HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht

What HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht does

HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht (legal name: Hogeschool Utrecht) is a publicly funded Dutch university of applied sciences established in 1995 and headquartered at Utrecht Science Park, with additional campuses in Utrecht and Amersfoort. The institution delivers full-time, part-time, and dual education programs at Associate degree, Bachelor, Master, and Professional Doctorate levels, organized around four expertise themes — Samen Duurzaam (sustainability), Samen Gezond (health), Samen Lerend (learning), and Samen Digitaal (digital). Research is conducted through approximately 38 lectorates (research chairs) housed within four knowledge centres covering Social Innovation, Health & Sustainable Living, Learning & Innovation, and Digital Business & Media.

Revenue is generated through four streams: Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science government funding (the primary source, based on enrollment and performance), regulated tuition fees (approximately €2,530/year for EU/EEA students with higher rates for non-EU students), research grants (including SIA/RAAK, Lerarenbeurs, and European subsidies), and contract research and incompany training for businesses and government organizations. Core technology infrastructure includes the OSIRIS student information system, Microsoft Office365/Teams for collaboration, specialized tech labs (including climate chambers for building materials testing), the HUB-Lab innovation facility within the HU Bibliotheek, and licensed RefWorks reference management.

HU serves three primary customer segments: prospective higher education students seeking vocational-to-master's pathways, working professionals pursuing upskilling/reskilling, and business and government organizations (including RIVM, UMC Utrecht, and Bo-Ex) seeking applied research collaborations, talent pipelines, and customized training. Distribution is primarily direct through campus-based enrollment, supported by open days, trial days, information evenings, and partnerships with secondary schools and MBO institutions for recruitment.

Name

HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht

Legal name

Hogeschool Utrecht

Website

https://hu.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht is a publicly funded Dutch hogeschool delivering associate, bachelor, master, and professional doctorate programs plus practice-based research across sustainability, health, learning, and digital themes to students, working professionals, and partner organizations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Professional Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Research Universities with Comprehensive Graduate & Professional Schools (EDAHAAAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cooperative Education (Co-op) Technical Universities (EDAHAEAF), Professional & Executive Short Courses (Non-Degree, International) (EDAIAIAH)

Keywords

• Higher professional education
• University of applied sciences
• Practice-based research
• Bachelor master programs
• Corporate training services

Headquarters

HQ city

Utrecht

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: As a publicly funded higher education institution (bekostigde instelling), HU receives substantial government funding based on student numbers and performance metrics. The Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science provides base funding.
2. Research Grants (Schaalsprong): HU receives additional structural funding (4 million euros annually) for research scaling as part of the 'schaalsprong' initiative, plus 12 million in existing research funding. Additional grants from SIA/RAAK, Lerarenbeurs, and European subsidies support specific research projects.
3. Tuition Fees: Students pay tuition fees - EU students have regulated rates set by the government, non-EU students pay higher institutional tuition fees. Part-time and continuing education programs generate additional fee revenue.
4. Contract Research and Services: HU conducts commissioned research for businesses, government, and healthcare organizations. Revenue comes from research contracts, consulting, and professional services including incompany training programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht delivers publicly funded higher professional education at the associate degree, bachelor, master, and professional doctorate levels via full-time, part-time, and dual study modes. The institution complements teaching with practice-based research conducted across approximately 38 lectoraten organized into four knowledge centres (Social Innovation, Health and Sustainable Living, Learning and Innovation, and Digital Business and Media). Contract research, incompany corporate training, and applied research partnerships with regional bodies such as RIVM, UMC Utrecht, and housing corporation Bo-Ex supplement the core education delivery.

Product overview

HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht operates as a higher education institution with a multi-platform digital presence. The core offering includes full-time, part-time, and dual education programs at Associate degree, Bachelor, and Master levels, supported by approximately 38 knowledge centres (kenniscentra) conducting practice-based research. Key digital platforms include the main institutional website (www.hu.nl), OSIRIS student information system, HU Bibliotheek with HUB-Lab innovation facilities, and Trajectum news platform. Research activities are organized around four expertise themes (Samen Duurzaam, Samen Gezond, Samen Lerend, Samen Digitaal) and delivered through lectorates staffed by professors, senior researchers, and junior researchers. Additional offerings include HU International for international students, HU Honours program, and the HU GEZOND&WEL health centre.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Full-time Bachelor Programs (Voltijd Bachelor) Full-time bachelor degree programs at undergraduate level for prospective students, delivered at HU campuses in Utrecht and Amersfoort, with applications processed via Studielink.
• Part-time Bachelor Programs (Deeltijd Bachelor) Part-time bachelor programs for working professionals, allowing students to combine work and study, with flexible scheduling and employer sponsorship options.
• Master Programs Full-time and part-time master degree programs for students seeking advanced qualifications, available at HU campuses.
• Associate Degree Programs Two-year associate degree programs offered in full-time and part-time modes, often targeting MBO graduates seeking progression pathways.
• Professional Doctorate (PD) Professional doctorate program for experienced practitioners conducting practice-based research addressing complex professional challenges.
• Post-hbo Certificate Courses and Short Programs Post-bachelor certificate courses and short continuing education programs for working professionals seeking specific skill development.
• Incompany Corporate Training Programs Customized training programs delivered at client organizations or HU facilities, designed for businesses and government bodies seeking workforce development on contract terms.
• Kenniscentra Research and Contract Research Services Practice-based research services delivered through HU's four knowledge centres (Social Innovation, Health and Sustainable Living, Learning and Innovation, and Digital Business and Media) covering approximately 38 lectoraten, available to businesses, government bodies, and healthcare organizations via commissioned research contracts.
• HU International Programs and Services International student services portal providing English-language information on programs, exchange opportunities (including Erasmus+), and partnerships for international students and collaborators.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4 Comenius Senior Fellowship grants received for educational innovations
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

AI capability2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• RIVM (Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration at Utrecht Science Park. RIVM (National Institute for Public Health and the Environment) co-locates with HU, enabling joint research on health, sustainability, and environmental challenges. Partnership supports the 'Samen Gezond' (Together Healthy) expertise theme.
• UMC UtrechtcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration at Utrecht Science Park. UMC Utrecht (University Medical Center Utrecht) is a major teaching hospital and research partner. Joint activities support healthcare innovation, life sciences research, and student placement in clinical settings. Partnership supports the 'Samen Gezond' (Together Healthy) expertise theme.
• Bo-Ex (woningcorporatie)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHousing corporation partnership for the Inside Out project (Inside Out project). Bo-Ex collaborated with HU to develop and test energy-neutral building facades for social housing. HU students and researchers developed smart building solutions including pre-fabricated facade components, solar panels, and wind turbines. Project targets 250,000 households in Dutch high-rise buildings.
• Utrecht Science Park PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHU is part of the Utrecht Science Park ecosystem, profiling itself as a hub for education and innovation in healthy and sustainable living. The campus hosts multiple knowledge institutions, healthcare facilities, and tech companies enabling interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Hogeschool van AmsterdamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration between HU, Hogeschool van Amsterdam, and Fontys in a Zestor project focused on professionalization of HBO teachers in teams. Project addresses how teacher teams can strengthen collective professional development.
• Fontys HogescholenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint Zestor project with HU and Hogeschool van Amsterdam on teacher professionalization. Research focuses on team-based professional development for teaching staff across the participating institutions.
• Zestor (Arbeids- en Opleidingsfonds HBO)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerZestor is the labor and training fund for HBO sector. HU participates in Zestor projects including 'Missie Vliegende Start' (project to support starting teachers) and professional development initiatives for HBO teachers.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Hogeschool van Amsterdam (HvA): Another large Dutch university of applied sciences located in Amsterdam, explicitly named in HU's data as a Zestor project partner on teacher professionalization. HvA offers similar full-time, part-time, and dual education programs with comparable HBO research focus.
• Saxion University of Applied Sciences: Dutch hogeschool with multiple campuses in the east of the Netherlands. Operates similar lectoraten-based applied research model and comparable bachelor/master program portfolio. Regional competitor for students and research funding.
• Hanze University of Applied Sciences: Large Groningen-based hogeschool with comparable research-intensive applied education model, multiple schools, and knowledge centres. Northern counterpart to HU within the Dutch hogeschool system.
• Fontys Hogescholen: Large Dutch university of applied sciences based in Eindhoven/Tilburg, co-participant with HU in the Zestor teacher professionalization project. Operates comparable applied research lectoraten model and similar program portfolio across multiple campuses.
• Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences (Hogeschool Rotterdam): Major Rotterdam-based hogeschool with comparable scale, multi-campus operations, and applied research structure. Competes with HU for students in the Randstad region and offers overlapping programs in healthcare, technology, and business.
• The Hague University of Applied Sciences (De Haagse Hogeschool): Large Randstad-based hogeschool with similar student population, government funding model, and applied research focus. Competes directly with HU for prospective students in the western Netherlands corridor.
• NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences: Northern Netherlands hogeschool formed from a merger, similar in scale and structure to HU. Operates comparable bachelor/master programs and lectoraten-based research with strong international focus.
• Avans University of Applied Sciences: Mid-sized Dutch hogeschool in Breda/'s-Hertogenbosch offering similar applied bachelor and master programs. Competes with HU for students and participates in the same national research funding programs.

Regional players

• Utrecht University: Co-located at Utrecht Science Park with HU. As a research university rather than a hogeschool, it operates a different model but shares the regional talent pool, research infrastructure, and competes for some overlapping professional doctorate and applied research programs.
• Wageningen University & Research: Dutch research university with strong applied research focus relevant to HU's 'Samen Duurzaam' expertise theme. While not a direct hogeschool competitor, it competes for sustainability research funding and may partner or compete with HU on projects like the Inside Out sustainable housing initiative.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCSUZL3kgvYnHtj1rl4jt3Hw
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hogeschool-utrecht
• Xx.com/hu_utrecht
• Facebookfacebook.com/hogeschoolutrecht

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht