Best universities in the Netherlands 2025
Discover the Times Higher Education rankings for the best universities in the Netherlands 2025.
This list of universities reveals the top-ranked 12 institutions, offering prospective students insights into the highest-ranking universities in the country.
Universities across the Netherlands are evaluated based on teaching, research, and international outlook.
The rankings use a robust methodology, created by the in-house data team, relied upon by students, academics, policymakers, and industry leaders worldwide.
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Top universities ranked in the Netherlands
| Netherlands Rank 2025 | World University Rank 2025 | University | Overall | Teaching | Research Environment | Research Quality | Industry | International Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | =56 | Delft University of Technology | 74.8 | 63.2 | 76.1 | 76.8 | 100 | 93.6 |
| 2 | =58 | University of Amsterdam | 73.8 | 54.5 | 63.8 | 97.1 | 77.2 | 93.4 |
| 3 | =67 | Wageningen University & Research | 72.7 | 56.7 | 59.3 | 92.9 | 99 | 92.8 |
| 4 | =73 | Leiden University | 70.7 | 46.8 | 62.8 | 93.8 | 98.7 | 87.7 |
| 5 | =80 | University of Groningen | 69.8 | 46.4 | 57.5 | 94.8 | 99.9 | 93.5 |
| 6 | =107 | Erasmus University Rotterdam | 65.6 | 37.2 | 53.3 | 96.7 | 88.7 | 88.5 |
| 7 | =132 | Maastricht University | 63.2 | 40.3 | 46.7 | 88.6 | 98.3 | 97.1 |
| 8 | =136 | Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam | 62.7 | 37.4 | 49.6 | 92.9 | 73 | 86.2 |
| 9 | =143 | Radboud University Nijmegen | 62.2 | 38.4 | 50.4 | 90.4 | 81 | 79 |
| 10 | =180 | University of Twente | 59.7 | 43.6 | 46.4 | 74.6 | 99.3 | 93.1 |
| 11 | =185 | Eindhoven University of Technology | 59.5 | 46.2 | 51 | 68 | 100 | 88.4 |
| 12 | 251–300 | Tilburg University | 53.7–55.7 | 28.2 | 43.8 | 76.6 | 80.5 | 85.7 |
Key insights into the best universities in the Netherlands
- Eindhoven University of Technology dropped in the World University Ranking from joint 168th to joint 185th.
- Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam slipped from 125th to joint 136th position globally,
- Maastricht University moved from joint 138th to joint 132nd, improving slightly in global rank.
- Erasmus University Rotterdam fell in global rank from joint 99th to joint 107th, holding sixth place nationally.
- Tilburg University moved from the 201–250 bracket to 251–300, indicating a decline.
Choosing the right university in the Netherlands
Choosing the right university in the Netherlands can feel overwhelming for students, and these rankings offer valuable guidance. They reflect five key factors: research environment, teaching quality, research quality, industry collaboration, and international outlook. For more details on the ranking methodology, visit the World University Rankings methodology page.
