Create tech solutions that are smartly thought-through, creatively designed and socially relevant.
What happens when you add music to a book? How do you visualise data streams? How can you reduce discomfort for people with chronic pain? If diverse questions like these intrigue you, our three-year, English-taught Bachelor’s in Creative Technology at the University of Twente (UT) or VU Amsterdam is the right choice for you.
The Bachelor’s in Creative Technology will equip you to use the latest technology for developing solutions that contribute to a better future for people and society. Throughout the many hands-on projects, you will gain technical knowledge and skills, as well as the ability to understand how media and technology influence humans, design and creative processes. Using your extensive knowledge of computer science and electrical engineering, you will learn to cover the entire creation process: from identifying the core question to building a working prototype and testing it on users.
Impression of Creative Technology
Are you curious to know what is it like to study Creative Technology? Watch this video and meet the people and facilities. Or read the experiences of current and former students.
Choose yourself: CreaTe in Amsterdam or Enschede?
Thanks to a unique collaboration between the two universities, you can study CreaTe at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) or at the University of Twente (UT) in Enschede from September 2023. Do you opt for Amsterdam? Then you will follow most of the lectures at VU Amsterdam. A few days a month you will travel to Enschede to work on larger projects with UT students and make use of high-tech labs on the UT campus. Do you choose Enschede as your study location? Then you will study at UT and work in the research labs on the Enschede campus.
From the second year, you need to choose electives. It is only in Amsterdam that you can take the elective Humane by Design (also open to UT students). And only in Enschede can you take the electives Interactive Media and Smart Technology (also open to VU students).
Why study Creative Technology?
There are dozens of reasons why you might sign up for this Bachelor's. Discover the top five here!
Benefit from a broad, international programme Creative Technology students come from all over the world. In project teams, you will learn to work with others across cultural and disciplinary borders – much the same as in the business you will enter world after graduation. Another key characteristic of this programme is that it will familiarise you with the entire creative process: from mapping out the research question to brainstorming about solutions, and from researching your target group to building the first working prototype and testing it in real life. Our richly varied study programme will open up many exciting directions to you upon graduation.
Make a difference in society As a Creative Technology graduate you will know everything about topics that are important for the future of our society. You could be the person who designs and carries out solutions for urban flooding, so that people in areas sensitive to flooding can keep their feet dry when the sea level rises. Or maybe you will be the creative mastermind behind a new robot with emotional awareness, or a 3D printer that can produce an artificial hip. Whether you choose to continue studying after this bachelor’s or to explore the many career options, your work will matter to society.
Pursue your personal interests The atmosphere in this programme is fantastic, our students tell us. Creative Technology has about 120 students in the first year. We encourage you to engage in extracurricular activities that will stimulate your personal growth. You can even get study credits for these initiatives, if you can show that a certain activity is important to you, contributes to what you want to achieve and is related to our field of study. Think, for example, of attending a conference, assisting a researcher, taking a study trip abroad, or taking a course on video production. Who knows, one of your designs may attract the spotlights at the Dutch Design Week, the Almelo Light Challenge, or Gogbot. Your ideas and input matters to us, too: together with our student association Proto, we are constantly improving our education and organising all sorts of study-related activities.
Grow as a 21st century professional, while enjoying our amazing campus In addition to in-depth professional expertise, you will develop a broad package of 21st-century skills and personal competences in this programme, including a work ethos centring on self-reflection and lifelong learning. Our informal, personal approach is aimed at helping you flourish both professionally and personally. You will become more entrepreneurial and learn to apply academic knowledge to the realities of our society. Our project-based education will challenge you to look beyond disciplinary and cultural barriers and to work together with others. On top of that, you will have an unforgettable student experience thanks to our magnificent, green campus and the vibrant student city of Enschede - a place of knowledge, innovation and fun!
Creative Technology has few drop-outs in the first year How can you confidently choose the right programme? At CreaTe we will help you with this. If you sign up for this programme, we will ask you to explain how CreaTe fits into your personal vision, and what you expect from the programme. We will arrange an interview with you on the basis of the motivation letter, portfolio and CV you submit. As a result of the matching procedure that you go through after registration, you will receive advice from the CreaTe staff. Teachers, mentors, the bachelor's coordinator and our Study Advisor will also regularly monitor your progress and development as a student. They may approach you, but it will also be easy for you to get in touch with one of them.
What is a typical Creative Technology student like?
We often see similar characteristics among CreaTe students who do well. They have an entrepreneurial spirit, unafraid to approach people and daring. They do what it takes to take an idea further and they are not satisfied until they have found a solution to a problem. They are well-versed in technology, have a feel for design, and always consider the impact of the end product as the most important factor. The question ‘How will this contribute?’ is central to them. Does this sound like you?
International in all facets
Creative Technology has been awarded the prestigious ECA Certificate for Quality in Internationalisation, true recognition for our efforts of making this programme international in all its facets: the purpose, function and organisation of our education. This means you will not only study in an international environment, but you will also be stimulated to incorporate different cultures and perspectives while developing sustainable solutions.
Programme overview
Related programmes
Below you find a list of educational programmes which are (closely) related to Creative Technology.
Engineering & Technology
Advanced Technology
This uniquely multidisciplinary Bachelor’s will prepare you for an exciting career as researcher, consultant, engineer or entrepreneur in almost any area of science and tech.
Applied Mathematics
Get theoretically and practically equipped to bring mathematical clarity to complex societal challenges in mobility, technology, banking, healthcare or the environment domain.
Applied Physics
This Dutch-taught Bachelor’s will equip you to develop fundamental knowledge of physics, converting it into working technologies that impact society.
Biomedical Technology
Within this Bachelor's, you will learn to design and develop new healthcare technologies, from rehabilitation robots, artificial organs, medical scans, to prostheses.
Chemical Science & Engineering
Become an expert in understanding, designing and developing new, sustainable processes, materials and solutions, using chemistry as your starting point.
Civil Engineering
This Bachelor's teaches you to design, construct and manage large projects in construction & infrastructure, water management, and traffic & transport, combining technical and non-technical knowledge.
Creative Technology (location Vrije Universiteit)
In this unique programme, you will study Mechanical Engineering in Amsterdam, while benefiting from the small scale, personal attention and technical expertise for which the UT is renowned.
Electrical Engineering
Become equipped to help shape tomorrow's world by coming up with high-tech, breakthrough solutions to practical problems that are faster, more accurate and more sustainable.
Industrial Design Engineering
This three-year English-taught Bachelor’s will equip you to combine creativity with technology and engineering to design or improve products that benefit people, industry and society.
Industrial Engineering & Management
Become a creative, multidisciplinary manager who can combine technological know-how with engineering and management skills.
Mechanical Engineering
From hinges for a robotic hand to a roller coaster... you will soon be that inventive engineer who invents, designs and improves all kinds of appliances, machines, constructions and processes.
Mechanical Engineering (location Vrije Universiteit)
In this unique programme, you will study Mechanical Engineering in Amsterdam, while benefiting from the small scale, personal attention and technical expertise for which the UT is renowned.
Technical Computer Science
Be an expert in computer science, electrical engineering and business information technology. As a computer scientist and engineer, you can take on challenges in areas as environment and healthcare.
University College Twente (ATLAS)
This one-of-a-kind, multidisciplinary, English-taught programme integrates social and technical perspectives in a new approach that educates tomorrow’s engineers at Honours level.
Information Technology (IT)
