HU facts & figures

Study in Holland Nuffic is the Netherlands organisation for international cooperation in higher education. On www.nuffic.nl you can find more information.

FACTS & FIGURES

Interesting links Research at the HU: www.research.hu.nl Utrecht Summer School: www.utrechtsummerschool.nl

www.international.hu.nl

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City of Utrecht: www.utrecht.nl (English version)

The Netherlands Despite its relatively small size, the Netherlands has always been a hub of global activity. The country lies in North-West Europe, with the North Sea to the west, Germany to the east and Belgium to the south. The official language is Dutch but approximately 75% of the people speak some or fluent English. The national currency is the euro and the capital is Amsterdam. The metropolitan cities of London, Paris and Berlin are only a few hours away.

The country’s economy is largely based on international trade.

The Port of Rotterdam (on the North Sea coast) and Schiphol Airport are important gateways to the whole of

Europe. The favourable investment climate has encouraged many multi­­ national companies to establish their (European) headquarters in the Netherlands.

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Education The Netherlands has a strong educational system with high-quality universities aiming to compete with the best around the world. It is the government’s ambition to make the country a global knowledge centre. The Dutch higher education system is based on a three-cycle degree system: Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD degrees. Higher education students graduate with a Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degree. More information is available on our website www.international.hu.nl > The Dutch Education System.

Facts • The Netherlands is famous for its windmills. More than 1.000 traditional mills are still in use but there are now also modern wind turbines operating in many parts of the country.

• The Netherlands has a temperate marine climate with temperatures averaging at 16˚C (61˚F) in summer and 3˚C (37˚F) in winter.

• The country has a strong international reputation for, among other things, its pioneering architecture and its expertise in land reclamation and water management.

FIGURES • The Dutch population numbers 16.3 million inhabitants. It is a culturally diverse country with over 200 different nationalities.

• The Netherlands is home to 14 government-approved research universities and 41 government-approved universities of applied sciences. In all, some 403.000 students are enrolled in universities of applied sciences.

• Together, Dutch higher education institutions offer 1.462 inter­national study programmes and courses.

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Utrecht Utrecht is the fourth largest city in the Netherlands, with a population of 300.000. The city has established itself as a centre of talent and knowledge.

Its healthy employment base is reflected in the fact that foreign imports and investment are above the national average.

Utrecht has a rich history going back over 2000 years. In many places, the legacy of this history is still visible.

A unique example of its rich heritage is the age-old warehouse cellars along the canals. Once storage cellars for local merchants, they are now res­tau­ rants, boutiques and cultural venues.

In 2013, Utrecht will be hosting the European Youth Olympic Festival and celebrating the 300th anniversary of the momentous Treaty of Utrecht.

The city is preparing a serious bid to become the European Capital of Culture in 2018.

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Education Utrecht has the most highly educated workforce in the Netherlands.

Its popu­lation is young and highly-qualified. The city has many educational institutions. There is also a wide range of facilities for young people.

Communication is easy because most people speak English. This makes Utrecht a comfortable place to live for international people.

Facts • Utrecht is located in the heart of the country. It is the city where all railway, road and water transport systems come together. Amsterdam is just half an hour away by train.

• The city has an excellent bus service but many people go around the city by bike.

• Utrecht offers a broad range of cultural attractions including museums, art galleries, theatres and concerts. The summer months are filled with festivals and events.

Figure this... 15% of all foreign companies in the Netherlands are based in Utrecht.

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FIGURES • Utrecht boasts a highly educated population with 54% of its working adults having received a higher education, compared to a national average of 31%. The city is home to some 70.000 students.

• One of the most impressive buildings in Utrecht is the Dom Church.

With its height of 112.5 metres (368 feet) it is the tallest church tower in the Netherlands.

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HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht (Hogeschool Utrecht) is the third largest university of applied sciences in the Netherlands. It was established in 1995 as a merger between a number of indepen足dently-run institutions. HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht is funded by the government.

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HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht educates students to become professionals in practice.

Our pro足grammes combine theo足 retical and practical work.

The research performed at HU is practice-oriented and focuses on issues and developments of current social, technical, cultural and economic importance.

HU maintains close links with the business and public sector commu足 nities in the region. We are used to operating in complex and changing work environments.

HU has an international outlook.

Knowledge development within the institution as well as knowledge application, entrepreneurship and innovation are increasingly taking place in an international context.

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Facts • One of the missions of HU is to contribute to a sustainable knowledge society with people as its main asset.

• Most HU programmes lead to a Bachelor’s degree, although we also offer some Master’s degrees. The Bachelor’s programmes require 4 years of study; the Master’s programmes take between one and two years to complete.

FIGURES • HU has 38.000 registered students. There are 6 faculties: - Faculty of Communication and Journalism - Faculty of Economics and Management - Faculty of Education - Faculty of Healthcare - Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology - Faculty of Society and Law • HU employs more than 3.200 staff, comprised of lecturers, team leaders, project leaders and researchers. They bring a rich and diverse background and expertise to their work.

• HU has an annual budget of € 260m.

Education at the HU HU is a university of applied sciences. Universities of applied sciences primarily offer programmes that prepare students for professional practice.

Our programmes aim to develop competent professionals equipped with theoretical knowledge, a broad range of skills, an open mind and an international outlook. HU works with

the professions to develop inno­ vative, high-quality curricula.

All programmes are supported by excellent staff and state-of-the-art facilities.

It’s a fact... The HU long-term strategic plan focuses on three priorities: education, research and the knowledge society.

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Facts

FIGURES

• HU offers more than 92 programmes in the following 9 fields: Building and Environment; Communication and Journalism; Economics and Management; Education and Pedagogics; Health; Information and Communication Technology; Life Sciences and Chemistry; Society and Law; and Technology and Design.

• Learning at HU is characterized by: - State-of-the-art facilities - Study-abroad experience - Practice-based education - Work placements - Project work - Small classes - Coaching - Further study (Master’s) • Every day, 40.000 students travel to De Uithof, one of the 3 sites of HU. De Uithof is a large university campus which houses most HU buildings.

The other 2 sites are the city centres of Utrecht and Amersfoort (20 minutes by train from Utrecht).

• HU offers 68 Bachelor’s and 24 Master’s degree programmes.

• We run 4 English-taught Bachelor’s degrees: - International Business and Management Studies - International Communication and Media - International Finance and Control - International Marketing Management • We have special programmes for exchange students: 9 exchange programmes; 19 minors; and 2 non-degree programmes - all of them taught in English.

• HU is a partner in the Utrecht Summer School. The Utrecht Summer School runs more than 100 courses in almost all disciplines, 20 of which are offered by HU. With over 1500 students a year from all over the world, this is Europe’s largest Summer School.

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Facts • HU sees knowledge development and knowledge dissemination as one of its core duties.

• HU has identified 5 research focus areas: the Creative Industry; Care and Technology; Social Innovation; Sustainable Living; and ICT. • Each HU research centre has its own website. See: www.research.hu.nl.

FIGURES

Research The aim of the research undertaken at HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht is to contribute to innovative professional practice. The research is conducted in close collaboration with the professions at the regional, national and international levels.

HU professors play a critical role in the conduct of research. They shape their research programmes to fit their strengths and in consultation with professional practice. Our professors do not work alone: each research group includes a number of lecturing staff. The number of students working on projects within the

research groups increases every year.

Among Dutch universities of applied sciences, HU has a lead role in research. We are the most active in research, we receive positive evaluations from external evaluation committees, and we are successful in bringing in funds.

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• We welcomed our first 14 professors in 2002. Since then their number has grown to 45.

• HU has organised its research into 6 research centres. Each research centre is composed of a number of groups, each conducting research in a particular area of interest. There are approximately 40 research groups.

Figure this... HU has developed a digital publishing platform for its researchers. There are currently some 700 publications on our website..

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A few examples of our presence within the knowledge society: Utrecht Network for Higher Education

Knowledge society

Utrecht University and HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht are each other’s preferred suppliers in the fields of education, student affairs, inter­ nationalisation, regional role, professional practice research, housing and services. Together with the Utrecht School of the Arts (HKU), they form the Utrecht Network for Higher Education.

HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht collaborates with the professions, companies and organisations. We play an active role in innovation of professional practice, participate in relevant networks and contribute to solutions to social issues. In this way, we seek to contribute to the knowledge society.

Regional Innovation Taskforce Utrecht

HU sees itself as an integral part of the Utrecht region. This is why we and our regional partners are committed to a long-term common agenda that aims to strengthen the region as a powerhouse of knowledge and culture. In this way, HU helps to increase the innovative capacity of small and medium-sized

Utrecht Science Park

enterprises and contributes to societal cohesion. One of the projects to achieve this aim is our Technocampus, which seeks to generate new and innovative business activity and at the same time further enhance the region’s vitality and well-being.

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HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht and Utrecht University are 2 of the 13 partners in the Regional Innovation Taskforce Utrecht. The Taskforce supports local entrepreneurs and helps them innovate their products, services or processes.

Utrecht University, University Medical Center Utrecht, HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, the Province of Utrecht and the Utrecht Municipality have collaboratively created the Utrecht Science Park, which is fast becoming an internationally famous centre for higher education, scientific research, academic medicine, and knowledge-intensive businesses.

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Facts • In February 2010, HU signed a covenant with the Province of Utrecht, the Municipality of Utrecht, University Medical Center Utrecht, and Utrecht University. The covenant aims to strengthen Utrecht’s job market and its international position as a knowledge region as well to enhance its cultural offerings and the attractive living environment.

• HU encourages students and staff to use their knowledge to develop products and services and to start their own companies.

FIGURES • HU currently maintains active relationships with some 350 institutions, organisations and companies inside and outside the Netherlands.

Our list of partners is growing every day.

• In 2010, we will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of De Uithof and the 25th anniversary of the Summer School.

It’s a fact... HU participates in the Academy of Entrepreneurs, which helps final-year students to prepare for an entrepreneurial career.

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Internationalisation HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht has a long history of providing education to international students. Some 1000 students from abroad representing around one hundred nationalities are currently in one of our international or Dutch-taught programmes.

At HU, knowledge development and knowledge application are both taking place in an international context.

Examples of this are our internation­ ally focused research, international work placements, joint programmes and double degrees with foreign institutions as well as our international student and staff exchanges.

HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht is in the process of building a small network of European universities that will collaborate in research and joint degree program­ mes. It is our ambition to become a European University of Applied Sciences.

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The International Office The International Office (IO) is dedicated to facilitating international education experiences at HU. The office maintains long-term relationships with some 200 educational institutions abroad to support international student exchange.

The International Office also facilitates opportunities for staff mobility.

HU encourages staff to spend a period working abroad to sharpen their professional skills and broaden their perspective.

The International Office offers internationally minded students the following services: • Information on admission and programme requirements; • Information on and assistance with study abroad and internships for HU students; • Fast-track visa application process; • Grants and scholarships; • Accommodation advice for Utrecht; • Information about student life and studying in Utrecht.

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Facts • As parts of its strengthened internationalisation strategy, HU is giving priority to adding international components to the curriculum.

• De Uithof is positioning itself as an international hub for research and education in Life Sciences, Sustainability and Climate and for the creation of internationally competitive knowledge institutions and companies.

FIGURES • In 2009, 1002 international students were enrolled at HU. - International degree-seeking students: 633 - Incoming exchange students: 369 • In 2009, 741 HU students went abroad to study or do an internship: - Outgoing study-abroad students: 276 - Outgoing internship students: 465

Colophon This is a publication of HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht May 2010.

Figure this... Most of our European students come from Belgium, France, Germany and Spain. Most of our non-European students come from Morocco, Turkey, Afghanistan, Suriname, China, Indonesia and Iran.

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Production: HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht Design: Vormers, Utrecht Photography: Hollandse Hoogte Prints and graphics: Grafisch Bedrijf Tuijtel, Hardinxveld-Giessendam