The Marnix Academie
trusts
HousingAnywhere
with accommodation for their students since 2011

• Founded in 1984

• Ranks 75 (135) in the Netherlands

• 1,427 students

• Offers courses in English

• Has partnered with Housing Anywhere since 2011

Campus facilities

As you may know from information available on Utrecht University, Marnix Academie is not known for having one of the largest campuses. However, it conveniently houses all of the facilities needed by the students in one central building. Along with the regular student classrooms, there is also a good-sized Academie room, where the lectures can be followed.

You can also expect to find a well-equipped media center, where students can utilize a variety of digital materials, books and magazines. Students may bring their computers to work independently in a quiet corner of the room, or there is plenty of space available for groups to work together on assignments.

The main building is also home to the gym hall, where students may register to take a multitude of fitness-related classes. The entire area, along with its equipment, has been completely renovated, offering modern, state-of-the-art facilities, such as a climbing wall.

After a day of long classes, students will most definitely need a well-deserved break. Plus, there’s not even need to leave campus for lunch, as that, in the main building, there’s a popular restaurant, offering everything from coffee to sandwiches and snacks.

If you’d like a full, hot meal, the campus serves a variety of options on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.

But if you’d like to change things up a bit, be sure to get out there and explore some of the city’s delightful eateries. For more information, you can visit our helpful Utrecht City Guide.

Courses

Marnix Academie is well-known for its primary school education (PABO), which can offer qualifications for students interested in becoming a certified primary school teacher. Therefore, Bachelor degrees, whether on a full or part-time basis, are only offered in this particular field of study.

Some of the courses that will be offered to you during your first two years include the following:

• Pedagogiek en Onderwijskunde

• Rekenen en wiskunde

• LeerKracht

• Nederlands

• Aardrijkskunde en geschiedenis

• Engels (vanaf het tweede jaar)

• Beeldende Vorming

• Natuur, milieu en techniek (NMT)

• Dramatische Vorming

• Gezondheidskunde en verkeer (vanaf het tweede jaar)

• Bewegingsonderwijs

• Logopedie en ‘Stem en expressie’

• Godsdienstige en levensbeschouwelijke vorming (GLV)

• Muziek

Most of these courses are presented in the Dutch language, so speaking and reading Dutch fluently is a university requirement to enroll in the program.

International dimension

As already mentioned, most of the programs at the university are only taught in Dutch, not providing a real international edge. Therefore, before you enroll, be certain that you have a good handle on the Dutch language, as that you will be expected to speak and read the language with ease.

However, during both semesters, there are a few international courses that are offered in the field of Humanities and Special Educational Needs. You will find that these programmes come packed with plenty of activities, such as Coaching, Research and Design, Teaching Practice in English, Dutch Language and Dutch Culture.

In the course of the first and second semesters, Humanities, which is an international minor, is also offered. A part of the Bachelor training, this course is extremely popular with both the local Dutch and international students. The length of this minor covers one semester, which is generally between three and five months.

During every first semester, students may opt to take the Special Education Needs, an international minor. Part of the Bachelor training, this minor is also one of the most popular with international students, along with area Dutch students. Covering one semester, this minor lasts approximately three to five months.

Be sure to check out our Utrecht City Guide to learn more helpful tips for incoming international students.

How to get there

Students find that accessing the Marnix Academie is very convenient and simple. The university is only a 15-minute walk from the Utrecht Overvecht train station.

While there are many different modes of transportation readily available to you, why not really immerse yourself in the country’s culture and go the Dutch way? You can easily reach the university with a 10-minute bike ride, even from locations like the Utrecht Central Station.

If you’d rather opt for a bus route, a direct line will have you on the university’s doorstep in less than 15 minutes. Plus, the bus arrives every 10 minutes, so it’s very convenient. Take Bus 7 from the central station, exiting at Hijmans v.d. Berghlaan. From here, you are just a three-minute walk from Marnix Academie, which is located on Vogelsanglaan 1.

If you are arriving by car from the central station, depending on traffic, the drive should take under 20 minutes.

If you’d like to learn how to get around the city just like a local, then be sure to read on in our Utrecht City Guide.

Student neighborhoods

Oost is one of the most popular neighborhoods for students in the area, with its relaxing atmosphere and high population of young people. The university’s district, called Universiteitskwartier, is packed with trendy restaurants and bars, boasting a fantastic flower market each Saturday morning. Stadhuiskwartier is also a nice place to visit, with its indoor shopping and dining options.

With so much information available on the best neighborhoods in Utrecht for students, check out our Utrecht City Guide to find the perfect location!

Common housing practices

Utrecht is a great university city, as that it plays home to well-known institutions like Utrecht University, the Marnix Academie and the Hogeschool Utrecht, making this a wonderful place to study and live. You can expect numerous student organizations, sports, recreations, cinemas, museums and lively nightlife. Simply put, there is definitely a lot to explore!

Being in Utrecht as an international student is an amazing opportunity. However, there are so many things to keep in mind. Here are a few important tips to remember when searching for your accommodation.

• Finding housing as quickly and simply as possible in a city like Utrecht is most definitely recommended. Being such a popular city, Utrecht is in high demand any time of the year, and sometimes it can be difficult to find the right housing at the best price. So, be sure to begin your hunt for housing at least two to three months before your move to Utrecht.

• Don’t just send out messages to one or two advertisers when looking for accommodation. With the popularity of this university city, you will want to contact many advertisers, just in case a few of your options have already been rented to other students. Plus, the more advertisers you reach, the better your chances are of finding the appropriate housing.

• Be sure to check out Housing Anywhere to find your new place today!

While there are several student organizations and associations, ESN will offer many activities that you can take part in throughout the year. This will keep your social calendar full with plenty of opportunities to meet other international students. The ESN will visit the university at the start of the semester, so you’ll be able to purchase an ESN card, which will allow you to receive special benefits and student discounts. To learn additional information about ESN-Utrecht and all that the association offers, please see their website.

Additionally, to help international students acclimate to the university and the local region, Marnix Academie has a buddy system. A large number of helpful Marnix students will pair up with new international students, offering assistance even before their arrival, as well as during their entire time at the university. The student board will contact students with additional information.

While you will be sure to keep busy with so many wonderful student organizations, you should still get out and explore all that Utrecht has to offer. Read more in our Utrecht City Guide!