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University for Humanistics
The University for Humanistics is a renowned academic centre of knowledge inspired by the humanist body of thought. This body of thought is part of a long-standing tradition and is – perhaps now more than ever – relevant and very much alive. The university explores contemporary issues dealing with ethics, our worldview and the way we give meaning to life.
The University for Humanistics at Utrecht is the youngest university in The Netherlands. It is also the only university offering a degree programme in humanistics. The UvH was founded in 1989 and has started to make its mark both in the academic world and beyond. Fully recognised and funded by the government of The Netherlands, the University distinguishes itself from other universities by the unique multi-disciplinary course that it offers, and by its size.
Mission
It is the mission of the University for Humanistics to contribute to a humane society and a meaningful existence for every human being through academic research and education from a humanist point of view, in light of which social responsibility and individual autonomy are intertwined. Since its founding in 1989, the university has been active in carrying out academic research relating to social, ethical and worldview-related issues. It also supports the practical application of the knowledge acquired as a result of this research. It educates creative and critical professionals and takes an active position as a participant in social debate. In spite of its relatively small size – the university comprises some 100 staff members and 350 students – the UvH has been able to make a distinguishing mark for itself.
Humanism
Contemporary humanism continues to build on a rich tradition of ideas and values. Characteristics of a humanist view of life are confidence in one’s own insight and powers of observation, orientation towards dialogue and an aversion to dogmatism. The concepts of human dignity, justice and freedom take a central position. Attaching great value to self-development, education, aesthetics and culture is also typical of a humanist attitude towards life. It is especially since the Enlightenment that humanism is considered openly as a philosophy of life in which the human perspective is a defining factor in the understanding of and giving meaning to life and to the world.
Humanistics
The study of humanistics is a multidisciplinary human science for which humanist values are a source of inspiration. It connects insights gained from philosophy, psychology, sociology, religious and cultural sciences, theory of science and
methodology. Humanistics explores the ways in which people deal with existentialist issues. What makes life worthwhile? What is the meaning of happiness and prosperity? Which moral and ethical decisions are open to us? How do we deal with suffering and sorrow? Furthermore, humanistics explores major contemporary social, political and ethical issues. What does a pluralist society entail? How can the quality of care and education be determined? How can sustainable development be realised? How can human rights be guaranteed?
Meanings of life and humanising
The academic staff at the UvH comprises scholars in humanistics, religious and cultural scholars, social scientists, philosophers and historians. The expertise in these disciplines has been brought together in two capacity groups: studies in ‘meanings of life’ and in ‘humanisation’. Our curriculum has also been organized around these
two leading principles.In our courses concerning meanings of life the individual person is placed in a central position, with
topics such as identity, ethics and the philosophy of life. Humanisation focuses on the social context; on the way in which organisations function and on social relationships. These concepts are closely intertwined,both in the area of research and in our curriculum.
Research
The research programme of the UvH is rich in initiatives, aimed at cooperation and internationally oriented. The university has joined forces in a variety of different areas with other academic research institutes and social organisations.
A substantial number of our research projects are financed externally. Our research is geared towards bringing innovation to the humanist body of thought and to strengthen its academic foundation. We address contemporary issues pertaining to autonomy, power, pluralism, solidarity and globalisation. Furthermore, strengthening coherence between research, education and practice is also paramount.
Bachelors and Masters degree
The UvH offers a bachelor and master’s degree in Humanistics. The curriculum requires of students an open mind, a broad range of knowledge and sharp analytical skills. Students must be able to develop their own point of view and to evaluate this critically throughout the course of study. The curriculum combines a broad range of academic subjects with the development of professional skills. Graduate humanists can be found in a broad range of professions. The curriculum prepares humanist counsellors for employment in care institutions, the armed forces and penitentiary institutions.
In addition, the university offers training as a career counsellor or lecturer in ethics or philosophy of life. Graduates will find employment as policy experts at government institutions or non-profit organisations; or as counsellors at personnel organisations. Others may choose a career in organisational advice oracademic research.Teaching is mainly in Dutch.
International graduate programme
In collaboration with renowned research institutes and universities, both in the Netherlands and abroad, the UvH has developed a graduate programme in Humanisation of Organisation. This four-year part-time curriculum presented in the English language is oriented towards professionals who wish to gain more in-depth knowledge of humanisation of organisation and work, complexity theory, organisational anthropology and innovation and meaning-related issues in organisations. The doctoral students combine theory, research and practice and participate in an international academic exchange programme.
Master’s Programme in Social Intervention
The motivation and autonomy of professionals in the social sector is being put increasingly under pressure as the result of cut-backs, market fluctuations and an emphasis on top-down management. There is an increasing demand for an integrated approach to these complex issues. In close collaboration with the Landelijk Expertisecentrum Sociale Interventie (LESI) (National Expertise Centre for Social Intervention), the UvH compiled seven master classes and a research module on innovation in the social sector. This twoyear part-time course is intended for managers, policy experts and experienced professionals.
Course for Integrity officials
Moral and ethical issues and a sustainable integrity policy have been receiving increasing attention from both government organisations and the corporate world. We are searching for ways in which to promote integrity on the work floor - by establishing an ethical code of conduct, for instance. The UvH seeks to fulfil this demand for expertise in the field of integrity by offering a one-year postacademic training course for Integrity Officials.The UvH offers this course in collaboration with the staff of Governance & Integrity, a research institute specialised in supervising moral and ethical learning processes in organisations.
Kosmopolis Institute
The Kosmopolis Institute was founded by the UvH in collaboration with the Humanistisch Instituut voor Ontwikkelingssamenwerking (Hivos) (Humanist Institute for Development Cooperation). The Kosmopolis Institute addresses issues pertaining to world citizenship and global ethics by means of interdisciplinary research, education, training and advisory activities. In 2007 the Institute and Hivos initiated the knowledge programme Promoting Pluralism. In this programme, academics and professionals working in the field from India, Indonesia and Uganda worked together on attaining in-depth knowledge about pluralism and development. The Kosmopolis Institute organises an annual international summer school on development cooperation and human rights in collaboration with the Centre for the Study of Culture and Society (CSCS) in Bangalore, India. Participants include UvH masters students and staff members of Hivos partner organisations from various different countries.
Erasmus Policy Statement
The university considers international cooperation an important opportunity to enhance the quality and innovativeness of both the research - and educational programs of the university. A university committee on internationalisation initiates and monitors the international activities of the university and advises its Executive Board on related policy matters. The university recognizes the importance of Erasmus, the European programme for international initiatives in higher education. The Erasmus Policy Statement gives an overview of our international strategy.
Contact the university
For further information, please contact:
University for Humanistics
PO Box 797
3500 AT Utrecht
The Netherlands
T +31 30 239 0100
F +31 30 2340738
E info@uvh.nl
Visiting address:
Kromme Nieuwegracht 29
3512 HD Utrecht
The Netherlands
See also Google maps
From Utrecht Central Station to the University for Humanistics by bus
You can take several city buses (lines 3, 4, 8, 11, direction centre). Exit at Janskerkhof bus stop. Head East, towards the copy shop, and turn right into Drift. The first street to the left is Kromme Nieuwegracht. Shortly, after 200 metres, you will find the university at your right hand side. It is just a 5 minutes walk.
If you travel by car, please note, that there are hardly any parking facilities at Kromme Nieuwegracht. You can find several parking lots in the centre of Utrecht: Godebald (Spoorstraat), Rijnkade (Rijnkade), Springhaver (Strosteeg), Vredenburg (Rijnkade).
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