Utrecht University
Period of exchange: One or two semesters
Level: Undergraduate/postgraduate
Admission restrictions: Medicine and veterinary medicine
Located in the heart of the Netherlands, Utrecht University is firmly founded on tradition.
Utrecht University offers the broadest spectrum of disciplines available in the Netherlands, innovative research and liaises with universities and research centres all over the world. Utrecht University is ranked Best in the Netherlands, 9th in Europe and 47nd in the world by the prestigious Shanghai Academic Rankings of World Universities 2008.
University location: Utrecht, Netherlands
Student population: 29,000
City population: 300,000
Utrecht is an old city located in the middle of the Netherlands. Its ancient city-centre features boast many buildings and structures from its earliest origins onwards. For example, the famous Dom tower, the canals with its numerous bars and restaurants, museums (you can see Miffy, or Nijntje in Dutch, at the Dick Bruna house of the Central Museum), or its famous architecture (for example, the Rietveld house).
Utrecht is a veritable shopper’s paradise. Shopping mall Hoog Catharijne is one of the best-known malls in Holland. Quite in contrast are the narrow inner city streets with their chic boutiques, delicatessen shops and exclusive gift shops.
Find out more
The university has the following academic divisions.
- Faculty of Humanities
- Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences
- Faculty of Law, Economics & Governance
- Faculty of Geosciences
- School of Medicine
To find out more, visit Utrecht University's exchange website.
Language of instruction
English/Dutch
Course information
Utrecht University offers over 200 courses in English that are open to Exchange students.
For a full list of available courses, please visit Utrecht University's exchange website.
Course restrictions
Medicine and veterinary medicine
Course load
At Utrecht University, a full academic year consists of 60 ECTS. The year is divided in two semesters, with two periods each. In every period, two courses of 7.5 ECTS run parallel. One semester consists thus of four courses, equalling 30 ECTS in total.
Course levels
Level 1 = introduction
Level 2 = intermediate
Level 3 = advanced
Level M = Master’s
Enrolment
A preliminary course selection is required together with application. Most faculties email students on official course enrolment before the start of the semester.
Language courses
It is easy to get by in the Netherlands without knowing any Dutch since most people have a basic or good knowledge of English and are usually quite willing to practice it. However, if you would like to learn or improve your Dutch while living there, the James Boswell Institute offers a special ‘Welcome Dutch language course’. And if you would like to get a good understanding of Dutch society and culture before starting to live here, you can attend a 4-week course at Utrecht Summer School.
You can find a full description of all Dutch language courses offered by the James Boswell Institute.
The Utrecht Summer School is part of the James Boswell Institute.
NOTE: Enrolment in the James Boswell Institute and/or the Utrecht Summer School is not covered in your tuition waiver. You are responsible to pay any fees.
Transcripts
Each faculty has its own administration of credits and grades. Students have to apply for an official transcript (in English) from the international officer of their faculty before leaving Utrecht.
