What is Liberal Arts & Sciences?
A degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) combines different disciplines, such as Neuroscience and International Law, in a single programme. This lets students build their own curriculum based on their interests or targeted to their dream career, while building a broad base of knowledge. The main focus of Liberal Arts & Sciences is to cultivate critical thinking, communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and a deep understanding of the world.
This is why you can find Erasmus University College graduates succeeding in a wide variety of roles, from consultants to econometrists and from marketers to medical doctors.
Why choose Liberal Arts & Sciences?
The main difference between a degree in Liberal Arts & Sciences and other Bachelor’s degrees is that you are not studying a single discipline.
A degree in Medicine or Law focuses on one domain. By choosing that programme, you are choosing which career you want to pursue – and which ones you don’t.
Liberal Arts & Sciences is different.
In your first year you follow classes from a variety of disciplines, giving you a better understanding of your interests and talents. In your second year you choose your specialisation (major) in combination with electives that match your interests. This creates a unique curriculum, tailoring your degree to your ideal career.
What majors can I choose at Erasmus University College?
As a Liberal Arts & Sciences student at Erasmus University College, you can choose from 12 majors.
Learn about core business disciplines, such as management and marketing, as well as business strategy, organisational behaviour, entrepreneurship, and data analysis. This major prepares you for a Master’s degree and career in business.
Develop intellectual versatility, critical thinking, and developing strong analytical and writing skills to prepare for a career in academia, government and NGOs, media, the cultural sector, and more.
Get a solid foundation to ask relevant critical questions on contemporary issues and provide answers with sensitivity to the prevailing context. This Major prepares for careers like research, journalism, the development sector, and communications.
Understand the working of the global legal system and its relations with the social and political environment. This major prepares you for masters of International or EU Law (or other masters programmes requiring a solid basis of law) at top universities.
Gain in-depth knowledge of biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology, genetics, microbiology, evolutionary biology and human physiology. This major goes beyond the theory and delves into specialised areas like epidemiology and ecology, preparing you to tackle real-world challenges in the biological sciences.
This is a multidisciplinary study of human behaviour and cognition and the way in which these are governed by our brains and our genes. The major addresses these topics from multiple disciplinary angles, offering several choices to tailor the content to your interests.
Explore how Social & Behavioural Sciences, Economics, and Humanities analyse and interpret the social, economic, and political forces that shape societies past and present. Key themes include modernity, economic systems, globalisation, and political structures.
Learn about the main fields within Political Science and develop skills in research, writing, communication, policy analysis, data visualisation, negotiation, and news literacy. This major prepares you for postgrad programmes and careers in government, diplomacy, legal work, consultancy, and journalism, and more.
This major, developed in close collaboration with the Erasmus School of Economics, makes you an all-round player who feels at home anywhere,ready to think, act and take responsibility based on your economic knowledge, analytical skills, and problem-solving abilities. You are also eligible for many Economics & Business Master’s programmes.
The Pre-Med major prepares you for admission to the premaster programme (in Dutch) offered by the Erasmus Medical Center (EMC), followed by the EMC Medical Master programme, which allows you to become a medical doctor/specialist. Alternatively, you can follow a degree taught in English from one of our partner universities, or another Biomedical master programme.
Explore mental, physical and social health from an individual, societal and global perspective. You will gain a deep understanding of the psychological factors that shape behavior, emotions, and cognition, while also addressing broader public health challenges such as disease prevention and health disparities.
Sustainability is one of the greatest challenges of our time. In this major, you will acquire the tools to think critically about this challenge and find creative solutions. You will develop research-oriented skills with a strong focus on solving complex multiperspective and multi-disciplinary issues.
Liberal Arts & Sciences is not new
Does the concept of Liberal Arts & Sciences sound familiar? You might know it from a wide variety of media from the United States, where it is one of the most common forms of undergraduate studies.
But LAS isn’t an American invention.
It originated in ancient Greece, based on the idea that all individuals should get a well-rounded education to contribute to society.
In Europe, the Netherlands stands out as a frontrunner in Liberal Arts and Sciences education, with 8 esteemed university colleges.
Key characteristics of Liberal Arts and Sciences in the Netherlands:
- Interdisciplinary education: You are encouraged to study a diverse range of subjects, developing a holistic knowledge base. See what you can study at EUC.
- International environment: You are part of a diverse, global community, helping you develop cross-cultural understanding and communication skills. Chat with current EUC students to learn more.
- Small-scale approach: Develop your talents and explore subjects in depth in a supportive learning environment thanks to limited class sizes and personalised attention. Discover how classes at EUC work.
- Residential programme: Living with your peers during the first year enhances community and provides opportunities for informal discussions, collaborations, and growth. Learn more about living on campus.
- Personal growth: A liberal arts education is designed not only to provide intellectual growth but also to promote personal development, cultural awareness, and social responsibility. Experience it for yourself.
Check out this page for more information about University Colleges in the Netherlands.
At EUC I discovered an academic playground for curious minds. From neuroscience and programming to economics and philosophy. This taught me how to rapidly expand my comfort zone and delve into the unknown – an ability I have come to rely on ever since. Whilst this may initially seem daunting, the small-scale teaching approach and fun-filled community always managed to make me feel at ease.
What can you study at EUC?
Explore the curriculum at EUC. Personalise your education by choosing from a variety of majors and minors.
What can you do after EUC?
Masters degree, beginning your career or maybe launching a business - discover how your future can look after EUC.