Prospectus

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Honours College FSW

The Honours College of the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences (FSW Honours College) at Leiden University offers students who are looking for an extra challenge the opportunity to follow an Honours Track on top of their regular academic course and learn more about other scientific disciplines. FSW Honours College offers three different tracks:

  • FSW HC – Science and Society Track 30 EC interdisciplinary programme for deepening and broadening knowledge, within a community of students.

  • FSW HC – Individual Track 30 EC tailor-made Honours College FSW programme.

  • FSW HC – Double Bachelor + Combination of two complete Bachelor degree programs, supplemented by an interdisciplinary Honours Class.

For more information check the FSW Honours College website.

Science & Society

Learning outcomes:
1. HC students are familiar with the way different academic disciplines approach and understand certain themes.
2. HC students are capable of asking insightful questions about the interaction between science and society.
3. HC students can design effective solutions by taking up multiple perspectives.
4. HC students have a curious and critical attitude.

Course EC Semester 1 Semester 2

Bachelor I (5 EC)

Introduction Science & Society. Students follow an established programme of 5 EC.

Social Science Lab 5

Bachelor II (5 EC Mandatory + 10 EC Elective = 15 EC)

In the second year, students select a theme that connects all activities undertaken for the Honours College. They can choose from:

Introduction Sustainability and Health 3
Introduction Adults and Children in a Polarising World 3
Introduction Digitalisation and Robotisation 3
Introduction Life Choices and Demography 3

Students also participate in:

Two-day Excursion 1
Personal and Professional Development 1

Elective Honours Courses (Bachelor II)

Students select 10 EC from the following electives:

Philosophic Considerations: Human Nature and Moral Progress 3
Journalism and New Media 3
Juvenile Delinquency: Prevention and Repression 5
Mythical Institutions: Searching for the Secrets of Success 5
Societal Internship 1 / 5
Research Internship 1 / 5
Lecture Series 1 / 2
Honours Class (Honours College FSW) 5
Honours Lectures 5
LUC - Course from Leiden University College 5
Regular BA course 5

Bachelor III (10 EC)

In the final year of the Science & Society track, students follow an established programme of 10EC.

Extension BA Thesis 3
Honours Class (Honours College FSW) 5

Elective Honours Courses (Bachelor III)

Students who took an Honours Class in year 2 can also choose one of the following courses instead of a second Honours Class: (NB: a regular BA course should have a level of at least 400 in year 3).

Societal Internship 1 / 5
Research Internship 1 / 5
Honours Lectures 5
LUC - Course from Leiden University College 5
Regular BA course 5
Science & Society III 2

Individual

Students who are looking for an extra challenge, but would like to compose their own Honours programme instead of completing the regular Honours programme, can participate in the Honours College FSW Individual track. The starting point for this track is that you propose a theme based on your own vision and ambitions for your future career. What do you believe will best prepare you for your mission in your professional life? For the individual track, you may include courses that may deepen and broaden your knowledge of that particular field of study as well as a relevant extension of your BA thesis.

Admission requirements

You should have a GPA of 7.5 or higher and be on track to complete your studies within the prescribed time.

Content of the FSW Honours College Individual Track

The Honours Individual Track amounts to 30 ECs in total.

1.
At least 10 EC from the programme offered by the FSW Honours College and the Honours Academy:

  • At least one Honours Class organized by the Honours Academy (5 EC).

  • The workshops “Personal and Professional Development” (2 EC in year 2, 1 EC in year 3) from the programme offered by the FSW Honours College are also mandatory.

  • Other courses from the FSW Honours College programme that you may follow (but you don’t have to): a societal or research internship (1-5 EC) and one (but no more) course organized by Leiden University College (5 EC).

2.
Courses from your own and/or other BA programs (bringing your total number of ECs up to 28 ECs).
You may take up to two courses from your own discipline, but they should always be of a higher level than your current year (300 level courses in your second year; 400 level courses in your third year). In addition, you will complete an additional Honours assignment for these courses. Keep in mind that the credits from these courses do not count towards your own BA programme.
If you take one or more courses from another BA program, they too should have a level of 300 if you are in your second year, and level 400 in your third year.

3.
You will extend your BA thesis with 3 ECs in order to broaden or deepen your research.

Procedure for admission to the FSW Honours College Individual Track

There are several steps to the admissions process.

If you meet the GPA and do not have any study delays, you can enroll as a candidate for the FSW Individual Honours Track via this website.

The coach from the Honours College FSW will invite you for a kick-off meeting. She will help you to compose a study plan for your Honours programme.

You will submit your final study plan to your coach and the coordinator of the Honours College FSW. You will then be invited for an interview with your coach and the coordinator, during which you will be asked to elaborate on the following: what interconnected or thematic learning objective(s) you wish to achieve, your personal learning pathway, the courses that you picked for your Honours programme, and how your Honours programme will enable you to achieve the learning outcomes of the FSW Honours College (see below). It is up to the coach and coordinator of the Honours College FSW to approve your study plan. If necessary, your study plan will be reviewed by the Board of Examiners.

Learning outcomes of the FSW Honours College

  • HC students are familiar with the way different academic disciplines approach and understand certain themes.

  • HC students have developed a vision on a current societal issue related to their theme.

  • HC students have a curious and critical attitude and are capable of asking insightful questions about their chosen theme.

Double Bachelor+

The Honours College FSW offers a special programme for students with two bachelor’s courses. Beside completing their bachelor’s courses, students are expected to compelte a Honours Class (5 EC).

Applying for the Double Bachelor+ programme is possible till the end of the second year (of the first started study) en if the following requirements are met:

  • The student takes two Bachelor’s courses, one at Leiden University Social Sciences faculty;

  • The student has good grades and is looking for an extra challenge;

  • The student has a nominal study progress for both Bachelor’s courses.

Check the website.