First things first: you’re not behind
If you have (or are about to get) a bachelor’s degree from a university of applied sciences, you’ve simply completed an accredited program. You don’t need to “catch up” on anything to continue your education. College isn’t the next step you have to take to be taken seriously. It’s a choice to study and work in a different way. And that’s important to remember, because that’s where a lot of doubt comes from: the feeling that you’re falling behind if you don’t move on. That’s not the case.
What does the transition look like in practice?
In reality, the path from a bachelor’s degree at a university of applied sciences (HBO) to a master’s degree at a research university (WO) is fairly concrete, but not always straightforward. Most students follow these steps:
You start with your bachelor’s degree at a university of applied sciences and complete it. Then you look into which master’s program interests you. At that point, something important happens: you don’t just check the master’s program itself, but also whether you can start right away.
In many cases, that turns out not to be the case. That’s when you encounter the most common intermediate step: the pre-master’s program.
The pre-master’s program: what many students struggle with (and what it really is)
The pre-master’s program often sounds more daunting than it is. It’s not an “extra year of study because you’re not good enough,” but rather a bridge program. What you learn here, above all, is to think and work in a different way. For example, you’ll notice that assignments focus less on how to carry out a task and more on how to substantiate it theoretically and academically. You’ll read more, analyze more, and learn to write in an academic style.
Many students say afterward, “At first, it felt like I had to learn how to study all over again.” Not because they couldn’t do it, but because it’s simply a different style. The duration varies, but it usually lasts between half a year and a year.
What changes for you as a student?
The biggest change isn’t in the subject matter, but in how you approach it. At a university of applied sciences, you’re often used to clear assignments, real-world case studies, and collaborating toward a concrete result. At a research university, you’ll have to figure out for yourself what’s important and why something makes sense.
That can take some getting used to. Many students experience doubts, especially at the beginning: “Am I doing this right?” or “Shouldn’t this be more concrete?” That’s normal. You’re not only learning new content, but also a new way of thinking.
So why do students take this step anyway?
Despite this transition, many students from universities of applied sciences still choose to pursue a master’s degree at a research university. Not because they have to, but because they feel something is missing or want to delve deeper into a subject. Some want to better understand why things work the way they do. Others are looking for a path that better aligns with a specific job or industry. And still others simply want to challenge themselves and see what else is possible.
There isn’t just one reason. But there is one thing they all have in common: it’s almost never a spontaneous choice, but a step that develops over time. What many students can’t fully anticipate beforehand is how different university feels in their day-to-day studies. Not necessarily harder, but less structured. You have to take more initiative in structuring your own work, read more material without an immediate “application,” and decide for yourself what’s relevant more often.
For some students, this actually provides freedom. For others, it takes a little time to adjust. Both are okay, but it does help to know this in advance.
When is the transition from a bachelor’s degree at a university of applied sciences to a master’s degree at a research university right for you?
The most honest question isn’t, “Can I handle this?” but rather, “What energizes me?”
If you mainly want to learn by doing and engage directly with practical work, a bachelor’s degree from a university of applied sciences (HBO) often fits better. If, on the other hand, you want to delve deeper, explore, and understand why things work, a master’s degree from a research university (WO) might be a good fit. But here, too, the same applies: you don’t have to be 100% sure before you start.
Doubt isn’t a bad sign
Many students think that doubt means they’re not ready yet. But in reality, it often means you’re taking the decision seriously. The transition from a university of applied sciences to a research university isn’t a leap you make in one go that’s either “right” or “wrong.” It’s a process in which you discover what suits you best. And that’s okay to do step by step.
What helps with your decision
What often makes a real difference isn’t reading more about the theory, but having conversations and seeing what it’s really like. That’s why it helps to compare educational institutions and programs, ask students questions, and see what a master’s program looks like in practice.
At the Master’s Fair, you can do all of this in a relaxed and accessible setting. You can explore, ask questions, and compare different programs side by side without having to make a decision right away. This way, the transition from a university of applied sciences to a research university isn’t a leap into the unknown, but something you’ll come to understand better and better.
