University of Amsterdam

The University of Amsterdam (Dutch: Universiteit van Amsterdam) is a comprehensive research university located in the heart of the city of Amsterdam, the Netherlands. With over 28,000 students and around 5,000 staff, the UvA is one of the major universities in Europe. There are seven faculties: Humanities, Social and Behavioral sciences, Economy, Law, Science, Medicine and Dentistry. It has a strong internationalization programme and offers over 85 English Master programmes taught in English, as well as a number of Dutch and English language courses. The University of Amsterdam (UvA) should not be confused with Amsterdam's second university, the VU University. In 2006, the UvA joined the League of European Research Universities (LERU). The universities work together to invest in European 'centres of excellence', with the aim of maintaining Europe's strong position in the global knowledge economy.

History

The commonly-held predecessor of the University of Amsterdam, the Athenaeum Illustre (Latin - the illustrious Athenaeum) was founded in the 14th-century Agnietenkapel in Amsterdam in 1632, to educate students in History and Philosophy. Professors lectured publicly and tutored privately. In January 1632 two internationally acclaimed scholars, Caspar Barlaeus and Gerardus Vossius, held their inaugural speeches here. In the course of the seventeenth century, Law, Medicine and Theology were introduced in the curriculum. Alumni (whilst it was still the Athenaeum) include Cornelis Petrus Tiele.

The Athenaeum remained a small institution until the nineteenth century, with no more than 250 students and eight teachers. This situation changed only slowly. In 1815 the Athenaeum Illustre was officially recognised as an institute of higher education. In 1877, Athenuem Illustre is reorganised to become the university of the municipality of Amsterdam. It became the Gemeentelijke Universiteit van Amsterdam (GU or 'Municipal University') and it received the right to confer doctoral degrees.

The professors were appointed by the city council and the mayor presided over the university administration. Because the Amsterdam city council was noted for its progressive politics this scheme guaranteed a large degree of intellectual freedom for the university.

Very little then changed until 1961, when the national government took control of financial responsibility. The university ceased to be the Gemeentelijke Universiteit and finally became the Universiteit van Amsterdam.

In 1969 the university became nationwide news when the university's administrative center at the Maagdenhuis was occupied by students who wanted more democratic influence. During the seventies and eighties the university was often the target of nationwide student actions.

Faculties

The University of Amsterdam has seven faculties which conduct education and research in the humanities, social and behavioural sciences, economics and business, law, science, medicine and dentistry. Each faculty is headed by a dean. Education and research take place in a variety of departments and institutes within the faculties. Each faculty also has a central services department which is responsible for its operational management.

Faculty of Dentistry

Faculty of Economics and Business

Faculty of Humanities

Faculty of Law

Faculty of Medicine

Faculty of Science

Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences

The UvA aims to offer an inspiring, broadly-oriented international academic environment where both staff and students can develop their capacities optimally. The UvA is characterised by a critical, creative and international atmosphere, and is open-minded and strongly engaged with society. Because the UvA is located in both historic and modern buildings spread throughout Amsterdam, the University forms an integral part of the city.

University of Amsterdam ranked 49th in the 2009 THES-QS World University Ranking

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

The Vrije Universiteit (literal translation: "Free University") is a university in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The Dutch name is often abbreviated as VU. The board of trustees is the Vereniging VU-Windesheim, which also manages the Christelijke Hogeschool Windesheim University of Applied Sciences in Zwolle and VUmc, which is the university's Medical Center. The university is run by an executive board ("College van Bestuur" in Dutch) which makes decisions in consultation with the Board of Deans ("College van Decanen" in Dutch). The university is located on a compact urban campus in the southern part of Amsterdam in the Buitenveldert district.

The university should not be confused with the University of Amsterdam, which is a different university, located all over the city.

The VU University Amsterdam has about 18,000 students, most of which are full-time students. The number of faculty members and researchers is 2200 (of whom 300 are full professors). The teaching and research activities are supported by 1600 administrative, clerical, technical, and other employees. The university's annual budget is around US$500 million, about two third of which comes from the Dutch government. Tuition, research grants, and industrial contracts provide the rest.

History

The VU was founded in 1880 by Abraham Kuyper as the first orthodox-Protestant (Calvinist) university in The Netherlands. Kuyper was a Dutch politician, journalist, and prime minister of The Netherlands from 1901 to 1905. He was a professor of theology at the VU as well as the first '‘rector magnificus’ (President of the University).

Vrije Universiteit literally means Free University (better: Liberated University) to signify freedom from both government and church. The education itself, however, is not free of cost. To overcome this association, recently a decision was made to use the term VU University instead of Free University whenever the English translation is needed.

As at all accredited universities in The Netherlands, students pay a (government determined) tuition, which is currently (2009) around €1600/year for students from the European Union and ranges from €7000 to €9000/year for students from elsewhere. Most Dutch students receive a grant or loan from the government to cover tuition and living expenses.

Although current students and faculty members are adherents of many religions, as a consequence of its Protestant heritage, the VU has always placed a special emphasis on the social and cultural context in which it operates. Many faculties offer courses teaching students about the historical, social, and cultural issues related to their discipline, with course names like "Social Aspects of Science". Topics such as the consequences of science for society, ethics, and related issues are discussed.

Faculties

Arts
Centre for Educational Training, Assessment and Research
Dentistry / ACTA
Earth and Life Sciences
Economics and Business Administration
Human Movement Sciences
Law
Medicine
Philosophy
Psychology and Education
Sciences
Social Sciences
Theology

The language of instruction for the bachelor's courses is Dutch. However, many of the master's programmes are given entirely in English in order to attract students from outside The Netherlands. In fact, in some master's programmes, international students outnumber the Dutch students by a large margin.

The Ph.D. programme is different from that in the United Kingdom and the U.S.A. Rather than applying to the university for admission in the winter, prospective students must find a (full) professor who has a position for a Ph.D. student, called an AiO (Assistant in Opleiding--Assistant in Training), and contact him or her directly. Most professors and faculties advertise their open positions on their Websites. AiOs are paid a salary and are considered university employees. They do not have to pay tuition.

VU Amsterdam ranked:

155th in the 2008 THES-QS World University ranking

165th in the 2009 THES-QS World University ranking

171st in the 2010 QS World University ranking

179th in the 2011 QS World University Ranking

Radboud University Nijmegen

The Radboud University Nijmegen is a university in Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

Before 2004 the university was called Katholieke Universiteit Nijmegen, or Catholic University of Nijmegen. In 2004 it was renamed after the Radboud foundation, this foundation was named after Saint Radboud, a Catholic bishop who lived around 900.

Radboud University Nijmegen is situated in the oldest city in the Netherlands. It has nine faculties and enrols over 17,500 students in 107 study programmes.

History

The university was founded in 1923 as a result of the emancipation process of the Catholics in the Netherlands. The Catholic identity of the university is still reflected by an obligatory philosophy course.

The university has been renamed Radboud University Nijmegen (RU) in 2004, after the Radboud foundation which had the goal of stimulating Roman Catholic higher education and funded the university until world war 1. The foundation was named after Saint Radboud, a Catholic bishop and scholar who lived around 900. Until 31 August 2004, the official (Dutch) name was Katholieke Universiteit Nijmegen (KUN), (Catholic University of Nijmegen).

(http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Radboud-University-Nijmegen)

Academics

The Radboud University Nijmegen offers numerous bachelor and master programmes. It is also home to research institutions like NanoLab Nijmegen, Nijmegen Institute for Cognition and Information and the F.C. Donders Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging. Faculty members Henk Barendregt (2002) and Theo Rasing (2008) won the Spinozapremie.

Faculties

Faculty of Theology
Faculty of Religious Studies
Faculty of Philosophy
Faculty of Arts
Faculty of Law
Faculty of Social Sciences
Nijmegen School of Management
Faculty of Science
Faculty of Medical Sciences

Radboud University Nijmegen ranked 195 in the 2007 THES-QS World University Ranking

Radboud University Nijmegen ranked 149th in the 2010 QS World University Ranking

Radboud University Nijmegen ranked 138th in the 2011 QS World University Ranking

University of Twente

University of Twente (or Twente University) is a university located in Enschede, Netherlands. It offers research and degree programmes in technology, and in the social and behavioural sciences. In keeping with its enterprising spirit, the University is committed to making an economic and social contribution to the region of the Netherlands where it is based. The UT collaborates with TU Delft and TU/e Eindhoven under the umbrella of the 3TU.Federation, and is also a partner in the European Network of Innovative Universities (ECIU).

The University of Twente was built on the former country estate of Drienerlo, situated between Hengelo and Enschede. On this beautifully landscaped 140 hectare estate, comprising woodland, meadows and water, architects Van Tijen and Van Embden designed the Netherlands’ first - and so far the only - campus university along American lines. Students and staff live, work and pursue their leisure activities on campus. Through the years, several other important architects and artists have made their own contributions to the design of the campus.

Students and staff at the University of Twente continue to form an active academic community. The campus enjoys excellent sports and cultural facilities that have stimulated the development of a rich mix of student societies, student social events, and a constant flow of new initiatives. The Student Union, which is run entirely by students, promotes the interests of all student societies and also manages several premises, including the student social centre in the heart of Enschede.

History

The University was founded in 1961 as the Technische Hogeschool Twente, the Netherlands’ third higher vocational institute of technology later to become a university (the other two being Delft and Eindhoven). The Dutch government’s decision to locate the new institute in Enschede, the main city of Twente, had much to do with the north-eastern province’s rich industrial history. Another important consideration was the fact that the local economy needed a boost to compensate for the dwindling textile industry.

Academics

The degree programmes at the University of Twente range from business studies and applied physics, to biomedical technology and psychology. The curriculum is broad, flexible and relevant to the labour market. Most students combine coursework in their major subject with a coherent set of minors in another discipline. A growing number of foreign students are finding their way to the UT. Almost all postgraduate programmes are taught in English, and half of all PhD students now come from outside the Netherlands.

The University of Twente has a world class research programme. In the applied sciences, the emphasis is on nanotechnology, process technology, engineering, information & communication technology, and the biomedical sciences. The University also has a strong track record in business studies and the behavioural sciences. UT research programmes are organised in six research institutes: • Institute for Nanotechnology (MESA+) • BioMedical Technological Institute (BMTI) • Centre for Telematics and Informationtechnology (CTIT) • Institute for Behavioral Research (IBR) • Institute for Governance Studies (IGS) • Institute of Mechanics, Processes and Control Twente (IMPACT)

The University of Twente sets great store by the useful application of knowledge in society. Patents, life-long learning programmes, and spin-off companies testify to this commitment, as does UT’s intensive involvement in research programmes that enhance knowledge infrastructure in the Netherlands. So far, the UT has produced 600 spin-off companies; more than any other Dutch university.

From the outset, the University of Twente has sought to put the applied sciences in a wider social context. Students and researchers are always challenged to look beyond the boundaries of their own subject area and to establish links between different disciplines. The University of Twente believes that a multidisciplinary approach will stimulate innovation in science and society alike.

Faculty of Behavioural Sciences
Communication Studies
Educational Science and Technology
Leraar VHO Maatschappijleer
Philosophy of Science, Technology and Society
Psychology
Science Education and Communication
Social Systems Evaluation and Survey Research
Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science
Applied Mathematics
Computer Science
Electrical Engineering
Embedded Systems
Human Media Interaction
Mechatronics
Systems and Control
Telematics
Faculty of Engineering Technology
Civil Engineering and Management
Construction Management and Engineering
Industrial Design Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Sustainable Energy Technology
Faculty of Science and Technology
Applied Physics
Biomedical Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Nanotechnology
Technical Medicine
Postgraduate Executive Programmes
Master Environmental and Energy Management MBA
Public Management
School of Management and Governance
Business Administration
Business Information Technology
European Studies
Health Sciences
Industrial Engineering and Management
Public Administration

Faculties

Faculty of Behavioural Sciences

Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science

Faculty of Engineering Technology

Faculty of Science and Technology

Postgraduate Executive Programmes

School of Management and Governance

University of Twente ranked 185th in the 2007 THES-QS World University Ranking

University of Twente ranked 200th in the 2008 THES-QS World University Ranking

University of Twente ranked 200th in the 2009 THES-QS World University Ranking

University of Twente ranked 199th in the 2010 QS World University Ranking

University of Groningen

The University of Groningen (Dutch: Rijksuniversiteit Groningen), located in the city of Groningen, was founded in 1614. It is the second oldest and third largest university in the Netherlands. Since its inception more than 100,000 students have graduated. It is a member of the Coimbra Group.

The University of Groningen has 9 faculties, 9 Graduate Schools, 27 research centres and institutes, and more than 175 degree program.

Founded in 1614, the University of Groningen is the second oldest university in the Netherlands. The University of Groningen enjoys an international reputation as one of the leading research universities in Europe. It has a large international network and an excellent reputation for academic teaching with a modern, student-oriented approach. We offer degree programmes at Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD levels in virtually every field, many of them completely taught in English. Located in the north of the Netherlands, Groningen is an ideal, safe student city with a flourishing student life and many social and cultural activities. International students have rated the University of Groningen as the most welcoming university in the Netherlands.

History

The founding of the University in 1614 – at that time still a college of higher education – was an initiative taken by the Regional Assembly of the city of Groningen and the Ommelanden, or surrounding region. There were four faculties – Theology, Law, Medicine and Philosophy. The first 75 years of its existence were very fruitful for the University with about 100 students enrolling every year. Almost half of the students and lecturers came from outside the Netherlands – the first Rector Magnificus, Ubbo Emmius, came from East Frisia in modern day Germany, for instance – but at the same time there was already a close relationship between the University and the city and the surrounding region.

The development of the University came to a standstill at the end of the seventeenth and during the eighteenth century because of theological differences of opinion, a difficult relationship with the Regional Assembly and political problems that included the siege of the city by ‘Bommen Berend’ in 1672. On average two to three hundred students were registered with the University at any one time during this period. Petrus Camper, though, was a shining academic example during the second half of the eighteenth century and was famous far beyond the city limits as an anatomist, a fighter against rinderpest and the founder of the first outpatient’s clinic for surgical medicine.

Opportunities and threats followed on each other’s heels during the nineteenth century. In 1815, at the same time as Leiden and Utrecht, the University gained recognition as a national college of higher education, but this was followed by discussions about closure. The situation improved markedly when a new main university building, the Academiegebouw, was constructed in 1850, a building that was largely financed by the people of Groningen. This made the fire that completely destroyed this building in 1906 even more poignant.

In the meantime, the Higher Education Act of 1876 had radically improved the position of the University, which was renamed the "Rijksuniversiteit Groningen" (RUG). Teaching now took place in Dutch as well as in Latin and the University was given a research as well as an educational duty. This laid the foundations for the present research university.

The University of Groningen developed apace during the first decades of the twentieth century. The number of faculties and courses grew steadily while the number of students showed an explosive growth. When the University celebrated its first 300 years in 1914 there were 611 registered students; this had already grown to 1000 by 1924. After a drop back during the Depression, and in particular during the Second World War, the number of students grew rapidly from 1945 to reach 20,000 in 1994. At the present time there are about 23,000 students registered at the University of Groningen with the number of foreign students again growing steadily, and following the tradition set by the first Rector Magnificus, the number of German students and researchers has grown strongly in recent years.

Faculties

FacultiesEconomics and Business
Arts
Law
Theology and Religious Studies
Philosophy
Behavioural and Social Sciences
Medical Sciences
Mathematics and Natural Sciences
Spatial Sciences

University of Groningen ranked 173th in the 2007 THES QS World University Ranking

University of Groningen ranked 144th in the 2008 THES QS World University Ranking

University of Groningen ranked 138th in the 2009 THES QS World University Ranking

University of Groningen ranked 120th in the 2010 QS World University Ranking

University of Groningen ranked 115th in the 2011 QS World University Ranking

Erasmus University Rotterdam

Erasmus University Rotterdam is an international knowledge workshop for critical thinking and academic training, driven by a strong focus on current social issues. The university concentrates its expertise on issues of management, organisation and policy in the public and private sectors on the one hand, as well as on the field of sickness and health care.

Erasmus University Rotterdam has bundled its education and research in three domains in which the university has a national and international reputation to maintain:

Economics and Management;
Medicine and Health Sciences;
Law, Culture and Society.

The university counts as its core tasks: to generate knowledge from research, to share knowledge in education and to transfer knowledge to the community. Its driving forces are academic curiosity, critical reflection and social engagement.

History

Erasmus University Rotterdam has been in existence in its present form since 1973. Its history, however, dates back to 1913, the year in which the Netherlands School of Commerce was founded through private initiative with broad support from the Rotterdam business community. The statutory recognition of higher education in commerce and economics as an academic discipline resulted in 1939 in a change of name. The NHH became the NEH or Netherlands School of Economics.

The growing complexity of society led in the 1960s to the arrival of the faculties of Law and Social Sciences, followed in later decades by Philosophy, History and Arts, and Business Administration.

From 1950, the Foundation for Higher Clinical Education used its best efforts to get a full academic medical study programme established in Rotterdam, and with success. For in 1966 the government established the Medical Faculty Rotterdam, which was housed next to Dijkzigt Hospital. Together with the Sophia Children's Hospital and the Daniel den Hoed Clinic, it forms the University Hospital Rotterdam, which as of 1 January 2003 bears the name Erasmus MC.

In 1973, the Medical Faculty Rotterdam and the Netherlands School of Economics merged to become Erasmus University Rotterdam – the first university in the Netherlands named for a person, a man to whom Rotterdam owes the reputation it has held for centuries in the academic world, Desiderius Erasmus.

Academics Division

Erasmus University Rotterdam has bundled its education and research in three domains in which the university has a national and international reputation to maintain:

Economics and Management
Erasmus School of Economics (ESE)
Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM)

Medicine and Health Sciences
Erasmus MC
Institute of Health Policy and Management (iBMG)

Law, Culture and Society
Erasmus School of Law (ESL)
Faculty of Social Sciences
Faculty of History and Arts
Faculty of Philosophy

The Rotterdam School of Management is ranked by the Financial Times as the 7th best MBA programme in Europe and 29th in the World. The business school has achieved accreditation from the three international accrediting bodies of management education; AMBA, EQUIS, and AACSB. Only a handful of business schools in the world have acquired triple accreditation, although it should be noted that many schools have a policy of not applying for multiple accreditations.

Erasmus University Rotterdam ranked 163th in the 2007 THES-QS World University Ranking

Erasmus University Rotterdam ranked 126th in the 2008 THES-QS World University Ranking

Erasmus University Rotterdam ranked 108th in the 2009 THES-QS World University Ranking

Erasmus University Rotterdam ranked 99th in the 2010 QS World University Ranking

Erasmus University Rotterdam ranked 103th in the 2011 QS World University Ranking

Eindhoven University of Technology Netherlands

The Eindhoven University of Technology (in Dutch: Technische Universiteit Eindhoven or TU/e, and formerly Technische Hogeschool Eindhoven or THE) is a university of technology located in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. The motto of the university is: Mens agitat molem (The mind moves matter).

It was founded as the Technische Hogeschool Eindhoven (THE) on June 15, 1956 by the Dutch government. It was the second institute of its kind in the Netherlands, preceded only by the Delft University of Technology. It is located on its own campus in the center of Eindhoven, just north of the central station. It is currently home to about 240 professors, 7200 students, 250 PDEng-students, 600 Ph.D. students, 200 post-doc students and 3000 regular employees. It also supports about 100 student associations and 15 alumni associations. Yearly, the Eindhoven University of Technology produces almost 3000 scientific publications, 140 PhD-awards, and 40 patents.

The Eindhoven University of Technology is main participant in the technological top institutes DPI and NIMR. One of the former students of the university is Gerard Kleisterlee, the current CEO of Philips.

The university is located in an area where several companies active in technology are doing their research, like Philips, ASML and DAF. The university maintains close contacts with most of these companies. As of April 29, 2005, Prof.dr.ir. C.J. van Duijn has the position of rector magnificus. In 2006, the University celebrated its 50th birthday.

In a 2003 European Commission report , TU/e was ranked as 3rd among European research universities (after Cambridge and Oxford, at equality with TU Munich), based on the impact of its scientific research. In 'The Times Higher Education Supplement World University Ranking 2005'. it was ranked 74th among world universities, and 67th in 2006; making it the country's top university.

The university operates several international cooperations with other universities all over the world, among which one is the Brain Bridge with Zhejiang University, PRC.

The Technische Universiteit Eindhoven (TU/e) in brief

There have been many changes since it was established in 1956 as a Technische Hogeschool (Technical College). The university now has 9 departments and provides 11 Bachelor’s degree programs, 1 special Bachelor's program, 20 Master’s degree programs, 6 special Master’s programs, 4 educational Master's programs (mathematics, physics, chemistry and computer science), 8 post-doctoral programs for technological designers (Professional Doctorate in Engineering, PDEng) and various post-doctoral courses and programs (Doctor of Philosophy, PhD).

In 2007 the TU/e has around 3000 employees, 240 professors, 7100 students, 190 PDEng students, 640 PhD students, 25,000 graduate engineers, 1200 graduate technological designers and 2300 PhDs. There are some 100 students’ associations (social, sports, cultural and study-related) and 15 associations for graduates.

The TU/e has established a partnership with the Delft University of Technology and the University of Twente in the form of a Federation of Universities of Technology in the Netherlands which is at present being established. These three universities of technology are an important knowledge partner for industry and government in the field of advanced technology. They have an excellent scientific starting point among the top 20 European universities – with TU/e holding the number three position – and have a strong focus on the development and commercial application of knowledge. This partnership will be intensified in the coming years, and will initially promote the flow of students between the three universities from the bachelor’s to the Master’s programs. Together they will form the 3TU Graduate School in the field of Master’s programs, the Institute of Science and Technology in the field of research, and the 3TU Innovation Lab in the field of commercialization of knowledge.

The TU/e is the commissioner of ten research schools recognized by the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, as well as two of the six top research schools in the Netherlands and one of the four top technological institutes.
The TU/e forms part of the European CESAER, Santander and CLUSTER university networks, and has partnerships with universities around the world.

Departments

Architecture, Building and Planning
Structural design
Physical aspects of the built environment
Building engineering
Construction engineering
Architecture
Design systems
Urban planning
Electrical Engineering

Information and communication systems
Measurement and control systems
Power engineering
Telecommunication and electromagnetism

Chemical Engineering and Chemistry
Inorganic chemistry
Catalysis
Chemical reactor engineering
Analytical chemistry
Polymer chemistry/coating technology
Solid state chemistry and materials science
Separation processes and fluid phenomena
Process development
Macromolecular and organic chemistry
Synthetics technology

Applied Physics
Physics and applications of ion beams
Physics and application of accelerators
Physics of surfaces and boundary layers
Gas dynamics
Turbulence and vortex dynamics
Semiconductor physics
Equilibrium and fluid dynamics in plasmas
Elementary processes in gas discharges
Physics of nano-structures
Theoretical and experimental nuclear physics and quantum electronics
System and control engineering
Low temperatures
Physical informatics and clinical physics
Classical theoretical physics and its foundations

Technology Management
Human Performance Management
Information Systems
Operations, Planning, Accounting and Control
Organisation Science and Marketing
Quality and Reliabilitiy Engineering

Mechanical Engineering
Computational Rheology
Mechanics of materials
Polymer technology
Process technology
Combustion technology
Energy technology
Dynamics and Control
Systems engineering
Precision engineering
Control systems technology
Design of industrial products

Mathematics and Computer Science
Mathematics
Computer science
Biomedical Engineering

Biomedical Engineering
(in co-operation with Universiteit Maastricht)

Industrial Design

Eindhoven University of Technology Netherlands ranked 130th in the 2007 THES-QS World University Ranking

Eindhoven University of Technology Netherlands ranked 128th in the 2008 THES-QS World University Ranking

Eindhoven University of Technology Netherlands ranked 120th in the 2009 THES-QS World University Ranking

Eindhoven University of Technology Netherlands ranked 126th in the 2010 QS World University Ranking

Eindhoven University of Technology Netherlands ranked 146th in the 2011 QS World University Ranking

Maastricht University

Universiteit Maastricht (abbreviation: UM) (or in the English language: Maastricht University, founded in 1976, is the second youngest university in the Netherlands, and consistently ranks among the top universities in The Netherlands in terms of education.

Maastricht University has about 11.500 students, 30% of whom are foreign students, and 3000 employees. The university is renowned for its Problem-based learning method as an innovative way of teaching. About half of the bachelors programmes are fully offered in English, while the other half is taught in Dutch. Most of the postgraduate programmes are in English.

UM History

The history of the development of Maastricht University has been a major factor in the distinctive profile that has emerged during the course of the years.

Interest
The shortage of training opportunities for prospective doctors in the Netherlands in the second half of the 1960s prompted the need for an eighth medical faculty. Maastricht was one of several cities to express a firm interest in housing the faculty as part of a future university. At the time, the South Limburg region was in need of economic restructuring due to the closure of the mines, a fact that served to increase Maastricht's chances in the race for this new faculty.

Extra value
It was clear that the Dutch academic world expected more from a new university than merely a number of additional university places. Those initiating the Maastricht bid opted for a brand new system of education: PBL (Problem-Based Learning). Moreover, medical research would not only be of a clinical nature, but would make a huge contribution to the accrual of knowledge for general practice and other primary medical care functions.

Unofficial start
But things very nearly went wrong. The shortage of medical students had been resolved by the early 1970s, and in 1974 a decision was made to launch programmes in medicine in Maastricht before official approval had been granted. The legal basis followed in late 1975, and Maastricht University (then known as the State University of Limburg) officially opened its doors on 9 January 1976.

Fast growth
UM grew at a rate of knots. Initially thanks to political support, and later as a result of the conscious decision to deviate from the university growth model then prevalent in the Netherlands. Maastricht University decided to shift its focus from the Netherlands and to concentrate more on European-based programmes (such as International Business Studies, European Law School, European Studies and European Public Health), and programmes as yet unheard of in the Netherlands (for example , Knowledge Engineering and Arts & Social Sciences). Thanks to developments like this, UM can now justifiably claim to be a medium-sized university according to European standards.

Future
Whereas until quite recently quality and growth were inextricably bound up with each other for UM, during the next few years quality and internationalisation are the aspects that are expected to feature more strongly. Education and research will concentrate on three main angles of approach: Life Sciences, Innovation and Governance. Students and staff will study these socially relevant topics in an international context, with an emphasis on the European perspective. Unique programmes of education, within the context of a finely tuned PBL model, and well-considered, streamlined research lines UM will secure a place in the European top for the coming years come. Both international and (Eu) regional collaboration with other organisations and institutions will also play an important role.

Faculties

• Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
  
• Faculty of Economics and Business Administration / Business School
  
• Faculty of Humanities and Sciences (formerly Faculty of General Sciences)
  
• Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences
  
• Faculty of Law
  
• Faculty of Psychology
  
• Maastricht Graduate School of Governance (MGSoG)
  
• University College Maastricht
  

Research Institutes

CAPHRI Care and Public Health Research Institute
CARIM Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht
CWS Arts and Culture Research
EPP Experimental Psychopathology
GROW Research Institute Growth & Development
H&G Maastricht Brain & Behaviour Institute.
ICIS International Centre for Integrative Studies
IGIR Institute for Globalisation and International Regulation
MICC Maastricht ICT Competence Center (former: IKAT Institute for Knowledge and Agent Technology)
Maastricht Centre for Human Rights
METRO Maastricht European Institute for Transnational Law Research
METEOR Maastricht Research Institute/School of Economics and Organizations
NUTRIM Nutrition and Toxicology Research Institute Maastricht
ROA Research Centre for Education and the Labour Market
UNU-MERIT (Maastricht Economic and social Research and training centre on Innovation and Technology), UNU-MERIT is also part of the United Nations University

Rankings

The Times Higher Education Supplement (THES) university ranking: place 111 in 2007; 172 in 2006. In the category foreign students, Maastricht University scored 99/100 (cf. Harvard 91/100).

Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OC&W): In 2004, Maastricht University was ranked first (of all Dutch Universities) in a report on quality of education (press release). In 2005, the university came in first again. From 2006 onwards, the ministry no longer publishes a ranking list.

Keuzegids Hoger Onderwijs: In 2006, eight of the twelve bachelor programmes were designated as best programme in the Netherlands by students (European Studies, Economics,
Econometrics, International Business, Psychology, Medicine, Health Sciences and Molecular Life Sciences). From the other four programmes, three came in second place.

Dutch Magazine Elservier: At the beginning of the academic year 2005-2006 the university was once again ranked number one in the Netherlands by the Dutch publication Elsevier. In 2007 many degrees were again recognized as best in the Netherlands with exceptional grades given to the international opportunities in the International Business and Economics degrees.

German Magazine Wirtschaftswoche: In 2005, the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration was regarded better than the same faculty at Oxford University.

Financial Times: In 2007 the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration (FEBA) participated in the Financial Times’ ranking for Masters in Management programmes for the first time and its International Business programme scores a 28th place in the top 40 of European institutes that offer such programmes: website. The programme even made the 4th place on the list "Best in International Business" and 3rd in the category "Value for Money".

Maastricht University Ranked 111th in the 2007 THES-QS World University Ranking

Maastricht University Ranked 111th in the 2008 THES-QS World University Ranking
Maastricht University Ranked 118th in the 2009 THES-QS World University Ranking
Maastricht University Ranked 111th in the 2010 QS World University Ranking

Maastricht University Ranked 109th in the 2011 QS World University Ranking