NEW: ATLAS University College for excellent BSc students

The first University College in the Netherlands combining Technology and Liberal Arts & Sciences in its curriculum opened doors in September 2013. ATLAS stands for Academy of Technology and Liberal Arts & Sciences. This Bachelor of Science honours programme is intended to high-performing students who are interested not only in the humanities subjects, such as history, literature, political studies, and science subjects – biology, physics, mathematics, but foremost are driven by technology.

The first freshmen class of ATLAS started studies in September. A group of national and international students soon felt like at home. And rightly so, since they had to study and live together in the ATLAS residence on campus of University of Twente in the Netherlands.

The founding class of ATLAS have left behind their first milestones and reminiscence about what had happened to them in the first year of being the ATLAS students:

their first online lecture with Jamie Hyneman from MythBusters series at Discovery Channel and, consequently, the Freshmen project, where students had to bust a socially accepted myth whilst using scientific reasoning;
the first semester’s project about Human Movement, where students had to develop a feedback system to improve the regional rowing team’s performance, followed by the second semester’s project dealing with system creation for alternative Renewable Energy for the local county.

In the following semesters students are going to work on the projects with various themes: Nano-Robotics, Tracers for Personal Safety, Smart 3D printing, the feasibility of a Mars Space Station.

Next to their exciting and challenging study curriculum, ATLAS students are also encouraged to have a busy an fulfilling social life:

the first Christmas concert organized and performed solely by ATLAS students’ orchestra; as well as the ATLAS students’ team participation in a Batavierenrace, which is the biggest student relay race in the world;
a start-up of ATLAS students own Student Association- ATLANTIS and engagement in voluntary activities across the campus.

ATLAS – a different University College

What sets ATLAS apart from other University Colleges and bachelor’s programmes?

ATLAS is the first interdisciplinary University College in the Netherlands that combines Technology with Liberal Arts & Sciences. Offering a unique approach to learning, the programme is project-led and cantered around real-world themes, enabling you to integrate and apply your knowledge directly within the programme.
At ATLAS University College students learn by doing. Around 50% of curriculum consists of cooperative project work in teams of 4-8 students on design or research projects. The projects are overseen by coaches and tutors who monitor progress and provide guidance. Short workshops are included to transfer knowledge, contribute expert experience and to practice skills. This type of learning is called a Project-led education, which complements the teaching method (Twente Education Model) implemented at the University of Twente.
On top of the regular courses, all students take on a personal pursuit allowing them to add a personal broadening or deepening to their academic experience.
Twice the contact hours of a traditional study programme with instruction from a dynamic team of teachers from a variety of academic disciplines. Moreover, each student is assigned to its personal mentor – a teacher, who guides and encourages the student in reaching its own personal learning goals. Having set the bar of expectations higher than in other bachelor’s programmes, means that this programme is aimed at high-performing students.
Guaranteed on-campus accommodation on the only true campus university of the Netherlands setting is guaranteed for selected students.

What students are we looking for?

The ATLAS University College is for ambitious and bright students who are interested and do excel in various subjects at school – not only in physics and mathematics but also in, for instance, history and literature. ATLAS is a Bachelor of Science honours programme for students who need a challenge in their studies. It is a programme for students who are passionate about the technical solutions but are also concerned about their societal implications. Foremost, it is a programme for those who care.

What can you do after completing ATLAS?

After completing this three years programme students will receive a Bachelor of Science honours degree in Technology and Liberal Arts & Sciences and will be able to enter a wide range of Master of Science programmes in the Netherlands and abroad. Depending on the choices you make along the way in your study curriculum you will be eligible for both technical and social master’s programmes.

ATLAS and University of Twente

ATLAS University College is a part of University of Twente – one of the technically most advanced and entrepreneurial universities in the Netherlands. University of Twente is proud of ATLAS as it is embodying everything that it stands and breaths for: a close collaboration between technology and social sciences, an entrepreneurial leadership and excellence in education. Even in the university’s slogan “High Tech Human Touch” reflects its strive to connect technology and social sciences.

Read about University of Twente and its English-taught Bachelor of Science or Master of Science programmes.

Find out more about ATLAS University College:
Contact ATLAS team:
atlas@utwente.nl