Sixteen master's programmes considered 'excellent'

Every year, Keuzegids lists all master's programmes in the Netherlands. The publication lists both programmes offered by universities and those offered by universities of applied sciences. The scores are based on students' own assessments in the National Student Survey.

Although the number of master's programmes on offer has grown this year, fewer have been rated as “excellent”. Research university students are particularly critical. Last year, fifteen master's programmes received this rating, compared to nine this year. Students at universities of applied sciences have been a little more generous, so there has been a slight increase in the number of "excellent" master's programmes: seven, against six last year. These sixteen programmes score highest on all themes: content, lecturers, assessment, career preparation and atmosphere.

Most "excellent" master's programmes are in Economics and Business, but two programmes in the Law and Administration sector were also rated as excellent. Just liie last year, none of the master's programmes offered by Utrecht University were considered "excellent".

Source: Keuzegids 2026

Students at universities of applied sciences are particularly satisfied with master's programmes in Culture & Arts and Education & Training. For example, two master's programmes in opera have received excellent ratings: one in Amsterdam and the other in The Hague.

Best master's programmes at universities of applied sciences

Source: Keuzegids 2026

Those who have obtained a bachelor's degree from a university of applied sciences may pursue a master's at a research university, under certain conditions. However, due to a loophole in the law, these students are not eligible for a basic government grant. However, they do get the benefit if they opt for a master's degree at a university of applied sciences. Those with bachelor's degrees from research universities always get a grant, regardless of whether they pursue a master's at a university or a university of applied sciences. Politicians consider this loophole unfair. The political party CDA has penned a motion on this issue and received broad support in the House of Representatives last week.