Since 1 January 2014, it is legally possible for universities of applied sciences (hogescholen) to award the same degrees as universities. This involves the following degrees: Bachelor/Master of Arts (BA/MA) and Bachelor/Master of Science (MSc).

The Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO) has drawn up a list of the degrees applicable per study programme together with the universities of applied sciences. As a result of the updated academic titles, students from the same study programme will obtain an equivalent degree everywhere. The guiding principle is that the degree should be in line with the norm in international practice.

Study programmes may award the new degree as soon as at least 70% of the degree programmes in the same cluster have been accredited again by the NVAO. All comparable study programmes in the Netherlands can, therefore, award the same degree simultaneously. With the renewed accreditation of the Reinwardt Academy’s Master of Museology, this now applies to all AHK study programmes and all study programmes may now award the new degrees in accordance with the reference list of the NVAO.

As of 1 September, students of the Academy of Architecture will receive a Master of Science (MSc) degree. Students from the teacher training programmes will receive the title Bachelor/Master of Education (BEd/MEd). The title Bachelor/Master of Arts (BA/MA) will apply for all other study programmes. Exceptions to this are the Bachelor in Music, the Master in Music and the Master in Opera; these programmes use the title Bachelor/Master of Music.

see also
Overview of degrees
AHK study programme accreditations