Student Life in Utrecht | HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht

Studying at HU University of Applied Sciences means studying in a beautiful medieval city – one of the oldest in the Netherlands. Hosting 70,000 students from 125 countries – almost a quarter of the city’s population – Utrecht is a real academic melting pot.

Check out colourful & buzzing Utrecht

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View of Neude plaza in Utrecht with terraces and bars

We understand you want a good uni-life balance, and Utrecht will take care of that! Its lively, cosmopolitan student scene provides plenty of opportunities to enrich your time here. Very much geared towards young people, Utrecht offers great shopping and an eclectic selection of cinemas, theatres and music venues. The old city is bursting with pubs, clubs and affordable restaurants. One of the nicest things of Utrecht is the lively buzz of its canals. While boats and canoes pass by, you can have a beer or try a Dutch meatball in one of the bars or restaurants at the docks.

The city of Utrecht (and its namesake province) is located in centre of the Netherlands, making it ideal for exploring the country (and beyond!)
Utrecht Central Station is the railway hub of the country, with frequent links to Amsterdam (25 mins.) and Schiphol International Airport (30 mins.)
According to BBC, Utrecht is the happiest place in the world
Utrecht is Europe’s most competitive region
85% of Utrecht’s residents are trilingual
82% of the locals move around the city by foot or bicycle
According to Visit Utrecht, the top 10 must-sees include the canals and shipyards, the Dom Tower and the Miffy Museum.

You will find that some extracurricular activities are the cherry on the pie that is your life as a student. We offer many activities on and off-campus for you to partake in.

Whether you are a serious athlete or just enjoy recreational sports, campus-based Olympos Sports Centre offers a full range of facilities and welcomes all HU students, offering a 50% on many activities.

We have three sports halls, four squash courts, two gyms (regular and strength sports), several halls for group lessons, a spinning room.

Plus, we have outdoor football, rugby and hockey pitches, a beach volleyball court, an outdoor climbing wall, survivalrun track, nine all-weather tennis courts and a nice sports bar.

And finally, more than 30 student sports clubs are associated with Olympos.

Are you into the arts? Head for Parnassos. This cultural centre provides reasonably priced courses and workshops in every field of the arts, including dance, theatre, music, film, creative writing and photography.

With so many international students here, it is no surprise that Utrecht has an active branch of the Erasmus Student Network (ESN). This organisation aims to make you feel at home by bringing you into contact with other students, Dutch and international, and helping you learn more about your host city and country. It offers activities throughout the year, including excursions, parties, international cookery evenings, weekends away, sports days and social events. ESN Utrecht also provides practical help and advice about all aspects of life and study in the Netherlands.