Three of the University of Twente’s degree programmes have been identified as ‘top programmes’ among the best in the country. On Monday 2 November 2015, the new Keuzegids Universiteiten 2016 (a guide to university programmes across the Netherlands) was published, and Chemical Engineering and Applied Physics were once again rated as among the best programmes, scoring 76 and 82 points respectively. But new at the top of the list is the University College Twente (ATLAS), which scored 86 points. The Keuzegids Universiteiten 2016 compares all university Bachelor’s programmes in the Netherlands. Scores range from 20 to 100, and programmes that score 76 or above are designated ‘top programmes’. The University of Twente scored 57.5 points this year, an increase of 1 point compared to last year.
Twente was ranked in eleventh place in the Keuzegids Universiteiten 2016. The Centre for Information on Higher Education (CHOI) bases its evaluations mainly on the National Student Survey (NSE), but also takes into account the reports of NVAO inspection panels. The University of Twente was singled out for particular praise for its entrepreneurial spirit. The university supports those who have good business ideas in various ways. This has resulted in more than 750 start-ups.
‘The campus is the size of around two hundred football fields and is dotted with classrooms, examination rooms, sports facilities and of course accommodation for students. All of this is located in a wooded area a short distance from the cities of Enschede and Hengelo. The nightlife in Enschede is evaluated as highly satisfactory and accommodation in the city is affordable.’
Results of the Keuzegids Universiteiten 2016
The University of Twente retains the same position as last year in the university rankings. In comparison to the other universities of technology, Twente is ranked third, with a marginal difference of 0.5 point compared to TU Delft. Last year, Twente was ranked exactly the same as Delft. Both Twente and Delft gained points in relation to last year, while TU Eindhoven lost a few points.
Top of the class
Four programmes were named ‘top of the class’ this year: Business Information Technology, Chemical Engineering, Applied Physics and Mechanical Engineering.
Rising score
Nine programmes improved on their score from last year: Biomedical Engineering, Creative Technology, International Business Administration, Computer Science, Industrial Engineering, Applied Physics, Applied Mathematics, University College Twente and Mechanical Engineering.
Work load at Twente
Students at Twente are less satisfied with their work load. However, very few first-year students in Enschede drop out of their study programme, and experts assess the university as good. ‘The figures in the Keuzegids Universiteiten 2016 are based on the National Student Survey carried out 10 months ago,’ says Ed Brinksma (Rector Magnificus of the UT). ‘After the survey, we advised the programmes to make a few adjustments, such as reducing the number of full modules and tests. We can see from our own evaluations that students now think that the work load is a little lighter than previously. Further improvements are being made and we expect to see some positive results as a result of that in the next edition of the Keuzegids.’
Keuzegids Universiteiten 2016 provides many prospective undergraduates with very useful information. The guide covers all officially accredited Bachelor’s degree programmes on offer in the Netherlands; there are 404 in total. The programmes in each field are compared on the basis of, among other things, numbers of new students, content, quality of teaching, and ‘survival’ among first-year students. For most Bachelor’s programmes, a quality rating is given based on student evaluations and the opinion of the Dutch-Flemish accreditation association (NVAO). Out of a total of 404 Bachelor’s programmes assessed, 52 were singled out as ‘top programmes’. These are programmes designated with a ‘++’ or ‘+++’ score in the guide.
