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Electives Faculty of Humanities

Last updated on 12 March 2024
Students of the Faculty of Humanities can take electives within their own degree programme/faculty, another VU faculty, or another university.

Information for Bachelor students

The first semester of the third bachelor year consists of elective courses. For half a year (or thirty credits) you can arrange your study programme as you wish. How you present yourself is up to you. You can fill the elective space with a (combination of):

  • Work placement
  • exchange
  • minor
  • electives

On this page you can read how to fill up your elective with electives. These are the options:

  • Compose your own package of electives
  • Electives within the faculty of Humanities
  • Electives at another faculty of VU Amsterdam
  • Electives at another university

Always check the requirements for the elective courses. These requirements may differ per course. You can find the requirements in the Teaching and Examination Regulation (TER) of your programme (via the Study Guide). Also check whether you need permission from the Faculty of Humanities' Examination board before registering for an elective.

Information for Master's students

In many Master's programmes there is room for electives. In this elective space, you can organize your study according to your own views. How you present yourself is up to you. You can fill the elective space with a (combination of):

  • Work placement
  • exchange
  • minor
  • Electives

On this page you can read how to fill up your elective with electives. These are the options:

  • Electives within the faculty of Humanities
  • Electives at another faculty of VU Amsterdam
  • Electives at another university (in the Netherlands or abroad)

Electives Faculty of Humanities

  • Compiling your own set of electives

    Information for bachelor students

    Do you want to compile a minor yourself and include the courses in the programme of your study programme? Always submit this package of electives in advance to the Examination board of the Faculty of Humanities. You can do so using the application form.

    If you have composed a minor of your own, please note that at least 12 ects of the courses must be at level 300. The level of the courses can be found in the Study Guide. Always submit a complete package of 30 ECTS to the Examination board. If you want to add an internship to your package of courses, please state this clearly in your application.

    If you choose a faculty minor or a university minor, you do not need permission from the Examination board.

  • Electives within the Faculty of Humanities

    Information for bachelor students

    You can take courses from other programmes in the Faculty of Humanities or do extra electives within your own programme.

    Do you want to allow an elective to count towards the 180 credits of your bachelor's programme? Then you need prior permission from the Examination board. Apply for this permission using the application form. Please note that the language of instruction of the elective course is the same as the language of instruction of the track in which you are studying. The language of instruction laid down in the Teaching and Examination Regulation (TER) is leading in this respect. If you are studying in an English-language track, for example, you will not be permitted to include Dutch-language electives in your programme.

    Subjects that fall outside the programme of your study programme are called extracurricular subjects. If you have not asked the Examination board for permission to include the elective in your programme, the subject will be registered as an extracurricular subject. Extracurricular courses that you obtained at VU Amsterdam will be listed under the heading "extracurricular courses" on your Diploma Supplement. 

    Information for master students

    You can take courses from other programmes in the Faculty of Humanities or do extra electives within your own study programme.

    Do you want to include the elective in the study programme of your programme and is it not mentioned in the Teaching and Examination Regulation (TER) as an elective? Then you need the prior permission of the Examination board of the Faculty of Humanities. Apply for this permission using the application form. Please note that the language of instruction of the elective course must be the same as the language of instruction of the track in which you are studying. The language of instruction laid down in the TER is leading in this respect. If you are studying in an English-language track, for example, you will not be permitted to include Dutch-language electives in your programme.

    Subjects that fall outside the programme of your study programme are called extracurricular subjects. Extracurricular courses taken at VU Amsterdam will be listed under the heading "extracurricular courses" on your Diploma Supplement. 

  • Elective courses at another faculty of VU Amsterdam

    Information for bachelor students

    Do you want to take courses from a programme at another faculty of VU Amsterdam? Please refer to the Study Guide for an overview of possible courses.

    Do you want to include these courses in the 180 ECTS of your programme? Then you need prior permission from the Examination board. Request this permission via the application form. Please note that the language of instruction of the elective is the same as the language of instruction of the track in which you are studying. The language of instruction laid down in the Teaching and Examination Regulation (TER) is leading in this respect. If you are studying in an English-language track, for example, you will not be permitted to include Dutch-language electives in your programme.

    Subjects that fall outside the programme of your study programme are called extracurricular subjects. If you have not asked the Examination board for permission to include the elective in your programme, the subject will be registered as an extracurricular subject. Extracurricular courses that you obtained at VU Amsterdam will be listed under the heading "extracurricular courses" on your Diploma Supplement.

    Information for master students

    Do you want to take courses from a programme at another faculty of VU Amsterdam? Then look for an overview of possible courses in the Study guide.

    Do you want to include the elective in your study programme and is it not mentioned in the Teaching and Examination Regulation (TER) as an elective? Then you need the prior consent of the Examination board. Apply for this permission using the application form. Please note that the language of instruction of the elective course must be the same as the language of instruction of the track in which you are studying. The language of instruction laid down in the TER is leading in this respect. If you are studying in an English-language track, for example, you will not be permitted to include Dutch-language electives in your programme.

    Subjects that fall outside the programme of your study programme are called extracurricular subjects. If you have not asked the Examination board for permission to include the elective in your programme, the subject will be registered as an extracurricular subject. Extracurricular courses that you obtained at VU Amsterdam will be listed under the heading "extracurricular courses" on your Diploma Supplement. 

  • Electives at another university

    Information for bachelor students

    Check with the university in question whether you can take the elective course you want to register for. Enroll at the other university as a subsidiary study programme student (via Studielink). To do so, you will need a Paid Collegiate Certificate from VU Amsterdam.

    Do you want to take an elective outside VU Amsterdam and have it count towards the 180 credits of your bachelor's programme? Then you need prior permission from the Examination board. Request this permission via the application form. Please note that the language of instruction of the elective is the same as the language of instruction of the track in which you are studying. The language of instruction laid down in the Teaching and Examination Regulation (TER) is leading in this respect. If you are studying in an English-language track, for example, you will not be permitted to include Dutch-language electives in your programme.

    If you have taken an (extra) course at an educational institution other than VU Amsterdam (and outside a partnership with the University of Amsterdam), you must ensure that VU Amsterdam receives the results and credits you have obtained.

    Subjects that fall outside the programme of your study are called extracurricular subjects. Extracurricular subjects that you have taken and obtained outside VU Amsterdam are not mentioned on the Diploma Supplement under the heading "extracurricular subjects". You cannot request permission for this from the Examination board either.

    Information for master students

    Check with the university in question whether you can participate in the desired elective course and register for it. Enroll at the other university as a subsidiary study programme student (via Studielink). To do so, you will need a Proof of Paid Tuition Fees from VU Amsterdam.

    Do you want to include the elective in the study programme of your programme and is it not mentioned in the Teaching and Examination Regulation (TER) as an elective? Then you need the prior permission of the Examination board. Apply for this permission using the application form. Please note that the language of instruction of the elective course must be the same as the language of instruction of the track in which you are studying. The language of instruction laid down in the TER is leading in this respect. If you are studying in an English-language track, for example, you will not be permitted to include Dutch-language electives in your programme.

    If you have taken an (extra) course at an educational institution other than VU Amsterdam (and outside a partnership with the University of Amsterdam), you must ensure that VU Amsterdam receives the results and credits you have obtained.

    Subjects that fall outside the programme of your study are called extracurricular subjects. If you have not asked the Examination board for permission to include the elective in your programme, the subject will be registered as extracurricular. Extracurricular courses that you have obtained outside VU Amsterdam will not be mentioned on the Diploma Supplement under the heading "extracurricular courses". You cannot request permission for this from the Examination board either.

  • Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) students

    Information for bachelor students

    Students of Philosophy, Politics and Economics do an internship or go on an exchange. They can also choose from a limited range of minors after consulting the coordinator.

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