According to Elsevier – the new issue will be in stores tomorrow – TU/e is once again the best university of the Netherlands. Last year, TU/e was the overall number one for the first time. Not only does the Eindhoven institute have the highest number of satisfied students, but the curricula score very well with (associate) professors. 

Arthur van Leeuwen, chief editorial research at Elsevier, was very clear in his verdict. “TU/e has scored way better than all other universities.” For their curricula ranking, Elsevier uses the National Student Survey, sent to all students in higher education, and the study-program selection database of studiekeuze123.nl. The annual Elsevier Faculty Rating is put together by collecting assessments from (associate) professors, a study conducted by Elsevier and ResearchNed.

This year, Elsevier had that group compare seven TU/e programs with similar programs at other universities. In most cases the universities involved were TU Delft, Twente University and Groningen University. Only Applied Computer Science was compared to eight other programs, ending in first place with 19 percent.

According to Van Leeuwen, the assessors consider the entire program, as well as the quality of the academic staff. The TU/e programs Chemical Engineering (47.5%), Industrial Engineering (39.5%), Applied Physics (42.1%), Applied Mathematics (49.3%), and Mechanical Engineering (49%) all received the best rating from (associate) professors. Electrical Engineering (30.8%) was barely beaten by Delft (36%) and Twente (33.2%).

Rector Hans van Duijn is proud that TU/e has topped the ranking two years consecutively. “It proves our university has made the right decisions regarding our major educational reforms”, says van Duijn. “Tu/e has implemented the Bachelor College successfully, and is currently working on the improvement of the master programs. The fact we’re transforming our campus has been a great decision as well.”

Van Duijn is referring to Science Campus, and a more compact university. The Rector wants to give credit where credit’s due: it’s the educational staff and students who are responsible for the high ranking. “They are the ones who make a university. There’s no guarantee major changes will be a success. It’s always the people who make it work.”