# Wageningen University & Research

Wageningen University & Research (also known as WUR) is a public research university in Wageningen, Netherlands, specializing in life sciences with a focus on agriculture, technical and engineering subjects. It is a globally important center for life sciences and agricultural research. It is located in a region of the Netherlands known as the Food Valley.
WUR consists of Wageningen University and the former agricultural research institutes of the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture. Wageningen University, as a research university, grants degrees at the BSc, MSc and PhD level in life and social sciences. It focuses its research on scientific, social and commercial problems in the field of life sciences and natural resources. It is widely known for its agriculture, forestry, and environmental studies programs. The university has about 12,000 students from over 100 countries. It is a member of the Euroleague for Life Sciences (ELLS) university network.

## History

In 1876 the Rijkslandbouwschool (National Agricultural College) was established in Wageningen. Due to the development of the training to a higher educational level it changed in 1896 to the Hoogere Land- en Boschbouwschool (Agricultural and Forestry College) and in 1904 in Rijks Hoogere Land-, Tuin- en Boschbouwschool (National Agricultural, Horticulture and Forestry College).
In 1918 the school became academic by law (Academic Education Act). The name changed to Rijks Landbouw Hoogeschool (National Agricultural College). The opening date and official start date is 9 March 1918.
In 1986 the research oriented "hogescholen" (comparable to scientific institute of technology or business schools) were renamed to University in a modification of the Academic Education Act. The new name became Landbouwuniversiteit Wageningen (LUW) (Wageningen Agricultural University (WAU)).
Over the years the research and teaching branched out into life sciences in general, while interest for agriculture as a career opportunity waned. In 1997, when the DLO institutes (Dienst Landbouwkundig Onderzoek / Service of agricultural research) merged with the university, the new organisation was rebranded as Wageningen UR (Wageningen University and Research Centre); with the university being renamed Wageningen University. Under Dutch laws the university and the institutes had to remain separate legal entities.
In 2006, the university of applied sciences Van Hall Larenstein became part of Wageningen UR. The idea was to create better collaboration between applied teaching and research at Van Hall and the academic research at Wageningen University. This would also support students to continue with an academic program upon completing their applied degree. However, due to differences in organizational culture and incompatibility of procedures, the collaboration remained problematic. In 2012 it was decided that Van Hall Larenstein would leave Wageningen UR and continue as an independent school once more. In the spring of 2015 the separation was marked by the move of the final Wageningen-based Van Hall Larenstein studies back to Velp.
In 2009 it was decided that the university would consistently use the English name in its communication, and that university research could be presented under the name of the university: Wageningen University (WU), or under of the name Wageningen University and Research (WUR). On 6 September 2016 Wageningen University and the research institutes became one joint brand: Wageningen University & Research (WUR).
On 9 March 2018 Wageningen University celebrated her 100 years anniversary. During this year there were many events and festivities around the campus and in the city of Wageningen.

## Academic profile

Wageningen University was the first Dutch university or school that was allowed to use the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) label. This label is awarded by the European Commission and guarantees the quality of the study program. The university consequently applies this system, thus promoting the mobility of students within Europe and preventing study delay.

### BSc programs

The university offers 19 BSc programs (2018–2019). For some BSc programs, the language of instruction is English. Other programs teach in both Dutch and English. The programs start each year in September, last three years, and consist of 180 ECTS credits. The programs are in the field of economy and society, health, life sciences and technology, nature and environment, animals and plants.

### MSc programs

Wageningen University offers 36 different MSc programs (2017–2018) and two online masters programs. Although formally the same MSc program, from 2022 onwards the Master of Management Economic and Consumer studies program was offered as 5 independent MSc tracks (Sustainable Business Innovations, Sustainable Supply Chain Analytics, Consumer Studies, Economics of Sustainability, Governance of Sustainability Transformations). The language of instruction for all Master's programs is English. The programs start each year in September, they last two years, and consist of 120 ECTS credits. Most programs offer various specializations and possibilities for majors, as well as full or partial premaster tracks for candidates not fulfilling all entry requirements.

### PhD program

The regular PhD program is a four-year program during which PhD candidates are appointed as junior researcher in the universities, building up unemployment and retirement benefits. Such fully paid PhD candidates on a four-year contract can be asked to perform teaching tasks for a maximum of 10% of their time as part of their appointment. Candidates supported by specific grants (usually bestowed upon the candidate by an (international) organisation), or doing PhD next to a regular job can also enrol. In these cases a tailored timeline will be agreed upon. The program consists of a research component (conducting research under supervision and writing a thesis) and a smaller education component (30 ECTS or half a year of course load with conference presentations, and some management and teaching tasks can be listed as learning activity).

## Research institutes

The following research institutes are part of Wageningen Research:
* Wageningen Environmental Research - Wageningen UR, formerly Alterra
* Wageningen Economic Research - Wageningen UR, formerly Landbouw Economisch Instituut Wageningen UR (LEI Wageningen UR)
* Wageningen Bioveterinary Research - Wageningen UR, formerly Central Veterinary Institute
* Wageningen Centre for Development Innovation - Wageningen UR, formerly Centre for Development Innovation
* Wageningen Food & Biobased Research - Wageningen UR, formerly Food & Biobased Research
* Wageningen Livestock Research - Wageningen UR
* Wageningen Marine Research - Wageningen UR, formerly IMARES
* Wageningen Plant Research - Wageningen UR
* Dairy Campus
* Wageningen Food Safety Research - Wageningen UR, formerly RIKILT

## Controversy

Wageningen University and Research has come under fire due to claims of partiality in research. One case regards a research concerning bee colony collapse disorder. Research conducted by Tjeerd Blacquière on the topic has caused controversy due to funding received for the research from the German pesticide producer Bayer, the world's biggest producer of neonicotinoid insecticides, a suspect factor for the colony collapse disorder.
In 2018 the Dutch magazine OneWorld went to court in an attempt to demand access to contracts between WUR and Bayer, Syngenta and Monsanto, but OneWorld ultimately lost the court case.

## Rankings
### International rankings

In the field of life sciences, agricultural and environmental science, the university is considered world-class. According to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings it is the best university in the Netherlands and No. 1 worldwide, in agriculture and forestry for 2017 on the QS World University Rankings charts.
* In the 2019 U.S. News & World Report Ranking Wageningen University & Research is ranked first in agricultural sciences, plant and animal sciences, and environment/ecology.
* In the 2017/2018 National Taiwan Ranking Wageningen University is ranked first in the field of agriculture.
* In the 2017/2018 National Taiwan Ranking Wageningen University is ranked first in the field of Environment & Ecology.
* In the 2016 Shanghai Ranking Wageningen University was ranked in the bracket 101-150th best universities in the world overall and 36th best in the life and agriculture sciences.
* In the 2017 Times Higher Education World University Rankings Wageningen University was ranked 25th overall in the world and 16th in life sciences.
* In the Academic Ranking of World Universities 2017 Wageningen University & Research is ranked first in the field of Food Science & Technology.
* In the 2016/2017 QS World University Rankings, Wageningen University was ranked 119th overall in the world, first in the field of agriculture and forestry, fourth in environmental science, 13th in development studies, and 83rd in life sciences and medicine.

### National rankings

* The Dutch 'Keuzegids [nl]' ranking compares Dutch universities based on reviews by their own students. In 2024 Wageningen University is ranked as the best university in the Netherlands in full-time education for the 20th time in a row.
* In 2015 Wageningen University was awarded as the most sustainable Dutch University by Morgen (organization) [nl], for the third time in a row.

## Student activities and associations

* Pyrus is the study association for Bsc Soil, Water, Atmosphere and Msc Earth and Environment students. The study association was established in 1989 after the study programme changed its name to Soil, Water, Atmosphere.
* M.S.V. Alchimica is the study association for students Molecular Life Sciences. Since 1970 it has been organising different activities for its members.
* CODON is the study Association for all Biotechnology (BBT and MBT), Bioinformatics (MBF) and Biobased Sciences (MBS) students. Established by the first students of Bioprocestechnologie on 16 September 1991. At that time the association carried the name "BiPS" which was later changed to CODON.
* Nitocra is the study association for students of International Land and Water management.
* Semper Florens is the study association for students of the bachelor Plant Sciences (BPS), the master Plant Sciences (MPS), the master Plant Biotechnology (MPB) and the master Organic Agriculture (MOA).
* HeerenXVII is the study association for students of following the bachelor 'Agrotechnologie' or the masters ' Biosystems Engineering'.
* Nicolas Appert is the study association of the students for Food Technology including all masters programmes. It is named after the famous professor Nicolas Appert who invented the technique of 'canning'.
* Mercurius is the social science association for students at the WUR following either the bachelor 'management and consumer studies', 'economics and governance' or the master 'Management, Economics and Consumer studies'.
* Licere is the study association of the students for MTO Tourism, Leisure and Environment masters programme.

## Notable alumni and staff

* Qu Dongyu Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations
* Reinier van den Berg [nl]
* Dirk Bezemer (born 1971), economist
* Jan Bieleman
* Jan Just Bos
* Gerrit Braks
* Staf Depla [nl]
* Jeroen Dijsselbloem
* Willem Hilbrand van Dobben [nl]
* Heather M. Ferguson
* Edith Feskens [nl]
* Louise Fresco
* Volkert van der Graaf, murderer of Pim Fortuyn
* Wilbert Hetterscheid [nl]
* Gerrit Hiemstra
* J. G. ten Houten, extraordinarius (Extraordinary Professor) from 1971-'76
* George Tawia Odamtten
* Piet de Jong
* Martijn Katan
* Ruud Koopmans
* Ferdinand Anton Langguth Oliviera [nl]
* Joan Leemhuis-Stout
* Helga van Leur
* Tinka Murk [nl]
* F. H. van Naerssen
* Jan Odink
* Theo Quené [nl]
* Rudy Rabbinge [nl]
* Ramsewak Shankar
* Bernard Slicher van Bath
* Willie Smits
* Paul Struik
* Marco Fraaije
* Harry Snelders [nl]
* Katja Staartjes [nl], first Dutch woman on Mount Everest
* Jan-Benedict Steenkamp
* Rob Urgert [nl]
* Jan Valckenier Suringar
* Abbie Richards
* Cees Veerman
* Louise Vet
* Annemiek van Vleuten
* Joris Voorhoeve
* Anne Vondeling
* Marijke Vos
* Willem de Vos (academic)
* Henk Vredeling
* Simon Vroemen
* Karel Vuursteen [nl], CEO of Heineken
* Clive West [nl]
* Onno Wijnands [nl]
* Hendrik de Wit
* Grietje Zeeman [nl]
* Roosmarijn Knol [nl]