12/12/2019

International recognisability of nomenclature and titles in Dutch higher education

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Since January 2014, graduates from universities of applied sciences ('hogescholen') have been awarded an internationally recognisable degree addition: bachelor of science/bachelor of arts. This aligns their titling with that of university graduates. As a result, these institutions are now permitted to refer to themselves as ‘Universities of Applied Sciences’ (UAS) internationally. There is currently no separate English title for the ‘professors’ at universities of applied sciences – the 'lecturers' - since the term ‘lector’/lektor’ holds a different specific meaning in both English and German.

Five years after the alignment of degrees, the Minister commissioned Dialogic to evaluate these issues comprehensively. The research has four main objectives:

  1. To assess whether the introduction of degree additions ‘of Science’ and ‘of Arts’ in universities of applied sciences has increased the recognisability of the quality of education.
  2. To determine whether the distinction between universities of applied sciences and universities (‘hbo’ and ‘wo’) remains clear to Dutch society.
  3. To establish whether the positioning of universities of applied sciences as Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) is internationally recognisable.
  4. To ascertain whether the designation ‘lector’ is internationally recognised.

The final report of this research will be delivered by the end of May 2020.

Want to learn more? Contact Robbin te Velde.

I am fascinated by the philosophy of science ('What is true? What is a fact?') and research as a craft.

Do you want to know more about this topic?

Robbin te Velde, associate

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