Internationalisation strategy documents: Joint Educational Programmes and more | Service Portal

UT is a globally engaged institution that fosters collaboration, innovation, and entrepreneurship. We actively encourage experimentation, pioneering ideas, and calculated risk-taking. Our commitment to excellence in education, research, and knowledge transfer extends beyond national boundaries, responding to global challenges and opportunities.

Corporate website | Global engagement section
Our corporate website has more (public) information about our partnerships, regional liaisons all over the world, mobility opportunities and more.

Specific policy documents:

UT Institutional plan

Below you can view excerpts regarding the topic of internationalisation from UT's Institutional Plan (2026-32):

Our strategic direction: the fourth generation university - Our environment is changing

Our environment is changing

Universities operate in a complex landscape shaped by societal expectations, shifting political priorities and global competition. In the Netherlands, public appreciation of universities is increasingly under pressure, with institutions sometimes perceived as elitist and too distant from society. Political debates on student intake, internationalisation and efficiency are translating into legislation and regulation that affect institutional autonomy, such as the Dutch Balanced Internationalisation Act (Wet Internationalisering in Balans). At the same time, universities are increasingly expected by policymakers to act as a single, coherent contractual partner in addressing major societal challenges. At both Dutch and European level, we see similar trends: geopolitical tensions and the need for a more economically independent Europe call for more structured forms of collaboration. Finally, universities in the Netherlands and in many parts of Europe are likely to face contraction in the coming years, as a result of demographic developments and political choices. How we respond to this as a university will largely determine our future position in society.

Excerpt from the UT Institutional Plan (2026-32), page 11.

Ambition A: Talent that makes a difference - International talent is essential for Twente and the Netherlands

International talent is essential for Twente and the Netherlands

Science is inherently international. UT has an international community and is proudly rooted in Twente. In addition, as a technical university, UT contributes to key national priorities – such as the Beethoven programme in the field of chip technology – which require us to create ample opportunities for international talent. This is something we stand for, based on our values as a university and as a partner within the Netherlands, and we therefore give it high priority. We have introduced parallel bilingualism to ensure that participation at our university works for everyone. In addition, together with our regional partners (the province, municipalities, the Twente Board and industry), we are committed to retaining international talent in our region. Together, we make working and living in Twente more attractive for them, enabling them in turn to contribute to further strengthening the attractiveness of our region. We recruit international talent (again: students, PhD candidates and staff) in line with our contribution to the Twente and Dutch economy. International and intercultural experiences form an integral part of our education, our research practice and our extracurricular activities.

Excerpt from the UT Institutional Plan (2026-32), page 23.

View the full Institutional Plan at Mission, Vision and Values.

Joint education programmes

This revised 2025 edition of Policy Guidelines for Joint Education Programmes emphasises key considerations when starting or continuing a Joint Education Programme (JEP), followed by the registration procedure for these programmes. It identifies three types of JEPs and has been developed in collaboration with faculty support staff involved in internationalisation, education quality assurance, and MC. The Executive Board, with input from the UC-E, established this document.
This version will be subject to re-evaluation in 2029-2030. The QA Team (cluster Education and Internationalisation from S&P) will initiate this revision.

Download (only for logged UT users):

International partnerships framework

This framework (version 2024) provides faculties and institutes with the necessary guidance to elevate their international partnerships to the institutional level. The document defines a global partnership and the other types of international partnerships held by UT, outlines the types of global partnerships, and lists the criteria to consider for promotion to a global partnership.

Download (only for logged UT users):

Whitepaper International Dimensions

In January 2021, we launched a project to bring all the international dimensions of the UT together in one comprehensive document and present an actual, integrated view on internationalisation at the UT founded on the achievements under Vision2020 and the internationalisation vision ‘2020: Educating the Global Citizen’.

Stakeholder sessions with over 80 people from the UT were a significant source of input and information as well. The resulting white paper, “International Dimensions of the UT”, was discussed with the University Council and received positive advice during the last Council meeting.

The white paper is not considered a ‘new’ internationalisation vision as it combines and builds upon existing vision, strategy and policy documents. However, the way all these elements and dimensions are brought together and presented is new. Because of its integrated approach, the white paper is part of the main policy framework of the UT for the coming decade under the umbrella of Shaping2030.

The final and approved version of the white paper can be downloaded here (login required):

Last edit: 8 September 2026

Internationalisation strategy