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Source: MinOCW (2007a: 68), EU (1999)HBO master’s degrees are a relatively new phenomenon. Until recently, UAS did not receivegovernment funding for their master programmes. As a result of this these programmes were,with tuition fees varying from EUR 5,000 to EUR 15,000, much more expensive than themaster’s programmes offered by research universities (MinOCW, 2007a: 73). In 2007, however,the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science formulated a new strategic agenda for highereducation, research and science policy, Het Hoogste Goed, where EUR 5 million (increasing upto EUR 20 from 2011) of public funds are made available to finance master’s degrees offered byUAS (MinOCW, 2007b: 12). At the end of 2007 there were about 130 accredited master’sprogrammes at HBO institutions (MinOCW, 2007a: 75-76).Access to the system of tertiary education is obtained by qualifying from one of the followingtypes of schools:- MBO level 4 (‘intermediate level vocational education’, gives access to UAS);- HAVO (five-year higher level of secondary education, gives access to UAS);- VWO (six-year highest level secondary education, gives access to UAS and universities);- Successfully completing a first-year examination at a UAS allows access to a universityprogram in the same area of expertise (ibid: 11).2.2.1 UniversitiesResearch universities combine academic research and teaching. University education focuses ontraining in academic disciplines, the independent pursuit of scholarship and the application ofscholarly knowledge in the context of a profession and aims to improve understanding of thephenomena studied in the various disciplines and generate new knowledge (MinOCW, 2007a:68). The university sector consists of 14 government-funded research universities (including theOpen University), eight academic medical centers and several publicly funded research institutesaffiliated with the universities. Two of the universities, i.e. University of Amsterdam and the VUUniversity Amsterdam, are based in Amsterdam. Furthermore, two of the nation’s academicmedical centers are based in Amsterdam: the AMC (Academic Medical Center, affiliated with theUniversity of Amsterdam) and the VUmc (the VU University’s medical center). In addition to the14 government-funded universities, there is a number of recognized universities which are notfunded by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. However, the terms of the HigherEducation and Research Act do apply to these universities and the Bachelor’s and Master’sdegrees awarded by these institutions are recognized by law. These recognized universitiesconsist of six universities that are offering theological courses, one offering a degree course inhumanism, and Nyenrode Business University (ibid: 72).2.2.2 Universities of Applied SciencesUAS provide theoretical and practical training for occupations for which a higher vocationalqualification is either required or useful. Graduates find employment in various fields, includingmiddle and high-ranking jobs in trade and industry, social services, health care and the publicsector (ibid: 76). There are currently 41 UAS which receive government funding (HBO-raad,2009a). They consist of general institutions as well as institutions specializing in a specific field,such as agriculture, fine and performing arts, or teacher training. Compared to universities, UASoffer more practically oriented programmes. Also with respect to research activities, the UAShave a different function than research universities. Whereas the universities contribute both tothe development of scientific knowledge and to the utilization of this knowledge in society,35