University College Roosevelt: A Liberal Arts and Sciences Education in the Heart of Zeeland

University College Roosevelt (UCR), located in Middelburg, Netherlands, offers a unique undergraduate experience rooted in the liberal arts and sciences. As an international honors college of Utrecht University, UCR provides a residential setting where students construct their own academic program tailored to their individual interests. This interdisciplinary approach prepares students for a complex world, fostering critical thinking, adaptability, and a global perspective.

The Liberal Arts and Sciences Approach

The core of UCR's educational philosophy lies in the belief that today's complex problems demand multifaceted solutions. The Liberal Arts and Sciences concept encourages students to explore a wide range of disciplines, moving beyond a mono-disciplinary approach. Students can choose courses from various fields, including arts and humanities, social sciences, science, and engineering. This interdisciplinary approach fosters a well-rounded education, allowing students to connect different areas of knowledge and develop a comprehensive understanding of the world.

Tailoring Your Academic Journey

At University College Roosevelt, students have the freedom to design their own curriculum within certain requirements. After the first year, students declare a Major, which serves as the main focus of their studies. Majors are offered in four departments: Arts & Humanities, Social Science, Science, or Engineering. Another option is to pursue an Interdepartmental Major, combining two of the four Major fields if one field is too restrictive. Within their chosen Major, students focus on two or three tracks, selecting around 10 courses to specialize within a few disciplines. Students graduating with a major in Arts & Humanities or Social Science receive a Bachelor of Arts degree.

A Residential and International Community

As a hallmark of the UCR experience, students typically live on campus or in housing provided by the college in Middelburg. This residential setting fosters a tight-knit community, where students can interact with peers from diverse backgrounds and engage in collaborative learning experiences. UCR prides itself on its diverse student body and international perspective, creating a vibrant and inclusive environment.

Degree Programs and Academic Focus

Upon completion of their studies, students receive either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree, depending on their major fields of study. The curriculum is designed to provide a foundation in academic skills while allowing students the flexibility to explore their interests and develop expertise in their chosen fields. The interdisciplinary nature of the program encourages students to follow classes in different disciplines, broadening their perspectives and enhancing their problem-solving abilities.

Admission and Requirements

Admission to UCR is selective, with applicants required to demonstrate high academic achievement and motivation for a liberal arts and sciences education. Applicants are expected to have excellent academic records and a strong command of English. Non-native speakers must demonstrate a good command of English. Applicants need to have completed secondary education equivalent to the Dutch pre-university diploma (VWO), high school diploma with advanced placement tests, German Abitur, or other similar credentials. UCR has specific application deadlines that vary depending on whether you are applying for the fall or spring semester. Generally, deadlines for international students are set early to allow time for visa processing. Non-EU/EEA students will need to apply for a student visa.

Campus Life and Student Activities

UCR offers a vibrant campus life with numerous student organizations and clubs, ranging from academic and social clubs to sports and arts groups. Students can participate in various sports through local clubs and teams. Middelburg is a historic town with a rich cultural life, providing students with opportunities for cultural integration and exploration.

Housing

At University College Roosevelt, all students have to live on campus, primarily in one of four student housing locations, all within the centre of Middelburg. You don’t need to worry about finding a place to live, as your housing is guaranteed for the duration of your studies at UCR. In some locations, you will have your own private bedroom but share bathroom and kitchen facilities with 9 to 15 other students. In the other locations, you either have your own personal apartment or share a bathroom and kitchen with one other student. Rooms are typically furnished and include internet access. Costs vary by room type and amenities. Utilities may be included, but it's important to check.

Student Support

UCR provides a range of support services to help students succeed academically and personally. The Career Services office helps students prepare for their future careers through internships, resume workshops, and networking events. UCR offers career counseling services to help students understand their career options and navigate their professional paths. Regularly scheduled workshops and seminars cover essential skills such as resume writing, interview preparation, and networking. Internships are a key component of the educational experience at UCR, providing students with practical experience in their field of interest. UCR’s alumni network plays a crucial role in helping current students find job opportunities. The library is a great place for UCR students to study and find materials for their research, but it also holds a few copies of each of the books that are used in class. At the start of your studies in Middelburg, you receive a free library pass from the ZB| Planbureau en Bibliotheek van Zeeland that gives you access to all of these facilities. Your health and well-being are as important to UCR as they are to you, which is why they offer different services to support you. Students can check out the Intranet for more detailed information about on-campus and community health services (i.e. doctors and crisis services). Counsellor MoodLift allows you to access free e-health programmes Well-Being & Skills Workshops.

Student Associations

Upon coming to UCR, you will automatically become a member of the Roosevelt’s All Students Association (RASA), come into contact with the Academic Affairs Council (AAC), the Housing Affairs Council (HAC), and student social hangout Common House Elliott. The Roosevelt's All Students Association (RASA) is a student association open to all students at UCR. RASA is the umbrella organization of many different student-led societies and teams. The Academic Affairs Council (AAC) is mainly responsible for handling academic complaints, monitoring academic standards, representing students as a part of UCR, and helping students academically. It is active in some of the university's major decision making bodies, to ensure student input on different levels. The AAC is also responsible for representing UCR on a national level, at the UCSRN (University College Student Representatives the Netherlands) and ISO (Interstedelijk Studenten Overleg). The Housing Affairs Council (HAC) has multiple functions: HAC represents students’ housing interests and works to ensure good living conditions on campus for a reasonable price. Several sororities and fraternities are present at UCR, providing members with weekly activities and organizing larger events for the wider UCR population. V.S.V Illicio and A.L. Fides are two sororities for women, while O.M.D. Erodios is the college's single fraternity. Additionally there is a student rowing association, M.S.R.A. The RASA Sports Committee, called SportsCo, organizes a variety of sports for students. Regular trainings and events are hosted in various sports centres in Middelburg. Roosevelt runners (RR) is UCR's student running club. During the year, the Roosevelt Runners participate in international competitions such as the Batavierenrace, national races like CPC Loop Den Haag and provincial races all around Zeeland. The Roosevelt College Choir is UCR's official choir, consisting of about 20 students. All members are in the choir at least one academic year, during which they follow the Choir Course. The Choir Course is required for those students following the music performing programme. A yearly dragon boat race known as King of the Channel sees UCR students in competition with students from HZ University of Applied Sciences and other higher education institutions in the region.

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Location and Facilities

The University College Roosevelt campus is located near the market square in Middelburg behind the medieval city hall, which was built in 1452 and is often used by the college for ceremonial purposes. The academic buildings are named after prominent members of the Roosevelt Family. The newer, non-gothic section of the city hall is known as Franklin, while the other buildings are called Theodore and Eleanor. A new building named Anne, acquired by UCR in 2020, houses its engineering department. This building is named after Anna Eleanor Roosevelt, chair of the Roosevelt Institute and granddaughter of Franklin D. Next to these, Elliott, located in the former post office of Middelburg, is a building that contains classrooms, a study area, a bar with a lounge area and a basement bar for parties. An outdoor classroom, known as Metamorfose Lokaal, is located on the Helm. A joint initiative of UCR and the municipality of Middelburg, it opened in 2017 in occasion of the 400th anniversary of the birth in Middelburg of Jan Goedart, a prominent Dutch entomologist and painter.

A Rich History and Continued Evolution

University College Roosevelt is part of Utrecht University and was founded in 2004. UCR was named after various members of the Roosevelt family, who hail from the Province of Zeeland, where UCR is located. The four main academic buildings are aptly named after Franklin D. Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt, Theodore Roosevelt and Anne Roosevelt. The Roosevelt Academy, as it was then called, was established in 2004 by Hans Adriaansens, its founding dean. Adriaansens first experienced the ground principles of the liberal arts education during his brief time as a visiting professor at Smith College, USA, in the 1980-1981 academic year. He started to develop the idea of a small scale and academically intensive undergraduate college in the Netherlands, which led Adriaansens to the foundation of University College Utrecht in 1998, the first liberal arts college in the country. Middelburg and the whole of Zeeland did not have a research university, although William of Orange had considered Middelburg as a possible venue when establishing the first university in the Netherlands in 1575, before ultimately settling for Leiden. Based in Middelburg's former Gothic City Hall, this first college in Zeeland was to be following the same principles of liberal arts education as the Utrecht counterpart. The Roosevelt Academy was officially founded on 23 January 2004 and the first students enrolled in August of that year, after Queen Beatrix performed the official opening of the university. It was the third University College to be established in the Netherlands, after University College Utrecht and University College Maastricht. In its first few years, the Roosevelt Academy consistently ranked high among University Colleges: the magazine Elsevier ranked RA as the top liberal arts college in the Netherlands for three times in its first four years, and in 2011 the Keuzengids Onderwijs also ranked it as the number one University College in the Netherlands. Hans Adriaansens retired as dean in November 2011, and was replaced by Prof. On 5 February 2013, Roosevelt Academy changed its name to University College Roosevelt, to avoid ambiguity on the nature of the institution and to present itself explicitly as a university college. UCR kept developing as it entered its second decade. An important milestone was the opening of the Common House Elliott, a building housing classrooms, a student restaurant and a basement bar.

Challenges and Changes

The reorganization prompted widespread protests from students, parents, alumni and faculty, including strikes in early 2025. Some students raised concerns about disrupted study plans and the potential impact on graduate school applications. Several faculty dismissals stirred additional controversy, particularly the case of anthropology professor John T. Friedman. After 21 years at UCR, Friedman was dismissed in February 2025 as part of the layoffs, reportedly tied to the elimination of the anthropology program. He publicly criticised the restructuring in a video and in social media posts defending the role of the humanities, and carried on teaching in the streets; the content went viral globally, amassing tens of millions of views and igniting international debate about the future of anthropology and liberal arts education. Despite the controversy, UCR leadership maintained that the measures were necessary to safeguard the college’s long-term viability.

Accreditation and Rankings

The NVAO (Dutch-Flemish Accreditation Organization) has been accrediting UCR since its foundation. In 2004, it was awarded an "excellent" status, confirmed with the reaccreditations in 2008 and 2013. In 2019, instead, it was given the overall predicate "good". In 2011, the Keuzengids Onderwijs ranked UCR as the number one University College in The Netherlands with an 84. In 2012, it fell to second place, with a 78, with University College Maastricht in first place with an 86. In the 2024 edition of the Keuzengids Onderwijs, UCR is ranked 9th out of the 11 university colleges in the Netherlands.

Study Abroad Opportunities

Students may study abroad during their fourth or fifth semester. Students can earn credits towards their UCR degree while at a wide variety of universities around the world.

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Connection to Utrecht University

University College Roosevelt is an international honors college of Utrecht University. UCR is a financially independent institution of higher education with its own management and board of trustees, while Utrecht University ensures quality control, contributes to the development of the curriculum, and awards the degrees. UCR students are considered to be Utrecht University students and receive a UU degree at the end of their studies.

Alumni Network

Aurora Alumni Foundation is UCR's alumni association. Together with UCR and the 'Friends of UCR', they form the Roosevelt Alumni Board, which ensures that alumni relations are maintained by providing opportunities for social interaction, networking and various services. As of August 2022 there are over 2200 alumni. Friends of UCR is an independent foundation associated with University College Roosevelt. It is governed by a board consisting of UCR representatives, major sponsors from the foundation, and UCR alumni and provides interest-free loans to international students to study at the college, with extended grace periods.

Diverse Career Paths

Graduates of UCR enter a diverse array of fields, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of their education. Many UCR graduates continue their education by pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees at prestigious universities worldwide. Students at UCR continue in different career fields: Research (17%), Advisory including law (11%), Commercial (10%), Medical (9%) and Financial/business (9%).

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