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	€ 677 million (2023)
Budget	€ 2.800 billion (2023) University: € 1.157 billion (2023) Hospital: € 1.643 billion (2023)
Rector	Wilco Hazeleger
Academic staff	4,499
Administrative staff	4,430
Total staff	8,929
Students	39,679
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 (UU) is a public research university in Utrecht, Netherlands. It was started on March 26, 1636. This makes it one of the oldest universities in the Netherlands.

In 2023, nearly 40,000 students studied there. About 9,000 teachers and staff worked at the university. The university awarded over 400 PhD degrees in 2023. It also published more than 7,700 scientific articles.

Utrecht University focuses on research in several key areas. These include life sciences and ways to make things sustainable. They also study how young people develop and how societies work. The university works closely with other schools around the world. It is part of groups like the Coimbra Group and the League of European Research Universities.

University History

Gable decoration at the University Hall building.

Bernardus Schotanus, the university's first leader.

Utrecht University began on March 26, 1636. Before that, it was a school called the Illustrious School of Utrecht. This school started two years earlier in 1634.

When the university opened, a famous theology professor named Gisbertus Voetius gave the first speech. Bernardus Schotanus, a professor of law and math, became the first leader. Anna Maria van Schurman, the university's first female student, wrote a Latin poem for the opening.

At first, only a few dozen students attended classes. Seven professors taught in four main areas. These were philosophy, theology, medicine, and law. Philosophy gave all students a basic education.

Growth and Challenges

Utrecht University grew a lot in the 1600s. It helped the Dutch Golden Age to flourish. However, it had competition from older universities. These included Leiden University and the University of Groningen. Leiden was a very strong competitor, and this rivalry still exists today.

The university built a botanical garden. Three years later, an astronomical observatory was added. Many students from other countries came to study in Utrecht. They came from places like Germany, England, and Scotland.

They learned about new ideas in philosophy. They also saw debates between different thinkers. One famous person who lived in Utrecht for a few years was René Descartes.

Changes Over Time

Eleanor Roosevelt received an honorary degree in 1948.

In 1806, during a time of French rule, Utrecht University was changed to a high school. But after the United Kingdom of the Netherlands was formed in 1813, it became a university again.

Utrecht was one of five universities in the new country. Two of these universities later became part of Belgium. This left Utrecht as one of only three Dutch universities. During the French rule, a palace was built in Utrecht. This building later became the University Library.

Utrecht University was important in Dutch science during the 1800s. A group of scientists called the "Utrechtian School" formed around 1850. They created teaching laboratories. These were practical places for students to learn. In 1918, the National Veterinary School became the university's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.

As the university got bigger, its old buildings in the city center became too small. So, starting in the 1960s, many parts of the university moved. They moved to the De Uithof campus. This campus is on the edge of the city. However, the university still uses some of its historic buildings in the city center.

How the University Works

Utrecht University Hall, built in 1894.

The university has seven main parts called faculties. These faculties offer many different study programs. There are 58 programs for undergraduate students. There are also over 150 programs for graduate students.

Here are the 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)

University Campuses

The Faculties of Humanities and Law & Governance are in the center of Utrecht city. The other five faculties and most of the university's offices are at the 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 the former Kromhout Kazerne. This used to be a Dutch military base. University College Roosevelt is in the city of Middelburg, Zeeland. This city 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

University Rankings

Utrecht University is known as one of the top universities in the world. Different groups rank universities each year.

In 2024, the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) placed Utrecht University 55th globally. This was the highest ranking for any university in the Netherlands. Some of its best subjects included public administration, water resources, and pharmacy.

The 2024 U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities Ranking put Utrecht University at 46th worldwide. It was highly ranked for subjects like microbiology, geosciences, and meteorology.

In 2023, the Times Higher Education World University Rankings ranked the university 66th. Its education and psychology programs were especially well-ranked.

The 2025 QS World University Rankings by subject showed strong results for Utrecht. It was ranked 8th for veterinary science and 17th for geophysics.

In 2024, a company called Clarivate ranked Utrecht University 44th in the world. It was 7th in Europe. Many of its researchers are highly cited, meaning their work is often used by other scientists.

Utrecht University was also ranked 60th worldwide in the BlueSky Ranking Of University Rankings for 2022/23. This ranking combines results from several major university lists. It was ranked 1st in the Netherlands in this list.

University Connections

Utrecht University is part of several important international groups. These connections help the university work with other schools around the world.

It is a member of:

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

The university also has special partnerships with other universities. These include KU Leuven, University College London, Chinese University of Hong Kong, University of Toronto, and University of Sydney.

Famous People from Utrecht University

Many famous people have studied or taught at Utrecht University. This includes 12 people who won the Nobel Prize. Others have won the Pulitzer Prize and other major awards.

Several leaders of countries have graduated from Utrecht University. This includes members of the Dutch royal house. Six Prime Ministers of the Netherlands also studied there. Many government ministers have also been alumni.

Students from Utrecht University have also won 13 gold Olympic medals.

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