Utrecht University facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Utrecht University

Universiteit Utrecht
Latin: Universitas Rheno-Traiectina Universitas Ultraiectina
Motto	Sol Iustitiae Illustra Nos (Latin)
Motto in English	May the Sun of Righteousness Enlighten Us
Type	Public, research
Established	26 March 1636 (389 years ago) (1636-03-26)
Academic affiliation	CG, LERU, EUA, IAU, TPC, MISA, Utrecht Network
Endowment	€ 643 million (2022)
Budget	€ 2.606 billion (2022) University: € 1.067 billion (2022) Hospital: € 1.539 billion (2022)
Rector	Henk Kummeling
Academic staff	4,253
Administrative staff	4,331
Total staff	8,584
Students	37,675
Location	Utrecht, Utrecht Province , Netherlands 52°05′07″N 05°10′30″E / 52.08528°N 5.17500°E / 52.08528; 5.17500
Campus	Urban
Colours	Yellow, red, black & white

Utrecht University (also called UU) is a big public university in Utrecht, Netherlands. It was started on March 26, 1636, making it one of the oldest universities in the Netherlands. In 2022, nearly 38,000 students studied there. About 8,600 teachers and staff worked at the university.

Utrecht University focuses on important research areas. These include life sciences, finding ways to make our world more sustainable, understanding young people, and studying how societies work. The university values fairness, diversity, and including everyone in its teaching and research.

Many famous people have studied or taught at Utrecht University. This includes 12 people who won a Nobel Prize. It also includes several leaders, like 6 Prime Ministers of the Netherlands. An American Founding Father, Hugh Williamson, also studied here. Students from Utrecht University have even won 10 gold Olympic medals!

A Look Back in Time: History of Utrecht University

Gable decoration at the University Hall building (Academiegebouw).

Bernardus Schotanus, the university's first rector magnificus.

Utrecht University officially opened on March 26, 1636. It grew from a school that started two years earlier. A famous professor named Gisbertus Voetius gave the first speech. Bernardus Schotanus became the university's first leader.

At first, only a few dozen students attended classes. Seven professors taught in four main areas. These were philosophy, theology, medicine, and law. Anna Maria van Schurman was the first female student at the university.

The university grew quickly in the 1600s. It helped the Netherlands during its "Golden Age." A botanical garden was built, and later an observatory for studying stars. Many students came from other countries, like Germany and England. They learned from famous thinkers like René Descartes.

In 1806, during a time when the French ruled the Netherlands, Utrecht University was made into a high school. But in 1813, it became a university again. Utrecht was one of only three universities left in the Netherlands after some areas became part of Belgium.

Around 1850, a group of scientists at Utrecht University became very important. They created special labs where students could learn by doing experiments. In 1918, a school for animal doctors became part of the university.

As the university got bigger, it needed more space. So, in the 1960s, many parts of the university moved. They went to a new campus called Utrecht Science Park De Uithof. However, some university buildings are still in the old city center.

How the University is Organized

Utrecht University Hall (Academiegebouw), built in 1894.

Utrecht University has seven main parts called faculties. These faculties offer many different study programs. Students can choose from 58 undergraduate programs. There are also over 150 graduate programs.

Here are the main faculties and some of their departments:

There are also three special units that work across different faculties:

• University College Utrecht
• University College Roosevelt
• Centre for Education and Learning (COLUU)

Where is the Campus?

Two large faculties, Humanities and Law & Governance, are in the center of Utrecht city. The other five faculties and most of the university's offices are at Utrecht Science Park De Uithof. This is a campus area on the edge of the city.

University College Utrecht and the Utrecht School of Economics are in a building that used to be a military base. University College Roosevelt is in the city of Middelburg, which is in the southwest of the Netherlands.

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  Utrecht Science Park

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  University College

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  Minnaert Building

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  Juridische Bibliotheek (former law library)

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  Student life, Neude square, Utrecht city centre

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  Utrecht University Botanic Gardens

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  David de Wied building

How Good is Utrecht University?

Utrecht University is known as one of the best universities in the world. In 2023, it was ranked 52nd globally by the AWRU. This ranking also placed it as the top university in the Netherlands.

Many of its subjects are also highly ranked. For example, in 2023, its Geography program was ranked 20th in the world. Public Administration was ranked 3rd, and Oceanography was 7th. Veterinary Sciences was ranked 10th.

Another ranking, the USNWR, placed Utrecht University 44th globally in 2022. Its Microbiology program was ranked 6th, and Pharmacology and Toxicology was 9th.

The THE ranked the university 66th in 2023. Education was ranked 24th, and Psychology was 26th.

In the QS by Subject 2023, Veterinary Science was ranked 5th. Geography was 22nd, and Psychology was 24th.

Overall, Utrecht University is considered a leading university. It is often ranked among the top universities in Europe and the world.

Working with Others: Affiliations

Utrecht University works closely with other universities around the world. It is a member of several important groups. These groups help universities share ideas and work together on research.

Some of these groups include:

• Coimbra Group (CG)
• League of European Research Universities (LERU)
• Utrecht Network
• European University Association (EUA)
• International Association of Universities (IAU)
• McDonnell International Scholars Academy (MISA)

Notable alumni and faculty

See also

In Spanish: Universidad de Utrecht para niños

• List of early modern universities in Europe
• Roosevelt Academy International Honors College of Utrecht University located in Middelburg, Zeeland
• University College Utrecht International Honors College of Utrecht University located in Utrecht
• Utrecht Network
• Utrecht School of the Arts
• Utrecht Summer School
• Utrecht University of Applied Sciences (HU – Hogeschool Utrecht)
• Codex Boreelianus
• Open Access Scholarly Publishers Association, of which Utrecht University Library is a founding member
• Bijvoet Centre for Biomolecular Research, a research institute of Utrecht University in the field of molecular Life Sciences