For talented and motivated student the VU Honours Programme offers a program to invest more effort in your bachelors program and helps with broadening your horizon.

Admission criteria

The Honours Programme is designed for students who have passed all of their first-year Bachelor’s courses by the end of that year, with an average grade of 7.5 and who have the motivation to take extra subjects in the second and third year of their programme. With extra faculty courses and interdisciplinary courses without extra tuition fees you will be able to earn an extra 30 credits in addition to the 180 credits of the standard Bachelor’s programme.

Already start in your first Bachelors year?

If you passed all the exams of the 1st and 2nd period of your first Bachelor’s year with an average grade of at least 7.5, you may take an Honours course during the 2nd semester of your first year (limited places available). If you are likely to meet these criteria and you are interested in joining the programme, please send in the application form before 1 December.

Together with VU, UvA and AUC

The interdisciplinary components are taught mainly in the evening by the finest lecturers from Vrije Universiteit, University of Amsterdam and Amsterdam University College, as well as guest lecturers from the Netherlands and abroad. The classes are small and you will be expected to present, write papers and actively contribute in discussions. Some examples of this courses are: The Future Entrepreneur, Brain and Behavior, Human Rights and Globalisation and International Development. You can find information about all interdisciplinary courses at: www.vu.nl/honourscourses.

Why should you join?

The reasons for participation can differ from academic curiosity, intellectual challenge, broadening and deepening your knowledge, contact with like-minded students (also from other faculties), the creative and interdisciplinary learning environment or the fact that you will stand out from your peers with an honours degree. Because most courses are taught in English participation in this programme will also improve your English.

Bonuses

The Honours Programme offers you more than just courses. Every year we are allowed to select students for the Netherlands-Asia Honours Summer School. You will be informed about all kinds of special opportunities. You can become a member of Extensus, the study association for Honours students and you can join their study trip, Master’s classes and social activities. After completing the programme all students are invited for a festive Graduation Event. These are some of the attractive bonuses which come along with being an Honours student.