34,000 Students and 47 Research Centers
Today, HAN is one of the largest universities of applied sciences in the Netherlands. As of October 2024, the university has 34,321 enrolled students from 114 countries. It offers 56 bachelor’s programs, 20 master’s programs, and 19 associate degree programs.
Even more impressive is its research landscape—the university features 47 research centers and 7 specialized research centers focused on practice-oriented applied research, covering cutting-edge fields such as automotive engineering, life sciences, data science, and sustainable energy. As one international student remarked, “The labs here aren’t just for show; they’re places where we collaborate with companies to solve real-world problems.”
Engineering in Arnhem, Life Sciences in Nijmegen
HAN’s two campuses have a clear division of academic disciplines:
The Arnhem Campus is a hub for engineering: Automotive Engineering (closely tied to the Dutch automotive industry), Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Embedded Systems, International Business, and Communication are all based here. The campus is just a few minutes’ drive from Arnhem Central Station and features a multimedia center, cafés, meditation rooms, and sports facilities. Smoking is prohibited on campus, emphasizing a healthy learning environment.
The Nijmegen Campus, on the other hand, focuses on life sciences and health: Chemistry, Life Sciences, and Molecular Biosciences are its flagship programs, equipped with state-of-the-art laboratory facilities. From here, it’s just a few minutes’ bike ride to the forest, and on weekends you can explore the city center—Nijmegen is the oldest city in the Netherlands and one of the university towns with the highest proportion of young people.
International Students: IELTS 6.0 is the minimum requirement
For Chinese students, HAN’s admission requirements are relatively accessible:
English Language Requirements: IELTS 6.0 (with no band score below 5.0), or TOEFL iBT 80
Tuition: Approximately €9,320 per year for non-EU students (about 73,000 RMB), significantly lower than comparable institutions in the UK and the US
Living Expenses: Approximately €1,000 per month (including accommodation, meals, insurance, etc.), which is considered average for the Netherlands
Application Deadlines: May 1 for non-EU students applying for September enrollment; October 1 for February enrollment
The university also offers scholarships and has a financial guarantee system for non-EU students to ensure they have sufficient funds to cover living expenses during their stay in the Netherlands.
A “Hidden Champion” Not Included in the QS Rankings
Interestingly, you’ll struggle to find HAN in the comprehensive university rankings by QS or THE—because it is a University of Applied Sciences rather than a research university. However, this does not mean it lacks recognition. In domestic student satisfaction surveys in the Netherlands, HAN consistently ranks among the top institutions, with a student satisfaction rate of 68% in 2024.
