University College Roosevelt: What it's really like
Find out about University College Roosevelt
Looking for a small university with a big international community? University College Roosevelt could be a great fit!
Roosevelt at a glance:
| Founded | 2004 |
| Locations | Middelburg, The Netherlands |
| Undergraduate course length | Three years |
| Courses | The university is organised into four departments: Arts and Humanities; Engineering; Science and Social Science. |
| Students | 600 |
| Great for | Students wanting a ‘family’ feel from their university experience, and the chance to create a tailored programme. |
| Not for | Students looking for big city life, or those who are set on studying one subject only. |
Denise Nijhuis, Coordinator Global Student Recruitment and Admissions at University College Roosevelt, explains what makes the university stand out and how to make sure you get a place.
What is Roosevelt?
University College Roosevelt is a very small university based in Middelburg, in the southwestern part of The Netherlands. The university has just 600 students, but just over 50% of them are international, giving a diverse feel despite its small size.
Roosevelt offers a Liberal arts and Sciences curriculum, which can lead to BA or BSc degree - you compose your curriculum as you see fit.
As everyone lives on campus - which is quite unusual for universities in The Netherlands - there is a community feel to life here. The university believes in education extending beyond the classroom.
Why apply to Roosevelt?
You have the freedom to make your own programme at Roosevelt. You could combine Mathematics and Music, or Economics, History and Politics… and that’s the beauty of it! There’s a wealth of students studying different things, all learning together, creating a rich experience.
Studying at Roosevelt also means you’ll get guaranteed housing at an affordable rate. The university therefore offers a safe and smooth transition into living on campus, which might be especially appealing for those who have travelled from abroad.
Who isn’t the right fit for Roosevelt?
Roosevelt is not for everyone. If you’re looking for a big city, Middelburg is perhaps not the location for you.
You’re also not only able to combine your degree subjects - you have to. So if you’re interested in one discipline or know exactly what you want and which single discipline you love, this is not the best route for you.
Any application tips?
Roosevelt is looking for the kind of student who is excited about learning new things. When it comes to motivation and interview, they want to get to know you. Do you fit the model of a small-scale university, where you’ll be expected to join discussions and group projects? Are you inspired by being part of an international community?
It’s also wise to do your research. Use the university’s website and social media channels to reach out to existing students, and get a sense of whether the university is for you.
What’s the location like?
Roosevelt is located in Middelburg, in the south-west of the Netherlands, on the Belgian border. It’s a historic town with about 50,000 inhabitants with lots of cobbled streets and places to explore.
When you step out of university, you step straight onto Market Square with all its shops and restaurants. The university is also on a peninsula, so it’s easy to reach a beach within 15 minutes in any direction.
For students looking for bigger cities, it’s about a one-hour train ride to Rotterdam or to Brussels.
What facilities does Roosevelt have to offer?
As Roosevelt is a smaller university, so for local facilities like libraries and gyms, the university uses local facilities. The library uses an inter-library loan system.
There are plenty of study spaces, in both academic buildings and Elliott, the common house. There is a new building for engineering and biochemical science students, including a mechatronics lab.
Common House Elliott is the social hub of the university. You can have a meeting, do group work, play games, eat and drink here. It’s a social spot and
What is the accommodation like?
Roosevelt is one of the few residential universities in the Netherlands. However, the campus is spread out, so the university is located in the former town hall of the city, and there are four different accommodation locations surrounding this.
In one of the campuses, there is a street of ten traditional-style Dutch houses with ten or 16 students living together in each. In the other three campuses, you would have a studio apartment to yourself, with a small bedroom and bathroom to yourself. In these, laundry facilities and kitchens are shared.
It’s a requirement for students to live on-campus at Roosevelt, so you will be here for the duration of your degree. All accommodation is unfurnished though, so you can make it your own!
Want to explore more European universities? Remember, Unifrog’s Shortlisting tool can help you put together a list of great potential courses.