'University is not better than schools of applied sciences, it's just different'

Senior lecturer at Utrecht University of Applied Sciences (HU) Mirjam de Haas and educational advisor and trainer Jonne Vulperhorst at Utrecht University began their research as part of the 'Wisselstroom project', which brings together universities of applied sciences and universities to ensure that more students end up in the right place for them. Vulperhorst: ‘We know quite a lot about students who move from secondary education to higher education, but the exchange between universities of applied sciences and universities has always received relatively little attention. As far as we know, no research has been done on this before. That had to change.’

DUB interviewed Bram and Dorien, who switched from uni to applied sciences or vice versa. Why did they switch, what was involved in the switch, and how are they enjoying the UU and HU? You may find their stories underneath this article.

Why is this important?
Vulperhorst: "It is becoming increasingly important for universities and universities of applied sciences that students end up at the institution that suits them best. Figures show that 30 to 35 percent of first-year students drop out. That percentage has been stable for years, but dropouts cost institutions money and are detrimental to student well-being.

De Haas: “In addition, prior to this study, we heard from study counsellors, study advisors, staff and colleagues that students with a different educational background than secondary education have different experiences. We wanted to look into that further. What exactly are those experiences? What are they encountering?” 

And what are they encountering?
Vulperhorst: "One of our findings is that students have a distorted view of higher education. The university is seen as higher and better. In all sixteen interviews with students who made the switch, it emerged that those who had done pre-university education (vwo in Dutch) felt they had to go to university. That pressure comes from society. What we find disturbing is the role that parents, school counsellors and fellow students play in this. The pressure they exert to choose university above all else and that university of applied sciences is considered substandard or a waste of talent for a student who has completed pre-university education. This increases the pressure on students not to fail."

What is the position of educational institutions on this?
Vulperhorst: ‘One of the students mentioned how, at secondary school, people talked about the elite who go to university and how you want to be part of that. It's often implicit, woven into our culture. For example, vwo students are asked to go on outings and join clubs or mentor pupils, while havo students are not. This leads to a certain image being formed.’ (A havo diploma gives acces to an university of applied sciences and not to an university, red)

But what can you do about it?
Vulperhorst: "Perceptions are the hardest thing to change, but they are also one of the most important. The way people talk about studies plays a major role here. That has to change. 

"You want institutions to focus on the theoretical or vocational approach to studies during the orientation phase for prospective students, rather than talking about differences in levels. This can also prevent students from getting stuck because they choose a learning style rather than a level." 

But is it a bad thing to have to change your learning style when you switch programmes?
De Haas: "Well, no. It shapes you and you learn whether something suits you or not. But we can look at how we can help students with this. Most people know that university is much more theoretical and that you have to work more independently as a student. But students who made the switch from university of applied sciences to university felt like they had to swim. These students have a different learning experience than students who come directly from secondary school (vwo), which prepares them for academic education. As an institution, you have to be aware of this.

"We also noticed that students who transferred from university to university of applied sciences had difficulty with practical assignments and felt that they were being held back, even though they were used to a lot of independence. As a result, students tend to shut themselves off from information, which creates another mismatch. So it takes time to get used to both sides. You can respond to that."

How do you envisage that?
De Haas: "By, for example, allowing students from HU programmes and their equivalents at UU to visit each other. This allows students to see what the practical side involves and what the academic side entails. Comparing Radboud and HAN in Nijmegen and Arnhem in a video in which students talk about their programmes, the practical variant of a programme with the academic variant of a programme.

"That makes it very concrete for students. A longer introduction period with room for what is expected of students and in which they can express their stress and doubts can also help. Students who feel at home and have more social ties will try harder."

But then the system has to cooperate.
Vulperhorst: "That's right. It should be possible to switch at the beginning of the year. The intake process should also focus on students who are not coming straight from secondary school. For these students, it is often unclear what they have to meet or what they are entitled to, such as exemptions for certain subjects.

"If you transfer from a university of applied sciences to a university, you also have to arrange everything manually and contact people yourself. I heard from someone in a science faculty at Utrecht University that transfers are sometimes even actively discouraged. Or that the programme has an interest in keeping the student. Of course, that's not what you want."

De Haas: "But the opposite also happens. Lecturers who go to great lengths to make the transition easier for students. And that pays off. So it's important that we persevere and put this issue on the agenda once and for all."

The study can be found here.

Van Utrecht University to University of Applied Sciences Utrecht

Name: Dorien
Age: 21
Secondary school diploma: VWO
Study programme: Bachelor's in Finance, Tax & Advice at Hogeschool Utrecht, University of Applied Sciences Utrecht

"After a year of studying Economics & Business Economics at Utrecht University, I transferred to HU University of Applied Sciences. I didn't like the way of studying at the university. I missed the connection with the study programme and my fellow students. Every block was a different class, everything was in English and there was quite a big distance between lecturers and students. I like the interaction with students and the smaller groups at HU. It's also more sociable. At HU, you just call your lecturers by their first names. Or lecturers approach you because they know you. It's all a bit more accessible. Although I know that many people see the switch from UU to HU as a step backwards, I don't feel that way myself. Funnily enough, neither do my friends. My parents thought, “What are you doing?”, but my year club said, “Just do it”.

"So it was relatively easy for me to transfer from UU to HU. I met all the admission requirements. In addition, the orientation day at HU is very extensive. Very different from UU. At the university, you start with an information lecture and are guided by a few senior students throughout the day. There may be an introductory lunch, but that's about it. At HU, you spend the whole day with a group of people in a classroom, with name tags and exercises. Very interactive.

"And yes, I do find the programme at HU easier. But I still have to study. It's still a lot of work and I have many more contact hours than at the university. But that's what I wanted. What I do struggle with are the exemptions. The application process is unclear. It's probably easier to just pass the course than to submit a request. The university of applied sciences is also less modular. So you can't work ahead, but are dependent on what is offered each block. On the other hand, at HU I am working towards something concrete. Here I have more direction."

From University of Applied Sciences Utrecht to Utrecht University

Name: Bram
Age: 23
Secondary school diploma: Havo
Study programme: Bachelor's in Philosophy at Utrecht University

"Three years ago, I switched from studying Journalism at HU University of Applied Sciences to Philosophy at Utrecht University. With my propaedeutic certificate in hand, it wasn't too difficult a transition. I didn't encounter many obstacles. I did miss the knowledge my lecturers at HU had about the transition to university, but that worked out fine too. I found a lot of information on the UU website. And when you're 19, you're expected to be able to find these things yourself, aren't you?

"I was motivated to go to university. I missed the theoretical challenge. My studies at HU were very practical. I think it was also due to the way the lessons were taught. That's another big difference. At the UU, I also have seminars, but they are more intensive than at the HU and you are less guided. I have fewer contact hours with the lecturer at the UU and there is less interaction with fellow students. I actually like that. It suits my way of learning better. But it has to suit you. It takes some getting used to, but that's part of it.

"There may be a perception that studying at a university is better than studying at a university of applied sciences. But a university of applied sciences excels in areas other than a university. I think studying at a university is more intellectually challenging. At university, the emphasis is on developing your scientific research skills and you are more theoretically oriented. But if you want to be strong in practical skills, you should go to a university of applied sciences. In journalism, for example, I have become better at writing and making phone calls. By going to university, my journalistic writing style has deteriorated and I have become a little more hesitant to make phone calls. The differences show what suits you best, and I think you should cherish those differences. You have to experience it and not just go to university for the piece of paper.