Honors Program Available Sessions
Get a Flight Credit worth up to $750
when you apply with code* by October 17, 2023
About the Program
Take excellence to the next level by digging into the advanced academics that VU Amsterdam has to offer. This highly competitive program, available only in the Spring semester, allows you to complement your coursework with honors courses from a variety of themes. Honors courses are interdisciplinary, small seminar-style courses which emphasize student discussion. You'll study alongside degree-seeking international and Dutch students for an integrated experience. A Spring-Extended option is available for students who want to earn additional credits.
Requirements
- Overview
- Location:
- Amsterdam
- Dates:
- 2/1/24 - 6/1/24
- Price:
- $22,595
- Credits:
- 12 - 15
- Deadlines
- Apply by:
- Still Open
- Withdraw by:
- 10/12/23
- Eligibility
- Minimum GPA:
- 3.5
- Education Completed:
- 1 Year of College completed prior to program start
- Course Prerequisites:
- Some courses may have prerequisites.
Program Structure
By choosing the Honors Program, you will apply for specific honors courses and electives during the Spring semester. The semester is divided into block periods. You will choose one VU Core Honors course and one VU elective course for Period 4 and one VU Core Honors course and one VU elective course for Period 5. You may also choose to add on a Dutch Culture course, for 3 US credits, that spans over Periods 4 and 5. If you enroll in the Honors Spring-Extended program, you will add another elective course in Period 6. Enrolling in the extended option allows you to stay an extra month in Amsterdam.
Elective courses are taught during the day and Honors Core courses are taught in the evenings. Classes generally meet Monday – Friday. Active learning components required by courses may be scheduled any day of the week. Classes are not necessarily offered on the same day each week.
If you enroll in the Spring program, you will enroll in 12-15 credits. If you choose the Extended semester option, you will enroll in 15-18 credits. Courses are generally awarded 6 ECTS credits, which transfer to 3 US Credits per course.
Prior to departure, you will select your preferred Honors courses. Acceptance into each Honors course is determined by a committee at VU Amsterdam. You are required to submit a Motivation Letter for each Honors course you wish to enroll in. There is no guaranteed placement in the Honors courses.
Students will need to select two alternative elective courses for each Period. It is in your best interest to have multiple alternative courses approved by your home university prior to your departure due to course availabilities. Please consult with your academic advisor at your home university on credit pre-approval guidelines. Registration for all classes will take place before you arrive on campus, so you will have your finalized schedule in place early.
Academic accommodations are available at VU Amsterdam for students who provide documentation from a psychologist or health care provider. Policies at VU may differ from those available at your home university. Please contact CEA directly if you will be applying for academic accommodation so that we can connect you with the correct application procedures.
12-15
Credits
Courses
The host institution has offered the following courses in the past. Please note that course listings may not be finalized until the start of the term; we’ll post an updated list when the host institution finalizes its offerings.
*Courses with an asterisk indicate that the course has been associated with multiple subject areas.
Please click on the course title to view additional subject areas and detailed course information.
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Excursions
Get out and explore! Excursions are offered for most semester, year, and summer programs*. Semester students are typically offered between two to three excursions and summer study students are typically offered between one to two excursions. You'll receive a calendar of excursions during orientation; here are a few day and overnight excursions we've offered in the past.
Sample Budget
This budget contains costs that you can take to your financial aid office. Please note that amounts may fluctuate; we’ve included a range of costs.
Federal law allows the use of financial aid to cover “reasonable” costs of study abroad including round-trip transportation, tuition and fees for the program, living costs, passport and visa fees, health insurance, and more.
Please note that all costs and charges listed below are subject to change without notice. With the exception of Program Price, all costs are estimates and may vary.
Sample Calendar
Below is a tentative itinerary for your program. Please note, dates and events below may change without prior notification. Contact CEA CAPA before purchasing airline tickets.
You will receive a finalized itinerary once you arrive onsite.
Note: Additional cultural activities/excursions or required course-related activities may be incorporated into your final itinerary. You are advised not to make personal travel arrangements until you have the final dates.