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Honours modules

The IIS offers a range of interdisciplinary Honours modules for students who want to get more out of their degree programme. These modules are open to students from the UvA, the Amsterdam University College (AUC) and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU).

  • About the Honours programme

    An Honours programme consists of additional courses with a workload of at least 30 credits, that students pursue during their Bachelor's programme. To follow the Honours programme, there are certain entry requirements and output requirements. Ask the Honours coordinator/study advisor of your own faculty which requirements apply to you.

    We only handle registrations for our own Honours courses and can therefore not provide you with advice on the above and other aspects within the Honours programme, such as the content, alternative solutions and following faculty (Honours) courses, for example.

  • Honours Try Out Class & Registration Honours modules

    Honours Try Out Class

    During the Try Out Class, we inform all interested Honours students of the UvA and the VU about the interdepartmental honours modules of the UvA, VU and AUC in the first semester of 2023-2024.

    What is the Try Out Class?

    Prior to the start of each semester, you can attend a Try Out Class where all the interfaculty honours courses of VU, UvA and some AUC courses on offer are presented so you can acquaint yourself with them. During the days following the Try Out Class, you can apply online for placement in courses of your preference.

    Contact information
    UvA Honours: Andrea Manneke, Iwan Oostrom and Faye van Oort: 
    honours-iis@uva.nl 
    VU Honours: Eva Meijerink, Joke Verwers and Gemma van der Wal:
     honours@vu.nl 
    AUC Honours: Jack Rockett
    Servicedesk@auc.nl 

    Registration

    All Honours students of the UvA, VU, and AUC can register for the interdepartmental Honours courses between Tuesday 6 June 10 AM and Sunday 11 June 11 PM by completing the online registration form. Placement will be at random and not on a first-come, first-served basis. In the week of 19 June, we will inform you about the courses that you are placed in. Make sure you apply on time because placement after 11 June is not guaranteed.

    Update 12 June: Registration is now closed. If you would like to request a late application, please send an email with your top-4 courses to honours-iis@uva.nl. We will let you know at the beginning of July whether we have been able to place you.

    It is mandatory to give four different preferences. 

    • For UvA students: The 1st and 2nd preferences can be UvA, VU or AUC modules; the 3rd and 4th have to be UvA modules.
    • For VU students: The 1st and 2nd preferences can be UvA, VU or AUC modules; the 3rd and 4th preferences have to be VU modules. 
    • For AUC students: All 4 preferences have to be UvA or VU courses (no AUC courses).

    You can indicate if you'd like to take one or two courses. You can only be guaranteed a second course if you have to obtain 12 ECTS in one semester. This will be checked with the Honours coordinator or study advisor of your faculty.

    If all courses of your preference are full, you will be placed on a waiting list.

    If you have any questions, please contact us at honours-iis@uva.nl.

    Please note: If your registration for the Honours programme is not complete yet, you can still register for the courses. If it turns out that you do not meet the Honours requirements, it is always possible to deregister for the course. Your participation in the Honours programme will be checked with the Honours coordinator of your faculty. For further questions about your Honours programme always contact your Honours coordinator or study advisor.

    AUC Honours courses

    All Honours students of the UvA, VU, and AUC can apply for an AUC course by completing the same registration form. However, different requirements and conditions apply. Please note: There are limited spots available for UvA and VU Honours students.

    • You can give one preference for an AUC course (that is one of the four preferences you list on the registration form).
    • Some of the AUC courses have prerequisites. In case you don't meet the prerequisites please do not apply.
    • You need to upload your grade list (a screenshot from UvA NET or VU).
    • Registration forms without a grade list will not be processed.
    • Registration forms submitted after 11 June will not be processed, so make sure you register on time.
    • Students will be selected for these courses by AUC on the basis of the Bachelor's courses they completed.
    • All courses are taught in English.
    • For VU students, the AUC will rearrange your ‘bijvakinschrijving/ subsidiary registration’ at the UvA/AUC. You do not have to arrange this in Studielink yourself.
    • More information about all AUC courses can be found soon on this website
    • In case you have questions about the courses, please send an email to servicedesk@auc.nl
    • More information about AUC can be found at auc.nl.
  • Not registered as an Honours student

    If you do not follow the Honours programme but are interested in taking an Honours module, you can contact us at Honours-iis@uva.nl. You will be placed on a 'waiting list'. If there are still spots available and there are no Honours students on the waiting list, we can enrol you for the course. Keep in mind that you might receive a message from us 1 or 2 weeks before the start of the course about your possible registration. Please note: Honours students always have priority.

  • Amsterdam Honours Student Council (AHSC)

    The Amsterdam Honours Student Council (AHSC) is part of Extensus and focuses on the quality control of Honours courses and on the policy and cooperation of the universities. The HSC is currently active at the VU and the UvA, and they try to improve the student representation in the HP policy of both universities. For more information, please visit their website.

    Extensus is the study association for Honours students of UvA, VU and the AUC. As a member of Extensus you have the unique opportunity to build a valuable network with other Honours students and make friends outside your own study programme and/or university. Throughout the year, Extensus organises social events, such as 'borrels', galas, study trips and lasertag events, career events, such as inhouse days, consultancy drinks, career dinner, and professional trainings and academic events, such as masterclasses by inspiring people. Become a member of Extensus here, visit the website, Instagram (@extensus), or send an email to extensus@gmail.com.

  • Honours courses abroad

    Here you will find Honours courses that are given abroad. These Honours courses are offered by other institutes and you also need permission from your examination committee.

    • The Netherlands-Asia Honours Summer School (NAHSS) is a collaboration between all Dutch universities, the government and some leading companies. The NAHSS is aimed at ambitious second-year and third-year undergraduate students. For more information, see the NAHSS website.
    • More information about study abroad programmes and scholarships can be found here
  • Evaluation committee IIS Honours courses

    An evaluation committee has been established to guarantee the quality of our Honours education. The committee, which consists of students and teachers, meets at least four times a year to formulate solicited and unsolicited advice on all educational matters of IIS Honours modules. The course evaluations are used for this purpose and students who take IIS Honours modules are heard.

    The evaluation committee would like to receive your remarks, comments, recommendations and other suggestions about the content, output and course listing of the IIS Honours modules by email: info-ihm@uva.nl.

  • Educational vision IIS Honours

    Five ambitions are central to the Honours education at the IIS: interdisciplinarity, room for experimentation, personal and academic development, academic reflection and focus on contemporary issues. You can read the IIS Educational vision below.