The Honours Programmes are made up of packages of additional activities (worth 18 ECTS credits in total), which the student will then not have to 'search' for. All the programmes provide sufficient freedom of choice.

1. Exploration of scientific research: (second Bachelor year - first semester) (6 study credits)
   Selected students will have the opportunity to explore at least two labs from a list of the faculty's research groups. They are given a tour of the lab, invited to staff meetings, can take part in the preliminary defence of doctoral dissertations, attend 'problem classes' and 'journal classes' and of course also participate in the lab's research activities. As a result, students quickly become familiar with the organisation and results of research and this may fuel their interest in working in a specific research discipline. Throughout the semester, students are expected to keep portfolios in which they discuss at least two labs and four activities.
2. Honours research project (second Bachelor year - second semester and summer holiday) (6 study credits)
   Here, students are actively involved in lab research for at least three weeks. Alternatively, students may participate in a workshop or summer course with an equivalent workload, in consultation with the research unit and with the president of the appropriate educational commission. Students then present their results to each other both in writing (in the form of a paper) and as a verbal presentation.
3. Studium Generale, Science and Society (Wetenschap en Samenleving) lecture cycle (third Bachelor year - first and second semesters) (3 study credits)
   This lecture cycle is aimed at students, PhD candidates and the general public and aims to provide both information and a forum for discussion about important societal developments. The themes chosen for the Studium Generale lectures stimulate interdisciplinary thinking, expand participants' horizons and feed the curiosity of an interested and well-informed audience. The cycle consists of eight lectures; each session begins with a one-hour lecture given by a guest speaker, which is then followed by a Q&A session and a debate with the audience. A moderator supervises and coordinates the debate. Honours College students are expected to choose a subject broached during the sessions and to examine it in more detail.
4. Scientific report (third Bachelor year - first and second semesters) (3 study credits)
   Students develop the results they obtained during the research project in further detail and present them in writing or verbally. This presentation could take the form of a discipline-oriented symposium or a one-day congress, including a poster or an oral presentation, or of a scientific article, review or protocol (to be agreed with the research unit). 

The Honours College is for students who can and want to do more, and who have an exceptional interest in science.
Honours students:      
- are motivated to get more out of their studies         
- have broad academic interests         
- are ambitious, and have the marks to prove it         
- do not mind taking a significant number of extra courses in addition to the standard programme.

In order to be admitted to the Honours College, we expect you to complete your courses on time and avoid retaking any modules ('nominaal studeren'). This will mean that you pass your exams first time and complete your first Bachelor year in one year (with at least a distinction). Of course, you will also need sufficient time and motivation to take the additional Honours College courses.