Bachelor-master structure
Dutch research universities and universities of applied sciences have introduced the European bachelor-master structure (bama). This structure divides higher education (ho) into a bachelor’s phase and a master’s phase. In higher professional education (hbo), a bachelor’s degree lasts four years, in research university education (wo) three years. The master’s phase comes after the bachelor ‘s phase and lasts at least one year in both HBO and WO. In principle with a HAVO, VWO or MBO level 4 diploma, you can enrol in a higher professional education programme. If you do not have the required diploma, but are 21 years or older, you can do an entrance examination.
Types of study programmes
The HZ offers different types of study programme:
- Full-time and part-time programmes
- Associate degree
The associate degree is a nationally recognized two-year higher professional education programme. After that, you can easily continue with your bachelor’s degree, possibly after having worked for several years. HZ offers various associate degrees. - Courses
- Master
Phases of Higher Education
Propaedeutic year
The propaedeutic phase is the first year of a study programme and gives access to the second year of all programmes to which the propaedeutic phase applies. In principle, an HBO propaedeutic certificate entitles you to enrol at a research university.
Bachelor phase
An HBO bachelor’s phase lasts four years and consists of main courses and elective courses (minors). A bachelor’s degree is practice-oriented and if you have completed your education, you are equipped for the labour market.
Master phase
After your bachelor’s degree, you can enrol in a master’s programme. This allows you to specialize and prepare you for a scientific career, for example. With a bachelor’s degree you can also continue with a master’s programme at a research university. In many cases, you must first complete a bridging programme.