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Education Bachelor's degree programmes Global Responsibility & Leadership
Header image Global Responsibility & Leadership

Global Responsibility & Leadership

Join the BSc. Global Responsibility & Leadership programme, the no. 1 bachelor's programme in the Netherlands (three times in a row) according to Keuzegids 2024! Explore local solutions to global challenges. Learn about politics, governance, psychology, economics, global health, energy and climate.

✔ Inspired by the UN Sustainable Development Goals: global challenges – local solutions

✔ Learn from projects with local and global partners (Living Labs)

✔ Choose your major: "Politics, Philosophy and Economics", "Ecology, Energy and Climate", "Psychology and Global Health"

Explore stories featuring Global Responsibility & Leadership students, alumni, and professors on our blog!

This hands-on and future-oriented bachelor's is rooted in the Liberal Arts & Sciences philosophy. As a student of our University College, you get the opportunity to foster your personal development in a small-scale, international learning campus.

→ Keep me posted!


Facts & Figures
Degree
BSc in Global Responsibility and Leadership
Course type
Bachelor
Duration
36 months (180 ECTS)
Croho code
59327
Language of instruction
English
Start
September
Faculty
Campus Fryslân
Studie in Cijfers
Why study this programme in Leeuwarden?
  • Awarded as the best bachelor's programme in NL for three consecutive years
  • Inspired by the United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development
  • Small-scale and personal education
  • International and diverse community
  • Projects with local and global partners
Programme

Year 1 consists of seven courses introducing students to the interdisciplinary educational concept of the programme and the majors. The Foundation consists of core courses in Economics, Political Science, Psychology, Earth & Energy, Global Health, aCFBGR05905 Information Technology. Students must also complete the Skills Lab which provides a solid ground in academic communication, research methodology, intercultural communication and collaboration.

Throughout the three years, students have the opportunity to design their own programme based on the major and minor options as well as complementing it with extracurricular activities.

CoursesCourse Catalog >
Academic Communication (5 EC)
Explaining Human Behaviour (5 EC)
Information Technology for Interdisciplinary Studies (5 EC)
Introduction to Global Health (5 EC)
Language and Culture I (5 EC)
Major courses (10 EC)
Politics, Power & International Responsibility (5 EC)
Principles of Economics (5 EC)
Statistics I (5 EC)
The Earth System (5 EC)

You follow courses from one of the three majors of your choice:

  • Politics, Philosophy and Economics
  • Ecology, Energy and Climate
  • Psychology and Global Health

In addition, you conduct a research internship with one of our regional or (inter)national partners.

Research project The research project is a unique feature of the programme and provides you with the opportunity to apply your academic knowledge and skills in the real world. The project creates a win-win situation: you will learn how to apply your academic knowledge in real-life contexts and develop related skills (communication, collaboration, problem-solving, research) whereas public and private stakeholders get to work with talented young people that are able to provide insight into questions important for the region.

Examples:

  • Fries Social Planbureau: investigate how civilian initiatives can collaborate and co-create with institutions to promote social inclusion and economical change.
  • Amnesty International: conduct participatory research to enhance the social capital among youngsters in order to strengthen international human rights.
  • Elodea: look into climate resilient food production in Friesland, specifically how pear soils can be repurposed to make them more resilient to change.
CoursesCourse Catalog >
Ethics & Global Responsibility (5 EC)
Leadership Lab (5 EC)
Major courses (30 EC)
Qualitative Methods (5 EC)
Research internship (10 EC)
Statistics II (5 EC)

Year 3 of the GRL programme consists of three parts:

  • major Courses
  • minor
  • final project

Major courses: In the final year, students can choose different courses to complete their major.

Minor: The Year 3 minor gives students the opportunity to individualise their programme even further. Most students will choose to go for an exchange semester at a university abroad, but you could also do a minor at another university or use the minor space to fulfil pre-master requirements in preparation for a masters programme. Last but not least, it's also possible to do an internship during your minor.

Final project: Students complete their third year with a final project. This final project consists out of a portfolio showcase and a thesis.

CoursesCourse Catalog >
Final project (10 EC)
Major courses (20 EC)
Minor (30 EC)

Study load

40 hours of class and self-study per week on average

Programme options
Psychology and Global Health (major)

Understand how human behavior affects global health challenges, and discover how to improve both individual and community well-being through behavior change.

Politics, Philosophy and Economics (major)

Dive into the world of politics, philosophy, and economics to understand how societies make decisions, and how you can influence them for the better.

Energy, Ecology and Climate (major)

Explore how earth, energy, and climate interact, and find ways to protect our planet and its inhabitants from climate change.

Study abroad

  • Study abroad is optional

Study abroad is optional in Year 3

Entry requirements

Admissible Dutch diploma profiles

  • VWO Natuur & Techniek
  • VWO Natuur & Gezondheid
  • VWO Economie & Maatschappij
  • VWO Cultuur & Maatschappij
  • HBO propedeuse

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

VWO or HBO-propedeuse diploma or Colloquium doctum

  • Colloquium doctum applicants are advised to apply until December
additional subject

English: VWO English with min. final grade 7 or one of the certified English tests. Disclaimer: as of 1st September 2023, Maths A or B (or their international equivalent) is not longer an entry requirement for this programme.

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

in English

assessment interview

After passing the first step of the selection procedure, you will be invited for an interview. This will take place in person in Leeuwarden or online.

reference letter

Academic or professional reference letter in English

(motivation-) letter

Letter of Motivation or a Video Presentation in English

Registration procedure

Students with Dutch diploma have to apply via Studielink.nl and submit their necessary documents via online form sent by the Admissions Officer. After uploading all the required documents the Admissions Board will inform you if you're deemed admissible based on our admission criteria. Even if you don't meet all of our admission requirements, you are encouraged to submit your application, since each application is reviewed on individual basis.

Read more about the selection procedure.

Selection procedure

Global Responsibility & Leadership is a selective programme. That means applicants are chosen based on their entry requirements, as well as the motivation letter / video, CV, reference letter and selection interview.

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 May 202401 September 2024
01 May 202501 September 2025
EU/EEA students01 May 202401 September 2024
01 May 202501 September 2025
non-EU/EEA students01 May 202401 September 2024
01 May 202501 September 2025

There are two application deadlines: 15/January and 1/May. The 15 January deadline is an early bird deadline.

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

International Equivalent of the Dutch VWO Diploma or HBO-propedeuse diploma

additional subject

Proficiency in English (read the list of the accepted English test and exemptions below) Disclaimer: as of 1st September 2023, Maths A or B (or their international equivalent) is not longer an entry requirement for this programme.

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

in English

assessment interview

After passing the first step of the selection procedure, you will be invited for an interview. This will take place in person in Leeuwarden or online.

reference letter

Academic or professional reference letter in English

(motivation-) letter

Letter of Motivation or a Video Presentation (in English)

other admission requirements

For more information about international equivalency, certificates, exceptions and more: www.rug.nl/cf/ucf

Language requirements

ExamMinimum score
C1 Advanced (formerly CAE)C1
C2 Proficiency (formerly CPE)C2
IELTS overall band6.5
IELTS listening6
IELTS reading6
IELTS writing6
IELTS speaking6
TOEFL internet based90

Registration procedure

Students have to apply via Studielink.nl and submit their documents via the Progress Portal of the University of Groningen. After uploading all the required documents the Admissions Board will inform you if you're deemed admissible based on our admission criteria. Even if you don't meet all of our admission requirements, you are encouraged to submit your application, since each application is reviewed on individual basis.

Read more about the selection procedure.

Selection procedure

Global Responsibility & Leadership is a selective programme. That means applicants are chosen based on their entry requirements, as well as the motivation letter / video, CV, reference letter and selection interview.

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 May 202401 September 2024
01 May 202501 September 2025
EU/EEA students01 May 202401 September 2024
01 May 202501 September 2025
non-EU/EEA students01 May 202401 September 2024
01 May 202501 September 2025

There are two application deadlines: 15/January and 1/May. The 15 January deadline is an early bird deadline.

Tuition fees
NationalityYearFeeProgramme form
EU/EEA2023-2024€ 4588full-time
non-EU/EEA2023-2024€ 14300full-time
EU/EEA2024-2025€ 5017full-time
non-EU/EEA2024-2025€ 16700full-time

Practical information for:

After your studies

Compared to a mono-disciplinary bachelor, a university college education offers a broad study programme.

The bachelor Global Responsibility & Leadership combines the best of both worlds: it offers you a wide variety of opportunities to explore different disciplines, but also the advantage of structured guidance, similar to a dedicated bachelor programme. This will benefit your choice for a master's programme after graduation.

After graduation, you can choose from a wide array of master programmes. Here are some examples:

  • Political Science
  • Economics
  • Psychology
  • Environmental Sciences
  • Health Sciences
  • International Relations
  • Psychology, Politics, Economics
  • Sustainable Entrepreneurship
  • Business and Public Administration
  • Euroculture

Job prospects

After getting your master's degree, you can choose to apply for a PhD position or start working as a policy advisor, a consultant, an entrepreneur or as a development specialist in both the private or public sector. Given the fact that your bachelor is internationally orientated and recognised, you will have outstanding career perspectives in an international working environment.

Job examples

  • Policy Advisor
  • Researcher
  • Entrepreneur
  • Consultant
  • Development Specialist
Research

After Year 1, the programme offers many opportunities to put your knowledge in practice and participate in research projects that have local impact. One of the main features of the GRL programme is the Living Lab projects, where you get to work with senior researchers, fellow students and private or public stakeholders on real-life issues affecting organisations, local governments or companies.

But the opportunities for developing research skills do not end there! Campus Fryslân offers the opportunity to become a student-researcher by participating in the ongoing research projects related to the Frisian Flagships and SDG’s:

  • Governance: local & global
  • Sustainable Economy
  • Culture, Language and Technology
  • Health and Food

When necessary, you get the opportunity to support senior researchers on their research projects. This allows you to develop networking and research skills and get involved in Campus Fryslân research outputs and contribution to social impact.
Lastly, during the last year, you can opt for a research internship at a local or international organisation. You must look and apply for internship opportunities themselves, but GRL staff is helpful with sharing ideas and contacts.

Apply nowBrochureEventsContact
Student for a Day - Global Responsibility & LeadershipMore information
Bachelor's Open DayBroerstraat 5More information
Student For A Day: Global Responsibility & LeadershipWirdumerdijk 34More information

Contact

  • Admission Admission Office (UFC) (* For questions related to Studielink, OAS and admission documents, kindly contact: )
    Email: ucf.bsc.admission rug.nl
  • Chat With Our Students
  • Student Service Desk Ucf (For questions related to UCF/GRL, selection procedure and general information, kindly contact)
    Email: ucf-grl rug.nl

Timotej enjoys the innovative approach to education

UCF is full of kind, helpful, supportive and at the same time incredibly talented and motivated people.

In my opinion, the most important skills I have acquired so far are critical thinking, argumentation, public speaking, time management, cooperation, and a sense of responsibility.

I enjoy the innovative approach to education, which is visible in both the lessons and forms of assessment. Lessons provide plenty of space for discussions, formation of arguments, and practical exercises.

Read more

Zarina had a great student time in Leeuwarden

I mainly started studying in Leeuwarden because of the unique programme University College Fryslân had to offer. I wanted to study in the Netherlands and Global Responsibility and Leadership matched my interests very well.

Studying at CF has brought me a lot of new experiences, friends, opportunities and (self-)knowledge. I work at CF, while also pursuing my MSc in Climate Adaptation Governance there. I have made great connections and have developed both academically and personally..

Read more

Evy is proud of her campus community

At University College Fryslân you are not only inspired to be a great student, but also encouraged to explore what it means to be part of a bigger community which you create together with everyone else at the campus. A welcoming, inclusive, and active community of which I am incredibly proud.

Being part of our faculty study association Nobis Cura Futuri (NCF) has given me the opportunity to get myself even more involved within our community..

Read more

Study associations

Nobis Cura Futuri

Nobis Cura Futuri is the Study Association and the official embodiment of the international student community at Campus Fryslân.
Founded in 2020, we aim to provide plenty of fun, social and academic events (think of Pub crawls, talent shows, travels, guest-speaker evenings). All in the spirit of Nobis Cura Futuri: “The Care of the Future is Ours”, meaning we strive to provide activities that are aimed at making the most of your student life by adhering to our values of responsibility, diversity, sustainability and development.
https://www.rug.nl/cf/studeren-bij-cf/nobis-cura-futuri
Read more
Student profile

We are looking for students who are motivated and ready for a challenging but rewarding education. Generally, students who apply to the programme are internationally oriented, ambitious, socially engaged, open-minded, adventurous and motivated. The best way to get to know our community is to get in contact with our current students.

(Binding) study advice
  • A minimum of 60 EC in the first 12 months (binding)

At UCF we place a large amount of responsibility for the learning process with you: the student. Lecturers act as coaches who provide brief instruction, give feedback on student work and stimulate discussion. As UCF student you are required to fulfil the 60 EC binding study advice in order to continue with your second year. UCF provides you with academic and study support to help you achieve this requirement.

Study support

We have a dedicated Study Advisor present at UCF: Drs. Maaike Moltzer. Maaike supports students who face personal difficulties, have issues with study planning, time management or if they have any other specific needs.

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