Since 2001 the University of Amsterdam has been offering honours education to students who want to and can do more than what is required in their regular study programme. The Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies (IIS) took the lead in this proces by organising the 'Interdisciplinary Propedeuse Plus Programme' (IP3). In 2003 the so-called UvA-broad (UvA-breed) Honours Programme was established. The UvA Honours Program is divided into disciplinary honours programmes and interdisciplinary honours courses and options.

Disciplinary honours program

The disciplinary variant of the UvA honours programme consists of extra courses with a study load of a minimum of 30 credits which you obtain during your bachelor (education). When your grade is at least a seven for these extra and regular courses, you will obtain an honours diploma next to your bachelor diploma. Almost every discipline has an own variant of the honours programme, where the emphasis can be on deepening the own discipline or on interdisciplinarity. Interdisciplinary honours courses can serve as an independent course or as part of the honours program of your own bachelor. You will have to consult your student counsellor or the honours coordinator of your discipline.

Interdisciplinary honours education
Interdisciplinary honours education provides the unique chance to develop yourself broadly and to take an interest in scientific, societal, cultural, philosophical and current themes. Inspiring professors and lecturers organise classes in which a theme will be approached from an interdisciplinary perspective. Next to this you will take part in small discussion groups with fellow students or you will conduct your own research. There are two forms of interdisciplinary honours education: the independent courses (6-10 credits) and so called honours options. An honours option is an extra course next to an interdisciplinary course for which you will receive special honours credits (the number is dependent of the option). The IIS offers the most interdisciplinary honours courses and options. But other faculties organise interdisciplinary honours education as well.