Brabant's Avans again named Netherlands best applied sciences university

Like last year, the Avans University of Applied Sciences in Breda and Den Bosch was named the best large University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands, in the Keuzegids HBO 2018. Windesheim in Zwolle and Almere came in second place and the Hanze University of Applied Sciences in Groningen followed in third, ANP reports.

According to the guide, more students than ever are choosing HBO - higher vocational education - but this level of training still struggles with students dropping out on a significant scale. Those who do complete their education, has a better chance to find paid work quickly and to get a higher salary than in previous years, though the differences between study programs remain high.

The Keuzegids compared study programs based on current data on admission requirements, connection to the labor market, study success and educational quality. According to the guide, 176 of the programs in the Netherlands are excellent - that's 14 percent of all HBO courses in the country, according to NOS.

Small-scale courses in particular scored high. "In the arts, in the hotel industry and in private business education, the top quality is ample", the guide writes. Though, those who want to study law or public administration, will have to look harder for a high quality course. Some journalism courses are also sub-par, according to the guide.