WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF the matching?
At Mechanical Engineering we think it is important for you to choose a programme that meets your expectations and is a good match with your interests and your talents. A good match between you and the study programme you choose increases your chances to successfully complete the programme and obtain a diploma. To improve this match, we use ‘Mandatory Matching’. That means that all our Mechanical Engineering applicants need to take part in obligated matching activities. With these activities we aim to investigate together if your expectations, talents and intentions ‘match’ with the content and setup of the programme. One of the activities is a non-mandatory matching event. The goal of the matching event is that you have an impression of what to expect.
What is a matching event?
Once you have signed up for Mechanical Engineering you will receive a questionnaire in where you can sign up for a matching event. Attending a matching event is a great opportunity to see what the study programme is about and to meet potential fellow students. During this half day you will attend short example lectures and participate in a group assignment which will give you an overview of the programme and the various fields of Mechanical Engineering (mechanics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, energy, systems and control, dynamic systems, design and construction). The matching event is a great way to get a taste of the atmosphere and to meet the students and staff of the Mechanical Engineering programme. It is also possible to have a (online) meeting with a staff member during or after this day in case of further questions. Besides focussing on the study choice, we also aim to prepare you (and us) as well as possible for the coming academic year.
How does Matching work?
The mandatory matching process consists of several steps:
- After you sign up for the Mechanical Engineering programme, you will receive a questionnaire about your expectancies, skills and interests.
- Once you have filled in and sent the questionnaire, you will receive an invitation for a matching event when you've indicated that you want to attend a matching event. This invite will be sent two weeks upfront the matching event you've registered for. The matching event will take place three times a year on campus. If you live in the Netherlands, we expect you to be present at one of the on-campus matching days. For students that are not able to come to the campus, two online options will be offered. The dates for this year are mentioned below.
- During the matching event on campus you will participate in several activities like a lecture and a group assignment. You will get informaton about the programme, meet with staff and students, get a tour through our building, meet the Study Association and you can ask questions. At the online matching event you will get some information about the programme, we will take you on an online tour through our building, you will meet the Student Association and there will be time for questions.
- Depending on the outcomes of the questionnaire, you might be approached for a meeting with a staff member or senior student. When invited, this meeting is obligatory. You may also request an additional meeting yourself.
- When you have finished the entire matching procedure, we will send you a recommendation. This recommendation will indicate whether we think you are a match with our programme. The advice that you are given as a result of the matching procedure is not binding - you can choose to follow up your enrolment or not. Students who do not fill in and submit the questionnaire however, will not be admitted to the programme. The Admission Office will inform you whether you are admissible or not. Note that mandatory matching is also obligatory for students that have been enrolled in our bachelor programme before and re-enroll for the coming academic year and also for students that transfer from an other UT programme to Mechanical Engineering.
Note: if you do not register for Mechanical Engineering before 1 May and do not participate in the matching activity you will not be admitted to the programme.
Contact
I you have any questions about our mandatory matching process, you can send an email to: matching-me@utwente.nl
DATES MATCHING events 2026
We prefer to meet our prospective students face to face. If you live in the Netherlands, we expect you to be present at one of the on-campus matching events. For those who are not able to come to one of our on campus meetings, online alternatives are available. You can let us know your preference in the questionnaire that you will receive.
On campus:
- 17 April 2026
- 29 May 2026
- 3 July 2026
Online:
- 4 June 2026
- 7 July 2026