Science, Society and Self

The FSW Honours College offers you an interactive Honours track, alongside your regular bachelor’s degree programme.

About us

Although science, society and self are interdependent, they are commonly thought of as separate domains. This limits our understanding of the world, and the way we navigate in it. Our track explores how science, society and self can be consciously and strategically aligned to address the broader and deeper challenges of the day, such as climate change and growing inequality. The starting point of this is inquiry, to ask different, more profound questions about ourselves and others.  

Rather than being more of the same, our track offers education that is interactive, interdisciplinary, and playful, oriented towards the personal and professional development of students. The curriculum fosters a creative environment for new thinking and new practice. We depolarize science, society and self by listening deeply to others, and the way they interpret and experience the world differently. This enhances our capacity to make an impact. 

Students have a great deal of freedom to design their trajectory based on their own interests.  

About you

Our track is suited for students that are willing and able to broaden and deepen their horizon on top of their regular bachelor program. We value inclusion, motivation, and commitment. We welcome students from all walks of life. Students are expected to possess sufficient, yet not excellent English language skills. Rather than looking for students whose primary reason to join is to upgrade their CV, we are interested in students who want to develop themselves on a personal and professional level.  

Students are expected to invest approximately 8 hours of study per week during their regular bachelor program. Students are expected to frequently commute to Leiden and the Hague.  This requires responsible time management and clear communication. To find a healthy balance between a regular bachelor program and extra-curricular Honours College education, we offer personal coaching. We help students reflect on their goals and ways to achieve them.  

Main goals

• can explain how academic disciplines study and understand the world differently 

• can reflect on the existing and potential relationship between science, society and self 

• has gained the competences and mindset to align science, society and self in the everyday 

• can take ownership of their own lives by formulating goals and ways to achieve them