Students rank Windesheim #1 in satisfaction

The results of the National Student Survey (NSE 2025) have been published by the National Study Choice Center. More than 8,500 Windesheim students shared their experiences with their education and study programmes. The outcome is something to celebrate: 75% of our students are (very) satisfied with their programme. A result we are proud of!

Highest score among broad Universities of Applied Sciences

With an average satisfaction score of 3.81 out of 5, Windesheim ranks well above the national average of 3.70. This is the highest score among all broad universities of applied sciences in the Netherlands, making Windesheim the institution with the most satisfied students in this category for 2025. Avans University of Applied Sciences follows in second place with a score of 3.77.

Core themes

Windesheim scores above the national HBO average on all six NSE 2025 themes. On three themes, it ranks highest among broad universities of applied sciences:

• Study guidance – 4.00 (national average: 3.83)
  Students highly value the availability and quality of study guidance at Windesheim. They appreciate how accessible guidance is and how well it supports them in their studies.
• Lecturers – 3.82 (national average: 3.72)
  Students describe their lecturers as knowledgeable and practically experienced. They also highlight the lecturers’ engagement and approachability, creating an environment where it feels natural and easy to ask questions.
• Content & structure of education – 3.70 (national average: 3.62)
  Students are (very) satisfied with the level of their programmes and how well the curriculum reflects current developments in the field.

Additional themes

As in previous years, Windesheim was able to present institution-specific themes in the survey. Because these themes are unique to Windesheim, they cannot be directly compared with results from other universities of applied sciences.

This year, two new themes were introduced: “Student Wellbeing” and “Reflection”. These replaced the earlier themes of “Internships” and “Practice-Based Research.” Compared with previous measurements, scores on these themes remained stable or were slightly lower than last year.

Students reported the highest satisfaction with the following areas:

• Equal treatment (3.93): Students feel there is a safe environment where everyone can express their opinions and experience equal treatment. Many also note that personal circumstances are taken into account and that the institution actively promotes inclusivity.
• General skills (3.83): Students are positive about how their programme helps them develop broad skills such as reasoning and argumentation, problem-solving, collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and drawing well-supported conclusions.

Room for improvement

The NSE 2025 results for Windesheim are very positive overall, while also pointing to areas for growth. Two themes stand out: Reflection (3.35) and Flexibility of the Study Programme (3.52).

Reflection covers how courses connect to societal issues, encourage critical thinking, and integrate multiple perspectives. Strengthening this theme can help students broaden their views and link knowledge more effectively.

Flexibility relates to the freedom students have to customise their studies and shape their own learning path. Improving this area could increase student ownership and engagement.

About the National Student Survey

The annual National Student Survey (NSE) is organized by the National Study Choice Center. The 2025 survey took place between January 13 and March 9 and used the same questionnaire as in 2024, 2023, 2022, and 2021. Developed in 2021 with input from educational institutions, student unions, and the National Study Choice Center, the survey’s consistent design makes it possible to compare results across the past four years, though not with earlier data.

Since March 2020, all publicly funded programmes accredited by the NVAO are legally required to participate in the NSE. The research was conducted by the agency MWM2, as in previous years.