Liberal Arts and Sciences
Liberal Arts and Sciences is an interdisciplinary degree that brings together the Humanities, Social Sciences and Sciences. At University College Groningen, you explore different academic disciplines, learn how their perspectives connect and apply what you learn to complex real-world questions and challenges. Our small-scale, interactive teaching and project-based approach give you the freedom to look beyond individual subjects and make connections between them.
At UCG, the difference you make starts long before graduation. Through experiential education, small-scale interactive classes, and collaborations with local partners and societal organisations, you contribute to real-world projects from day one. You develop strong professional, communication and project management skills while pursuing your academic interests. Many students also contribute to research projects and publications together with lecturers, applying their learning in ways that extend far beyond the classroom.
Small-scale and interactive
At UCG, you learn in small groups, with plenty of opportunities to ask questions, discuss ideas and work closely together. You get to know your lecturers and fellow students, and you play an active role in your education.
Instead of only listening to lectures and studying on your own, you regularly discuss ideas, conduct research, give presentations and work on projects together. This way of learning helps you develop your academic knowledge as well as skills such as critical thinking, communication and collaboration.
Interdisciplinary
Many of the questions we face today are too complex to be understood from a single academic perspective. Climate change, artificial intelligence or inequality, for example, raise scientific, social, political and ethical questions.
Therefore, at UCG, you learn to make connections between different disciplines and approaches. You can build your programme around your interests and ambitions, combining different academic perspectives along the way.
Your degree consists of an Academic Core, a Major and a Minor. You can choose a Major in one of three fields: Humanities, Social Sciences or Sciences. You can also choose the Free Major, which takes the interdisciplinary approach a step further, giving you even more freedom to customise your degree by combining courses from across the Humanities, Social Sciences and Sciences
Project-based learning
At UCG, projects are an important part of your education. Throughout your degree, you work in interdisciplinary teams to explore complex societal issues and apply what you learn.
The projects develop as you progress through your degree:
Year 1: collaborate
You work on complex issues and develop skills in collaborative creativity, problem-solving, decision-making and project management.
Year 2: research
You develop your own research project and learn how to bring together knowledge and methods from different academic disciplines.
Year 3: lead
You take the lead in developing, organising and carrying out a project, applying the knowledge and skills you have developed throughout your degree. Projects also involve external experts or societal partners.
Focus on societal issues
At UCG, your education is connected to the world around you. You explore complex societal issues and consider how different academic perspectives can help us understand them.
Content of our Liberal Arts and Sciences degree
Academic Core
The Academic Core provides a shared foundation for all UCG students. It includes courses on academic and professional skills, research methods in the Humanities, Social Sciences and Sciences, as well as UCG’s project line.
Your first semester consists entirely of Academic Core courses. This gives you the opportunity to explore different fields of study before deciding which areas you want to focus on later in your programme.
You’ll learn about different research methods and ways of thinking within the Humanities, Social Sciences and Sciences. This helps you understand how different disciplines approach questions and gives you a shared foundation for working across disciplines.
You’ll also be introduced to societal challenges and start learning how to work with complexity, different perspectives and uncertainty. Along the way, you’ll discover why an interdisciplinary approach can be useful when addressing complex problems.
Major
UCG offers a range of major electives across several Fields of Study, connected to one of our Majors. Our Majors are designed to give you both breadth and depth: you can explore different fields and build multidisciplinary knowledge while taking more advanced courses in the areas you want to focus on.
Each Field of Study provides direction and brings together a coherent range of elective courses, giving you the opportunity to develop in-depth knowledge in a particular subject while retaining the flexibility to explore beyond your chosen area.
Sciences
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Health & Life Sciences and Neuroscience
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Interdisciplinary AI
Social Sciences:
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Psychology
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Economics
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International Business and
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Politics
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Law
Humanities:
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Philosophy
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Arts and Culture
The Fields of Study are developed by our Cluster Coordinators, who bring together different academic perspectives and draw on the knowledge and expertise of our lecturers. They are informed by relevant Master’s programmes, as well as developments in society and the labour market, helping to keep the curriculum connected to both further study and the world beyond university.
The Free Major takes this interdisciplinary approach a step further. Rather than focusing on one of the three Majors, you can combine courses across the Sciences, Social Sciences and Humanities to create a programme that reflects your own interests and ambitions.
Minor
The Minor gives you the freedom to shape part of your programme in the following ways:
Want to stay in Groningen? You can use your Minor to deepen or broaden your knowledge in a particular field by following a set of courses at another faculty of our University or at UCG.
Want to study abroad? You can use your Minor to go on exchange and gain international experience.
Want to develop your professional skills? You can choose an internship and gain experience in a professional environment.
Curriculum
We offer a three-year Liberal Arts and Sciences programme consisting of:
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Academic Core (55 ECTS)
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Major (95 ECTS)
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Minor (30 ECTS)
The programme comprises 180 ECTS credits, with 60 credits completed each year. All courses are taught and assessed in English.
Quality education is at the heart of UCG. We use evidence-informed teaching and assessment methods and continuously develop our education through didactic innovation and research into teaching and learning.
You will receive regular feedback through formative and summative assessments, giving you opportunities to learn from feedback and mistakes. Assessment is an ongoing part of your learning, rather than something that only happens at the end of a course.
You will graduate with an internationally recognised Bachelor of Science (BSc) or Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from the University of Groningen.
Structure of the programme
Read more about the content of all these courses in our online Course Catalogue.
Dual Degree
Ca’ Foscari University of Venice
Combine your Liberal Arts and Sciences degree at University College Groningen with a PISE degree from Ca’ Foscari University of Venice. This Dual Degree is tailored for students with a focus on Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, offering a unique interdisciplinary perspective on global issues.
Academic director: Dr. Martijn Boot: m.g.j.boot@rug.nl
Programme profile
This unique Dual Degree bachelor combines International Relations, (International) Political Economy, and Philosophy, with a strong focus on global economic integration and policy. It prepares students to become internationally oriented political economists with a broad, interdisciplinary perspective on today’s key global challenges.
Ideal for students interested in international public policy, the programme deepens understanding of global economic trends - especially within the European Community. In a world where major issues like sustainability, demographics, inequality, and environmental change cross disciplinary boundaries, this programme equips students with the tools to think critically and creatively across fields.
About Ca’ Foscari University
Founded in 1868, Ca’ Foscari is located in the heart of Venice, along the Grand Canal. Known for its strong academic reputation, it ranks among Italy’s top institutions for undergraduate study.
With eight departments and a focus on the humanities, Ca’ Foscari offers a rich international perspective, including courses in Asian, North African, and comparative cultural studies. Students in the Double Degree programme take part of their studies at Ca’ Foscari and attend English-taught courses at its International College, located on the island of San Servolo.
The Philosophy, International and Economic Studies (PISE) degree is fully taught in English.
Key Facts
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Duration (in semesters): |
8 |
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Total credits: |
240 EC |
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Language: |
English
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Type of degree: |
• BA Liberal Arts and Sciences (from the University of Groningen), major specialization Philosophy, Politics and Economics • BA Philosophy, International and Economic Studies (PISE) from Ca’ Foscari University of Venice <https://www.unive.it/pag/19660/> |
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Application: |
Students can apply in their second semester of the first year. |
Extracurricular
World Language Programme
As a UCG student, you can take part in the World Language Programme, offered in collaboration with the University of Groningen’s Language Centre. The programme allows you to take an extracurricular language course alongside your Liberal Arts and Sciences degree at a reduced tariff.
Languages currently offered include Arabic, Spanish, Japanese, German, Italian and Korean. International students can take Dutch free of charge. The languages offered may vary from year to year.
You can follow a language course throughout your bachelor’s degree and earn up to 5 extracurricular ECTS for active participation (2.5 ECTS per year). These credits are recorded on your Diploma Supplement when you graduate.
If there is sufficient interest, these courses will be taught at the UCG faculty building. You can also take on additional academic assignments to earn extra credits.
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