TECHNOLOGY, LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES (ATLAS)
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE TWENTE ACADEMIC YEAR 2023-2024
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GET READY TO BE SURPRISED If you picked up this brochure assuming it will offer you just one more minor variation on the theme of Honours degrees and Liberal Arts education, you’re in for a surprise. We’re proud to be one of twelve university colleges, or UCs, in the Netherlands offering broad, interdisciplinary programmes for Honours students. However our likeness to other Dutch UCs, as well as Liberal Arts programmes in countries like the UK and the USA, ends right there. Ours is a university college with a twist.
THE UCT APPROACH HIGH TECH HUMAN TOUCH For starters, our international bachelor’s programme is the only one in the Netherlands – and one of the few in the world – that combines Engineering and Technology with Liberal Arts and Sciences (we call it the ATLAS programme).
SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING Second, the ATLAS programme has a unique educational approach where you are in the lead to attain your own learning goals. Not everyone learns in the same way, so you identify the activities that work best for your learning, towards your goals.
PROJECT-BASED TEAMWORK Third, we believe in community. Our small community, approximately 1 teacher to every 16 students, ensures a personal contact. You’ve probably already realised that an out-of-the-ordinary institute like UCT might be looking for students who are, well kind of unique, as well. You’re right: we are unique. And if that fact sends even the tiniest wave of excitement through you, all I can say is: please read on. Welcome to University College Twente.
7 HOURS 30 MINUTES €95 8 HOURS 30 MINUTES €60 1 HOUR 10 MINUTES (AMSTERDAM) €70 (EASYJET)
2 HOURS €25 2 HOURS €21
BERLIN
AMSTERDAM ENSCHEDE
LONDON
PARIS
6 HOURS €90 5 HOURS 40 MINUTES €80 1 HOUR 15 MINUTES (AMSTERDAM) €100 (KLM)
5 HOURS 15 MINUTES €75 4 HOURS 30 MINUTES €45 1 HOUR 30 MINUTES (AMSTERDAM) €80 (EASYJET)
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UCT IS THE NAME, ATLAS IS THE GAME
THE UCT CONCEPT: BREAKING THE MOULD The launching of University College Twente in 2013 marked the beginning of a totally new way of learning. We broke the mould, or rather, began to give shape to a new one: a unique learning environment designed to equip highly motivated, multi-talented, and broadly interested students for tackling the complex societal challenges of our time. As our graduates begin to fan out across the world, we believe more than ever that the UCT approach is a bullseye.
4 QUALITIES THAT MAKE US DIFFERENT Defining University College Twente is as impossible as pinpointing ‘the typical UCT student’. But UCT does have some distinctive features – characteristics that make us really different. Here are five of them:
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We look for students with an agile mind and attitude, who enjoy being stretched by unexpected challenges.
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We combine technology and engineering with social sciences and natural sciences in our curriculum.
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Our self-directed concept enables students to form their own curriculum by critically choosing the things that they want to learn.
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Our goal is not just to transfer knowledge but to stimulate the development of personalities: we invest heavily in your growth, an example is encouraging a personal pursuit, a passion project of your own construction that goes beyond your curriculum, and a semester of studying abroad.
So what is University College Twente and what, exactly does ‘ATLAS’ have to do with it? University College Twente is a part of the University of Twente. It offers a fulltime Honours programme for talented students with diverse interests. The programme is called Technology and Liberal Arts and Science – which is why we refer to it as the ‘ATLAS’ programme. Of course, the allusion to the Greek myth in which Atlas uses all his strength to keep our planet in place is entirely intentional. VISIT THE UCT AND ATLAS WEB PAGES TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE INSTITUTE AND THE PROGRAMME CONTENTS AT UTWENTE.NL/MAG/ATLAS-EN
Of course, the best way by far to get to know University College Twente is to visit us online or, better yet, in person. Check the options on the back page of this brochure!
GET A FEEL FOR HOW THINGS WORK AT UCT AT FACEBOOK.COM/UNIVERSITYCOLLEGETWENTE
THE COMBINATION OF TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIAL SCIENCES WITH COLLABORATIVE, SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING MAKES OURS A ONE-OF-A-KIND PROGRAMME
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THE UCT CANDIDATE: IF YOU RECOGNISE THIS, WE WANT TO MEET YOU CAN’T FIND A LABEL TO MATCH YOUR CURIOSITY AND OUT-OF-THE-BOX INVENTIVENESS? TRY ‘UCT’
We tend to turn a lot of things around at University College Twente. So let’s start with you. Who are you? What are you good at? What interests you, drives you, thrills you? Don’t worry: we’re not trying to put you in a box. In fact, we are looking for students who want to think outside the box. Better yet, we are looking for students who want to throw the box away and see what else they can create instead. We want students who never want to stop learning.
S ROBIN ROS
GOING TO UCT ALLOWED ME TO EXPLORE MY INTERESTS AND FIND MY PASSIONS.
6 UCT ‘CONFESSIONS’
Check the seven ‘UCT student confessions’ we put together below. They won’t tell you exactly what UCT is, who our students are, or who you are. But if you find any of them electrifying, intriguing or just mildly amusing, we definitely want to meet you.
01 ‘I UNDERSTAND HIGH-TECH STUFF, IN FACT I REALLY LIKE IT – BUT I’M TOO OUTGOING TO BE A GEEK’
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‘MATH AND SCIENCE MAKE MOST SENSE WHEN YOU USE THEM TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE REAL WORLD’
‘PEOPLE THINK I DON’T KNOW WHICH PATH TO CHOOSE, BUT I’M LOOKING FOR A WAY TO TRAVEL LOTS OF PATHS’
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‘I’M AFRAID I’LL GET BORED STICKING TO ONE SUBJECT. EVERYTHING IS INTERCONNECTED NOWADAYS!’
‘KNOWING I’VE LEARNED SOMETHING REALLY USEFUL MATTERS MORE TO ME THAN PASSING AN EXAM’
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‘HA-HA, NO, I’M NOT THE NEXT EINSTEIN. BUT IF YOU ARE, I’D SURE LIKE TO TEAM UP!’
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SURFACE AREA
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UNIVERSITY OF TWENTE
STUDENT APARTMENTS
University College Twente is part of the University of Twente, a leading international research university that stands out from others in several key ways.
FIVE REASONS WHY STUDYING AT THE UT IS A SMART CHOICE:
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HECTARE
THE UCT CONTEXT: THIS COULD BE YOUR UNIVERSITY
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SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS
ONE OF THE WORLD’S BETTER RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES The UT scores well in all of the leading independent global rankings.
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MOST ENTREPRENEURIAL UNIVERSITY IN THE NETHERLANDS
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THE ONLY ‘AMERICAN-STYLE’ CAMPUS IN THE NETHERLANDS
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GLOBAL AMBITION MEETS PERSONAL APPROACH
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HIGH TECH, HUMAN TOUCH
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CULTURAL ASSOCIATIONS
As the birthplace of over 1000 successful start-ups, we reward creativity, innovation, and courage.
The UT campus is modern, beautifully laid out, and bursting with energy.
384 LAB FACILITIES
With over 85 nationalities, the UT is a colourful ‘global village’ with a highly personal approach.
All over the UT, we operate on the cutting edge of technology and social needs and trends.
CAMPUS A lot of the action you will see as a University College Twente student will take place in the middle of the University of Twente’s vibrant campus. The campus is undoubtedly one of the UT’s crown jewels: a sustainable, beautifully kept parkland dotted with top facilities and populated by about 11,000 students and 3,400 staff members of no less than 85 nationalities. As the only University College with housing directly in the middle of the University Twente you will not only get to know your own UCT community but also have the opportunity to experience everything the UT has to offer. GET A TASTE OF CAMPUS LIFE WITH OUR VIRTUAL CAMPUS TOUR AT UTWENTE.NL/CAMPUS-TOUR/EN/
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THE UCT COMMUNITY: FUN, INSPIRING & LIFE-CHANGING
LEARNING, WORKING AND LIVING TOGETHER IS INTENSE – BUT RICHLY REWARDING AS WELL
Instead of serving up a crystallised academic programme, UCT invites you to become a part of an exciting, challenging community. As a first-year UCT student you will be granted guaranteed accommodation in the “Drienerburght”. For the second onwards you can opt if you wish to stay at the same accommodation or move somewhere else (on campus or in the city). Studying, working, and living together with UCT and other students from many parts of the world, you will be part of a supportive, inspiring community with a strong sense of shared identity. You will benefit from peer-to-peer learning, new cultural experiences, and life-changing encounters. In our view, this is a vital part of the UCT experience – and potentially a vital step in your academic and personal development.
TEAM PLAY We’re strong believers in collaborative learning and team play – especially given the complexity of the challenges our graduates will face in the real world. Working in teams guarantees immediate feedback and helps you learn more and faster. The fun thing about UCT is that you get to figure out which roles suit you best in and out of the team – whether you are a fast-moving peopleperson, or a more reserved or introverted type. Our staff play a key role in this. They are as committed to learning and exploring as our students are and as eager to learn from you as they are to teach and mentor you.
A FEW UCT COMMUNITY QUALITIES » The atmosphere at UCT is collaborative rather than competitive. » Collaborative learning exposes weaknesses, reinforces strengths, boosts confidence. » Team activities give you a chance to experiment with different roles. » At UCT you get first-hand experience of other cultures and work with people from all over the world, gaining new perspectives on both daily and academic life. » The community experience is intense and deeply transformative.
POLA LABEDZKA
PEOPLE HERE ARE FROM MANY PLACES IN THE WORLD, HAVE DIFFERENT PAST EDUCATIONAL AND PERSONAL BACKGROUNDS BUT THE THING WE HAVE IN COMMON IS THAT WE CARE ABOUT THE WORLD AND OTHER PEOPLE.
LEARN MORE ABOUT COMMUNITY LIFE AND HOUSING AT UTWENTE.NL/MAG/ATLAS-EN
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THE UCT CURRICULUM: YOU’RE IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT AT UCT THERE ARE NO CONVENTIONAL EXAMS OR GRADES At UCT, your learning belongs to you and no one else. We put you in the driver’s seat. Our curriculum is a gateway to growth rather than a predetermined path from A to B.
FEEDBACK IS OUR FOCUS You start each semester by writing your own Personal Development Plan and you finish by writing a Self Evaluation Report, in which you reflect on your performance and provide the evidence of your progress and development using the feedback from fellow students and staff you have received along the way (it is all about the feedback here!). We want you to tell us what you think you want to learn and why – as well as how you propose to do it and whether, in the end, you’ve done it. Our teachers will review these plans to ensure you are equipped and guided along the way in your journey of self-directed learning and ultimately self-discovery.
THE SOLUTION IS NOT IN THE BOOKS, IT’S IN YOU
KATHERINE VAN ROON COMING TO A NEW COUNTRY FOR UNIVERSITY SEEMED DAUNTING AT FIRST, BUT THE SECOND I GOT TO EXPERIENCE THE ATLAS COMMUNITY, I KNEW THAT I HAD FOUND A HOME.
As much as we believe in the value of knowledge and academic skills, we don’t think they will change the world. But you and your fellow students might. That’s why at UCT we invest heavily in your personal development. We offer a small-scale setting and an intensive programme with a 16:1 student-teacher ratio. On top of rubbing shoulders with other students, you will spend many hours per week with teachers as academic advisors and coaches. We will do all we can to make sure you build a solid foundation in engineering, natural and social science – also maximising your potential, growing in creativity, flexibility, leadership, and communication skills. At UCT, we focus on both group learning and individual development.
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THE UCT CURRICULUM: THEMES, PROJECTS & SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING The ATLAS programme consists of six semester spread across three years. Each semester centres on a theme. For example, in the first two semesters, the themes are Humans & Movement and Sustainable Systems, respectively. This theme-based approach helps you to grasp why you’re learning what you’re learning.
PROJECTS A lot of the actual learning gets done in projects. You and your project team get to develop your own take on each theme. As an individual, you decide on how your learning goals feed into the team’s shared goals and think about how you can combine each other’s strengths. And, of course, you always have the support of your teachers to guide you along the way. For example, you may want to focus on a social science aspect of the project, while a team mate might choose to dig deeper into the mathematical aspects of the project. Along with setting your targets, you plan how you are going to reach them: through reading, studying, attending lectures, and so on. We provide the framework, you choose your path.
BENEFITS OF AN ATLAS BSc DEGREE ✓ Exceptionally broad range of academic
and career opportunities in technology, engineering and/or social sciences
✓ Access to most master’s at the University of Twente and many elsewhere ✓ A competitive edge on graduates with a traditional degree ✓ Agility in making new problem-solving connections between technology and social issues ✓ Participation in a powerful network of future change-making leaders
PERSONAL PURSUIT The Personal Pursuit provides a next layer of depth to your education. It allows you to pursue an interest and you earn credits for it! Examples of previous projects include building a functional surfboard, building a motorcycle from parts, analysing the mathematics behind dance, constructing a tubemap inspired spice guide, and portrait focused photography. Your choices abound.
COURSES IN NATURAL SCIENCE, SOCIAL SCIENCE AND MATH; WITH AN ENGINEERING APPROACH IN ALL DOMAINS Alongside the theme-based projects, you take a number of courses every semester, covering different key aspects of engineering, math and the social sciences. That enables you a broadening, or deepening of the semester goals. Also here, you are in the driver’s seat, starting out with your fellow students and gradually verging off in the directions of your choice, with assignments and activities geared to your needs and interests. In the first year, the bandwidth is narrower, so you don’t need to worry if you can’t decide what path to take. Later on, when you have a clearer idea of your possibilities, you can make more fundamental choices. It’s a whole new way of learning!
HOW ABOUT A SEMESTER IN THE USA, AUSTRALIA OR KOREA? In the third year, we encourage students to go abroad for a full semester. Some students opt for specific courses here at the University of Twente, while others grab the opportunity to experience another country and its culture, another university, and a new period of independence and exploration. We have exchange programmes with many universities all over the world – from Europe to the USA and Canada, to Australia, Japan, Taiwan and Korea. How far do you want to go?
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THE UCT PERSPECTIVE: YOUR LIFE AFTER ATLAS WHEN YOU GRADUATE FROM UCT, A LOT OF GATES WILL SWING WIDE OPEN FOR YOU Completing the ATLAS programme here at UCT will give you a broad view of the world – but we assure you the range of academic and career opportunities awaiting you will be a lot more varied than the ones offered by a typical bachelor programme.
Just to give you a glimpse of the possibilities, here is what a few of our graduates have lined up. MASTER INTERACT ION TECHNOLOGY, UNIVERSI TY OF TWENTE PHD ASTROPH YSICS, UNIVERSI TY OF ZURICH MASTER BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSI TY OF TWENTE MASTER ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH
PHD BIG DATA AND CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTAT ION, UNIVERSI TY OF LEEDS MASTER EIT DIGITAL DATA SCIENCE TRACK (POLITECNICO DI MILANO & TU BERLIN)
MASTER CLIMATE CHANGE, UNIVERSI TY COLLEGE LONDON MASTER MATERIA L SCIENCE, ETH ZURICH MASTER QUANTUM PHYSICS, UNIVERSITY OF COPENHAGEN
MASTER’S DEGREES One major benefit of being a UCT graduate is that you have a lot of options. The vast majority of our graduates continue to do a master’s. Whichever destination you have in mind, your lecturers and mentors will help you figure out how to prepare yourself for a life after ATLAS. With your ATLAS degree, you will: » have access to most master’s programme at the University of Twente, whether it be technology or social sciences (the only exception is Technical Medicine); and » have a nationally and internationally recognised degree, giving you access to countless master’s at other universities in the Netherlands and abroad.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES A degree from UCT will also open up various career opportunities. We can’t teach you everything there is to know, but several qualities will give you an edge on the job market: » you will be a self-motivated, self-reliant learner; » you will be able to combine information from natural science, social science, engineering and mathematics; » you will have a unique ability to get to the root of a problem, predict the implications of new technology or forge innovative links between technology, policy and society; and » you will be able to contribute to original solutions that answer the complexity of modern-day life. LOOKING AHEAD? CHECK OUR MASTER’S WEBSITE AT UTWENTE.NL/MAG/MASTER
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THE UCT ADMISSIONS PROCEDURE: HOW TO GET IN WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT APPLICATION, ADMISSION, TUITION FEES AND MORE
The Technology and Liberal Arts & Sciences programme at University College Twente is an Honours programme. You can apply to be part of our selection process if you have above-average marks in English, Mathematics, and Physics, and other science subjects – and, of course, if you fit the overall profile presented in this brochure. ADMISSION PROCEDURE & CRITERIA Our selection procedure consists of two rounds: 1. First, we will assess your admissibility looking at your overall academic background, your foundation in math and physics, your English language proficiency, your personal interests, and your motivation for choosing ATLAS. 2. Next, we will invite you to take part in an interview, either online or at our campus. This interview allows us to see if you fit with the programme, and it’s a good opportunity for you to ask questions to us too!
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS ✓ A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA EQUIVALENT TO THE DUTCH VWO (SUCH AS BRITISH A-LEVELS OR THE INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE) ✓ STRONG BACKGROUND IN ENGLISH, MATHEMATICS AND PHYSICS ✓ FOR NON-NATIVE ENGLISH SPEAKERS: PROOF OF PROFICIENCY IN ENGLISH (IELTS 7.0, TOEFL 100 IBT, CAMBRIDGE CPE OR CAMBRIDGE CAE) YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE ABOUT ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS, THE APPLICATION PROCESS AND DEADLINES, AND FINANCIAL MATTERS AT UTWENTE.NL/MAG/ATLAS-EN
TUITION FEES The UCT tuition fees for students starting in September 2022 are as follows: - EU/EEA nationals: € 4,418 - non-EU/EEA nationals: € 13,084 PLEASE NOTE: These were the tuition fees for the academic year 2022/2023, at the time of printing this brochure. The fees may differ due to changes in university policy. To view the latest information regarding tuition fees visit utwente.nl/tuitionfees.
SCHOLARSHIPS Scholarships are offered; please make sure to check the website for qualifications and deadlines.
PJOTR TINKE UCT UNLOCKED MY PASSION FOR LEARNING ONCE MORE.
UCT 2 U: GET IN TOUCH
QUICK AND EASY WAYS TO FIND OUT MORE, ASK QUESTIONS OR GET IN TOUCH ✓ COME TO AN OPEN DAY OR A TASTER DAY ✓ SIGN UP FOR OUR (VIRTUAL) STUDENT FOR A DAY PROGRAMME CHECK ALL OUR EVENTS AT UTWENTE.NL/MAG/ATLAS/EVENTS FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM INSTAGRAM.COM/UNIVERSITY_COLLEGE_TWENTE CONNECT WITH US ON FACEBOOK FACEBOOK.COM/UNIVERSITYCOLLEGETWENTE PHONE US +31 (0)53 489 2545 E-MAIL US UNIVERSITYCOLLEGETWENTE@UTWENTE.NL
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE TWENTE Boerderijweg 1 7522 LV Enschede The Netherlands POSTAL ADDRESS Drienerburght DR Boerderijweg 1 7522 LV Enschede The Netherlands Follow us on social media @universitycollegetwente @university_college_twente university college twente
PHOTOGRAPHY Eric Brinkhorst Rikkert Harink Gijs van Ouwerkerk Annabel Jeuring Various UCT students SPECIAL THANKS TO Robo Team, for their contribution by offering their robot DISCLAIMER This brochure is a publication of the marketing department of the University of Twente. We reserve the right to the contents of this brochure. Our education is in constant development; it may be that we renew the content of a programme in the course of the year or that certain arrangements described in this brochure are changed.