The Commission noted that the VUB takes a very personal approach to its students. VUB describes its teaching approach as tailored teaching, characterised by indi­vi­dual guidance for students, teaching in small groups and a low threshold for contacting academic staff.
 
The report found that study support at  VUB is partly centralised and partly course-based. There is a standard offering, but the support provided is tailored to the individual student if this is necessary.

For our students, this institutional review confirms what they experience every day: personalised, socially relevant teaching, delivered to a high standard in one of the world's most international cities.


The VUB accepts its responsibilities and is seeking to continue its efforts to democratise higher education and widen access to university, in accordance with its humanist tradition. The Commission also found that the university is particularly aware of its responsibility­ towards the city of Brussels and its position as a Dutch-speaking university in the city.
 
Nevertheless, the report makes it clear that the Vrije University also has other ambitions. The VUB states that inter­nationalisation is an important dimension which it is seeking to continue to develop. Inter­natio­nal students questioned by the Commission are very enthusiastic about the VUB and the su­pport that they receive. Its ambition to provide an international experience for Belgian students, partly due to the fact that not many VUB students participate in mobility­ programmes­, is expressed mainly by maximising the use of the inter­national con­text provided by the city of Brussels. A number of initiatives have already been introduced­ by individual courses, and this will continue during the coming years in collaboration with a large number of external partners in Brussels.
 
During its visits the Commission noted that all those it spoke to, including students, are strongly committed to the VUB's strategic approach. Students have a clear voice in policy-making within the university and feel a sense of shared responsibility. The Commission felt that this goes beyond mere consultation to include a degree of shared governance of the university.
 
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