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International programs & student supports

Utrecht University

Location: Utrecht, The Netherlands
Website: Information for Exchange Students
Language of instruction: English
Terms: Fall semester (early September - late January, aka 'Semester I') // Spring semester (early February - late June, aka 'Semester II')

Highlights

  • Utrecht University, the largest university in the Netherlands, is regarded as one of Europe's top universities and is recognized internationally for its high-quality and innovative teaching and research.
  • Utrecht University is a true top-100 university. The Shanghai Ranking ranks Utrecht University as 1st in the Netherlands, 22nd in Europe and 65th in the world. The Nobel Prize has been awarded to 12 Utrecht scholars.
  • Situated in Utrecht, a lively student city located in the heart of the Netherlands and considered the "gateway to Europe".
  • For a stay in the Netherlands you do not have to know the Dutch language, because most people speak English. The Netherlands is number 1 in the EF ‘English Proficiency Index’. This is a worldwide ranking of the level of English language skills of non-native countries.

Accessibility

  • Studying without Limitations is a peer-to-peer support organization that helps students navigate student life with a disability.
  • Students can also reach out to student counsellors via disability@uu.nl for information on academic accommodations and accessibility support.
  • More information on services for students with disabilites can be found here.

Area of study

  • Humanities
  • Social and Behavioural Sciences
  • Geosciences
  • Law
  • Economics & Governance
  • Science (limited offer)
  • Biomedical Sciences at the faculty of Medicine are also open to exchange students.

  • See the course catalogue for full selection of courses for exchange students.

Early Exit for Fall Semester:

  • Most faculties offer courses that have an "early exit" option, which means you can possibly finish before Christmas. This is only possible for students who need to return to their home institution for the second semester in January. If students pursue the early exit option, they will earn less credits for the course.

Dutch Language Course:

  • Get to know Utrecht while learning Dutch! The online course Getting to know (the) Dutch has been especially designed for international students who will start their studies at Utrecht University.
  • For more information: Getting to know (the) Dutch

Credits

Credits at UU:

  • Part-time option: minimum of 18 ECTS at UU
  • Full-time option: 30 ECTS at UU

Course Evaluations at UVic: 

  • Once accepted, UVic exchange students will be able to submit UU courses to UVic for evaluation. The results will indicate how many UVic units each UU course is worth, as well as the course equivalency.
  • This evaluation process opens in late September for Spring exchange terms and in late March for Fall exchange terms. Evaluations take 4-6 weeks for results to be made available. 
  • Course evaluations results are tentative until the end of the exchange term, when a final evaluation is conducted by UVic Records using your UU transcript, and the results are applied to your UVic transcript. 

Exchange credit history

See the exchange credit history listing of courses that have been previously evaluated from Utrecht University. Note that this is a guide only, and not a guarantee that your courses would be evaluated in the same way.

Housing

  • On-campus housing: Unavailable
  • Off-campus housing: Available
    • Utrecht University offers a limited number of rooms for exchange students in international guesthouses through SSH Short Stay Solutions. See the UU's exchange student housingwebsite for details.

Medical Insurance, Immigration & Arrival

Health Insurance:
  • Mandatory
  • Dutch law requires that everyone living in the Netherlands has adequate health insurance. Exchange students must obtain an adequate health insurance policy before they arrive in the Netherlands.
  • Detailed information can be found on UU's health information website.

Immigration:

  • Utrecht University will provide information about the visa and residence permit after students have been accepted into their exchange program. 
  • Visa and residence permit application fee: €257
Orientation program:
  • UU Welcome Week takes place the week before classes start.
  • Get information about student life in Utrecht, attend events and activities, and meet fellow students!
  • You can learn more about Welcome Week here

Student Reports

Check out UVic's StoryMap for students sharing their experiences about studying in Utrecht, including a resource guide developed by exchange student Nina.

How to apply

Learn how to apply or sign up to receive emails about studying on exchange at a partner university. We will send you information about events, application deadlines, funding opportunities, and more!