Amsterdam is reputed for excellent primary schools, both private and public. While some private schools base their teachings on specific pedagogical theories, e.g the various Montessori schools, many are religious-based institutions. Up until recently confessional schools have been mostly Roman-Catholic and Protestant, but due to the influx of Muslim immigrants an increase has been observed in the number of Muslim schools. Amsterdam has three independent grammar schools that teach a classical curriculum, namely the Vossius Gymnasium, Barlaeus Gymnasium and St Ignatius Gymansium. There are two universities in the city, the University of Amsterdam and the VU University Amsterdam. Apart from them, higher vocational training is provided by schools of tertiary education, known as Hogescholen, which are also authorised to award Bachelor’s degrees.