University College Utrecht (UCU) is the international honours college of Utrecht University. It offers an English-taught three-year bachelor’s programme in Liberal Arts and Sciences, and students live on a campus in Utrecht with guaranteed housing for three years.[1][2] It was founded in 1998 as the first university college in the Netherlands and has around 750 students from nearly 70 nationalities.[3]
For 2026/27 the tuition fee is €5,591 for EEA, Swiss and Surinamese students and €17,073 for non-EEA students, plus a campus fee of €8,231 for a single room or €4,939 for a double room.[4] UCU is not ranked separately; its parent, Utrecht University, is 113th in the QS World University Rankings 2027.[5]
Key facts
| Official name | University College Utrecht (UCU) |
| Location | Utrecht, the Netherlands (Campusplein 1, 3584 ED Utrecht)[6] |
| Type | Honours college of Utrecht University offering one English-taught bachelor’s programme in Liberal Arts and Sciences; not a separate university[1] |
| Founded | 1998, as the first university college in the Netherlands[3] |
| Degree | Three-year bachelor’s degree from Utrecht University, a BA or a BSc depending on the disciplines studied[2] |
| Students | Around 750 in total; nearly 70 nationalities (241 Dutch students in 2024)[3] |
| Admissions | 250 places for incoming students and around 1,100 applications a year[3] |
| Curriculum | Around 230 courses a year in more than 20 fields; double-degree programmes in Law and Physics; classes of 20 students on average[3] |
| Housing | Guaranteed on-campus housing for three years[1] |
| Tuition 2026/27, EEA, Swiss and Surinamese students | €5,591 per year[4] |
| Tuition 2026/27, non-EEA students | €17,073 per year (plus a €286 visa/residence permit fee)[4] |
| Campus fee 2026/27 | €8,231 single room · €4,939 double room · €100 UCSA membership[4] |
| Application fee | €85, except for holders of a Dutch VWO diploma and refugees[7] |
| Official website | uu.nl |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 5 November 2026.
About University College Utrecht
UCU describes itself as Utrecht University’s international honours college. Its English-taught bachelor’s programme in Liberal Arts and Sciences is small-scale and intensive, and students design their own curriculum from more than 200 courses in the humanities, sciences and social sciences.[1] UCU says it was founded in 1998 as the first university college in the Netherlands.[3] Students graduate with a degree from Utrecht University, a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science depending on their disciplines.[2]
The campus is a residential community of around 750 students from nearly 70 nationalities (the programme page says “more than 70”).[3][1] In 2024, 241 of the students were Dutch; the next best represented nationalities are German, French, Italian and Spanish.[3]
How is University College Utrecht ranked?
UCU does not appear as a separate institution in the QS World University Rankings. Its parent, Utrecht University, is 113th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026. NL Times says Utrecht has dropped 10 places.[5] A university-wide position says little about a single honours college, so treat it as context only.
On programme quality, Utrecht University reports that UCU has been awarded the Top Rated Programme label and Quality Seal by Keuzegids, the Dutch study-choice guide, in its 2027 edition (news item of 5 November 2026).[8] How we compile rankings.
What can you study at University College Utrecht?
UCU offers one programme: the three-year bachelor’s in Liberal Arts and Sciences, taught in English.[2] Rather than a fixed curriculum, students combine courses from the humanities, social sciences and sciences with the help of a personal tutor, choosing from 23 subjects.[1] Each year UCU offers around 230 courses in more than 20 academic fields, and there are double-degree options in Law and Physics.[3]
Classes are small: 20 students on average, and a typical classroom has no more than 22 students.[3][2] Students normally leave with a Utrecht University degree after three years; the college says almost all complete within that time and continue to master’s programmes.[1]
How much does University College Utrecht cost in 2026/27?
| Cost per year, 2026/27 | EEA, Swiss, Surinamese | Non-EEA | EEA with a Dutch BA/MA degree |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition fee | €5,591 | €17,073 | €15,044 |
| Visa/residence permit | – | €286 | – |
| Campus fee, single room (double room) | €8,231 (€4,939) | €8,231 (€4,939) | €8,231 (€4,939) |
| UCSA membership | €100 | €100 | €100 |
| Total, single room (double room) | €13,922 (€10,630) | €25,690 (€22,398) | €23,375 (€20,083) |
These are the 2026/27 figures from UCU’s fees page as archived on 13 March 2026. The live page has since moved on to 2027/28 and now lists tuition of €5,750 (EEA, Swiss, Surinamese), €21,600 (non-EEA) and €21,587 (EEA with a Dutch degree), with a note that students who start before 2027/28 are not affected by the non-EEA increase.[4][9] A budget example on UCU’s financial matters page labels €5,750 as the 2026/27 tuition fee; the dedicated fees page lists that figure under 2027/28, so check with the admissions office if the exact amount matters.[10]
What the campus fee covers
The campus fee pays for housing, water, electricity, Wi-Fi and campus facilities and covers about ten and a half months a year; students typically move out over the summer for maintenance.[10][4] Non-EEA students also pay the visa fee and must pay the first year’s tuition in one instalment as part of the visa application.[9]
Financial support
UCU offers scholarships in the form of campus fee waivers for the double room option (Rosemary Orr Scholarship). All international applicants can apply; non-EU/EEA and EU/EEA applicants are considered equally. Non-EU/EEA students are not entitled to Dutch government financial aid.[10]
How do you apply to University College Utrecht?
Applications run in two parts: you register in Studielink, the national application system, and then complete the Osiris online application form with your documents.[7]
- Read the entry requirements and check the deadlines on UCU’s page.
- Collect the documents: passport or EU national ID card, diploma (or a statement if you have not graduated), latest grade transcript, proof of English, a statement of academic motivation, the UCU activities form and the contact details of one academic referee.
- Start the application in Studielink, choosing first-year admission, not the advanced year.
- Complete the Osiris application and pay the €85 application fee by credit card (exempt: holders of a Dutch VWO diploma and refugees).
After you submit, you may be invited to an online interview that looks at your academic performance and your interests, background and motivation.[7] UCU has around 250 places and receives about 1,100 applications a year.[3] We list no deadlines because they change every year; UCU’s “application dates and deadlines” page has them.[7]
Entry requirements
Applicants need a Dutch VWO diploma (any profile) or a foreign equivalent that meets the grade entry requirements, plus proof of English. If you do not meet the grade requirements, one route is to complete one year of university study with an average of at least 70% at a three-year university, or at least 80% or a 3.5 GPA at a four-, five- or six-year programme. UCU also looks for academic potential, curiosity, openness to other disciplines and social engagement.[11]
Which English level do you need?
If your diploma is not covered by UCU’s equivalency and English list, you must submit one of these tests, no more than two years old when you apply:[11]
| Test | Minimum |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 7.0 on average, no part below 6.5 |
| TOEFL iBT (Home Edition accepted) | 100 or 5 overall; Listening, Reading and Speaking 5, Writing 4.5 |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency | 185, no part below 176 |
| Pearson PTE Academic | 70, no part below 60 |
| LanguageCert Academic | 75, no part below 70 |
UCU does not accept Cambridge B2 First, Anglia, SAT, ACT, EF, Duolingo, TOEFL Essentials or the IELTS One Skill Retake, and it accepts no online versions of the listed tests except the TOEFL iBT Home Edition. All results are verified online, and the university makes no exceptions.[11] The entry requirements list no Dutch language test; the programme is an English-language one.[11][2]
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does University College Utrecht cost in 2026/27?
Tuition is €5,591 for EEA, Swiss and Surinamese students and €17,073 for non-EEA students, according to UCU’s fees page as archived in March 2026. The campus fee is €8,231 for a single room or €4,939 for a double room, plus €100 for the student association.[4]
Is University College Utrecht part of Utrecht University?
Do I have to live on campus at UCU?
What English test score do I need for UCU?
For example IELTS Academic 7.0 on average with no part below 6.5, or TOEFL iBT 100. Some diplomas are exempt; check UCU’s equivalency list.[11]
Is there a scholarship at University College Utrecht?
UCU offers campus fee waivers for the double room option under the Rosemary Orr Scholarship. All international applicants can apply.[10]
More about studying in Netherlands
- Netherlands: best universities
- Study in Netherlands: complete guide
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in Netherlands
- Amsterdam Business School (University of Amsterdam)
- Amsterdam University College
- Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)
- Eindhoven University of Technology
- Erasmus University Rotterdam
- Leiden University College The Hague
- Leiden University
- Maastricht University
- Nyenrode Business University
- Open Universiteit (Open University of the Netherlands)
- Radboud University
- Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM)
- Tilburg University
- University of Amsterdam (UvA)
- University of Groningen
- University of Twente
- Utrecht University
- Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
- Wageningen University & Research
Sources
[1] Utrecht University: University College Utrecht, bachelor’s programme (page without a date; open days in November 2026 listed)
[2] Utrecht University: About University College Utrecht (page without a date)
[3] Utrecht University: University College Utrecht, facts and figures (page without a date; the 241 Dutch students refer to 2024)
[4] Utrecht University: Fees & finances for degree students (Internet Archive copy) (archived copy of 13 Mar 2026 showing the cost overview for 2026-2027)
[5] NL Times: TU Delft continues as top Dutch university in QS World Rankings (QS publishes the ranking at topuniversities.com, which blocks automated access) (article of 18 Jun 2026; QS 2027 edition)
[6] Utrecht University: University College Utrecht, contact (page without a date)
[7] Utrecht University: University College Utrecht, admission procedure for degree students (page without a date)
[8] Utrecht University: University College Utrecht (organisation page with news) (page without a date; Keuzegids news item of 5 Nov 2026)
[9] Utrecht University: Fees & finances for degree students (current page) (page without a date; now shows the cost overview for 2027-2028)
[10] Utrecht University: University College Utrecht, financial matters (page without a date; tuition table labelled 2027-28, campus fees 2026-27, sample budget labelled 2026-27)
[11] Utrecht University: University College Utrecht, entry requirements (page without a date)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.