Students at Universities of Applied Sciences Will Be Able to Earn a Doctoral Degree Under New Cabinet Plans

Students in the Netherlands will soon be able to earn a doctoral degree at a university of applied sciences (hbo), if a new legislative proposal becomes law. Education Minister Rianne Letschert of D66 today published the draft bill for public consultation. The proposal amends the Higher Education and Research Act to formally introduce two new academic degrees.

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Two new titles

The first new degree is the Professional Doctor, abbreviated as PD. This is a practice-oriented research programme lasting four to six years, open to anyone with a master's degree. The second new degree is the Engineering Doctor, abbreviated as EngD, which will be legally established for technological design programmes at universities. The EngD already exists in practice but currently carries no legally recognised title.

The PD programme is intended to take roughly four years, in line with the existing university PhD track, while the EngD can be completed in two years. If the law is approved, the first students would be able to begin a legally recognised PD or EngD track from the 2027 to 2028 academic year.

What makes these tracks different

The key distinction is in the orientation of the research. The bill specifies that both tracks must be of the same academic difficulty as a university doctorate, but with a different focus. University doctoral research traditionally centres on theoretical and fundamental science, often led by a professor. The hbo track is designed to be strongly oriented toward professional practice, frequently in collaboration with the relevant sector.

The Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences describes the PD as training candidates to become "highly qualified, research-minded professionals who develop solutions to complex problems," with research conducted in a working environment, at an organisation or within a community.

A pilot programme has been running since 2022, in which researchers could pursue a professional doctorate at a university of applied sciences. Participants worked on long-term research projects, often in collaboration with the professional field. However, completing the pilot currently results in a certificate rather than a legally protected degree.

Why the cabinet says this is needed

Minister Letschert said: "Practice-oriented research is of great value in delivering solutions to social problems, and is often directly applicable to businesses. I think it is important to properly recognise this type of research. A legally recognised degree simply belongs with that. This is a missing piece of the puzzle." She cited reports from the OECD and the Rathenau Institute indicating that the Netherlands needs more people who continue developing their knowledge and skills beyond a master's degree to help tackle major societal challenges.

The concern about title dilution

The plans are not without debate. If universities of applied sciences can also award doctoral titles, critics question whether the distinction between hbo and university will become less clear, and whether the value of the doctoral title itself will come under pressure. The concern is that broadening access to the title, while keeping the research focus different, could lead to confusion about what a doctorate actually represents in the Netherlands.

The bill states that both new tracks carry the same difficulty level as a university doctorate, but with a different orientation, framing the change as an enrichment of the education system rather than a dilution of existing qualifications.

What happens next

The legislative process begins today with the public consultation, through which citizens, organisations and companies can respond to the draft. Following that, the Council of State will give its advice, after which the proposal will go to both chambers of parliament for consideration.