The Avans Hogeschool in Breda has been named best hbo college in the country.

In second place is Windesheim in Zwolle and third is the Hanze college in Groningen.

The ranking, published on Tuesday, is complied each year by hbo rating group Keuzegids.org.

Trailing at the bottom of the ranking is the InHolland college group, where just 38% of students gain a diploma after five years of study. At the Avans college the figure is 56%.

The Keuzegids does however say that the average percentage of students passing their hbo diploma after five years has fallen to under 50. ‘This is because of tougher demands made on students and insufficient support for students in their first year,’ a spokesman told the Telegraaf.