HBO ICT courses are being renamed

From 1 September 2026, all higher professional education (HBO) ICT programmes will change their names. A number of computer science programmes at HBO level, including those at Fontys, will also make the switch. The new name will simply be: ICT. There is more to this name change than a cosmetic adjustment; it is a deliberate step towards greater clarity and better alignment within the programmes linked to the entire professional sector.

For colleagues in education and the professional field, it is important to know what is and is not changing. The name of the qualification is changing, but the quality and content remain the same. A Bachelor’s degree in ICT from a university of applied sciences is entirely equivalent to the familiar HBO-ICT qualification.

Why this name change?

The name HBO-ICT has proven its worth over the years, but did not align seamlessly with how the rest of the programmes in the professional pathway are structured. In MBO, a comparable course has simply been called ‘ICT’ for years. And AD programmes also offer education at higher professional education (HBO) level. The new name for the bachelor’s degree makes it clear that MBO, AD and bachelor’s programmes are aligned. This makes the range of programmes much clearer for students, parents, careers advisors and employers. Students can thus recognise the path they are following, and employers know what to expect from a graduate with a bachelor’s degree in ICT.

What will change for the professional field?

For employers hiring ICT graduates from higher professional education (HBO), nothing will change in terms of content. The programme description, the competencies and the final qualification level remain unchanged. However, it is important for HR departments and recruitment procedures to incorporate the new degree title. An applicant with a ‘Bachelor of ICT’ has followed the same course and achieved the same level as a graduate who still calls themselves an ‘HBO ICT graduate’.

In practical terms, this means that roles currently requiring an HBO-ICT qualification will soon be filled by people with a Bachelor’s in ICT. It is therefore advisable to update job advertisements and role profiles to avoid confusion during the recruitment process.

What will change for educational institutions?

For deans and study counsellors in vocational education (MBO) and secondary education, the new name presents an opportunity. The transition from MBO ICT to a higher professional education (HBO) programme also called ICT is easier for prospective students to understand. The barrier to progression is lowered, not because the programme is changing, but because the name sets the right expectations.

Universities of applied sciences will update their degree certificates, study guides and external communications from 1 September 2026. Current students who enrolled before that date may still receive their degree under the old name — depending on the institution’s policy. It is advisable for institutions to communicate this in good time, both internally and to the professional sector.

Diploma equivalence: be clear about it

It is in the sector’s interest that this message is communicated widely and unambiguously: a Bachelor’s degree in ICT from a Dutch university of applied sciences is equivalent to an HBO ICT diploma. There is no difference in level, accreditation or labour market value. Anyone in doubt can always consult the CROHO (Central Register of Higher Education Programmes), where accredited programmes and their equivalences are recorded.

The HBO-i Foundation calls on all stakeholders — programmes, the professional sector and intermediaries — to actively share this information within their networks. In this way, we can prevent the name change from wrongly giving the impression that anything has changed regarding the quality or level of the programme.

Further information on the background to this change and the programme descriptions for ICT courses can be found at hbo-i.nl.