University of Antwerp

The University of Antwerp is a publicly funded and fully accredited university. It is characterised by its high standards in education, internationally competitive research and entrepreneurial approach. It was founded in 2003 after the merger of the three universities that were previously known as RUCA (Universitair Centrum Antwerpen), UFSIA (Universitaire Faculteiten Sint-Ignatius Antwerpen) and UIA (Universitaire Instelling Antwerpen). The university's roots go back to 1852.

The University of Antwerp has 7 faculties: (1) Applied Economics (2) Arts and Philosophy (3) Law (4) Medicine (5) Pharmaceutical, Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences (6) Political and Social Sciences (7) Sciences. The 'Institute of Development Policy and Management' (IDPM), the 'Universiteit Antwerpen Management School' (UAMS) and the 'Institute of Transport and Maritime Management Antwerp' (ITMMA) have an autonomous, faculty-like UA status. Doctoral programmes are available in all faculties, with more than 1,000 PhD students registered.

The University of Antwerp hosts 5 centres of excellence:
- Centre for Nanostructures (NANO)
- Centre on Molecular Neurogenetics (NEURO)
- Centre on Environmental Studies (ECO)
- Centre for Social Policy (SOCIO)
- Centre for the Evaluation of Vaccination (VAXINFECTIO)

In 2009-2010 the University of Antwerp has about 7,000 fee-paying undergraduate students and 4300 graduate/postgraduate students, which makes it the third largest university in Flanders. About 1,475 of these students - exchange students not included - are from foreign countries, with a majority of EU countries. Education is student-centred and competency-based. Students are stimulated to develop into independently minded people who are capable of thinking analytically.

In line with the Bologna process, the University of Antwerp has adopted the bachelor-master structure. It offers 3-year Bachelor programmes (180 ECTS credits) and, depending on the study field, 1-year or 2-year Master programmes (60 or 120 ECTS credits).

In order to face the challenges posed by the internationalization of European education and research, the university is part of the Antwerp University Association (AUHA), a regional association with the university and 4 university colleges for professional education.

The University of Antwerp's 4 campuses are situated in the historic city centre (main campus, called City Campus) and in the green belt to the south of the city (Campus Drie Eiken, Campus Groenenborger, Campus Middelheim).