Message from the Dean
“What makes the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences so special?”
Obviously, it is the people who work here and the students who study here. I never cease to be amazed at their commitment, their high calibre and their enthusiasm. But for a more exact answer, I will give you these five reasons:
We are a close-knit academic community
In our faculty, various disciplines and groups work closely together: humanities academics (historians, philosophers, men and women of letters, media experts), social scientists (sociologists, anthropologists, political scientists, public administration scholars), support and administrative staff, PhD students, and bachelors and masters students.
We care about good teaching
All our programmes meet high academic and didactic standards. It matters a great deal to us how students assess our teaching, both during their studies and later on, as alumni.
We cross boundaries
Any of our programmes will acquaint you with various disciplines and perspectives. This interdisciplinary, problem-directed approach is predominant in our research as well. We also cross boundaries with respect to language: all programmes, including the bachelor's programmes, are also taught entirely in English. Internationalisation is not an empty phrase: at our faculty, students from abroad outnumber Dutch students.
Our research counts
Research within the faculty is conducted at an international level, especially with respect to problems of integration and good governance in Europe, the relations between Europe and the world, the influence of culture on science and technology and the impact of innovations on Western and non-Western societies. We also carry out research into the meaning of old and new media and the importance of social diversity and cultural remembrance. This research is not only of academic interest, but also relevant to present and future generations of Europeans and world citizens.
We are open to the world
Our teaching and research are always connected with current social issues. The system of problem-based learning means that, throughout your education, you will develop skills that you will find very useful later on. In small tutorial groups, you will learn to give presentations and take part in debates; and there will be regular opportunities for you to chair tutorial meetings. You will learn how to write clear-cut papers. And we will encourage you to take up an internship or study abroad for one semester.
As if that were not enough, our staff, students and alumni could add a host of other reasons why this faculty is so special."
Rein de Wilde, Dean
