Leiden University College: Another quality seal for one of Europe's top Liberal Arts and Sciences programmes

Published on 06 December 2023

For the eleventh time in a row, Leiden University’s unique Liberal Arts and Sciences programme has been awarded the ‘Top Rated Programme’ quality seal by Keuzegids universiteiten 2024.

Liberal Arts and Sciences: Global Challenges is an international bachelor’s programme delivered fully in English through Leiden University College (LUC), bringing together students from The Netherlands, Europe and around the world.

Based in The Hague at the Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs, it recently scored 91 out of 100 in the Keuzegids universiteiten consumer guide. Leiden University College has consistently scored well in the Keuzegids ranking, receiving the ‘Top Rated’ seal for over a decade.

Prof. Dr. Giles Scott-Smith, Dean of LUC

Giles Scott-Smith, Dean of Leiden University College: ‘We are honoured to receive another ‘Top Rated’ seal from Keuzegids. It is a testament to the passion and quality that our team invests in our unique programme, year in year out.

I am also grateful to our students who work with us to continuously improve the programme, and to our alumni who are the best evidence that our Liberal Arts and Sciences Bachelor provides a solid foundation for a wide variety of successful careers.

The award proves once again the added value of small-scale education and a vibrant living-learning college community.’

US-style university college

Historically popular in the United States, the university college model is a more recent development in Europe with universities in The Netherlands leading the way with new and innovative programmes.

Students at Leiden University College benefit from interactive, small-scale classes, focused on discussion and debate. First- and second-year students live on-campus in The Hague and learn together in a close-knit living-learning international community.

Known as the international city of peace and justice, The Hague offers easy access to important future employers such as the United Nations, European Union, and international NGOs and corporations.

The programme’s challenging interdisciplinary curriculum is inspired by the education pioneers of ancient Greece, who linked the learning of a variety of subjects with the ability to be a ‘good citizen’. This is as important now as it was then.

Through LUC's interdisciplinary approach, academic staff introduce students to key societal challenges such as sustainability and peace and justice.

International classrooms

Whether Leiden University College graduates work in The Hague or New York, Brussels or Jakarta, in their professional and personal lives they all come into contact with international colleagues, international organisations and different cultures. They are able to draw on their one-of-a-kind experience in Leiden University College’s truly international classrooms.

Students experience language and cultural differences from close by and gain a deep global awareness. The diversity of Leiden University College sharpens the mind and enhances the development of language skills, global knowledge and cultural insights.

Keuzegids consumer guide

The annual Keuzegids consumer guide lists the current range of university bachelor’s programmes and highlights the differences between them. Leiden University College scored well in areas such as curriculum, instructors, and atmosphere.

The scores are in part based on student assessments from the annual National Student Survey (NSE), filled in by more than 289,000 students in 2023. The guide also contains information on student intake, transfers and job market prospects for the various programmes.