of 14 universities of applied sciences fall into the medium-sized category. This includes institutions that offer at least four programmes. With 22 programmes assessed, HZ has the broadest programme portfolio in this category. If we look at HZ's institutional ranking and compare it with that of the large universities of applied sciences, we see that with 73 points, we would “virtually” be well ahead in first place.