Alpha versus Beta: what’s the difference?
These letters dictate the type of programme you follow. Typically, Alpha studies are related to humanities. Stuff like history, languages, and literature come to mind when you’re discussing an alpha subject. Beta studies are more STEM-focused: think of exact sciences, numbers and logic. Obviously, science subjects include engineering, biology, physics, and earth-sciences. Finally, Gamma studies deal with society and behaviour, or human actions in general. The term social studies is quite synonymous with the word ‘gamma’, so example programmes are Business Administration, Psychology, and Communication Sciences.
How is this relevant at the University of Twente? Well, to start, UT has two types of studies: Alpha-Gamma studies, and Bèta studies. During your studies, you’ll be following the Twente Education Model (TOM for short), which means that you’ll be required to complete a group project related to your current module. Sometimes, you’ll collaborate with students of different types of studies (Alpha-Gamma or Bèta) to tackle a problem, which helps prepare you for real-life cases when you’ll have to work with people of different mindsets and backgrounds.
Alpha-Gamma studies
Like previously mentioned, Alpha-Gamma studies are a combination of the humanities and social studies subjects, which includes:
- Communication Science
- Health Sciences
- International Business Administration
- Management Society & Technology
- Psychology
Likewise, Bèta studies are more STEM-focused (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics), with the list being:
- Advanced Technology
- Applied Mathematics
- Applied Physics
- Biomedical Technology
- Business Information Technology
- Chemical Science & Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Creative Technology
- Electrical Engineering
- Industrial Design Engineering
- Industrial Engineering & Management
- Mechanical Engineering
- Technical Computer Science
- Technical Medicine
This distinction between the two types of programmes is also present in the tuition fees you’ll have to pay, and you can view the full information about it on this website.
All-in-all, it’s a good idea to know what type of study you belong to. At the very least, you’ll be able to join in on the inevitable conversation that occurs when someone asks, ‘What’s a Bèta study?’ or something of the sort.
