Since 2002 all programmes of Higher Education in The Netherlands are labeled as Bachelor's or as Master's Degree programmes. 'Hbo-opleidingen', (Higher Professional Education programmes), have been renamed as 'hbo-bacheloropleidingen', (Higher Professional Education Bachelor's Degree programmes), with the same duration, i.e. four years.

In the past, most graduates from Applied Sciences Bachelors immediately joined the employment market. However, under this internationally accepted structure, it has become easier to progress directly to a Master's Degree programme upon the completion of a Bachelor's Degree programme, or to do so after a few years of employment. A Master's Degree programme can be followed either in The Netherlands or abroad. Graduates can make a choice between the following types of master programmes:

• a more practice-oriented 'hbo-masteropleiding', (Higher Professional Education Master's Degree),
• a more scientific-oriented 'wo-masteropleiding' at a university (MA or MSc).

For additional information regarding the bachelor - master structure in The Netherlands you can also have a look at www.Bologna-berlin2003.de/pdf/Netherlands.pdf.