25 ArtEZ bachelor’s programmes awarded Top Programme quality label

In 2026, 25 bachelor’s programmes at ArtEZ University of the Arts will carry the Top Programme quality label. This is reported by the independent guide Keuzegids hbo 2026. ArtEZ scores well above the national average on progression to the second year and on graduation rates. In the category of medium-sized universities of applied sciences, ArtEZ is also among the highest-rated universities of the arts in the Netherlands.

Keuzegids hbo is an important tool for anyone choosing a study programme and is based, among other things, on student evaluations from the National Student Survey (NSE). Programmes that score 75 points or higher are awarded the Top Programme quality label.

ArtEZ attaches great importance to an objective assessment of the quality of its programmes. Laurien Timmermans, member of the Executive Board:

'This recognition is especially valuable because students help determine the outcome through the NSE. The fact that four out of five of our bachelor’s programmes are Top Programmes shows that the quality of our education is high. We are proud of that. We owe this to the expertise and dedication of our staff. Together we ensure that students have the space to grow and develop themselves.'

Student success

This year, Keuzegids hbo explicitly highlights student progression at ArtEZ. Almost all programmes score above average or well above average. Students progress smoothly to the second year and often complete their studies within five years.

Crossmedia Design and Moving Image show strongest growth

The programmes showing the strongest growth are Crossmedia Design and Moving Image at AKI ArtEZ Academy of Art & Design. In Keuzegids hbo 2026 they are listed with a score of 71 points, compared to 57 points last year.

Top performers

Once again, all bachelor’s programmes at ArtEZ Academy of Music and ArtEZ Academy of Art & Design Arnhem have been designated as Top Programmes. Music Therapy and BEAR Fine Art rank number one in their categories. The design programmes in Arnhem and Zwolle also score highly: Arnhem ranks second and Zwolle third in their respective categories.

About Keuzegids hbo 2026

Keuzegids hbo, published by the Centre for Higher Education Information (C.H.O.I.), assesses programmes annually on the basis of reliable sources such as the National Student Survey (NSE), labour market data from the Research Centre for Education and the Labour Market (ROA), and student success data from the Association of Universities of Applied Sciences. All practical information about Keuzegids hbo can be found on the Keuzegids website.