THIM - The International University

What THIM - The International University does

THIM - The International University (THIM - De Internationale Hogeschool) is a private university of applied sciences founded in 1974 in the Netherlands, specializing in physiotherapy education. It is the oldest bachelor physiotherapy program in the country and operates campuses in Nieuwegein (Netherlands, headquarters), Landquart (Switzerland, since 1990), and Nuremberg (Germany). The institution delivers a portfolio of four bachelor-level programs: a Dutch-language full-time program (€9,900/year), a Dutch part-time program for working professionals (€9,500/year), an English-language International Class (€10,400/year), and a premium accelerated Bachelor-Master pathway in partnership with Habeo+ (€11,400/year), with a one-time €250 registration fee. The core technology stack consists of an online learning management system with virtual classroom delivery for theory lessons (used primarily for part-time cohorts), complemented by physical facilities including a fully equipped gym, library, and study-practice center for clinical skills development. THIM maintains an average class size of 16 students, positioning around individualized, small-scale, practice-oriented healthcare education.

The business model is subscription-recurring tuition revenue supplemented by one-time registration fees and ancillary services such as visa application support and accommodation assistance for international students. THIM is accredited by NVAO and holds the NRTO quality mark, Dutch Ministry of Education HBO recognition (enabling DUO student financing for Dutch and EU/EEA students), and the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education (2024). It operates an event-driven and sales-led go-to-market motion combining open evenings, individual intake interviews, a multilingual website (nl.thim.nl/en.thim.nl), and active social media presence on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook. The Swiss branch enrolls approximately 200-250 students, with the Swiss and Austrian alumni network representing a significant pipeline and reputation asset.

Distribution reaches individual students directly via online registration and intake interviews, with regional channels through Swiss and German partner institutions and channel relationships with German educators for dual MBO-to-Bachelor progression. Internship opportunities extend across China, Australia, South Africa, and the Dutch Antilles. The organization is founder-led under Director Thim van der Laan and operates without disclosed external investment, funding rounds, or parent company ownership.

Name

THIM - The International University

Legal name

THIM – De Internationale Hogeschool

Website

https://nl.thim.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

THIM is a Dutch private university of applied sciences founded in 1974, offering bachelor programs in physiotherapy across campuses in the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Germany, with small average class sizes of 16 students and an accelerated bachelor-master pathway launched in 2026.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

akta.pro primary industry

Polytechnic & Applied Sciences Universities (EDAHAEAB)

Keywords

• Higher education
• Physiotherapy education
• Bachelor programs
• Applied sciences
• Health sciences university

Headquarters

HQ city

Nieuwegein

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees - Full-time Dutch Program: Annual tuition charged to full-time Dutch/EEA students pursuing Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy. Students are entitled to Dutch government study financing through DUO.
2. Tuition Fees - Part-time Program: Annual tuition charged to part-time students who attend practical lessons one day per week and theory lessons online one evening per week.
3. Tuition Fees - International Class: Higher tuition fees for English-language international program targeting non-EU/EEA students. Includes visa application support and accommodation services.
4. Tuition Fees - Bachelor-Master Accelerated Program: Premium pricing for accelerated 4-year combined Bachelor and Master program delivered in partnership with Habeo+.
5. Registration Fee: One-time registration fee of €250 charged upon enrollment confirmation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

THIM - The International University is a private higher education institution based in the Netherlands that delivers a Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy program, offered in full-time, part-time, and international study modes. The university focuses on applied health sciences education with an international orientation.

Product overview

THIM - The International University offers a portfolio of physiotherapy education programs centered around its Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy. The core offerings include three variants of the bachelor program: a Dutch-language full-time program (Voltijd), a part-time program (Deeltijd) for working professionals, and an English-language International Class. The university also offers an accelerated Bachelor-en-Master-in-4-jaar program developed in partnership with Habeo+. Supporting these main programs are minor modules that broaden student knowledge, internship opportunities including international placements, and optional reinforcement education for additional academic support. The institution operates as a higher vocational university specializing in small-scale, practice-oriented healthcare education.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy
• BSc Physiotherapy - Full-time track
• BSc Physiotherapy - Part-time track
• BSc Physiotherapy - International track

Quantifiable outcome

• Bachelor + Master degree in 4 years with accelerated program
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Habeo+coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026Joint development of accelerated Bachelor-Master trajectory in physiotherapy. THIM students can complete bachelor in 3 years and master in 1 additional year at Habeo+, achieving both degrees in 4 years. Up to 20 EC of master components are taken during bachelor studies. Official launch event scheduled for June 3, 2026.
• Erasmus+ PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean network of partner higher education institutions for student exchanges and placements. THIM students can study or intern at partner institutions in participating countries with Erasmus status and potential scholarship funding.
• NRTOcoreOthersDutch Council for Training and Education - THIM holds the NRTO quality mark, an independent recognition of quality and professionalism for private education institutions.
• NVAOcoreOthersAccreditation Organization for Higher Education - THIM programs are accredited through this independent quality assurance body.
• Swiss Partner SchoolscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTHIM physiotherapy location in Landquart, Switzerland (near Chur) with approximately 200-250 students. Alums form a strong professional network in Switzerland and Austria, valued for high-level practice and entrepreneurship.
• German Education PartnerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with German educators to help students progress from MBO to Bachelor level through THIM. Hundreds of students have graduated, seen as example for professionalization of physiotherapy in Germany.
• METANET AGminorOthersSwiss hosting provider storing website data at Hardstrasse 235, CH-8005 Zürich.
• UMC UtrechtminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic medical center partnership providing anatomy education through cadaver lab visits for THIM students, enhancing practical anatomical knowledge.
• NufficminorOthersDutch organization for internationalization in education. THIM uses Nuffic to evaluate international diploma equivalence for admission purposes.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• SRH Hochschule Heidelberg: German private university of applied sciences (Hochschule) with health and therapy programs. Comparable private applied-sciences model and serves the DACH student pipeline that THIM targets via its German dual-education program.
• FH Campus Wien: Austrian university of applied sciences with a bachelor in Physiotherapy. Comparable HBO-equivalent applied-sciences model, similar DACH employer demand, and serves the same German-speaking student pool that feeds THIM's Swiss/Austrian alumni network.

Direct peers

• Hogeschool van Amsterdam: Largest Dutch hogeschool, offers an accredited bachelor in Physiotherapy in Amsterdam. Directly competes for the same Dutch and international student pool as THIM but at heavily subsidized public tuition.
• Hanze University of Applied Sciences: Large Dutch hogeschool based in Groningen with a School of Health offering bachelor and master programs in Physiotherapy. Same Dutch HBO applied-sciences model and accreditation regime.
• Zuyd University of Applied Sciences: Dutch hogeschool in Limburg offering a bachelor in Physiotherapy with strong European partnerships. Same HBO applied-sciences model and Dutch Ministry recognition, competing in the same domestic student market.
• HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht: Public hogeschool in Utrecht offering a bachelor in Physiotherapy with strong healthcare practice network. Geographic overlap with THIM's Nieuwegein HQ and competing for the same regional Dutch applicants.
• NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences: Dutch hogeschool with multi-location footprint (including international campuses) and a Physiotherapy bachelor program. Comparable HBO model and similar international-student recruitment profile.
• Fontys University of Applied Sciences: Major Dutch hogeschool with a Physiotherapy program (among others) in Eindhoven and Tilburg. Same HBO applied-sciences model and Dutch accreditation framework as THIM, competing for the same Dutch and international BSc applicants.
• Saxion University of Applied Sciences: Dutch hogeschool with multiple locations offering a bachelor in Physiotherapy. Comparable HBO applied-sciences model, accreditation framework, and student segments (Dutch full-time and international).

Others

• Hogeschool Osteopathie: Related Dutch private higher-education institution in osteopathy, directly linked from THIM's own website as a sister/partner offering. Adjacent discipline within the same private hogeschool segment and regulatory environment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/thim.hogeschool
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/thim-hogeschool-voor-fysiotherapie
• Instagraminstagram.com/thim_hogeschool_fysiotherapie

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about THIM - The International University