Tilburg University

251–300th
World University Rankings 2025
401–600th
Impact Rankings 2022
176-200th
World Reputation Rankings 2020
Warandelaan 2, AB Tilburg, 5037, Netherlands

About Tilburg University

If you choose to study at Tilburg University, you choose for high-quality education at a world-class university. A research University based in the south of the Netherlands, the Brainport region, which has been named smartest region in the world. We are known for our high-quality education, social orientation, and strong campus feeling. We offer more than 100 different programs, among which 14 Bachelor’s, and more than 50 (pre-) Master’s programs taught in English, in the fields of: Business, Entrepreneurship, Economics, Econometrics, Data Science, Law, Social & Behavioral Sciences, Psychology, Humanities, Communication & Digital Sciences.

At Tilburg University you can: 

  • challenge yourself, in honors and leadership programs, courses in entrepreneurshipExtended Master’s programs and challenges;
  • be part of an active community. Tilburg University has numerous study and student associations which offer networking, skills building, and social opportunities that can truly enrich your life as a student;
  • be part of a ‘global village’ of diversity: students and staff from more than 100 nationalities currently study and work here. There are 19,605 students (in 2023) of whom 4,785 are international;
  • conduct innovative research to understand society and contribute to solving complex societal issues;
  • get personal guidance through the Program for Academic Study Success (PASS). You and your fellow students receive academic and personal guidance from your academic mentor and each other. In addition, we offer international students a variety of services to help make the transition to Tilburg as smooth as possible, during and after your studies;
  • benefit from the opportunities of ENGAGE.EU; The European University engaged in societal change that brings together over 100,000 students, academics and staff from seven leading universities in Tilburg, Mannheim, Bergen, Rome, Toulouse, Vienna, and Sofia.

Find a course

We provide high quality education and research in the areas of:

  • Accounting & Finance
  • Economics & Econometrics
  • Entrepreneurship & Business
  • Management & Marketing
  • Data Science
  • Law & Public Administration
  • Social & Behavioral Sciences
  • Psychology & Sociology
  • Communication & Digital Sciences
  • Philosophy, Culture & Theology

See our website for all our bachelor’smaster’s, and research master’s programs.

Follow Tilburg University on LinkedInTwitterInstagramFacebook, and YouTube.

Leaders of the future 

Tilburg University was established in 1927 as Roomsch Katholieke Handelshoogeschool (Roman Catholic Business School). We at Tilburg University are alert and responding to challenges posed by a world in a state of flux. We educate our students to become the leaders of the future: engaged academics who are of significance to society and reflect on their role in it. We are a safe and inclusive community where our students and staff recognize and value each other.

Our vision on education 

Students and teachers form a close-knit community with ample opportunity for participation. Each study program offers a philosophy course, inspiring you to think critically about human and societal issues in relation to your studies. In short, you are trained to be a thinker, with character, who plays an active role in society and strives to do the right thing. All this is covered by the Tilburg Educational Profile to which the development of knowledge, skills and character is central. 

Facilities

International Student Support

Moving to a different country is a big step and can be quite challenging. Tilburg University offers dedicated services for international students, before, during, and after their studies. Each program has its own admissions officer, who will guide students through their application process. After admission to one of our programs, there are a number of matters to arrange regarding immigrationaccommodation, and insurance. The web page of Practical issues is a great source of information to get started. 

Ready to move to Tilburg? Make sure to arrive on the Registration Days: Tilburg University will provide you with a warm welcome and a pleasant arrival. As an international student, you will meet your Study Abroad & Exchange Coordinator Team or Admission Officer. In addition, we provide you with all kinds of amenities/services that will contribute to a relaxed and organized start to your stay.

Student Life

The City of Tilburg: a student city.

Tilburg is the seventh largest city in the Netherlands and has a small but very vibrant city center with plenty of pubs and restaurants. The city offers excellent opportunities for culture, sports and relaxation.

Tilburg has a theatre, a concert hall, 4 movie theatres, various stages for amateur art and drama, leading museums and nationally known festivals like Festival Mundial. 

The economic environment in the southern part of the Netherlands is innovative and fast-growing. This offers opportunities for internships at international companies located in and around Tilburg. 

In addition, the city of Tilburg is conveniently located with just a short train ride to cities like Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam, and has easy access to European capitals like Brussels, Paris, and London. 

Student, Study & Sport Associations

Tilburg University is home to more than 40 student associations and societies. They are a great way to meet like-minded students and make friends. There are organizations for arts and culture, sports, student politics and philosophy as well as study-related associations. You will also find organizations aimed specifically at international students which organize all kinds of social activities. We believe that student associations provide the ideal opportunity for every student to develop non-academic skills and talents. 

Sport at Tilburg University opens up opportunities to enjoy a healthy and active lifestyle, meet new people, and have fun. Our Tilburg University Sports Center offers a broad program of activities and facilities for both recreational users and those who wish to play sports at a competitive level.

We provide facilities to ‘dual career’ students who want to combine academics with a career in sports. For example, those who have a training schedule and are preparing their participation in World Championships or the Olympics.  

Admissions

Admissions Procedure

Applying for our programs is free, and can easily be done online. Tilburg University has a rolling admissions process: your application will be assessed as it comes in, and you will know whether you are (conditionally) accepted within a few weeks.

Our application requirements consist of diploma requirements and English language proficiency requirements. In addition, we want to know more about you to determine whether a certain program is the right fit for you. Therefore, we may require you to write a motivation letter and/or submit a CV or an essay.

Find the requirements for our bachelor’s programs and our master’s programs.

Careers

Tilburg University is dedicated to prepare their students for their transition to the labor market. To ensure the students will graduate as a professional, Tilburg University invests in the development of 21st century skills like debating, presentation skills, digital knowledge, creative and innovative thinking and personal development. 

Tilburg University’s Student Career Services helps students with their transition to the labor market, focusing on, among other things, finding out what kind of organizations and jobs suit you, building a good Curriculum Vitae and preparing for assessments. Students can ask Student Career Services for help from the moment they embark on their studies, until one year after graduation.

Tilburg University is an important university for companies. More than 200 different companies visit our campus every year to get in touch with and recruit students. Learn more about the career events on campus, including the Economics Business Week Tilburg, Tilburg Career Days, and Consultancy Days.

Explore rankings data for Tilburg University

All ranked institutions have an overall score and 4 pillar scores. However for each pillar, only institutions ranked in the top 500 overall or the top 500 in this pillar have a publicly visible score

Subjects taught at Tilburg University

  • Social sciences

    • Sociology
    • Communication & Media Studies
  • Clinical, pre-clinical & health

    • Other Health
  • Arts & humanities

    • History, Philosophy & Theology
    • Languages, Literature & Linguistics
  • Education

    • Education
  • Law

    • Law
  • Psychology

    • Psychology
  • Business & economics

    • Business & Management
    • Accounting & Finance
    • Economics & Econometrics
  • Computer science

    • Computer Science

Key statistics

  • 24.5
    No. of students per staff
    (1)
  • 23%
    Percentage of International Students
    (1)
  • 52 : 48
    Student Ratio of Females to Males
    (1)
  • 17%
    Proportion of ISR Publications
    (1)
  • 12,738
    Number of FTE Students
    (1)
Based on data collected for the (1) 2025 World University Rankings