Radboud University: What it's really like

Want to study in the oldest city in the Netherlands, but on a modern, green campus? Radboud could be your place!

Radboud University at a glance:

Stephanie, a former international student at Radboud and part of the university’s marketing and recruitment team, shares what it’s like to study there.

What is Radboud University?

Radboud University is located just outside Nijmegen, the Netherlands, which is close to the German border. The university offers 14 bachelor’s and 35 master’s degrees taught in English, as well exchange PhDs and a summer school taught in English.

There are currently 24,663 students at the university, with international students making up 10.6% of the student body.

There’s a focus on small-scale, informal teaching, with many lecturers happy to be referred to on a first-name basis. As a research university, all our professors are also researchers, and they strive to integrate their findings into their teaching.

Why apply to Radboud?

One reason you should apply to Radboud is the atmosphere on-campus. It’s unusual to find a campus university in the Netherlands – most are spread in various locations across cities – so students appreciate that you can access all university buildings in one place here.

The campus is also very green, and with the city of Nijmegen such a short bike ride away, the university strikes that balance of cosy and convenient.

You can also take up a social Dutch course here if you’re not Dutch and you fancy learning!

Who isn’t the right fit for Radboud?

We currently don’t teach engineering, fine arts, or agricultural sciences here at Radboud, so we would encourage you to look elsewhere if you want to study one of those subjects.

Because we are a research university, teaching here is also very theoretical. So if you’re more interested in learning practical skills, a university which offers, for example, applied sciences may be a better choice for you.

Any application tips? 

Star the application process early. Entry requirements vary from programme to programme, so make sure to check our website for the requirements of the programmes you’re interested in.

If it’s offered, make sure to also take the eligibility check, or ‘e-check’ as we call it. This will check what your previous education is and give you an idea of whether you’re likely to be admitted or not, as well as highlight any areas where you might need to develop your knowledge.

What’s the location like?

Nijmegen is the oldest city in the Netherlands, dating back to Roman times. It’s a small university city; there are three universities based here, so about a third of the city’s population are students, giving the city a young and vibrant feel. Our students can access the city centre in about 10 minutes by bike.

What our students say they appreciate the most is the ‘small town’ feel, and yet they say that there’s never nothing to do. There are lots of cultural events and festivals going on here, as well plenty of bars, pubs, and cafes to choose from.

The city of Nijmegen is also surrounded by green areas, which are great for cycling or hiking.

What facilities does Radboud have to offer?

Radboud has very modern facilities on-campus; we strive to be a sustainable campus, so our newest buildings here are energy neutral. Teaching and learning facilities include a theatre hall, and a language centre, where you can take up learning Dutch or a different language if you’d like to.

We have a very large sports centre, offering more than 80 different sports with professional guidance for wellbeing and relaxation.

The campus also has a range of cafes, restaurants, a pub, and a small supermarket for grocery shopping.

What’s the accommodation like?

Radboud University has made arrangements with Nijmegen’s Student Housing Association (SSH&) so that BA students can register for the lottery for a room from 1 June, provided you have a letter of acceptance from the university. If you win a room via this lottery, you can stay in it for the duration of your BA programme. Most student rooms are unfurnished, but are close to the campus and can easily be reached by bus or by bike.

If you'd prefer to try and find a room yourself, check the Accommodation page on our website for advice and networks that could help.
 

How does the university meet the needs of students with different accessibility requirements?

At Radboud we want to offer all our students the same opportunities, and so we are a very inclusive university as a result. For instance, we try to be as gender-neutral as possible, encouraging our students and staff to be mindful of each other’s pronouns.

For those with mobility needs, the campus is wheelchair accessible; and for those who require additional academic support, we have study advisors available even before you start your degree, to help plan your study approach and inform lecturers of your needs if you’d like them to. 

Want to explore more Dutch universities? Remember, Unifrog’s Shortlisting tool can help you put together a list of great potential courses.