There are many different ways to contribute to a sustainable future. Will you help build the new generation of sustainable energy systems? Do you prefer designing recyclable packaging? Or would you like to come up with ways to make ships sail more sustainably? Maybe you're more interested in developing policies to promote sustainability within companies and organisations. Whichever study programme you choose at the University of Twente (UT), sustainability is an important, recurring theme.
At UT, you can choose from broad-based bachelor's programmes, meaning you'll learn not only about sustainability but also about other important topics within your field. This gives you a strong, versatile foundation. Want to focus more specifically on sustainability afterwards? You can specialise further with a master’s programme, such as the Master's in Sustainable Energy Technology or Environmental & Energy Management.
Curious which study path suits you best? Below, we’ve listed a few examples. Curious about other options? Check out the full overview of bachelor's programmes.
- Chemical Science & Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Industrial Design Engineering
- Public Administration
- Mechanical Engineering
Chemical Science & Engineering
Are you passionate about chemistry and eager to use your chemical knowledge to contribute to a more sustainable world? In the Bachelor's in Chemical Science & Engineering, you will learn how to develop new, environmentally friendly materials and how to improve existing chemical processes in factories to make them more energy-efficient and reduce harmful emissions. Think, for example, of creating sustainable alternatives to plastic, improving water purification, or developing green fuels.
During this study programme, you’ll not only focus on what happens inside the lab, but also on how to apply these solutions in the real world - in factories or industrial companies, for instance. This programme gives you a strong technical foundation and the opportunity to contribute to a more sustainable future.
Civil Engineering
How can we make cities resilient to extreme rainfall or heat waves? And how can we construct roads or build bridges using durable materials that have minimal environmental impact? Or what about building dikes to protect our coastlines from rising sea levels? These are just some of the questions civil engineers deal with.
In the Bachelor's in Civil Engineering, you’ll learn how to come up with smart and sustainable solutions for our built environment. You’ll explore how to make cities safer, healthier, and more sustainable by designing better roads, bridges, waterworks, and buildings. You’ll also learn how to take nature, climate, and the people living in those areas into account. In other words: a great combination of both technical and non-technical knowledge!
Industrial Design Engineering
How do you design products that are long-lasting, easy to recycle, and truly meet people’s needs? And how can you make sure sustainable choices are not only better for the environment, but also remain attractive and user-friendly? In the Bachelor's in Industrial Design Engineering, you’ll learn to develop smart solutions for products and systems that contribute to a more sustainable world – from eco-friendly packaging to energy-efficient devices.
In this study programme, you won’t just focus on improving the product itself, but also the development process. Is there a more sustainable way to achieve the same – or even a better – end result? From mathematics to graphic design, and from ergonomics to marketing: this bachelor's is perfect if you want to combine technology with creativity and design.
Public Administration
Technologically speaking, many sustainable solutions are already within reach: solar panels, electric vehicles, and circular production processes. But how do you ensure that these sustainable innovations are actually adopted by society? In the Bachelor's in Public Administration, the focus is on how to align policy, governance, and technology to enable real change. Think of making homes more energy-efficient, campaigns against fast fashion, or laws that impose extra taxes on heavily polluting industries.
You’ll learn how governments, companies, and citizens work together on solutions to societal challenges – and which approaches are effective, and which are not. This study programme combines insights from public administration and technology to tackle social issues. You’ll develop a broad perspective and practical skills to contribute to a sustainable future – not just in theory, but also in policy and practice.
Mechanical Engineering
As a mechanical engineer, you can make a big impact in the field of sustainability. Think of developing energy technologies such as wind turbines or heat pumps, or designing aircraft that consume less fuel. You could also apply smart manufacturing technologies like 3D printing and robotics to reduce the use of resources.
In the Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering, you’ll become an expert in designing, improving, and maintaining machines, devices, and processes that are all around us. In addition to gaining scientific knowledge, you’ll also develop strong practical skills through hands-on projects. You can study this bachelor’s at the University of Twente in Enschede - or at Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam!
The study programmes listed above are just a selection from the wide range of bachelor's programmes offered at the University of Twente. Sustainability is an important theme in many more programmes. Don’t see your preferred study programme listed? Take a look at the full overview of bachelor's degrees at the University of Twente!
The next step: are you eligible?
Have you found a study that interests you? The next step is to check whether you meet the entry requirements. Engineering programmes usually require specific mathematics qualifications, and some also require physics and/or chemistry. Be sure to check the exact entry requirements for your chosen programme on our website.
Still unsure which programme is the best fit? Come and experience student life at the University of Twente! Plan an online meet-up with a student, where you’ll attend lectures alongside a current student in your chosen programme. It is a great way to get a feel for the course and compare different options. Or visit an Online Open Day or an Open Day on campus, to gather even more information! Research, experience, and then make your decision. No matter which study programme you choose, studying at the University of Twente enables you to make a valuable contribution to a more sustainable world.
