Broader Mind Course - for all bachelor's and master's students

Join or contribute to the Broader Mind Course

• Who is the course for?

  The course is interdisciplinary, and therefore accessible to all VU bachelor’s and master’s students, regardless of your faculty or whether you are a first-, second- or third-year student.

  The course is specially designed as an extracurricular activity but has also been integrated into some study programs as a core component.

• What does the course entail?

  In the Study guide, you will find everything you need to know about the Broader Mind Course, Track A and Track B. You will choose one of these two tracks. Each track covers four themes, namely:

  Track A: Success & Failure, Poverty, Human Body and Rebellion.
  Track B: Health & Happiness, Digital World, Viewpoints & Worldview and Sustainability.
   

  Track A

  • Success & Failure (School of Business and Economics)
  • Poverty (Social  Sciences)
  • Human Body (Law)
  • Rebellion (Humanities)

  Track B

  • Health & Happiness (Medicine)
  • Digital World (Behavioural and Movement Sciences)
  • Viewpoints & Worldview (Religion and Theology)
  • Sustainability (Sciences)

  Each theme takes three weeks to complete and involves blended learning, with online and on-campus activities. The language of instruction is English. The total study load is 40 hours, which breaks down into about three two hours per week, spread over four months, except during exam periods. After successfully completing the course, you will receive a certificate of participation, be awarded a Broader Mind Course Edubadge and the course will be included on your diploma supplement.

  After successfully completing the course, you will receive a certificate of participation, be awarded a Broader Mind Course Edubadge and the course will be included on your diploma supplement.

• When is the course?

  The course runs from February till June in the year 2025 (P4 + P5); registration opens from December 9, 2024.

  The course takes place in periods 4 and 5, except during exam weeks. There are 10 meetups on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, from 17.30–19.30. You will also do online assignments on your own time.

• Want to register for the course?

  To register for Track A or Track B of the Broader Mind Course, go to your dashboard and enter the course code or the name of the course in the registration module (via Plan course > All courses > Search in extracurricular courses). 

  Registration opens December 9, 2024 and runs until January 13, 2025. 

• Want to help develop the course?

  A unique feature of the Broader Mind Course is that the curriculum is not only developed by teachers but also by students. You, too, can be a co-creator of the Broader Mind Course!

  Help us develop the content of the course. You’ll work together with diverse teams of students as well as educators and professionals in relevant fields. You can be as involved as you like with no obligation necessary. You’re welcome to drop by just to give your opinion or share ideas - or if you’re feeling inspired you could even become part of the development team and meet once a week to work on continual improvements.
   
  Drop by or sign up for one of the co-creation sessions via broadermindcourse@vu.nl or this form. You do not need to have followed the Broader Mind Course to participate.

• Want to become a student guide for the course?

  We are looking for enthusiastic senior bachelor's and master's students to act as a ‘student guide’ for a group of students during the Broader Mind Course. You will help the students with both on-campus and online activities, give feedback and assess the final assignment. We will make sure you are well-prepared by providing you with training and coaching both prior to and during the Broader Mind Course. So, you will also learn quite a bit!

  As a student guide, you will receive a volunteer's allowance.

  For more information, please sign up with this form or contact us at broadermindcourse@vu.nl.

  Or keep an eye on VU Student Jobs: Become a Guide for the Broader Mind Course. The recruitment period usually runs from September to November.

  You can also contact us at broadermindcourse@vu.nl.

  As a student guide, you will receive a volunteer's allowance

  There is also the opportunity to become a guide for the Broader Mind Course as part of the Honours programme and earn credits (6 EC).

  For more information, please have a look at the webpage of the Honours course: Coaching, Teaching & Transformative learning. Improve your teaching and coaching skills.

  Sign up with this form or contact us at broadermindcourse@vu.nl.  

  There is also the opportunity to become a guide for the Broader Mind Course as part of the Honours programme and earn credits (6 EC). 

  For more information, please have a look at the webpage of the Honours course: Coaching, Teaching & Transformative learning. Improve your teaching and coaching skills.

• Get inspired by these Broader Mind Course videos

  Are you getting curious? Get inspired by these Broader Mind Course videos.

  Develop 'A Broader Mind!' Video message by rector Jeroen Geurts, Rector Magnificus VU

   Success & Failure
  Poverty
  Human Body
  Rebellion
  Viewpoints & Worldview
  Health & Happiness
  Digital World
  Sustainability

  9 reasons to follow the Broader Mind Course

  Studying with A Broader Mind

  Broader Mind Course kick-off 2022 featuring astronaut André Kuipers

  Why ACTA chooses the Broader Mind Course

  VU Amsterdam Future education: the A Broader Mind program

• Want to stay informed?

  Sign up for the Broader Mind Course newsletter.

  → Want to know more? Join the Information Webinar

  Discover how you can unlock your potential through the Broader Mind Course🌟

  Webinars / Info Sessions

  🔍 Uncover New Perspectives: 🧠 Join Professor Dr. Govert Buijs in exclusive webinars as he shares how the course delves into interdisciplinary insights on societal issues and personal growth.
  
  🗓️ Date: Wednesday, December 11, 2024 | Time: 16:00-17:00
  📍 Location: NU 1A-25 (New University Building: VU Education Lab)
  💻 Online https://vu-live.zoom.us/s/6011927923 | Passcode: 700754

  
  🗓️ Date: Wednesday, January 08, 2025 | Time: 16:00-17:00
  📍 Location: NU 1A-25 (New University Building: VU Education Lab)

  💻 Online https://vu-live.zoom.us/s/6011927923 | Passcode: 700754

• Want to know more?

  Contact us at broadermindcourse@vu.nl.