NL

HKU Top Programmes rise in national rankings

  • 02 oktober 2025

This week saw the publication of the Keuzegids hbo 2026: the leading independent consumer guide to higher professional education in the Netherlands. The guide compares all bachelor’s and associate degree programmes nationwide. More than half of HKU’s programmes have once again been designated as Topopleiding (‘Top Programme’), just as last year. Four of the six Top Programmes have even improved their performance since last year.

HKU Top Programmes rise in national rankings

All of HKU’s Art In Education programmes retain their Top Programme status in the Keuzegids 2026: Theatre, Music and Fine Art. In addition, as in 2025, the bachelor’s programmes of these same disciplines, along with the Bachelor Autonomous Art are all recognised as Top Programmes.

Consistent high score for HKU Theatre in Education

The HKU Theatre In Education programme has been holding the top spot (among seven Dutch programmes) for a long time. Four of HKU’s six Top Programmes have climbed the ranks compared to last year: the bachelor’s in Music, Music In Education, Fine Art In Education and the bachelor’s in Theatre. Each has risen compared to similar programmes at other institutions. The Music In Education has made a particularly strong leap, moving from ninth to fifth place (out of ten in total). The bachelor’s in Music has outperformed its previous score for five years in a row, now rising from seventh to fourth place (out of twelve). The bachelor’s in Fine Art (Autonomous) retains second place, as in 2025 (out of nine).

Atmosphere and Educators

The Keuzegids rankings are based on five themes: curriculum content, educators, assessment, career preparation, and academic atmosphere. In overall, HKU programmes achieve their highest scores in ‘study environment’, with ‘educators’ also scoring similarly well. On these themes, our programmes regularly ranks above the national average when compared with other institutions. Another striking outcome: all HKU bachelor’s and associate degree programmes perform above average in student progression to the second year of study.

Graduation paths

The Keuzegids assessment applies at the programme level. Within a programme, there may be multiple graduation paths, which can score differently. The following graduation paths belong to HKU programmes that have been awarded Top Programme status.

In the Bachelor Music: Composition and Music Production (MT), Composition Electronic Music (MT), Composition for the Media (MT), Music Design for Games and Interaction (MT), Musician 3.0 (UC), Jazz & Pop (UC), Classical Music (UC), Historical Performance (UC).

In the Bachelor Theatre: Acting (Theatre), Interactive Performance Design (Theatre), Theatre Design (Theatre), Writing for Performance (Theatre).

In addition: Bachelor Fine Art and Design in Education (full-time/part-time, BK), Bachelor of Fine Art (Autonomous) (BK), Bachelor Music in Education (UC), and Bachelor Theatre in Education (Theatre).

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