Radboud University
Radboud Universiteit
A broad research university on one green Nijmegen campus, strong in brain science, with English-taught AI.
- Students
- 23,383
- 15,021 undergraduates
- International
- 10%
- of students
- Tuition
- €13,812
- From · 2027-28
- Founded
- 1923
About RU
Radboud University was founded in 1923 as the Catholic University of Nijmegen and took its current name in 2004. It is a general university covering humanities, social sciences, natural sciences and medicine, and it moved all its faculties onto the green Heyendaal campus, less than fifteen minutes by bike from the centre of Nijmegen, which Radboud describes as the oldest city in the Netherlands.
In October 2025 Radboud had 23,383 students: 15,021 in bachelor's and pre-master's programmes and 8,362 in master's programmes. It is less international than many Dutch universities, with about 10% international students, and most of its 39 bachelor's programmes are taught in Dutch. There is a solid English-taught offer, though, including Artificial Intelligence, Psychology, Computing Science, Biology, Chemistry, Molecular Life Sciences, American Studies, International Business Communication and Philosophy, Politics and Society.
Seven faculties run teaching and research, and the Faculty of Medical Sciences works inside Radboud university medical center. The Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, a network that includes the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, makes Nijmegen a major centre for neuroscience and language research. Graphene Nobel laureate Konstantin Novoselov completed his PhD here. Radboud suits students who want a full-range university and a campus community in a mid-sized student city.
In Dei Nomine Feliciter
“Happily in God's name” — university motto
Why students choose RU
English-taught bachelor's programmes such as Artificial Intelligence, Psychology and Computing Science sit on one campus alongside the Donders Institute for brain and cognition research.
Non-EU/EEA fees are lower than at many Dutch universities: 13,812 euros for humanities and social sciences and 17,701 euros for science programmes in 2027-28.
Radboud has arranged for international bachelor's students with an acceptance letter to join the SSH& student housing lottery, and a room won there can be kept for the whole bachelor's.
Graduates do well: 95.5% of Radboud master's graduates had paid work within eighteen months (National Alumni Survey 2023).
Admissions
2027-28 entry (applications open 1 October 2026)
Selectivity
Radboud does not publish an overall admission rate. Most bachelor's programmes admit applicants who meet the diploma, subject and English requirements. Four have a numerus fixus with a selection procedure: Biomedical Sciences, Medicine, Psychology and Dentistry. Psychology applicants must complete the Psychology Selection Process and receive a ranking number within the available places.
Typical entry requirements
| Dutch VWO | VWO diploma; for Artificial Intelligence, Mathematics A or B is required for the Culture and Society profile, other profiles are admitted directly |
|---|---|
| International diplomas | A diploma judged equivalent to Dutch VWO, with a transcript of the last two years, a personal statement and a CV; programmes may add subject requirements such as mathematics |
| English language | IELTS 6 · TOEFL iBT 80 For Artificial Intelligence: TOEFL iBT 80 with at least 20 in each section; IELTS Academic 6.0 with at least 6.0 in each section; Cambridge C1 Advanced 169 or C2 Proficiency 180; PTE Academic 61 (56 per section); LanguageCert Academic 65. TOEFL Home Edition and IELTS Online are not accepted. You can apply before having a certificate, but must provide it before the enrolment deadline if your admission requires it. |
Deadlines
- Numerus fixus programmes (Biomedical Sciences, Medicine, Psychology, Dentistry) Non-binding Next deadline · In ~3 months15 January 2027
All applicants. Ranking numbers are announced in Studielink on 15 April. You may apply to at most two numerus fixus programmes a year.
- Other programmes: non-EU/EEA students Non-binding In ~6 months1 April 2027
Allows time for the visa procedure and lets you join the SSH& housing lottery. Enrolment must be completed by 1 June.
- Other programmes: EU/EEA students joining the housing lottery Non-binding In ~7 months1 May 2027
Also the deadline for all students with a Dutch diploma.
- Other programmes: EU/EEA students not joining the housing lottery Non-binding In ~9 months1 July 2027
Enrolment deadline 15 August (31 July for numerus fixus programmes).
Deadlines are from Radboud's bachelor's deadlines page and the Artificial Intelligence programme page, which lists the September 2027 intake: applications from 1 October 2026, deadline 1 April 2027 for non-EU/EEA and 1 July 2027 for EU/EEA applicants with a non-Dutch diploma.
How to apply
Submit an enrolment application in Studielink, then upload documents in OSIRIS Application within 56 days: passport, diploma or Radboud Statement of Education, transcripts for the past two years, sworn translations if needed, a personal statement, a CV and proof of English. Applicants with international prior education pay a non-refundable 100 euro application fee; Radboud aims to decide within about three weeks. A Study Compatibility Check is normally part of the process.
What admissions looks for
- A secondary diploma equivalent to the Dutch VWO, plus any subject requirements, such as mathematics for Artificial Intelligence.
- English at TOEFL iBT 80 or IELTS 6.0 with minimum section scores for English-taught programmes.
- A personal statement explaining why you chose the programme and how it fits your previous education.
- For numerus fixus programmes such as Psychology, a ranking number from the programme's selection process.
Tips for applying to RU
- 1 If you are from outside the EU/EEA, apply by 1 April 2027: it is both your deadline and the cut-off for the SSH& housing lottery.
- 2 EU/EEA applicants should apply by 1 May rather than 1 July if they want a lottery chance at a room.
- 3 Upload your documents promptly: OSIRIS gives you 56 days after your Studielink application, and fewer if you apply close to the deadline.
- 4 For Artificial Intelligence, check how you will prove your maths: OMPT at 55%, an SAT maths score of 600, or a VWO Mathematics A or B certificate.
Costs & financial aid
2027-28 · figures in EUR
EU/EEA students may qualify for Dutch student finance through DUO. Radboud's own scholarships (the Radboud Scholarship Programme, NL Scholarship and Fulbright-Radboud Scholarships) are for master's students, so bachelor's applicants should look at external and home-country funding.
- 100 euros, non-refundable
- Application fee (international prior education)
- About 254 euros, one-time
- Visa and residence permit fee (non-EU/EEA)
- 169.50 euros a year
- Radboud Sports Centre student subscription
Academics
Artificial Intelligence (BSc)
English-taught, combining human cognition and computing science, with non-EU/EEA applications open until 1 April 2027.
Psychology (BSc)
Offered in English and Dutch as a numerus fixus programme with a selection process and a 15 January deadline.
Computing Science (BSc)
English-taught, focused on designing safe, user-friendly and secure digital systems.
Molecular Life Sciences (BSc)
An English-taught science programme on life at the molecular level; non-EU fee 17,701 euros in 2027-28.
Philosophy, Politics and Society (BA)
English-taught, from the Faculty of Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies; non-EU fee 13,812 euros in 2027-28.
American Studies (BA)
An English-taught programme on US politics, culture and diversity.
Research
- The Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour is a network of Radboud research centres and the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics.
- Konstantin Novoselov, who shared the 2010 Nobel Prize in Physics for graphene, earned his PhD at Radboud in 2004 under Andre Geim, who also worked in Nijmegen.
- Radboud produced 10,151 research outputs in 2025, including 6,460 refereed journal articles, and had 553 PhD positions.
- Research institutes include the Institute for Molecules and Materials and the Institute for Computing and Information Sciences.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies
- Faculty of Arts
- Nijmegen School of Management
- Faculty of Medical Sciences
- Faculty of Science
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Social Sciences
95.5% of master's graduates were in paid employment within eighteen months (National Alumni Survey, 2023). The graduation rate is the share of bachelor's students who graduated within four years (2021-22 cohort).
Student life
Radboud is a campus university: all faculties, the University Library, the sports centre and eateries are on the Heyendaal campus, surrounded by greenery and a short bike ride from Nijmegen's old centre. The Radboud Sports Centre offers more than 80 sports, and a student subscription costs 169.50 euros a year. Students rate their programmes 3.95 out of 5 in the 2026 National Student Survey. Most students are Dutch, so international students mix into a largely Dutch student city.
- More than 80 sports on campus at the Radboud Sports Centre.
- All seven faculties and the University Library on the Heyendaal campus.
- Student satisfaction of 3.95 out of 5 (National Student Survey 2026).
- Housing lottery places with student housing association SSH& for international bachelor's students.
Housing. International bachelor's students with a Radboud acceptance letter can register for the SSH& student housing lottery (apply by 1 April if non-EU/EEA, 1 May if EU/EEA); rooms won can be kept for the whole bachelor's but are not furnished.
Location
Nijmegen is a mid-sized city on the river Waal in the east of the Netherlands, close to the German border, which Radboud describes as the country's oldest city. The Heyendaal campus lies on the southern side of town, under fifteen minutes by bike from the centre. Rents are moderate by Dutch standards: Radboud budgets 561 to 600 euros a month for accommodation.
Nearest airport: Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
Notable alumni
- KN Konstantin NovoselovPhysicist, 2010 Nobel Prize in Physics for graphene; PhD from Radboud (2004)
- RJ Rob JettenPrime Minister of the Netherlands; Radboud graduate
- FT Frans TimmermansFormer First Vice-President of the European Commission; BA and MA from Radboud
- DV Dries van AgtFormer Prime Minister of the Netherlands; law graduate
- HN Henri NouwenPriest, theologian and author; studied psychology at Nijmegen
- FW Frans de WaalPrimatologist and author of Chimpanzee Politics; studied at Nijmegen
- MD Marijn DekkersFormer CEO of Bayer and chairman of Unilever; studied chemistry at Nijmegen
Frequently asked questions
Does Radboud University offer bachelor's programmes in English?
Yes. English-taught bachelor's include Artificial Intelligence, Psychology, Computing Science, Biology, Chemistry, Molecular Life Sciences, American Studies, International Business Communication and Philosophy, Politics and Society, though most of its 39 bachelor's are in Dutch.
What is the application deadline for Radboud University 2027?
15 January 2027 for numerus fixus programmes (Psychology, Medicine, Dentistry, Biomedical Sciences). For other programmes it is 1 April 2027 for non-EU/EEA students and 1 May or 1 July 2027 for EU/EEA students, depending on whether you want to join the housing lottery.
How much are Radboud University's tuition fees for international students?
EU/EEA students pay the statutory fee of 2,771 euros in 2027-28. Non-EEA students pay an institutional fee of 13,812 euros for programmes such as Psychology and 17,701 euros for science programmes such as Artificial Intelligence.
What IELTS score does Radboud require?
For Artificial Intelligence, IELTS Academic 6.0 with at least 6.0 in every section, or TOEFL iBT 80 with at least 20 per section.
Does Radboud University help international students find housing?
Bachelor's students with a Radboud acceptance letter can register for the SSH& housing lottery, provided they apply by 1 April (non-EU/EEA) or 1 May (EU/EEA). Rooms are not guaranteed.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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