Utrecht University

Overview

Utrecht University was founded in 1636 and works closely with UMC Utrecht, its academic medical centre. Teaching takes place in the city centre, where humanities, law and governance are based in historic buildings, and at the Utrecht Science Park (De Uithof) on the eastern edge of the city, where most sciences, medicine and veterinary medicine are taught. Utrecht is a central rail hub, which makes it easy to reach Amsterdam and the rest of the country.

English-taught options

Most bachelor programs at Utrecht are taught in Dutch. The main English-taught routes for international students are University College Utrecht, a residential liberal arts and sciences college on its own campus in the city, and University College Roosevelt in Middelburg, a smaller liberal arts college in the province of Zeeland. A bachelor in Philosophy, Politics and Economics is also listed with its own fee rules. Use the programme search and filter by language to see the current English offer.

Utrecht describes its English requirements in three levels (EMI-ready, EMI-experienced and EMI-advanced), and each program states which level it needs. Read the English language requirements page to see whether your Canadian or US schooling counts as proof.

Applying

1. Choose a program and check its diploma equivalency, language level and any selection criteria.
2. Register on Studielink and pay the application fee where one applies.
3. Complete the university application with your transcripts, diploma or predicted results, and any motivation documents.
4. Take part in matching or selection if your program requires it.

Limited-enrolment programs in the Netherlands close on 15 January, and the university colleges set their own deadlines. Check the program page for entry in 2027, and allow time for a residence permit if you need one.

Requirements for North American diplomas

Utrecht assesses foreign diplomas against the Dutch VWO standard through its diploma equivalency process. For a US or Canadian high school diploma, programs often look for evidence beyond the diploma itself, such as AP results, IB courses or SAT or ACT scores, along with specific subjects. The equivalency page and each program page give the details, and the admissions office will advise on individual cases.

Tuition

Utrecht lists the statutory fee for full-time study as 2,694 euros in 2026-27 and 2,771 euros in 2027-28, payable by EU, EEA, Swiss and Surinamese students (and some others, such as UAF-supported refugee students). Non-EU/EEA students generally pay the institutional fee, published in a separate document. University College Utrecht, University College Roosevelt and Philosophy, Politics and Economics have different fees, so look them up separately.

Prepare with StudyBrix

Liberal arts colleges expect strong writing and broad reading. Try the academic writing course and the critical thinking and philosophy deck. Our Netherlands guide compares the Dutch universities.