UG offers the best Bachelor’s degree programme in the Netherlands

The UG’s Global Responsibility and Leadership degree programme has again been named by the Dutch Higher Education Guide (Keuzegids) for Universities 2025 as the best Bachelor’s degree programme in the Netherlands. This programme, which is taught at Campus Fryslân in Leeuwarden, was awarded a score of 99 points. Six of the UG’s other Bachelor’s degree programmes also earned the accolade of Top Degree Programme. The UG ranks third in the ‘Broad-based General Universities’ category. According to the Dutch Higher Education Guide, the UG performs particularly well in interdisciplinary research and teaching.

Rector Magnificus Jacquelien Scherpen is pleased with the result: ‘This is a wonderful result. We can all be proud of our third place among the broad-based universities. I am particularly pleased with the success of Campus Fryslân, which from my perspective, underlines the value of international education in the region. I am convinced that the Northern Netherlands benefits from highly educated, talented students from home and abroad. Let’s cherish that. At the same time, the results of the Dutch Higher Education Guide are an encouragement to keep improving our teaching.’

Top Degree Programmes

The Dutch Higher Education Guide for Universities awards the Top Degree Programme label to Bachelor’s degree programmes that are rated 75 points or higher (out of 100). For the fourth time in a row, the Global Responsibility and Leadership programme, which is taught at Campus Fryslȃn, finished first as the best Bachelor’s degree programme in the Netherlands, earning no fewer than 99 points. Six other UG Bachelor’s degree programmes qualified as Top Degree Programmes. They are: Liberal Arts & Sciences (83 points), Dentistry (82), Archaeology (81), Middle-Eastern Studies (78), American Studies (77) and Medicine (75).

It is possible for a degree programme to be rated as best in a category without it qualifying as a Top Degree Programme. Another five UG Bachelor’s degree programmes have been recognized as best in their respective categories. These are: Linguistics, Human Movement Sciences, Chemistry, Media Studies and Life Science and Technology.

About the Dutch Higher Education Guide

The 2025 Dutch Higher Education Guide for Universities has been published on Thursday, 19 December. It provides metrics about the success of degree programmes, as well as job market data and an overview of all university-level Bachelor’s degree programmes. The Dutch Higher Education Guide is published annually by the Centre for Higher Education Information (CHOI; Centrum Hoger Onderwijs Informatie) and is intended for secondary school pupils and career counsellors who are interested in finding out more about university-level Bachelor’s degree programmes.