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student Student lifeEssential items to have in your university bagA good bag holds the things that keep your day running: power, study equipment, food, and a few small emergency items. If you’re properly geared up, then those 9-6 days of lectures, labs, and studying stop being (much of) a scramble. But what should you absolutely have in your university bag, then?
science Behaviour & SocietyGrand Theft Auto VI: is gaming a form of cheating?On 19 November 2026, Grand Theft Auto VI will be released, and the hype is immense. For once, the debate surrounding the latest instalment in this series does not centre on the glorification of a criminal lifestyle, but on intimacy: does maintaining a romantic relationship between the two main characters constitute a form of cheating? And what does our emotional bond with digital characters actually reveal about human needs when it comes to real-life relationships?
student CareerFrom a smart light bulb to a global platform: how UT alumnus Paulus Schoutsen simply started buildingA smart light bulb that switched on automatically at sunset. That was all it was at first. Yet that personal project of UT alumnus Paulus Schoutsen grew into Home Assistant, one of the world's largest open source projects. The foundations were laid during his time as a student Business Information Technology at the University of Twente, where he learned at least as much outside the lecture hall as he did inside it. For his graduation research project, he moved to California. There, he began experimenting with smart lighting, unknowingly laying the groundwork for what would later become Home Assistant.
science Physics & Materials
Why does coriander taste like soap to some people?
When people ask me if there is any food I really don't like, I never have to think for long: coriander. It looks great, a handful of fresh green leaves scattered over a curry or rendang. But as far as I'm concerned, the chef can save themselves the trouble. As soon as there's coriander in my food, I taste one thing: soap. A bit like someone has added a splash of washing-up liquid to my dinner.
Science Stories
science Data & AIFrom chessboard to delivery van: how algorithms improve logisticsIt is well known that artificial intelligence can beat the best players in board games, but did you know that UT is using the same techniques to make logistics more efficient? So your groceries are delivered smarter while ASML saves millions.
science Behaviour & SocietyIntimacy and AI: what can sex robots teach us about human relationships?A partner who always listens, never gets angry and does exactly what you want. What does that mean for how we think about intimacy? PhD researcher Maaike van der Horst investigates at the University of Twente how sex robots and digital AI partners are changing our ideas about relationships, desire and vulnerability.
science ClimateWill the Netherlands flood if the Gulf Stream stops?The Netherlands is built on controlling water. That is why we are reinforcing our dikes for warmer, wetter winters. But what if the country does not warm up, but cools down? Can our river delta handle that?
science HealthWhat happens to the tissue that's thrown away during surgery?During almost every operation, surgeons cut away small pieces of healthy tissue. Most of it is dropped into a bin marked biological waste and thrown out. But what if those millimetre-sized scraps were not rubbish at all? At the University of Twente, one researcher thinks each one could become a living, personalised piece of you.
science Chip TechnologyFrom 2G to 6G: the quiet network that connects everythingYour energy meter sends its readings over a network older than most smartphones. Your lift reports faults over that same connection. They communicate via 2G, the quiet backbone of the Internet of Things. KPN is the last provider to start phasing the network out. By December 2027 it will be gone for good. As the Netherlands says goodbye to the second generation of mobile networks, two University of Twente researchers are working on the newest one: 6G.
Student Stories
student Study choiceChoosing a study that suits your personality: why and how do you do it?How do you choose the right study? Many people first think about subjects they enjoy or excel in, but who you are as a person is just as important. For example, Marios started studying Psychology, but quickly realised it didn’t fit his personality; he was looking for a more practical and goal-oriented study. After switching to International Business Administration, he thrived. Just like Marios, you increase your chances of success and enjoyment by choosing a study that truly matches your character. In this article, you’ll discover why this is so important and how to get to know yourself better!
student Student life13 struggles every UT student recognisesThe life of a UT student is not all sunshine and rainbows. Sure, we have a great campus with everything we could possibly need, and the city itself is buzzing with student life – but hey, we also encounter problems and frustrations from time to time. Here are 13 struggles every UT student recognises!
student Personal developmentStudent and chassis engineer: Jedrzej on joining Electric Superbike TwenteFor Jedrzej, a 22-year-old Mechanical Engineering student from Poland, joining Electric Superbike Twente (EST) meant stepping out of the classroom and into something much closer to real engineering work. Instead of continuing directly into his third year, he chose to take a gap year and work full-time for the team. At EST, Jedrzej works as a chassis engineer, designing the bike’s bodywork and working with composites, surface modelling, and 3D printing.
student Personal developmentFive ways to develop yourself next to your studyDeveloping yourself outside your studies is never a bad idea. It provides opportunities to grow, develop new skills, participate in interesting activities and meet exciting people. At the University of Twente, there are several ways to improve your skills, and if you’re looking for a challenge, then these opportunities might just be for you. With insights from Tymur and Jakub over at the UT Journeys podcast, we've compiled five unique opportunities to further develop yourself during your time as a student.
student ExperiencesAlexey studies the Master's in Construction Management & Engineering: "I want to make construction more sustainable."“I want to leave this world better than when I came here,” student Alexey from Russia says. “The construction sector is a powerful tool for change: it accounts for 40% of global emissions.” He shares what it’s like to study the Master's in Construction Management & Engineering at the University of Twente.