Why the Honours Programme?

If you are a talented and motivated student the VU Honours Programme offers you the opportunity to invest more in your own area of study and to broaden your horizon.

What is the Honours Programme?

On top of your nominal bachelor's programme you attend courses within your own department as well as interdepartmental courses for a total of 30 extra credits. The Honours Programme is taught in English and takes place in the second and third year of your bachelor’s programme. As from 2014-2015 also first year's students (at some faculties) can follow Honours courses. To receive a Bachelor Honours Degree you have to complete your bachelor programme with a gpa of at least 7.5. 

Part of the Honours Programme consists of courses within your own department. How many courses you are required to take within your own departmental programme and in the interdepartmental programme differs per faculty. If you have questions about the departmental part of the Honoursprogramme you can contact your Faculty Honours Coordinator.

The courses in the interdepartmental programme are interdisciplinary and are taught by the best researchers from within the VU University Amsterdam, UvA (University of Amsterdam), AUC (Amsterdam University College) and by international guest lecturers. The courses are taught in small groups and you are supposed to participate actively in discussions, give presentations and write papers. Class meetings of the interdepartmental Honours courses (except from those at AUC) take place between 17.00 and 21.00 o'clock in order to avoid conflicts with your regular programme. For questions about the interdepartmental part of the Honoursprogramme you can contact the general contact persons.

Information Meeting for all first years students at Tuesday November 15th 2016

Download the programme here

Reasons for attending

• You learn more!
  
• You deepen and broaden your knowledge and skills in your field of study.
  
• You cross the boundaries of your own study programme, particularly in the interdepartmental Honours courses, exploring topics from various angles with students and lecturers from other disciplines.
  
• You attend courses with students who have also obtained relatively high grades and shown above-average motivation. This means that the pace and level of the Honours courses are higher, allowing for more in-depth study of the learning content than is possible in regular bachelor courses.
  
• Freedom of choice within the Honours Programme allows you to improve the match of your study programme to your individual interests and ambitions.
  
• The Honours Programme is taught in small groups, so that you get more individual attention from the lecturers and more intensive guidance.
  
• The courses in the Honours Programme are taught by top academics. There are also guest lectures by renowned academics from other (international) universities.
  
• Some departmental Honours Programmes allow a greater focus on the development of research skills than the regular bachelor programmes.
  
• Your participation in the Honours Programme will distinguish you from students who have studied only a regular bachelor, enhancing your chances of admission to certain (research) masters.
  
• By obtaining an Honours degree you acquire good English language skills (as most courses are taught in English) and an internationally recognised diploma, increasing your international career perspectives.
  
• An Honours degree shows you are an outstanding student who is motivated, not afraid to take on extra challenges and achieves more than average. With this degree, you will stand out from your peers when entering the labour market.