Master Honours Classes & Challenges particularly feature small group sizes, innovative teaching methods and an interdisciplinary approach. Students from all faculties combine their knowledge and are challenged to think outside the box. The courses are aimed at tackling complex issues and making an impact.

Master education

Master Honours Classes & Challenges share many of the features of the master education at Leiden University. Some important features are that:

• the courses aim to take students’ innovative and investigative attitude to the next level;
• the courses draw on students’ creativity and originality;
• the courses are taught by excellent, highly-motivated teachers from Leiden University, supported by colleagues from other universities and/or by people with practical experience working in their respective fields.

Combining theory and practice

Courses offered as part of the Master Honours Classes & Challenges (5 or 10 EC) challenge students to go the extra mile and combine theory and practice around a certain topic. The courses may differ in their salience and educational methods. 

• Classes intertwine theory and practice within a specific theme. Students dive into theories to better understand how a complex issue for society – or for specific groups therein – can be tackled. In small-scale, innovative classes they look for solutions for the stakeholders involved.
• Challenges are specifically aimed at gaining practical experience in an organisation. Students work on the practical challenge of a partner organisation, such as a societal organisation, municipality or company. In small interdisciplinary teams, they investigate the problem, design solutions and present them to the organisation. 

Small-scale and interdisciplinary

A characteristic of honours education at Leiden University is that it is small-scale. Because it is essential to build a group from diverse backgrounds to maintain the interdisciplinary character, this diversity is a key consideration during the selection procedure. Students write a letter of motivation to accompany their registration for a Master’s Honours Class or Challenge, and of course teachers also consider applicants’ grades, to determine whether the student will be able to cope with the extra study load. 

Upon completion of the Master Honours Class or Challenge, the course is listed as an extra-curricular module on the diploma supplement that accompanies the regular master’s degree.