Founded in 1619, Hogeschool van Amsterdam (Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences) is a private higher-education institution located in the large city of Amsterdam (population range of 500,000-1,000,000 inhabitants), North Holland. Officially recognized by the Nederlands-Vlaamse Accreditatieorganisatie (Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders), Hogeschool van Amsterdam (HvA) is a very large coeducational Dutch higher education institution. Hogeschool van Amsterdam (HvA) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees in several areas of study. HvA also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, as well as administrative services.