Welcome! Bon Bini!

Are you ready for the challenge? If so, then we hope to welcome you at the beginning of the new academic year as a student at the University of Aruba (UA).

The UA is a small unique university with interactive classes and much individual attention given to each student.

At the UA, both faculty and staff work to provide a positive learning environment through mutual respect and a shared vision of providing quality education. The UA environment encourages intellectual exchange among students and professors in a friendly and informal atmosphere.

The UA is located in the historic La Salle Building in front of the post office in downtown Oranjestad.

La Salle Building (Main Campus)

Benefits of studying at the UA

• Interactive and personal guidance
• Teamwork and field projects
• International staff (visiting lecturers)
• Active student body and activities
• Exchange programs and internships with USA, Caribbean and Europe

About the University of Aruba

The University of Aruba (UA) is a modern university offering higher education, research, and social services to Aruba and the surrounding regions. Embedded in the Aruban society, the UA is a model in cultural diversity that represents the make-up of the Aruban culture itself, with students from the Caribbean, European, Latin, Asian, and American family backgrounds. The current four Faculties and the various University Centers strive to contribute to academic discussion, participate in the sustainable development of Aruba, and promote critical open-minded thinking. Providing these services is a critical part of UA’s mission to give back to the Aruban community.

Like the student population, the teaching staff at the UA is made up of a diverse body of dedicated scholars from Aruba and abroad. Working closely together, this team of local and international scholars fosters the academic growth of the almost 700 students attending the UA. Additionally, to promote both faculty and student development, the UA offers a number of critical administrative, facilities, and individual services which are provided by a friendly and supportive UA staff.

The UA traces its roots back to 1988 when the start of the Faculty of Law (FdR) marked the beginning of the UA’s academic growth. In 1993, the Faculty for Accounting, Finance, and Marketing (FEF) started which is now the largest faculty of the UA, followed by the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management Studies (FHTMS) in 2005. The UA’s most recent addition is the Faculty of Arts and Science (FAS) which began in 2009. In the coming years, the UA hopes to continue its expansion by offering cutting-edge degree programs to both local and international students.

The establishment and organization of the UA were arranged by the State Ordinance University of Aruba (LUA), AB 1988, 100, which was amended by AB 1996, 72.

The four faculties of the University

The University of Aruba currently offers degree programs at four faculties; the Faculty of Law (FDR), the Faculty for Accounting, Finance and Marketing (FEF), the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management Studies (FHTMS), and the Faculty of Arts and Science (FAS). These faculties offer educational programs and research activities, as well as services to society. 

Each of the Faculties is led by a Dean and the Faculty Council, with a representation of lecturers, students, and administrative staff. The academic staff consists of full-time and part-time lecturers and professors. The ratio of teaching staff to students allows for small classes and plenty of individual student guidance.

The aim of the UA is to offer, through its faculties, a variety of academic (WO) and higher education (HBO) studies. Faculties also carry out research on Aruban social processes; the findings are shared through publications, symposia, lectures, education, and other activities with the Aruban and international communities.

Faculty of Law (FDR)

The Faculty of Law (FdR), the first faculty, provides academic education and training in Aruban law. In the academic year 2006 – 2007, the curriculum was amended to a Bachelor-Master structure. At the beginning of September 2006, the three-year Bachelor in Aruban law was introduced, followed by a Master in Aruban law in the academic year 2008-2009.

In contrast to law studies at large universities in the Netherlands, FDR offers small classes with personal attention for each student. The undergraduate program (Bachelor) provides a three-year program, while the Master program is one year, with the possibility to specialize in two different profiles; Legal practice, and; International Law, Regulation, and Governance.

Faculty for Accounting, Finance and Marketing (FEF) 

The academic year 1993 – 1994 saw the birth of the Financial and Economic Faculty (FEF), the UA’s second faculty. The FEF offers programs in Business Economics and Commercial Economics; each is a four-year undergraduate program.

The four-year program offers training for employment possibilities in banking, accounting, hospitality, and other management opportunities. After a one-year ‘propedeuse’, students specialize for three years in either Accounting and Finance (BE) or Marketing (CE).

Moreover, FEF offers supporting classes to obtain an AA- accounting degree, as an extension of the BE program. In collaboration with Nyenrode Business University FEF also offers classes to obtain a post-bachelor controlling degree.

Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management Studies (FHTMS) 

In the Academic Year 2004 – 2005 a third faculty was founded: the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management Studies (FHTMS). FHTMS focuses on conducting applied and scientific research and delivering services that benefit the Aruban hospitality community and tourism industry. 

The FHTMS consists of undergraduate and graduate programs. The three-year undergraduate program provides students with a scientific, research-based program emphasizing business principles and management theories of international business and the international tourism industry. The graduate program offers a business management development program leading to a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree.

In the academic year 2005 – 2006, the first cohort started. In 2008, the first cohort of the faculty’s two-year MBA program started at the university.

Faculty of Arts and Science

The youngest faculty is that of Arts and Science (FAS). The FAS is set up as a multi-study faculty, with a focus on social-cultural studies and humanities. In the academic year, 2009 – 2010 FAS launched the bachelor programs in Social Work and Development, and; Organization, Governance, and Management. In the academic year, 2013 – 2014 FAS launched the bachelor program in Mathematics Teaching. In 2018 the University of Aruba launched the innovative bachelor program in Sustainable Island Solutions through Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (SISSTEM). Both research and social and community service opportunities are available to FAS students.

Social Work & Development (SW&D)

The 4-year program provides students with a professional, research-based undergraduate program exploring from a developmental perspective, theory, and practice regarding social work for the Aruban community. The program provides both the academic preparation and practical experience that students will need to enter and excel in social work professional fields of diversity and multiple developmental challenges.

Organization, Governance and Management (OGM)

The 4-year Bachelor’s program provides students with a scientific, research-oriented program and represents a joint venture between the academic fields of Organizational Sciences, Governance and Management. The study focuses on theories and practices, governance, organizational development, business processes, research, and (inter) cultural concepts.

Mathematics Bachelor Teaching Degree (LW)

The 4-year HBO-Bachelor Mathematics Teaching Degree (LW) program is a pedagogical training program that prepares students to teach at a grade-two teaching qualification level for secondary education (“tweedegraads”) in Mathematics.

Sustainable Island Solutions through Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (SISSTEM)

The 3-year innovative bachelor program is offered by the University in cooperation with renowned partners such as the KU Leuven (Belgium). It focuses on sustainable development within the context of small islands states. The SISSTEM program is designed to prepare the next generation of engineers, analysts, policymakers, and researchers for the challenges facing the achievement of sustainable development. It is based on a curriculum that combines a thorough and broad foundation in STEM theory with applied practice in small island states.

The Academic Foundation Year

In 2016 the University started with a certificate program “The Academic Foundation Year.” The Academic Foundation Year has been created with the purpose of serving as a bridge between high school and university for undecided students. It is a one-year certificate program that equips motivated students with the skills, tools, and capabilities to seek successful entry into higher education programs. It provides an academic entry pathway to first-year undergraduate study or its equivalent and offers learning opportunities that maximize student engagement and provides opportunities for regular feedback on student progress.

Extracurricular Possibilities

While academia is the primary area of concern, the UA offers students at the University the possibility to “unlock their creativity and potentials.” We organize various student activities for students and have various active student organizations at our University. We recognize that time spent at the UA is also an opportunity to make new friends and gain new life experiences.

Check out our student organizations

Application

The University of Aruba offers both undergraduate study programs and graduate study programs. Application opens from May 15th until July 15th.

Learn more about applying to the University of Aruba