Studying in the Netherlands can be fulfilling because you can receive a high-quality education, experience life in a welcoming country, and meet people from many cultures. However, admission to a Dutch university can still be competitive. The country has a strong reputation for teaching and research, and each university sets its own admission requirements.
If you’re preparing to study in the Netherlands and still choosing a university, acceptance rates can be a helpful starting point. A higher estimated acceptance rate may suggest that a university is less selective, but it does not mean that admission is guaranteed or that the university has lower academic standards. The education system in the Netherlands includes both research universities and universities of applied sciences, and recognized institutions are subject to quality assurance and accreditation.
In this article, let’s talk about some Dutch universities with high estimated acceptance rates. Most universities listed here are universities of applied sciences. In the Netherlands, some programs have a numerus fixus, or fixed intake, while many other programs primarily assess whether applicants meet the published admission requirements. This is why some universities of applied sciences may appear more accessible than highly selective programs, although each program should still be checked individually.
Universities in the Netherlands with High Rates of Acceptance
1. Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences
Established in 1987, Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences is an independent university of applied sciences headquartered in Apeldoorn. It also has study locations in Amsterdam and Munich. Wittenborg has around 1,500+ registered students per academic year. Its students represent more than 100 countries, and its teachers and staff represent more than 60 countries.
Wittenborg focuses mainly on business and management education. It offers English-taught Bachelor of Business Administration specializations, Master of Business Management programs, and Master of Business Administration programs. The school also lists the Audencia DBA at Wittenborg as a doctoral-level pathway offered with Audencia Business School.
If you are looking for a university in the Netherlands with a high estimated acceptance rate, Wittenborg may be worth considering. The most transparent available admissions figure is from Wittenborg’s 2022 admissions data, which reported 781 completed applications, 459 offers, and 322 rejections at the final interview. That equals an offer rate of about 59%. Because this is offer data from 2022 rather than a current officially published acceptance rate, it should be treated as an estimate.
2. Aeres University of Applied Sciences
Aeres Hogeschool (Aeres University of Applied Sciences) is rooted in tertiary agricultural education. Its current university of applied sciences structure dates to the 2013 merger between Christelijke Agrarische Hogeschool Dronten and Stoas Hogeschool. Aeres focuses on education and research in the green sector, including food, nature, agribusiness, animal sciences, plant sciences, sustainability, and related fields.
Aeres University of Applied Sciences aims to educate future-oriented professionals who can make responsible decisions in a complex world. The school has three faculties in the Netherlands: Almere, Dronten, and Wageningen. Students interested in food, nature, agribusiness, sustainability, or the wider agri-food sector can consider Aeres Hogeschool as one of their options.
Aeres does not publish an official acceptance rate. Its current application page says bachelor’s applicants must submit an English test result such as Academic IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 80, while master’s applicants need Academic IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 81. Because the official page does not publish an acceptance rate, the figure above should be treated as a third-party estimate, and applicants should check the admission requirements for their chosen program.
3. HZ University of Applied Sciences
HZ University of Applied Sciences is a medium-sized university of applied sciences in the southwest of the Netherlands, with around 5,000 students. HZ offers bachelor’s, master’s, exchange, and minor programs, including English-taught study options. The university focuses on practice-based education and research, works closely with the business world and research centers, and has a global network of partner universities.
HZ University of Applied Sciences continues to rank highly among Dutch universities of applied sciences. In the Keuzegids Hbo 2026, HZ ranked among the top three in the Netherlands in the “best medium-sized universities of applied sciences” category. The same edition reported that 18 HZ programs were in the national top three and 14 programs were rated as “top programs.”
4. Driestar Christian University
Established in 1944 as a small Reformed teacher training college, Driestar Hogeschool (Driestar Christian University) is a Christian university of professional education in Gouda. It specializes in training primary and secondary teachers. In 2005, the institution merged with an educational advice center, and it now has around 300 staff members.
Driestar’s teacher training programs have been ranked between first and fifth on national rating lists for teacher training programs. Special educational needs is one of its areas of expertise. The university also works closely with schools and education professionals, which supports its practical teacher-training focus.
Driestar is a small-scale institution located in Gouda. Because many of its students come from different parts of the country, the university has a boarding house that can accommodate about 100 students. Driestar offers bachelor’s degree courses in teacher education, several master’s courses, and international study options.
5. Fontys University of Applied Sciences
Another accessible option to consider is Fontys University of Applied Sciences. Fontys is a large, broad-based public university of applied sciences in the south of the Netherlands, with about 43,000 students and more than 5,000 staff members. It has locations in ten cities across North Brabant and Limburg.
Fontys offers 200+ programs, including bachelor’s, master’s, and associate degree programs in full-time, part-time, and dual work-study formats. Its education is practical and career-oriented, with a mix of theory, applied knowledge, internships, and projects. This gives students opportunities to develop professional skills while broadening their knowledge in their chosen fields.
Fontys does not publish an official acceptance rate, and third-party estimates vary. Because of its size, broad program portfolio, and applied learning approach, it remains a popular option for international students who want a practice-based education in the Netherlands.
We hope that this article on Dutch universities with high estimated acceptance rates was helpful. To learn more information on studying abroad, check out the Netherlands Study Guide and Programs in Europe for International Students.
