EUR comes last in Keuzegids, Utrecht and Open University score highest

According to Keuzegids, the Open University once again has the highest-scoring bachelor’s programmes. Utrecht University can still call itself the best broad-based university in the Netherlands. Erasmus University, meanwhile, finishes at the bottom.

For the second year running, the Open University has achieved the highest score. With 71 points, it once again stands head and shoulders above the other universities. This is according to the Keuzegids Universities 2027.

This year, the technical universities have their own ranking for the first time. Wageningen University & Research tops the list, followed by the University of Twente and Eindhoven University of Technology. Delft University of Technology comes last.

Top programmes

Utrecht University is once again number one among the so-called ‘broad-based universities’, which offer programmes in almost all subject areas. Utrecht has held on to this top spot for years. Almost one in four of its bachelor’s programmes is a so-called ‘top programme’.

Last year, Radboud University Nijmegen came second. This year, it shares that position with the University of Groningen. Leiden University retains fourth place. VU Amsterdam and the University of Amsterdam have swapped places.

Erasmus at the bottom

In the ‘other universities’ category, the Open University tops the ranking, followed by Maastricht and Tilburg. Erasmus University Rotterdam comes last. However, students have become slightly more positive about the university: its score rose from 58 points in 2026 to 58.5 in 2027. In addition, Liberal Arts and Sciences at Erasmus University College features on the list of top programmes.

Keuzegids is intended to help prospective students choose a degree programme. It lists all bachelor’s programmes in the Netherlands, with information on topics including admission, course content and the differences between universities. There are separate Keuzegids guides for universities of applied sciences and master’s programmes.

The ranking is based on the National Student Survey, which was completed by more than 248 thousand students this spring. They rated their programmes on the basis of content, teaching staff, assessment, career preparation and atmosphere.

The proportion of students who progress to their second year and whether they graduate within four years are also taken into account.