Programme structure
How is the study programme structured?
Curriculum structure
AUC’s interdisciplinary programme takes three years to complete, spread across six semesters for a total of 180 European Credits (EC). Each semester is 20 weeks and is divided into a 16-week block followed by a shorter 4-week block. Students take five courses per semester, with four during the longer block and one in the shorter block. Most courses are worth 6 EC. Altogether, this amounts to a total workload of around 42 hours per week (16 hours of class plus 26 hours of self-study).
Curriculum components
The AUC curriculum is composed of five components:
- Academic Core courses
- Major courses
- Courses outside of your major
- Elective courses
- Capstone project
In total, students typically take a minimum of 28 classes, in addition to completing their Capstone project (Bachelor's thesis), to achieve the 180 EC required for graduation.
1. Academic Core courses
Academic Core courses (42 EC, equivalent to seven courses) are classes that all AUC students must take. The Academic Core provides a foundation for the rest of the programme and includes Big Questions courses, logic, academic writing courses, programming courses, The Global Identity Experience, and community projects and internships.
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Academic Core courses required for all students
- Academic Writing Skills
- Logic, Information flow and Argumentation
- The Global Identity Experience
- Advanced Research Writing
- One Big Questions course
- One programming course
- Community Project or Internship
2. Major courses
At AUC, students choose one of the three majors: Sciences, Social Sciences or Humanities. Based on this selection, students take courses to fulfil their major requirements (90 EC, equivalent to 15 courses). The level (100, 200 or 300) corresponds to how advanced the course is considered to be, with 100-level indicating an entry-level course and 300-level indicating specialised and more advanced courses.
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Sciences major course requirements
1. 66 EC (equivalent to 11 courses) in the Sciences
- At least 24 EC (equivalent to 4 courses) of which are at the 300-level
- At least one lab course in the Sciences
2. The following methodology courses (12 EC):
- First year: Calculus
- By the end of the second year: Linear Algebra or Statistics for Sciences
3. Capstone (Bachelor's thesis [12 EC])
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Social Sciences major course requirements
1. 66 EC (equivalent to 11 courses) in the Social Sciences
- At least 24 EC (equivalent to 4 courses) of which are at the 300-level
2. The following methodology courses (12 EC):
- First year: Methods for Social Sciences Research
- By the end of the second year (choose one):
- Statistical Methods for Social Sciences Research or
- Qualitative Research Methods or
- Mathematical Methods for Economics or
- Statistics for Sciences
3. Capstone (Bachelor's thesis [12 EC])
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Humanities major course requirements
1. 66 EC (equivalent to 11 courses) in the Humanities (indicated in the diagram below)
- At least 24 EC (equivalent to 4 courses) of which are at the 300-level
2. The following methodology courses (12 EC):
- First year: Methods in the Humanities 1
- Second year: Methods in the Humanities 2
3. Capstone (Bachelor's thesis)
3. Courses outside of your major
Students at AUC must take at least two courses in each major that is not their own (24 EC, equivalent to 4 courses). For example, if a student majors in Humanities, they will need to follow at least two courses in the Sciences and two courses in the Social Sciences to fulfill their degree requirements. Students are free to select any courses they are interested in and for which they meet the prerequisite(s).
4. Elective courses
In addition to Academic Core courses, major courses and the requirement to take at least two courses in each major other than their own, all students will also take electives of their choice. Elective courses can be selected from any of the three majors. It is also possible to study off-campus in the Netherlands or abroad, and to take courses at other institutions as electives. Electives allow students to explore fields or disciplines that may not be related to their major or delve further into a specific area or specialisation within their major.
5. Capstone
In the third year the programme, all students complete a Bachelor's thesis known as the Capstone project, worth 12 EC. This project involves developing, researching and analysing an original topic of their choice. The Capstone experience allows students to integrate various components of their individual study plans, showcasing the unique knowledge and applied skills gained throughout their time at AUC.
Other programme components
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Community Project or Internship
Students at AUC are required to complete at least one Community Project or Internship as part of the curriculum. This is typically done in their second or third year, but can also be completed in the second semester of the first year. Students enrol for a Community Project or Internship as a separate course, which must meet the minimum hour requirements equivalent to 6 EC. This translates to 168 hours in total. This can be done either in January or June by working full-time (40 hours per week over four weeks) or during the 16-week period by working about 10 hours per week.
AUC students can also undertake a 30 EC internship. This expanded internship allows students to conduct academic research for an entire semester, supervised by an internal supervisor at AUC and a supervisor at the host research department. For students who aspire to a future career in research, this internship makes it possible to experience the world of academic research first-hand and develop valuable professional skills.
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Study abroad and off-campus courses
Although not required, students may take up to 42 credits through off-campus courses. These can be completed in the second or third year as part of an exchange abroad, at VU Amsterdam, the University of Amsterdam or in some cases at other universities. Any off-campus courses must be requested and approved in advance.
Studying abroad
Students may choose to take a semester abroad at one of AUC's partner institutes or at one of UvA/VU's exchange partners. Students can study abroad during the second semester of their second year or the first semester of their third year. Depending on their choice of destination, students may take courses that count toward their major requirements or as electives.
Taking off-campus courses at VU or the UvA
Both VU Amsterdam and the University of Amsterdam offer a wide range of courses that can complement AUC students’ studies. Depending on the courses they have already completed at AUC, their timetable and the availability of places in the course, students can enrol in hundreds of classes taught in other Bachelor’s programs at VU and UvA. These off-campus options include specialised courses that allow them to explore specific subjects in greater depth or prepare more effectively for graduate programmes.
Questions? Talk to a current AUC student
If you're confused about the programme structure at AUC or want to know what a real study plan looks like, you can get in touch with an AUC student who can assist you in better understanding the various components and how to create your own study plan.
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