The city of Enschede is very popular among students because of its numerous associations, cosy restaurants and friendly, personal atmosphere.
Enschede is a city of knowledge and innovation. A place where people still see each other and give each other space. On the border of the Netherlands and the European hinterland, it is an entrepreneurial and tolerant city with over 150 nationalities. With over 160,000 inhabitants, Enschede is the largest city in the east of the Netherlands.
Despite its many opportunities and facilities, the big city feels compact, friendly and personal. Compared to other student cities, Enschede offers affordable housing. The student life here is marked by numerous study, sports, cultural and social associations. And for football fans: Enschede is also home to the local football club FC Twente.
What study and student associations are there in Enschede?
Enschede and the University of Twente campus quickly feel like home—especially when you join a study or student association. Whether you prefer team sports, exercising solo, or being creative and expressive, the campus offers dozens of sports and cultural student clubs where you can try almost any sport you can think of. More into study-related activities? Every programme has its own study association that organises events connected to your field.
Student Union
The Student Union is the umbrella organisation for all student associations and ensures you get the most out of your student life. Their mission is to create as many opportunities as possible for students. The Union connects with a wide range of parties, from the smallest clubs to the University of Twente’s Executive Board. Whether you want to organise an event or start a new association, the Union helps you find the right contacts or affordable space. They also manage subsidies and sponsorship funds for interesting projects.
Shopping, food and drinks
Enschede goes out on the square, named Oude Markt. The cosy square and all the streets around it attract visitors from far and wide. Around the church De Grote Kerk - the proud heart of the Oude Markt - are regular musical and cultural events.
What the Oude Markt is for nightlife, the H.J. van Heekplein is for shoppers. Popular international brand stores and local boutiques concepts attract tens of thousands of visitors, including many from Germany. Every Tuesday and Saturday, the square hosts a large food market where you can do your daily shopping and enjoy typical Dutch and international snacks.
Nature is always close by
Enschede is one of the greenest cities in the country. There are many parks, laid out by the former textile barons. If you want to take a break, the soothing nature is always nearby. Where the buildings of Enschede end, there is a particularly varied landscape with various walking and cycling routes.
International city
Over 30,000 students study at the University of Twente, Saxion University of Applied Sciences, ArtEZ Conservatoire or AKI. With this number of students and a wide range of clubs and bars, Enschede has earned the right to call itself a vibrant student city. And an international city! Thanks to the University of Twente's international profile and its location close to the German border, the campus - with more than 100 nationalities - is a multicultural community. The University of Twente invariably ends up in the top lists of institutions with the most foreign students.
Business opportunities
The University of Twente is one of the most entrepreneurial universities in the Netherlands and part of the high-tech innovation campus Kennispark Twente. Internationally recognised for its close collaboration between knowledge institutions, research centres and entrepreneurs. Together with business accelerator Novel-T and partners Saxion University of Applied Sciences, the City of Enschede, the Twente Region and the Province of Overijssel, we are building one of Europe’s leading ecosystems for innovation and entrepreneurship.
