Resource for International Students

Education Glossary

A simple dictionary of Dutch education terms for international students. From WO to BSA, every term explained in clear, practical language.

Why this glossary?

Dutch higher education has its own “language”: terms like WO, HBO, Studielink, and Numerus Fixus show up everywhere, and they can be confusing even if your programme is taught in English. This glossary explains the most common Dutch education terms in clear, practical language.

Core Education Types

W

WO (Wetenschappelijk onderwijs)

Research University

Research university education. More academic and theory-oriented, often preparing students for research-heavy roles or advanced Master's programmes.

H

HBO (Hoger beroepsonderwijs)

University of Applied Sciences

University of Applied Sciences. More practice-oriented and profession-focused, usually with applied projects, internships, and closer links to industry.

M

MBO (Middelbaar beroepsonderwijs)

Secondary Vocational Education

Secondary vocational education. More hands-on than HBO, focused on training for specific professions. Not "university," but a major part of the Dutch education system.

A

Associate degree (Ad)

Two-Year Higher Education Degree

A two-year higher education degree, usually offered by HBO institutions. Often a step between MBO and HBO Bachelor.

Degrees and Study Structure

B

Bachelor (Bacheloropleiding)

Bachelor's Degree

First university-level degree. In the Netherlands, WO Bachelor is typically 3 years; HBO Bachelor is typically 4 years.

M

Master (Masteropleiding)

Master's Degree

Graduate degree after a Bachelor. Often 1–2 years, depending on the field and programme type.

M

Minor

Minor

A smaller package of courses (often 15–30 ECTS) allowing you to specialise or broaden your study. Common in HBO and also available in many WO programmes.

P

Premaster (Schakelprogramma / premasterprogramma)

Bridging Programme

A bridging programme for students who need additional academic preparation before starting a WO Master (common when moving from HBO to WO).

P

Propedeuse (Propedeusejaar / propedeuse)

First-Year Phase

The "first-year phase" of an HBO or WO programme. At HBO, students often receive a propedeuse certificate after passing enough first-year credits.

Credits and Workload

E

ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System)

European Credits

The standard credit system used across Europe. In the Netherlands, 60 ECTS usually equals one full-time academic year.

S

Studiepunten (SP)

Study Credits

Dutch word for study credits. In practice, universities use ECTS, but you may still see "studiepunten" in course descriptions.

S

Studielast

Study Workload

Study workload. Often expressed in ECTS, hours, or weekly effort.

Admission and Selection

S

Studielink

National Application Portal

The national platform used to apply for most Dutch higher education programmes. Many universities still require an extra university portal step after Studielink.

N

Numerus Fixus

Limited Seats Programme

A programme with a fixed number of places. These programmes have selection procedures and strict deadlines.

M

Matching (studiekeuzecheck / matching)

Pre-Study Check

A pre-study check designed to help students confirm whether a programme fits them. It can include questionnaires, assignments, or interviews. It’s usually guidance, not a normal exam.

T

Toelatingseisen

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements: diploma level, subject prerequisites, language requirements, etc.

V

VWO / HAVO

Secondary School Tracks

Dutch secondary school tracks. VWO is the typical route to WO; HAVO is the typical route to HBO. International applicants won’t have these diplomas, but universities often use them as reference levels.

N

Nuffic evaluation (diplomawaardering)

Diploma Comparison

A comparison of foreign diplomas to Dutch levels. Sometimes required, sometimes just used as a reference.

Exams, Grading, and Honours

T

Tentamen

Exam

Exam. Can be written, oral, practical, or a combination.

H

Hertentamen

Resit Exam

Resit exam. Many courses allow one resit per academic year.

B

BSA (Bindend studieadvies)

Binding Study Advice

Binding study advice. In many programmes, you must earn a minimum number of credits in your first year to continue.

C

Cum laude

Graduated with Honours

"Graduated with honours." Criteria vary by programme, but it usually requires high grades and sometimes no resits.

E

EC (European Credit / ECTS credit)

Credits

Often used informally to mean "credits." Example: "You need 60 EC."

Academic Calendar Terms

C

Collegejaar

Academic Year

Academic year.

S

Semester

Semester

Half-year structure. Many Dutch universities use semesters, but within them you may also see shorter teaching periods/blocks.

B

Blok / periode

Teaching Block

A teaching block or period (often 6–10 weeks), followed by exams.

T

Tentamenweek

Exam Week

Exam week.

H

Herkansing

Resit

Another word for resit (same idea as hertentamen).

Student Status and Administration

I

Inschrijving

Enrolment

Enrolment/registration at the university.

H

Herinschrijving

Re-enrolment

Re-enrolment (for the next academic year).

C

Collegegeld

Tuition Fee

Tuition fee.

C

Collegegeldkrediet

Tuition Fee Loan

Tuition fees loan (through DUO, depending on eligibility).

S

Studiefinanciering

Student Finance

Student finance from DUO (grants/loans/travel product, depending on eligibility).

S

Studentenreisproduct

Student Travel Product

Student travel product (public transport benefit) under DUO rules, if eligible.

International Student and Immigration

M

MVV (Machtiging tot voorlopig verblijf)

Long-Stay Entry Visa

Long-stay entry visa sticker required for some nationalities before entering the Netherlands.

V

VVR (Verblijfsvergunning regulier)

Residence Permit

Residence permit card (for study: your student residence permit).

I

IND

Immigration Service

Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (the authority responsible for residence permits).

B

BSN (Burgerservicenummer)

Citizen Service Number

Citizen service number. You need it for many practical tasks in the Netherlands.

D

DigiD

Government Login

Government login used for many official services (DUO, taxes, etc.).

Student Life and Community

S

Studievereniging

Study Association

Study association linked to your programme or faculty. Great for networking, events, and academic support.

S

Studentenvereniging

Student Association

Student association (often broader social communities). Ranges from casual societies to traditional corps-style associations.

Quick Translation Table

The most common terms at a glance

Dutch TermEnglish
WOResearch University
HBOUniversity of Applied Sciences
ECTS / ECCredits
TentamenExam or test
Hertentamen / HerkansingResit
CollegegeldTuition fee
InschrijvingEnrolment
BSABinding study advice
Numerus FixusLimited seats programme
StudielinkNational application portal

Need Help Navigating Dutch Education?

StudyPath helps international students understand the Dutch system and get accepted to the right programme.

  • University and programme selection
  • Application and Studielink support
  • Visa and housing guidance
  • Step-by-step admission help

Related Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

WO (Wetenschappelijk onderwijs) is research university education — more academic and theory-oriented. HBO (Hoger beroepsonderwijs) is University of Applied Sciences — more practical and profession-focused with internships and applied projects. WO Bachelor is typically 3 years; HBO Bachelor is typically 4 years.
ECTS stands for European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System. In the Netherlands, 60 ECTS equals one full-time academic year. A Bachelor's degree requires 180 ECTS (3 years WO or 4 years HBO), and a Master's is typically 60–120 ECTS (1–2 years).
Studielink is the national online platform used to apply for most Dutch higher education programmes. After applying through Studielink, many universities still require additional steps through their own portal, such as uploading documents or completing specific forms.
Numerus Fixus means a programme has a fixed (limited) number of places available. These programmes have special selection procedures and strict deadlines, often earlier than regular programmes. If more students apply than there are places, a selection or lottery process takes place.
BSA stands for Bindend studieadvies (Binding Study Advice). In many Dutch programmes, first-year students must earn a minimum number of credits (often 40–48 out of 60 ECTS) to continue into the second year. If you don't meet the threshold, you receive a negative BSA and cannot re-enrol in that programme for several years.
Yes, the BSN (Burgerservicenummer) is your citizen service number in the Netherlands. You'll need it for opening a bank account, signing a work contract, getting health insurance, filing taxes, and using government services. You receive it when you register at your local municipality (gemeente).