1. Type of education
The main difference is already in the name: higher professional education (hbo) versus scientific education (wo/university). At a university of applied sciences, you’re trained for a specific profession, meaning that you focus on practical knowledge so you're ready to enter the job market straight after graduating. At a research university, the emphasis is on research and the development of new knowledge – the focus is more theoretical. In most cases, you're not being trained for a specific job, but rather learning research skills and the theoretical foundations of your field, which means there are still many options to specialise even after graduating.
Important to note is that not every field of study is offered at both universities of applied sciences and research universities. Although plenty of studies – like Mechanical Engineering or Psychology – are offered by both, some subjects are inherently more practical or research-oriented, and are therefore only offered by one of the two. So, when exploring your options, make sure to also check where you can pursue a major.
2. Project-based learning
Research universities are known for their large lecture halls – and with good reason. As a student, you’ll spend plenty of time there! Lectures are where you’re introduced to various theories, after which you work through the material on your own during self-study. Meanwhile, education at universities of applied sciences is more project-based: you learn by doing. You’ll regularly work in project groups on assignments, and you’re required to complete multiple internships, which is why a degree at a university of applied sciences usually takes slightly longer: four years instead of three.
That said, studying at a research university doesn’t necessarily mean it’s all just lectures. At the University of Twente, you also regularly work on projects to apply your knowledge to real-world societal challenges. Or you could choose to do an internship during your electives and gain some practical experience that way!
3. Supervision and guidance
Universities of applied sciences and research universities also differ in terms of student support. At a university of applied sciences, you typically have more contact hours and scheduled classes. At a research university, you might only have a few lectures a week. The rest of your time is spent on self-study and completing assignments. This means more independence is expected of you: attending lectures is usually not compulsory, and you’re responsible for keeping up with the course material yourself. On the other hand, you also have more freedom! Research university curricula often include elective courses, and with assignments and your thesis, you’re usually encouraged to explore your personal interests.
So, what’s right for me?
Right, now that you know the differences: how do you actually figure out which type of education suits you best? There’s only one answer: go and experience it! Visit open days of universities of applied sciences as well as research universities, talk to current students about their experiences, and try out a Student for a Day experience to get a feel for student life. Also, think about what kind of career you’d like. Do you want to work with existing knowledge and apply it to come up with solutions, or would you rather dive into a challenge and develop new knowledge about it?
In the end, the most important thing is to choose a form of education in which you can thrive. And remember: you can always switch later, for example, by pursuing a master’s degree at a research university after first studying at a university of applied sciences. Whatever path you choose, you’re bound to succeed in reaching your goal. After all, all roads lead to Rome – don’t they?
