Enrolment figures exceed expectations

The total number of new students at Hanze University of Applied Sciences has risen again for the 2026–2027 academic year. In total, Hanze welcomed 6,716 new students. That is 216 more than last year, whilst the forecast had predicted a lower number of students. Thanks to this positive result, Hanze is once again the regional market leader in terms of new student intake.

“I am proud that more students have chosen our university of applied sciences,” says Dick Pouwels, Chair of the Executive Board, commenting on the intake figures. “It shows that young people believe in a programme where teaching and research go hand in hand and where they can make a direct contribution to real-world issues. We are here for our students, but also for the region: with knowledge, with research and with graduates who are helping to shape the future of the Northern Netherlands.” 

Increase across all types of programmes 

Student intake has increased across all types of programmes (Bachelor’s, Master’s and Associate degrees). This year, the intake of full-time Bachelor’s students has increased by 110 students compared with last year’s intake. This is partly due to the launch of the introductory foundation year for Economics programmes; a total of 47 students commenced this foundation year. Apart from this new foundation year, we are still seeing a healthy increase in intake for Bachelor’s students. The intake for part-time and dual-track programmes has also risen slightly this year, by 4 per cent, to a total of 937 new enrolments.  

International intake  

We are also seeing an increase in the international intake this year. The total intake of international students has risen by 15 per cent to 989 compared with last year. 

Growth alongside a decline 

We are seeing growth in most sectors, but there has been a decline in Engineering/IT and Law.  We remain fully committed to increasing student numbers in the engineering/IT sector in the coming period.