UMD Exchange: University College Utrecht (Netherlands)

All students accepted to an Exchange program are automatically considered for an award of $1,000! See Cost tab for more information.

Host Institution
University College Utrecht is the international Honors College of Utrecht University. UCU offers an academic education in the spirit of liberal arts and sciences. Students and teachers are eager to excel in a small-scale, educational setting.

There are more than fifty nationalities among UCU students. About 35% of the students have a non-Dutch nationality. UCU students bring in diversity with regard to talents, experiences, lifestyles and learning styles, religions, mother tongues, and social and cultural backgrounds. In combination with the residential setting, this rich diversity offers plenty of opportunity for intercultural encounter, deepening of intercultural understanding, and for friendships across the globe.

The international composition and diversity of the student body is an important asset in many classes, where diversity of perspectives matters. The diversity in cultural, linguistic, and geographical backgrounds of the students is often used in classroom discussions, in order to gain a richer understanding of issues under study.

Host City
Utrecht is a lively city in the geographical center of the Netherlands. It is not only an important junction where traffic, trade, distribution, and services meet and mingle, but also a true knowledge center. Apart from Utrecht University it houses important research institutes and several other institutes of higher education. With its 300,000 inhabitants, Utrecht is the fourth largest city in the Netherlands and with no less than 50,000 of the inhabitants being students; Utrecht is a real student city. In terms of culture, Utrecht is a real festival city, with festivals like the Spring Dance Festival, the Holland Early Music Festival, The Holland Animation Festival, and the Dutch Film Festival. When not hosting a festival, Utrecht is the stage for the ‘Cultural Sundays’ - cultural events inspired by a location, theme, or particular art form. Utrecht is a vibrant and modern city, watch this video to learn more!

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Exchange programs are highly competitive and space in each program is limited. You must meet the following eligibility requirements in order to apply to this program:

• 3.0 GPA
• Completion of 2 semesters at UMD
• This program gives preference to students in the Honors College. All students are encouraged to apply.

Exchange programs are a good fit for students looking for immersion, personal growth, and the opportunity to strengthen qualities such as independence and adaptability.

Student Visa Information
A student visa is required for participation on this exchange. For more information, please visit our study abroad visa guide to view instructions for the country you will be visiting. Please note that visa information is subject to change and you are responsible for checking the embassy website  for updates.

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1. Click "Apply Now" at the top of this page. You will log in with your UMD directory ID and password.
2. Submit all application materials by the deadline listed below. This includes meeting with your EA advisor (listed at the top of this page), and may include requesting a faculty letter of recommendation, and submitting an official transcript. If a letter of recommendation and/or official transcript are required, it will be listed in MyEA once you start an application for this program. 
3. After the application deadline, we will review all completed applications and nominate students for available spots in each exchange program.
4. If you are nominated to participate in this exchange, you will work with your EA advisor (listed above) to apply directly to the host university, who will formally admit you to the exchange program. Nominated students must complete the host university application in accordance with the host university’s stated deadlines and instructions.
5. Nominated students will then work with their EA advisor (listed above) and our partner universities to coordinate all aspects of the stay at the host university such as course registration, visas and arrival.

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Academic Planning

Visit the Academics & Study Abroad page which outlines key considerations for your academic planning as you navigate different phases of study abroad:

• Pre-Departure Course Selection & Approval
• Finalizing Course Enrollment Abroad
• Transcripts and Credits on your UMD Record

Coursework

University College Utrecht offers coursework in Humanities, Science, and Social Science.  All fields and courses are open to exchange students but some courses are highly competitive and not guaranteed. Please note that UCU cannot guarantee courses. Students are asked to submit 8 preferred courses (4 first choice and 4 alternative courses) per semester at the time of application to UCU.  The language of instruction at UCU is English.

Courses are in high demand in Psychology, Sociology, and Anthropology. Students requesting courses in these areas must have a high degree of flexibility.

 

There may be other course offerings on this program that are not currently listed in the Study Abroad Course Database (SACD).  If you are interested in taking a course not listed in the SACD, please submit a transfer credit evaluation request.
 

Credit

All credit you earn on this program will count as transfer credit towards your UMD degree.  Most courses at University College Utrecht will be converted as follows:

University College Utrecht Credit	UMD Credit
1 UCU ECTS credit	0.5 UMD credit
6 UCU ECTS credits	3 UMD credits

The chart above was last approved by the UMD Transfer Credit Committee on November 13, 2014.

Grading

Undergraduates must receive a C- equivalent or better in order to be eligible for the transfer of credit.

University College Utrecht Grade	UMD Grade
6	C -

 

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University College Utrecht guarantees accommodation for international exchange students.  All students are required to live on the UCU campus and to participate in the meal plan which is offered.  Students accepted to UCU live in a unit with 6 to 12 other Dutch and international students.  Every student lives in a single room with a shared bathroom, living room, and kitchenette.

You can learn more about accommodation on the University College Utrecht website.
 

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Exchange Program Cost of Attendance
UMD students participating in an Exchange program have the benefit of paying UMD tuition rates to attend an institution abroad. For specific information about this Exchange program, please reference the Cost of Attendance Chart.
 

Tuition and fees for exchange programs are charged directly to your UMD account, which means you can apply UMD scholarships, state and federal financial aid, and alternative loans towards the cost of an exchange. Housing costs are paid directly to the host institution or on-site housing agency.

You can use the cost of attendance comparison worksheet to view how study abroad programs compare to each other and the amount you pay on campus at UMD. As always, your EA advisor (listed above) is available to help you complete this worksheet and find affordable programs that fit your study abroad goals.

Exchange Scholarship
All students accepted to an Exchange program are considered for an automatic award of $1,000! To be considered for this scholarship, you must:

• Be a current degree seeking undergraduate UMD student (graduate students are not eligible for this award)
• Not currently receive full tuition scholarship/benefits (i.e. Banneker Key, tuition remission, Frederick Douglass Scholarship, etc.)

Additional Financial Resources

• Financial Aid
• Scholarships
• Financial Policies

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Maximize your time abroad by taking advantage of resources at your host institution!

Student Clubs and Organizations
UCU has both a University College Student Association that assists students in all aspects of student life and an Academic Student Council that assists students in all aspects of academic life. They also offer 150+ clubs for all students!

International Welcome/Orientation
UCU offers an orientation program for all international students where they can meet other students and get a firsthand experience of Dutch student life.

Counseling & Health Services
UCU has many health professionals in the local area including dentists, doctors, pharmacies, and hospitals. They also offer mental health services for all students. 
 

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