About the Faculty

A flourishing humanities sector is crucial to society. Even in a high-tech, globalised world, human life consists of more than just technology and trade: art, culture and history all play their part.

The Faculty of Humanities at Utrecht University covers four areas of knowledge:

Both the education we offer and the research we conduct contribute to a better understanding of the Netherlands and Europe within a changing social and cultural context.

The Faculty is located in monumental buildings in the historic city centre of Utrecht.

Research

Key areas of focus in our interdisciplinary research:

  • the development of a pluralist and multilingual culture
  • the development of the institutions and social rules for an open, sustainable and just society
  • the history, methods and social context of the sciences

Through this research, we contribute to analysing and solving current issues in society, for example concerning citizenship, multilingualism, religion, scientific integrity, peace processes and media literacy. In this way we contribute to the University's strategic themes Institutions, Dynamics of Youth and Sustainability.

Education

The Faculty offers a challenging study environment in which research and education are closely intertwined. Partly thanks to the active teaching methods and effective supervision, Utrecht University has the highest student pass rate of any Dutch university. In our Bachelor's programmes, Humanities students are educated to become well-rounded academics with disciplinary knowledge in one of the faculty's four knowledge domains. In our Master's programmes, students specialise in a particular discipline (or choose an interdisciplinary specialisation) in preparation for a successful career or an academic postgraduate programme. There are various (Dutch-taught) Honours programmes for ambitious students who wish to develop their talents to the full.

Sharing Science, Shaping Tomorrow

Sharing knowledge

The Faculty shares its expertise and the results of its education and research with a wider, non-academic public in a variety of ways, for example by means of publications, public events and media appearances. We have gained unique expertise in commissioned research and consultancy, including in the areas of business history, ethical dilemmas, language advice and social media. Businesses, government and organisations can also enlist our services to contribute to conferences or exhibitions, for example.

The Faculty in figures

Students: approx. 7200
Staff: approx. 800 fte (30% of which is supportive)
Bachelor's programmes: 26
Master's programmes: 32 (+ 7 teacher training programmes)