About us
University College Utrecht offers the English-language undergraduate Liberal Arts & Sciences programme at Utrecht University. Founded in 1998 as the first university college in the Netherlands, we presently have around 750 students with close to 70 different nationalities. We offer students complete freedom to compose their individual curriculum from over 200 different courses in humanities, science and social science. In this they are supported by individual tutors. The students live and study on campus, a close-knit international community and vibrant hub of intellectual exploration and social engagement. University College Utrecht is where worlds meet.
All students follow a three-year bachelor programme. They graduate with a degree from Utrecht University, either a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts.
Liberal Arts and Sciences
According to the Association of American Colleges and Universities, “liberal education is an educational philosophy rather than a body of knowledge, specific courses, or type of institution. By drawing on a broad range of knowledge, it asks students to grapple with complicated, important issues, and usually expects them to learn about at least one subject in greater depth and at an advanced level. Intellectual growth occurs as both broad and deep learning challenge previously held beliefs.”
Both intellectually and culturally, different worlds meet at UCU. The different perspectives in the UCU educational community helps to give students a deeper understanding of the world, one that is facing complex challenges that transcend disciplinary boundaries and national borders, such as climate change, pandemics and the impact of new technologies. The diversity of disciplinary and cultural perspectives brought to the classroom by students from more than 65 countries is a fundamental part of the discussion, helping to create an international learning environment at UCU that prepares our students to meet such challenges.
Active Learning
Learning is at the centre of our education; our teachers facilitate students in their learning process. The small-scale and interactive class format creates optimal opportunity for learning. Students write papers, give presentations, lead discussions about reading materials, engage in debate, work on assignments in small groups, analyse data and so on. They receive feedback on their work in order to improve their academic skills and levels of understanding.
Studying at University College Utrecht requires good planning; students have four classes every semester and each has deadlines for reading assignments, presentations and papers. Every student has a personal tutor available for help if they encounter problems in study planning.
University College Utrecht taught me how to manage my time.
Campus life
University College Utrecht is modelled broadly on American college campuses: all buildings are located together on our historic site, including student accommodation, classrooms, social facilities and staff offices. Our students are selected according to criteria which highlight their academic and extra-curricular potential.
Education continues outside of the classroom, as our students live together on our campus. This continuous interaction allows our students to develop the interdisciplinary and intercultural communication competence, and skills and international experience needed to contribute successfully to today’s world. Students of all backgrounds, cultural and intellectual, truly live together, not merely alongside each other.
At University College Utrecht, students are strongly encouraged to take active roles both on and off the campus, whether it be organising student activities, volunteering in the local neighbourhood, participating in cultural or academic workshops, or playing sports. A unique spirit of community and participation at University College Utrecht means that students learn, develop and enjoy life both inside the classroom and outside it.
Please note: University College Utrecht offers a traditional Liberal Arts and Sciences curriculum. Utrecht University also offers a non-residential Liberal Arts and Sciences programme, the School of Liberal Arts, that is not affiliated with University College Utrecht.