General info
Small-scale and intensive Dutch higher education programmes or tracks within such programmes may get permission from the Minister to select students at the start of the programme and demand a higher legal tuition fee. Characteristics of such programmes or tracks are highly intensive teaching-learning environments, a carefully selected and matched student population with the possibility of tuition fee dispensation. The intensity of the education should lead to above-average educational performance.
Initial assessment (granting permission)
Applications follow the standards of the NVAO Assessment Framework, with four additional criteria. The expected distinctive added value of a small-scale and intensive teaching and learning environment should be addressed under Standard 1. Standard 2 should cover how the teaching and learning environment will contribute to this distinctive added value and what defines the intensity of the teaching and learning environment. Under Standard 4, it should be explained how the small-scale and intensive teaching and learning environment will lead to above-average educational performance.
A panel supervised by an NVAO policy adviser will assess the likelihood that (1) small scale and selection will lead to the distinctive added value and above-average educational performance and (2) there will be a genuinely intensive teaching and learning environment. This panel assessment forms the basis for the advice that NVAO will submit to the Minister on whether to grant permission for specific selection criteria and higher tuition fees.
Initial assessments are possible for both new and existing programmes. For existing programmes, NVAO strongly recommends combining the application with an application for accreditation. An application can, however, be submitted separately. In that case, NVAO convenes a panel to conduct the assessment. A site visit is always part of the procedure.
Assessment of practice (confirming permission)
After receiving permission based on the ex ante assessment, a panel supervised by an NVAO policy adviser will assess whether the ambitions of the initial assessment have been achieved. This assessment of practice is always combined with an application for accreditation, generally six years after permission has been granted by the Minister. The institutional board describes the distinctive added value of the small-scale and intensive teaching and learning environment, how the teaching and learning environment contributes to this distinctive added value, what defines the intensity of the teaching and learning environment, and how the small-scale and intensive teaching and learning environment has led to demonstrably above-average educational performance.
A panel accompanied by an NVAO policy adviser assesses (1) how small scale and selection contribute to the distinctive added value and above-average educational performance and (2) whether the teaching and learning environment is genuinely intensive. NVAO informs the Minister of the panel assessment. The Minister does not take a new decision; the permission granted is for an indefinite period.
Part of accreditation (retaining permission)
After a positive decision on the assessment of practice, NVAO considers the small-scale and intensive teaching and learning environment to be an essential characteristic of the programme. In subsequent assessments, NVAO is no longer involved. In the panel report, it is sufficient to describe the four additional criteria under the relevant standards, without an explicit assessment of how small scale and intensity contribute to the programme’s ambitions and above-average educational performance. The Minister will no longer be informed.
The criteria and procedure for applications for permission for specific selection criteria and higher tuition fees can also be found in the Uitvoeringsregels 2026. If a panel report gives grounds for doing so, the Minister can always withdraw permission on the basis of Article 6.7d of the Higher Education and Research Act (WHW). For programmes with the former Special Feature Small-Scale and Intensive Education, a temporary provision applies until 1 November 2027. Please see the procedure ‘Temporary Provisions for Special Features’.
Rates
In 2026, the fee for the assessment of a new programme with permission for specific selection criteria and higher tuition fees is €30,853. For an application solely for permission for specific selection criteria and higher tuition fees, the fee is €24,087.
Different rates apply to other or alternative procedures. Costs related to international site visits or the deployment of external experts, advisory services, or additional requirements are invoiced separately.
