Utrecht University is one of Europe’s leading research universities, recognized internationally for its high-quality, innovative approach to both research and teaching. Founded in 1636, the University has always focused strongly on research. Owing to its solid grounding in discipline-based scholarship, Utrecht University is at the forefront of developments in interdisciplinary knowledge. The University participates in various thematic multi-disciplinary collaborations that conduct excellent research. In the Shanghai Ranking, Utrecht University ranks 48th worldwide, 12th in Europe and 1st in the Netherlands.

Research

In the field of Life Sciences Utrecht University has achieved a world-class position. Utrecht University is home to the only faculty of Veterinary Medicine in the Netherlands. Given the intimate relationship between animal and human health, the joint research programmes of both the faculty of Veterinary Medicine and the University Medical Center Utrecht constitute a unique centre of excellence. The faculty of Veterinary Medicine plays a vital role in the different themes of Utrecht Life Sciences. The molecular life sciences represent an outstanding research area within the faculty of Science and are aimed at the fundamental mechanisms of life. This ambitious search for understanding life has a unique profile in Utrecht, which ranges from studying biological systems and key molecules to manipulation of these molecules to develop new medicines. The research is linked to that of the Hubrecht Institute, the University Medical Center Utrecht and the faculty of Veterinary Medicine. By searching fundamental knowledge of both life and diseases, the faculty of Science provides an essential base for the Utrecht themes of Public Health – One Health and Cancer, Regenerative Medicine & Stem Cells. 

Education

All Utrecht Master’s programmes that deal with micro-organisms, plants, animals, humans, the molecules of life, and with the study of health and disease, are brought together in the Graduate School of Life Sciences, which is a joint effort between Utrecht University and the University Medical Center Utrecht. Within this School, training and education of master’s and PhD students are combined, thus integrating theory and practice on both levels and allowing overall quality control and consistency. 

The Master’s and PhD programmes are linked to renowned Utrecht research areas and combine the expertise and education facilities of the Faculties of Science (Biology, Chemistry, Pharmacy) and Social & Behavioural Sciences (Psychology), with the fundamental and clinical research and education of the faculties of Medicine (University Medical Center Utrecht) and Veterinary Medicine. This combination is unique in the Netherlands, and even Europe, and has gained a strong international reputation in biomedical and life sciences education.