Latest stories
student Personal developmentStudent and Internal Manager at Biosensing Team Twente: Fernando on joining a student teamBiosensing Team Twente may be the newest student team at the University of Twente, but its ambitions are already firmly rooted in healthcare innovation. In simple terms, the team works on developing biosensors for medical applications: small, functionalised chips that can detect specific molecules in the body and translate that into a measurable signal. Fernando, student and internal manager at Biosensing Team Twente, tells us what it’s like to be part of this new student team.
science HealthHow stressed are you, according to your watch?Your smartwatch knows how you sleep, how much you move – and even how stressed you are. But how accurate is that, really? Around 40% of people in the Netherlands use wearables to track their health. In this podcast by Universiteit van Nederland, we dive into the world of stress wearables with University of Twente professor Matthijs Noordzij. How do these devices measure stress? What do those scores do to your mind? And can they actually help us live healthier lives?
student Student lifeNice weather? Here are the best day trips from Enschede this springThe sun is shining, the Oude Markt is bustling, and people are walking around without jackets. That can only mean one thing: it’s (finally) spring! The perfect time to get out and about. I previously wrote about fun spring activities in Enschede, but if you happen to have a day off (hello module 4 😉) or a weekend without any plans, there are plenty of great day trips across the Netherlands that are well worth it too. Here are my favourites!
student Study choice
Applying for university in the Netherlands: how does it work?
Have you decided to study abroad in the Netherlands? Congratulations! An exciting adventure is ahead of you. But first, it’s time to arrange the practical matters like applying for university: a time-consuming task that you want to start with early on. But how? In this article, you’ll find all you need to know about applying to the University of Twente.
Science Stories
science HealthFrom the UT-kitchen: Recipe for mini-heartsEvery recipe website seems convinced that you simply cannot make banana bread without first reliving someone’s traumatic childhood memory. But I’m not here to get sentimental about a fake sob story. I’m using a recipe format for a very simple reason: at the University of Twente, we “bake” mini-hearts in the lab. They squish, they jiggle, they contract. And the steps to make them read surprisingly like a cookbook minus the calories, plus some stem cells and all the fun.
science DigitalisationWhat ethical AI in research really meansAs AI tools become inseparable from student essays, scientific writing, and data analysis, universities across the globe are scrambling to decide what counts as “ethical use.” Some draw the line at letting tools such as ChatGPT write for you; others simply ask that you be transparent and honest.
science HealthCan recovery after cardiac arrest be predicted?After a cardiac arrest, patients and their families enter a period of deep uncertainty. Who will wake up? And what will life look like afterwards? UT PhD researcher Astrid Glimmerveen (TechMed Centre) studied brain signals that could help doctors better predict recovery and organise aftercare more effectively.
science ClimateNatural ice in decline? Bridges may hold the answerDuring the 2026 Olympic Games in Milan, we hope that TeamNL will win a record number of speed‑skating medals. Go Joy, Jutta, Kjeld, Joep, et al.! Yet, ironically, our Dutch champions can rarely train on natural ice in the Netherlands. Quite simply because it is too warm. Professor Mark van der Meijde is determined to keep the tradition of natural ice skating alive in the Netherlands, and he may have found a potential solution. In a rather surprising place: on bridges and flyovers. These can become icy even when temperatures are still just above freezing. How is that possible? And can we use the same effect to get skaters onto the ice sooner?
science HealthIntimacy 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.
Student Stories
student Student tipsHow to maintain relationships at universityThey say that your network is your net worth, though I have no idea what this means. What I do know, though, is that your network needs to be maintained, and in university, when you’re around a thousand other students and staff, it can be hard to keep track of who’s who. Meeting people is the easy part. The hard part is ensuring they remember you (and you remember them!) and that your relationships with people don’t fade away.
student CampusFrom writing tips to podcast studio: here are 10 UT services you probably don’t know about!The University of Twente is more than just a place where you attend lectures and study for exams. All over campus, you will also find various useful places and services that make student life a lot easier, more fun, and efficient. You've probably heard of the University Library, Student Services, and the Sports Centre, but there's (much) more than that! From academic writing support to business advice, here are 10 useful UT services you probably don’t know about.
student Study tipsNo motivation to study? Try out these 8 tips!The end of the academic year is in sight! Temperatures are rising, festival season has started, and your summer plans are probably already made. Chances are your motivation to study is hard to find. Yet deadlines and exams of the last module are just around the corner... Don't worry! These 8 tips will help you find back your motivation to study, so that you can enjoy your well-deserved summer break without any resits.
student ExperiencesDaniel studies the Bachelor’s in Creative Technology: "It is a haven for creation."“Do you have a creative idea? You can turn it into a working product,” says student Daniel from South Africa. “This programme is for anyone looking to explore their creative interests by using technology.” In this article, he shares his experience of studying the Bachelor's in Creative Technology at the University of Twente.
student Internationals"April doet wat hij wil" - what April in the Netherlands is like from an international student's perspectiveIt is quite literally impossible not to care about the weather here in the Netherlands. Should you go out, should you stay at home, should you go for groceries, should you order in – a lot of your daily activities depend on what the Earth is looking to throw your way, partly because life here is so… outdoors-y. It’s therefore no surprise that there exist many proverbs about the weather, universal across all languages. However, the Dutch saying April doet wat hij wil (April does what it wants) is unique to the Netherlands, mainly since April is a bit… spontaneous about how it feels.