It’s not a university, but it’s the “second alma mater” for professionals in the Netherlands
NCOI Opleidingen differs fundamentally from traditional universities. It is not a research-oriented institution, but rather an educational and training organization dedicated to working professionals. Headquartered in Hilversum, it operates 14 regional training centers across the country and employs over 2,000 staff members and approximately 4,500 part-time instructors. Earn a Dutch university degree through early study
Every year, more than 200,000 people participate in various courses and training programs through NCOI. If you work in the Dutch workforce, it is highly likely that you have colleagues who are currently studying or have previously studied at NCOI.
A Three-Tier Training System: A Complete Path from MBO to MBA
NCOI’s most distinctive feature is that it covers the entire spectrum of Dutch vocational education:
- MBO (Secondary Vocational Education): Provides vocational training in areas such as management, marketing, finance, and law for entry-level employees
- HBO (Higher Professional Education): Awards bachelor’s degrees in popular fields such as business administration, psychology, education, and communication
- Master’s: NCOI University of Applied Sciences offers the largest MBA program in the Netherlands, as well as master’s degrees in change management, finance and control, and project management
It is worth noting that NCOI holds degree-awarding authority recognized by the Dutch Ministry of Education, and its degrees are legally awarded under the Higher Education and Research Act (WHW).
Corporate Partnerships and Practical Focus
NCOI’s course design is guided by a core philosophy: “Learning is Practice”. All training is practice-oriented, integrating participants’ daily work scenarios through role-playing and simulations to ensure that what is learned is immediately applicable.
For corporate clients, NCOI offers customized in-house training services and can link internal training to official diplomas, allowing companies to benefit from Dutch tax incentives. The company also operates an internship institute that provides placement support for participants who are temporarily unemployed or seeking a career change.
Quality Accreditation and Client Testimonials
The quality of NCOI’s courses has received numerous authoritative recognitions. In the Netherlands, it is recognized by the Flemish government as an official training institution. Internationally, it won the “Best Practice Award” from the European Association for Distance Education in 2019.
However, what NCOI is most proud of is its 93% customer satisfaction rate—over 90% of participants report a significant improvement in their skills following the training. Some courses have even received exceptionally high ratings of 9.6 out of 10.
