Elective credits
In addition to compulsory elements, most degree programmes also have elective credits. These are credits you can earn in a variety of ways, for example by taking elective courses, studying abroad or doing a minor.
How many elective credits do I have?
The number of elective credits varies from programme to programme. Take a look at the programme-specific information in the Prospectus for exact details.
Elective courses
You can earn elective credits by putting together your own set of elective courses, selected from those offered by Leiden University or another institute of higher education. Make sure to request permission from your study programme’s Board of Examiners before doing so.
Going abroad
You can also earn elective credits by studying or doing an internship abroad for a few months. Read more on our study abroad webpages or contact your international exchange coordinator or study adviser to find out about the options within your study programme.
Minor
You can earn elective credits by doing a minor. A minor consists of a cohesive set of courses on one theme which can help you to broaden your horizons and develop new knowledge, insight and skills. Learn more about minors.
Internship
Electives credits can also be earned through internships or research projects, either in the Netherlands or abroad. Ask your internship or research coordinator for more information.
Permission from the board of examiners
If you choose to follow a complete minor in Leiden, Delft or Rotterdam you do not need to request advance permission. For all other ways of earning your elective credits you must always request permission from your programme’s board of examiners. More information can be found in the Prospectus or your study programme’s Course and Examination Regulations (OER).
Electives Psychology (research) (MSc)
An overview of elective courses can be found in the Prospectus.
Please note that some electives can be followed by students of certain specialisations only. If there are prerequisite courses they will be stated in the Prospectus section ‘Entry requirements’.
Elective courses from the profile Brain and Cognition
Research master’s students may expand their expertise in the domain of brain and cognition by choosing from a wide range of courses offered in the research master’s programmes of Education and Child Studies, Linguistics, Biomedical Sciences, Computer Science, and Statistical Science for the Life and Behavioural Sciences:
From Master programme Education and Child Studies
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Attachment, Parenting and Development: Research and Clinical Implications
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Child Abuse and Neglect: Neurobiological Aspects and Intervention
From Master programme Linguistics
From Master programme Biomedical Sciences
This information is not yet updated for 23-24, more information will follow soon.
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Translational Neurogenetics (no longer offered in 23-24)
From Master programme Computer Science
Access
For the courses listed under the profile Brain and Cognition, research master’s students are exempt from the normal requirement to ask approval from the Board of Examiners to take elective courses from other master’s programmes.
Students who wish to take one or more of these elective courses are advised to discuss this with their mentor. The next step is to contact the course coordinator to request admission to the course. Admission requests will typically be considered on an individual basis and take into account whether there is sufficient space and whether the student has sufficient prior knowledge to successfully complete the course.
Enrolment in these elective courses is not possible in MyStudymap; students should enrol according to the customs and rules of the institute that offers the course.
E-mail a request for elective courses offered by Biomedical Sciences
This information is not yet updated for 23-24, more information will follow soon.
Students who would like to take part in one of the elective courses offered by Biomedical Sciences should e-mail a request to enrol to masterbw-courses@lumc.nl. They need to confirm that they meet the admission requirements (if any) for the course, which are indicated in the Prospectus. There is a strict limit to the number of students who may enrol in these courses, and students of the master in Biomedical Sciences have priority. If the student is admissible to the course, they will be placed on a waitlist. If there are sufficient spaces, the student administration will enrol the student on MyStudymap and email the student further information about the course. Be aware that admission to the course can only be granted 1-2 months before the start of the course.