FAQ

A degree programme at TU Delft is challenging, so make sure you give it your all right from the start.  You can always slow down a little later on, but if you drop points right away, it will be difficult to catch up later in the year. Bear in mind that the pace of study at university level is considerably faster than in pre-university education (VWO). The number of hours of study on the NB degree programme is similar to that of other programmes at TU Delft. We estimate that the study load is probably best compared to that of the Bachelor's degree programme in Applied Physics, which is generally considered to be challenging and hard work. You will have between 20-26 hours of classes every week. In addition to that, work on group or individual assignments, self-study and preparing for exams will also place demands on your time. You should expect a full (40 hour) working week. Our degree programme has been designed for ambitious students who are willing and able to work hard. 

The programme in Nanobiology is a joint degree programme. You enrol at TU Delft and you will be automatically enrolled at EUR.

Yes, you can find more information about the selection procedure on www.tudelft.nl/en/education/programmes/bachelors/nb/bsc-nanobiology/admission-requirements/numerus-clausus/

NB is a unique Bachelor's degree programme in the Netherlands. It is the only joint degree programme offered by the two universities TU Delft and Erasmus University Rotterdam. 

Nanobiology does not exist at hbo level. 

That would be difficult due to the many contact hours at TU Delft and Rotterdam. During the first year of the Bachelor's programme in particular, the week is very full with lectures, laboratory courses and tutorials, which would leave little room for a second degree programme. However, some students are able to combine two Master's programmes. The academic counsellor or central student counsellor can advise you in this respect. If you study NB, in principle, it is not possible to take another degree programme at the same time. Our experience of students who have attempted to do this shows that it is almost impossible to combine the contact hours in Delft and Rotterdam with the commitments another degree programme entails. However, there is a programme at the EUR that has been specially designed for students who wish to take a second programme: ’Philosophy of a (specific) discipline’. To do this, you will need to work out a timetable that allows you to take both degree programmes. This is at your own risk. 

TU Delft is a true university of technology. At TU Delft, you will qualify as an engineer and this is something you will definitely notice during your NB degree programme. Mathematics and Physics are very important in this programme and the lecturers who teach these modules are also extremely experienced in their specialist fields.

The lecturers at Erasmus MC all come directly from research and you will notice this during the lectures. They often supplement the information in books with the latest developments from biomedical science.

For NB, there is no need to choose between cities. Both cities (Delft and Rotterdam) are equally represented within the degree programme. You will have classes in both cities every week. However, most students choose to live in Delft rather than Rotterdam.

It is easy to do. There are excellent train connections between Rotterdam and Delft.

The distance between the universities is not great and therefore the travelling is not a problem. The two cities, and thus the two universities, are very close to each other. The timetable will be arranged in such a way that you do not need to travel between the two universities on any single day. That is unless there is no other option, but so far this has never happened. In any case, there are eight trains every hour between Delft and Schiedam Centrum stations. From Schiedam station, there are very regular bus and metro departures to the universities. The travel time between Delft and Erasmus MC is approximately 20-25 minutes. 

The male/female ratio is 50/50. 

1st lecture hour 08.45 - 09.30
2nd lecture hour 09.45 - 10.30
3rd lecture hour 10.45 - 11.30
4th lecture hour 11.45 - 12.30
Breaks
5th lecture hour 13.45 - 14.30
6th lecture hour 14.45 - 15.30
7th lecture hour 15.45 - 16.30
8th lecture hour 16.45 - 17.30
9th lecture hour 17.45 - 18.30
10th lecture hour 18.45 - 19.30 

At Erasmus MC, there are no set lecture times for Nanobiology since they depend on the module, the lecturer and room availability.

Nanobiology is an English programme. All classes, including lectures, will be given in English.

The modules in the Bachelor's degree programmes are listed on the degree programme website. All of the individual modules of our degree programmes can be found in the online prospectus: www.studyguide.tudelft.nl/ > 2022-2023 > Organization: Applied Sciences/Technische Natuurwetenschappen > Education Type: Bachelor > Education: Bachelor Nanobiology.

For NB, you will find the modules from the first, second and third years in the prospectus. You will also find information about the module content, the language in which it is taught (in English!), means of assessment and the required reading. For the third year, there is information about various components, including the final Bachelor End Project (20 ECTS), the minor (30 ECTS) and electives (4 x 2.5 ECTS).

You should assume that the most Mathematics will be taught during the first year. For almost the entire year, you will have two whole days (16 hours) per week of Mathematics in Delft. 16 out of the 60 credits in the first year are for mathematical courses. In the second year, the proportion of Physics will be slightly greater. In the first and second year of the Bachelor, one third of the subject matter will be Mathematics, one third Physics and one third Biology modules. Of course, these modules will be integrated with each other, which is the ultimate aim of our degree programme in Nanobiology!

For Nanobiology, all of the books are written in English. 

You will have a lot to deal with at the start of your degree programme. You will also have to make a lot of choices. Do you want to rent a room or continue living at home? How are you planning to finance your degree programme? You'll have your first lectures, examinations and assignments. Should you join a sports club or other association? The website https://www.tudelft.nl/en/student/education/study-start/ is a useful resource, containing practical information, links and an introductory film. The first week of study is made up of a two-day orientation: one day in Delft and one day in Rotterdam. You will be welcomed and given all the information you need to make a good start on your degree programme. During these two days, you will already start taking modules, including Analysis 1, Genetics and Introduction to Studying Nanobiology. You will have classes every day of this week – right from the start. Along with your mentor and mentor group, you will also be shown how to find your way around Delft and Rotterdam.

This will depend on the timetable in the first week, but in the past it has always been in Rotterdam at the Erasmus MC Education Center. On the second day, you will also start your lectures in Delft. 

Yes, a laptop is compulsory for the NB degree programme, because you will use it for many of your assignments (e.g. for programming). Students can purchase a laptop at a discount through the laptop project. 

Most are written exams, very much like the final examinations at secondary school. However, there will also be various tests in the weeks that the modules are taught. The idea is to practice all of the subject matter on a weekly basis through smaller tests.  A small proportion of exams are practical assignments.

After an introductory meeting with your academic counsellor at the start of your degree programme, you will be regularly invited to discuss your progress and possibly update your study plan. The academic counsellor is the first point of contact if you have questions and/or problems related to your studies. The NB degree programme is characterised by quick and personal contact, which is possible because it is not all that large yet.

Your mentor will be able to answer all your questions related to your programme and give you useful tips on how to study most effectively. This is because he or she has already taken the same modules the year before you.

For information on improving study skills, two websites have proved particularly useful: Career & Counselling Services and Advice & Counseling (EUR).

The holidays are indicated in green on the annual academic calendar. There are no exams or lectures on these days. You have approximately 10 weeks of holidays as well as some public holidays. Many students use some of these days to prepare for exams or resits or to work on written assignments. So a period of real holiday does not really exist at university. You will be free for two weeks over the Christmas vacation in December. There is also one free week between the semesters in early February. In the summer, you will be free for the second half of July and August. At least, that is if you do not have any resits, since these usually take place in August. NB does not have other free weeks (known as white weeks).

During the Bachelor's degree programme, there is an organised option to go abroad, during the minor in year 3. In order to be able to go abroad during the minor (first semester of year 3), you must be studying at the expected pace and your academic achievements must be high. You can find more information here. During the Master, there are more opportunities to go abroad and this is highly recommended.

The Honours Programme Delft is for bachelor’s and master’s students looking for a challenge over and above what their curriculum offers. It’s a challenging additional programme for students with higher than average performance. Carry out independent research and/or projects and take initiative as you design a large proportion of the programme yourself. Together with Honours Programme Delft students from other disciplines, you may for example, work on research for a full professor, write a business plan, carry out a project for a company, or organise an academic lecture for fellow students. As mentioned previously: with Honours Programme Delft the initiative lies with you. Because of this the possibilities are endless and very much dependent on your own interests and the challenges you’re willing to accept.

The earlier you sign up, the greater the chance that you will find a room quickly. You should therefore sign up in good time, for example with DUWO (the largest provider of student accommodation in Delft).

If you want to find a room in Delft, the webpage Housing is recommended.

For Rotterdam, you will find all the information you need at Practical matters (EUR).

Each degree programme at TU Delft has its own study association. The study association represents the interests of students, organises study-related activities, such as educational trips, lectures and excursions as well as leisure activities.
Student associations are not affiliated with a degree programme or with TU Delft. They can be regarded more as external leisure associations. There are all kinds of student associations, ranging from general associations to those based on culture, sports or politics.

This is not compulsory, but is recommended. Study associations offer books at a discount and organise fun and educational activities. Nanobiology has its own study association: S.V.N.B. Hooke. It focuses on study-related and social activities, discounts on books and educational evaluation.

No, you do not have to, but it is a good way of getting to know new people, especially if you are new to Delft.

Yes, you can! On this page you can find more information about the different possibilities. You can also obtain a teaching qualification during your minor. As this programme prepares you to teach in the Dutch educational system, the working language is Dutch. Accordingly, all information about the Education programme is only available in Dutch 

website (only in Dutch) you can see which master's programme matches your bachelor's programme.