The Netherlands is home to many high-ranking universities and universities of applied sciences. If you are planning to apply, it is important to understand the Dutch numerus fixus system.
A numerus fixus is a fixed intake for a specific program, not a university-wide acceptance rate. When a program has a limited number of places and receives more applications than it can accommodate, the institution selects which applicants will be admitted. For programs with a fixed intake, the application deadline is generally January 15 of the year in which the program starts.
Admission and selection rules vary by program. The university-wide acceptance-rate estimates are estimates based on several critieria and not the official acceptance rates. Always check the requirements and selection process for your chosen program.
Universities in the Netherlands with Low Rates of Acceptance
1. Leiden University
Founded in 1575, Leiden University is the oldest university in the Netherlands. It has seven faculties in Leiden and The Hague. The university offers more than 50 bachelor’s programs and 80 master’s programs with more than 200 specializations. Its Honours Academy also offers additional programs and courses that students can follow alongside their regular studies.
2. Avans University of Applied Sciences
Avans University of Applied Sciences offers bachelor’s, master’s, and exchange programs. Its education and practice-based research are oriented toward professional practice. In the Keuzegids hbo 2026 guide, Avans ranked second among the large universities of applied sciences in the Netherlands. Avans also reported that it has remained among the three highest-rated large universities of applied sciences for 17 consecutive years.
3. Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences
Next on our list is Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences. Its motto is “Better Yourself, Better Our World.” The institution focuses primarily on international business and management education. Wittenborg states that its community represents more than 100 nationalities.
Wittenborg is an independent university of applied sciences. Its Bachelor of Business Administration, Master of Business Administration, and Master of Science programs are accredited by the Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO). Applicants should review the entrance criteria for their chosen program before applying.
4. Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences – AMFI
The Amsterdam Fashion Institute (AMFI) is part of the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences and its Faculty of Digital Media and Creative Industries. AMFI educates more than 1,500 students for careers in fashion management, branding, and design. It describes itself as the largest fashion institute in the Netherlands and as the only Dutch educational institution that brings the entire fashion chain together under one roof.
AMFI recruits a fixed number of students each year. For the 2026–2027 academic year, applicants were required to apply by January 15, 2026, and the program listed a fixed intake of 440 students. Applicants should check the admissions page for the intake and deadline that apply to their intended entry year.
5. Breda University of Applied Sciences
Breda University of Applied Sciences is a specialist and international higher education and research institution. Around 7,000 students study at its campus in Breda. It offers bachelor’s and master’s degree programs and works with industry professionals on projects connected to its education and research.
Its program portfolio covers fields such as tourism, leisure and events, hospitality, logistics, media and creative business, games, built environment, and applied data science and artificial intelligence. Admission requirements can vary by program, so applicants should review the requirements for their intended course of study.
6. University of Groningen
Founded in 1614, the University of Groningen is an international research university. Its 2025 key figures list 11 faculties, approximately 32,500 students, 45 bachelor’s programs, and 120 master’s programs. The university states that most of its bachelor’s and master’s programs are taught in English.
The university’s official rankings page lists Groningen at No. 82 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026 and No. 73 in the Academic Ranking of World Universities. Some bachelor’s programs use a fixed quota. For example, the university lists a numerus fixus for International Business and for the English-taught Psychology program.
7. Utrecht University
Utrecht University has seven faculties and more than 39,000 students. Its official facts and figures page lists 59 bachelor’s programs and 150 master’s programs. The university focuses its research on four strategic themes: Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences, and Pathways to Sustainability.
Admission procedures differ by degree. Some programs have limited enrollment or another form of selection, while others require applicants to meet the stated eligibility criteria and complete the relevant application steps.
8. HAN University of Applied Sciences
HAN University of Applied Sciences has campuses in Arnhem and Nijmegen. Its 2024 annual report lists 34,321 enrolled students from 114 countries. HAN offers bachelor’s, associate, and master’s degree programs in full-time, part-time, and work-study formats.
HAN emphasizes practice-based research and its links with the professional field. Students who want to study abroad can explore opportunities at one of HAN’s 280 partner universities around the world.
9. Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences
Another institution to consider is Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences. It describes itself as a dynamic knowledge institution for higher professional education in Rotterdam. Its international website lists undergraduate bachelor’s programs and postgraduate master’s programs, as well as preparation programs, exchange programs, summer courses, and other study options.
The university connects education and practice-based research through its schools. Applicants should review the admissions procedure for their intended program because the requirements and deadlines can differ.
We hope this article on universities in the Netherlands with low rates of acceptance was helpful. To learn more about studying abroad, make sure to check out the Study in the Netherlands guide and Available Programs in Europe for International Students!
