University College Venlo

1. September. Selective admission with intake in Septmeber and February

University College Venlo starts in September and in February.

Rankings & Recognition

UCV has been ranked as the #3 Liberal Arts and Sciences programme in the Dutch University Guide: Keuzegids 2020, a top rated programme. Elsevier ‘Best Studies’ 2019 has ranked University College Venlo (UCV) as the second best Liberal Arts and Sciences programme in the Netherlands. Maastricht University is placed tenth place in the 2019 Times Higher Education (THE) 'Young Universities' ranking for best young universities in the world. UM is proud to have its continued efforts, for example toward internationalisation, affirmed in this THE ranking 

Why this programme?

University College Venlo (UCV) is unique. You follow your interests and select your own courses. This enables you to study issues related to health, nutrition and business in an interdisciplinary manner. It has been recognised that food can be regarded as medicine and that food can be used in either the prevention or the treatment of various chronic diseases.

With the help of your personal academic advisor, you build a tailor-made bachelor's programme. For example, you can study the topic Nutritional Pharmacotherapy (medicine 2.0) together with Social Psychology. The central part of your study programme is made up by courses within the concentration of your choice: Social sciences, Life sciences or a mixture of the two (Interdisciplinary). In the Social sciences concentration, you can choose courses in the various fields of the social sciences. For instance, Psychology of eating, Economics and/or Behaviour change. The Life sciences concentration offers courses like Biology, Epidemiology of Food, Pharmacology & Toxicology and Datamining. Combining courses from different disciplines will help you to develop a distinct academic profile. (The combining of courses) It also helps you to be perfectly adapted to the master’s programme of your choice or for the professional position that you are aiming for.

Active learning

At UCV we value academic curiosity and personal contact. Our Problem-Based Learning (PBL) and Research-Based Learning (RBL) settings stimulate active learning. With PBL and RBL, you deal with academic and practical problems that challenge you to formulate the questions you need to understand the problem. Combining work in small groups and individual research, you seek solutions to problems and get feedback to help you refine your answers. You are in control of your own education. A tutor is there to facilitate your learning. This format helps you retain information better, teaches you to think about problems independently and develops your interpersonal skills.

All teaching at UCV takes place in small groups with a maximum 12 students. This small-scale setting encourages you to be active in class, gives you space to develop your ideas and ensures that you receive attention from tutors. RBL is aimed at actively developing your research skills. Skills training and projects will be research driven. And through our close ties to local industry, you can apply your knowledge and skills in professional contexts and will gain the practical experience employers are looking for.

Courses and curriculum

At UCV, you can choose to focus on one of our two concentrations: Social sciences or Life sciences. Each concentration offers a wide variety of courses in different disciplines. The Social sciences concentration lets you choose for example courses in psychology, sociology, economics, health management, public health or law. The Life sciences concentration offers courses in biology, chemistry, informatics and physiology. You may also opt for an interdisciplinary concentration. You choose courses from both concentrations to create a truly broad profile.

Social Sciences (BA), for example:

• Principles of Economics
• Psychology of Eating
• Entrepreneurship
• Finance and Investments
• Sustainable Development
• International Trade Law
• Culture Politics and Society

Life Sciences (BSc), for example:

• Plant Biology and Agriculture
• Sports Nutrition and Physiology
• Biochemistry
• Food Innovation / Food Safety
• Public Health Implementation and Evaluation
• Calculus
• Data Analysis

At UCV you must complete a core of four mandatory courses. This core provides knowledge and skills all UCV graduates must have:

• Modeling Nature
• Philosophy of Science
• Globalisation: World Politics and Economics and
• World Orientation: An Introduction to Cultural Studies.
  

To stimulate all students to broaden their horizon UCV has a general education requirement: all students have to take some courses outside their concentration.

Skills Trainings & Projects

At UCV, you will be trained in research skills such as writing a research proposal, conducting research and presenting outcomes. You will also choose a number of more specific skills trainings, for example on laboratory skills in biochemistry or molecular cell biology or quantitative research methods.

At the end of each semester, you will work with your fellow students on a project that helps you to integrate the knowledge and skills you have learned in your courses. Your project, which will involve some research, may result in a debate or conference, an advisory report or an innovative product.

Your capstone is your final project integrates everything you've learned into one comprehensive research study or product. You'll dedicate a full semester to this. The research for your capstone may be designed and carried out during an internship or in a university setting.

Career prospects and master’s programmes

Your future

Depending on the concentration you have chosen, you will receive a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree upon graduation. Because you design your own curriculum, the possibilities after graduation are almost endless. Depending on the courses you have taken, you will be eligible for a broad range of master’s programmes at Maastricht University or elsewhere in Europe and beyond. Because of the close link to businesses and a focus on applying knowledge, you will also be well prepared to start your professional career.

Master's programmes

Maastricht University's Campus Venlo currently offers two master’s programmes that follow seamlessly from the bachelor's:

• Health Food Innovation Management
• Global Supply Chain Management and Change

With your UCV diploma, you are eligible for many more master’s programmes in the Netherlands and beyond. During your studies, your academic advisor will help you select the right courses to prepare you for the master's programme of your choice. 

Career prospects

During your studies at UCV you will be in contact with professionals and entrepreneurs in the Venlo region. You can focus on building a profile to work in management & research positions, product development or to work as specialists and analysts. You might find a job as:

• Marketeer in the food industry at companies such as Nestlé or Tony's Chocolonely
• Advisor at a 3D food printing company
• Psychologist in a hospital
• Smart food developer at TNO
• Policymaker at the World Health Organisation
• Entrepreneur with the Sustainable Food Fund
• Legal food claims advisor for quality labels such as Eko, Bio and Demeter

If you are interested in starting up your own company, our focus on teaching you how to innovate and turn knowledge into marketable ideas will help strengthen your sense of entrepreneurship.

Campus Venlo and Maastricht University

UCV started at Maastricht University's satellite campus in Venlo in September 2015. Venlo is one of the major food and logistics hubs of the Netherlands, which gives you the chance to gain first-hand professional experience and to develop the skills employers are looking for. As a pioneering student in a new programme, you will also be able to have an impact on how the programme develops and to leave your mark for future students.

From September 2019 onwards, Campus Venlo offers 28 brand new on-campus student studios within walking distance to the market square, restaurants and cafes and opposite to the city cinema. All studios are furnished and have their own kitchen, bathroom, a combined living and bedroom.

Admission requirements

University College Venlo (UCV) is a selective programme. This means that you go through a selection process after applying. The UCV Board of Admissions decides whether you will be invited to study here. The selection process is designed to help the Board of Admissions assess whether there is a match between your academic interests and what UCV has to offer you. With your Abitur you are, in principle, directly admissible. Please check the University College Venlo website for more in-depth information.

Contact:

University College Venlo
Nassaustraat 36
5911 BV Venlo
The Netherlands

Phone: +31 43 388 3177
Email: ucv-info@maastrichtuniversity.nl
Internet: www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/ucv

Instagram: www.instagram.com/ucvenlo

Facebook: www.facebook.com/UniversityCollegeVenlo

Twitter: www.twitter.com/UMCampusVenlo