Avans Again the Best Dutch University of Applied Sciences

For the 10th time in 12 years, Avans has taken the number 1 spot in the list of best large universities of applied sciences in Keuzegids hbo (higher professional education options guide). President of the Executive Board Phillipe Raets feels this is a great achievement, especially during the coronavirus pandemic. “A big compliment from our students.”

It was unclear what the results would be this year. The big question was: to what extent would being forced to study from home negatively affect student satisfaction? The list in the Keuzegids hbo is partly based on the results from the Nationale Studenten Enquête (national student survey), which had not been conducted for two years, partly due to the coronavirus pandemic.

There is a slight decrease in the rating for all universities of applied sciences, but apart from that, Avans has earned the highest scores for student satisfaction. Students feel that Avans is a safe and inclusive environment in which they can be themselves and are given the opportunity to develop. They are therefore very satisfied with the atmosphere in general, and they feel at home at Avans. Additionally, students are satisfied with the professional expertise of the lecturers and their knowledge of professional practice.

Higher Score

In fact, Avans scored higher than last year, which means it is slightly further ahead of the number 2, Windesheim. NHL Stenden was forced to give up third place to Leiden University of Applied Sciences, which was not part of the top 5 last year and has therefore jumped up significantly in the ranking.

About the winner, Keuzegids states: “Avans stands out in quite a few fields: study programmes for law and administration, economics and business, behaviour and society, health, and science and information technology score well above average across the board. Industrial Engineering & Management in Tilburg really stands out with a score of 97 points. Chemical Engineering in Breda and Industrial Engineering & Management, Communication (Ad) (associate degree) and Logistics (Ad) in Den Bosch can also count on good scores and a lot of praise from students.”

Compliment

Philippe Raets, president of the Executive Board is delighted: “What a big compliment from our students. In times when the coronavirus pandemic has created major challenges and changes in education, we see that they still highly value our lecturers and our education. This says something about the flexibility and resilience of Avans as well as our students. The insights of the Nationale Studenten Enquête and the many suggestions and tips from our students are a great starting point for the further development of our education.”

Top Programmes

No fewer than 22 Avans programmes belong to the best study programmes in the Netherlands according to the Keuzegids. There are 6 in Breda, 12 in Den Bosch, and 2 in Tilburg. Two associate degree programmes in Roosendaal also meet the criteria of the Keuzegids.

The following programmes received the quality mark: Biologie en Medisch Laboratoriumonderzoek, Chemische Technologie, Human Resource Management, Environmental Science for Sustainable Energy and Technology, Fysiotherapie, and HBO-Verpleegkunde.

In Den Bosch: Autonome Beeldende Kunst, Business Innovation, Civiele Techniek, Ad Communicatie, Elektrotechniek, Human Resource Management, Ad Human Resource Management, Integrale Veiligheidskunde, Ad Logistiek, HBO-Verpleegkunde, Social Work, and Technische Bedrijfskunde.

In Tilburg: Ruimtelijke ontwikkeling and Technische Bedrijfskunde. Finally, the Ad Bedrijfskunde and Ad Human Resource Management in Roosendaal.

Keuzegids hbo

The Keuzegids hbo is an independent guide that assesses and compares the quality of all study programmes. The objective of the Keuzegids is to provide relevant information to prospective students in order to allow them to make an informed choice. Please refer to Keuzegids.nl as well.