University of Twente
Universiteit Twente
The Netherlands' only all-in campus university, where engineers and social scientists build technology together.
- Students
- 11,678
- International
- 36%
- of students
- Tuition
- €12,652
- From · 2027-28
- Founded
- 1961
About UT
The University of Twente was founded in 1961 as Technische Hogeschool Twente, the third technical university in the Netherlands after Delft and Eindhoven, and took its current name in 1986. It sits on the former Drienerlo estate between Enschede and Hengelo, and describes itself as the country's only all-in campus: about 146 hectares of woodland, labs, sports fields and more than 3,000 student rooms, a 10 to 15-minute bike ride from the city centre.
UT's defining idea is that technical and social sciences belong together; it calls this High Tech, Human Touch. It had 11,678 students at the end of 2025, 36% of them international, and offers 19 three-year bachelor's programmes taught in English or Dutch. Bachelor's degrees are built from modules: in Technical Computer Science, for example, students take four themed modules a year, each combining theory, a team project and self-study.
The university is known for its entrepreneurial culture. It reports more than 1,300 start-ups and spin-offs, and companies including Booking.com and Takeaway.com (Thuisbezorgd.nl) took their first steps here. Research is concentrated in the MESA+ nanotechnology institute, the TechMed Centre and the Digital Society Institute, with national priorities in health, climate, safety and security, and chip technology. UT suits students who like to learn by building things in teams and want a close-knit campus rather than a big-city university.
High Tech, Human Touch
University motto
Why students choose UT
Most bachelor's programmes, including Technical Computer Science, Advanced Technology, Mechanical Engineering and Creative Technology, are taught fully in English.
Project-based modules mean you apply theory in a team project every quarter, often working with students from other disciplines.
Student teams such as Electric Superbike Twente, DroneTeam Twente and Biosensing Team Twente let you build and compete internationally alongside your degree.
The campus houses more than 3,000 student rooms, and UT says housing in Enschede is cheaper and easier to find than in other Dutch student cities.
Admissions
2027-28 entry (applications open 1 October 2026)
Selectivity
UT does not publish an overall admission rate. Most bachelor's programmes admit every applicant who meets the diploma, mathematics and English requirements. Two use a numerus fixus with selection: the English track of Psychology (250 places) and the Dutch-taught Technical Medicine (150 places). Advanced Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Technical Computer Science and the Dutch track of Psychology require mandatory matching, which is compulsory but advisory rather than selective.
Typical entry requirements
| Dutch VWO | VWO diploma with the profile and subjects required by the programme, e.g. Wiskunde B for Technical Computer Science |
|---|---|
| A-levels | At least 3 (I)GCSE/O-levels at grade A-C (or 4-9) and 3 full A2-levels at grade A-C, covering six different subjects, with the programme's required subjects (only one language A-level counts) |
| IB Diploma | Full IB Diploma with no general minimum score, plus the programme's required subjects |
| Other international diplomas | A secondary diploma equivalent to Dutch VWO, checked per country, plus proof of the required mathematics level |
| English language | IELTS 6 · TOEFL iBT 90 IELTS Academic 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 per section (IELTS Online, Indicator and One Skill Retake not accepted). TOEFL iBT 90 with 21 per section for tests before January 2026, or 4.5 overall on the new scale with 4.5 in reading, listening and writing and 4 in speaking. Biomedical Technology, Health Sciences, Technical Medicine and the Dutch track of Psychology also require Dutch (NT2 or CNaVT). |
Deadlines
- Numerus fixus programmes (Psychology English track, Technical Medicine) Non-binding Next deadline · In ~3 months15 January 2027, 23:59 CET
Studielink and Osiris must be completed by this date. For Psychology, UT recommends international applicants finish by 30 November 2026; online tests are on 12 March 2027 and ranking numbers follow on 15 April 2027.
- Mandatory matching programmes (e.g. Technical Computer Science) Non-binding In ~7 months30 April 2027, 23:59 CET
Registration in Studielink and Osiris must be complete by this date; the matching questionnaire and event follow.
- Other programmes: non-EEA (visa) nationals Non-binding In ~7 monthsBefore 1 May 2027
Completed application with all uploads in Osiris. Deficiencies by 15 June; proof of graduation by 1 July.
- Other programmes: EEA nationals Non-binding In ~9 monthsBefore 1 July 2027
Completed application in Osiris; deficiencies by 15 August and final certified documents by 1 September. Dutch nationals have until 1 August.
Your nationality, not your residence permit, sets your deadline. Applications open in Studielink on 1 October 2026. Programmes with numerus fixus or mandatory matching have deviating deadlines that apply regardless of nationality; you may take part in the Psychology selection at most three times.
How to apply
Apply for each programme in Studielink, then complete the application in UT's Osiris portal and upload your documents. Applicants with a non-Dutch diploma pay a 100 euro application fee before their file is reviewed; UT aims to give an admissibility decision within two weeks. Some programmes add matching or selection activities, which are compulsory to start.
What admissions looks for
- A secondary diploma at the level of the Dutch VWO, with the subjects each programme requires.
- Mathematics at pre-university level for technical programmes, proven with your diploma or a course such as James Boswell Mathematics B.
- English at IELTS 6.0 (5.5 per section) or equivalent, because most programmes are taught fully in English.
- For the Psychology English track, a strong result in the matching assignment and the online Psychology and Methods & Statistics tests.
Tips for applying to UT
- 1 Check whether your programme has a numerus fixus or matching: the Psychology English track closes on 15 January 2027, Technical Computer Science registration on 30 April.
- 2 Upload proof of your maths level with the application; UT says the higher your maths grades, the better your chances of completing technical programmes.
- 3 Pay the 100 euro application fee early: UT only reviews files with a non-Dutch diploma once the fee has arrived.
- 4 Take the three-minute study choice test and attend the 23-24 October Open Days or the 18 November Online Open Day to compare programmes.
Costs & financial aid
2027-28 · figures in EUR
EU/EEA students may qualify for Dutch student finance depending on their situation. UT's scholarships are aimed at master's students, and for bachelor's study it advises searching your own government's schemes, Nuffic and Study in Holland; scholarship applications are separate from admission.
- 100 euros per bachelor's application, non-refundable
- Application fee (non-Dutch diploma)
- About 750 euros
- One-off furnishing costs estimated by UT
Academics
Academic calendar: Quartiles: four modules per year
Technical Computer Science (BSc)
English-taught, twelve themed modules over three years, and around 40% of students come from abroad.
Advanced Technology (BSc)
A broad English-taught engineering degree combining electrical and mechanical engineering, mathematics, nanotechnology and robotics.
Creative Technology (BSc)
Mixes technology, design and AI to build smart solutions such as social robots; available in Enschede or Amsterdam.
Psychology (BSc)
An English track with 250 numerus fixus places, focused on how people think and behave in a world shaped by technology.
Technical Medicine (BSc)
A Dutch-taught programme with 150 places that trains students to combine medicine and technology in diagnosis and treatment.
International Business Administration (BSc)
English-taught with no numerus fixus, and one of UT's lower-rate programmes for non-EU fees (12,652 euros in 2027-28).
Research
- The MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, the TechMed Centre and the Digital Society Institute are UT's main research institutes.
- UT researchers published 3,161 refereed papers in 2025, and 299 PhD candidates graduated.
- UT names chip technology as one of four focus domains, alongside health, climate, and safety and security.
- UT says it has been home to pioneers behind technologies such as Bluetooth; Piet Bergveld invented the ISFET sensor there, and a circuit developed at UT is in every smartphone today.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences (BMS)
- Faculty of Engineering Technology (ET)
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS)
- Faculty of Science and Technology (TNW)
- Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC)
Student life
Life at UT revolves around the campus, which has a supermarket, cafés, a gym, healthcare, a theatre and sports fields for almost anything from beach volleyball to quidditch. New students begin with the Kick-In introduction period. Dozens of sports and cultural associations and the student-run Student Union organise events almost daily, and multidisciplinary student teams build superbikes, drones and biosensors for international competitions. Top-10% students can add an Honours programme. Enschede's centre is a short bike ride away.
- The Kick-In introduction period for all new students.
- Student teams including Electric Superbike Twente, DroneTeam Twente, Biosensing Team Twente and Esports Team Twente.
- Honours programmes for students in the top 10% of their programme.
- Dozens of sports and cultural associations based on campus.
Housing. The campus has more than 3,000 student rooms and apartments; UT strongly advises arranging housing early, though it says Enschede is cheaper and easier than other Dutch student cities.
Location
Enschede is the largest city in Twente, in the east of the Netherlands close to the German border. The campus lies between Enschede and Hengelo on a green former country estate, and the city centre, with its student associations, restaurants and bars, is a 10 to 15-minute bike ride away. Rent is lower than in Amsterdam or Utrecht: UT quotes an average of 561 euros a month.
Nearest airport: Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
Notable alumni
- CL Cees LinksWi-Fi pioneer; graduated from UT in 1982
- JG Jitse GroenFounder of Takeaway.com (Just Eat Takeaway); studied business information technology at UT
- AB Ank BijleveldFormer Dutch Minister of Defence; public administration graduate
- DV Dirk-Willem van GulikA founder of the Apache Software Foundation
- BL Bas LansdorpEntrepreneur and co-founder of Mars One
- PB Piet BergveldInventor of the ion-sensitive field-effect transistor (ISFET); PhD from UT
- MG Mary Goretti KitutuUgandan Minister of Energy and Mineral Development; MSc from UT's ITC faculty
Frequently asked questions
Is the University of Twente hard to get into?
Most bachelor's programmes admit everyone who meets the diploma, maths and English requirements. Only the Psychology English track (250 places) and Technical Medicine (150 places) have a numerus fixus with selection.
What are the University of Twente's application deadlines for 2027?
15 January 2027 for numerus fixus programmes, 30 April 2027 for matching programmes such as Technical Computer Science, and otherwise before 1 May 2027 for non-EEA and before 1 July 2027 for EEA nationals.
How much is tuition at the University of Twente for international students?
In 2027-28, EU/EEA students pay the statutory fee of 2,771 euros. Non-EU/EEA students pay 12,652 euros for lower-rate programmes and 16,869 euros for engineering, science and health programmes.
What IELTS score does the University of Twente require?
IELTS Academic 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each section, or TOEFL iBT 90 with 21 per section (4.5 on the new TOEFL scale).
Are University of Twente bachelor's programmes taught in English?
Most are, including Technical Computer Science, Advanced Technology, Mechanical Engineering and International Business Administration. Biomedical Technology, Health Sciences, Technical Medicine and the Dutch Psychology track are taught in Dutch.
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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