Find out in four minutes what our programme is about and why you should consider it.
Curriculum
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The first year
The first year consists of academic core courses. Interdisciplinary courses such as ‘Law, justice and morality', 'Politics, power and governance’ and ‘Mind, Behaviour and Society’ help students foster a broad mindset and provide a good foundation in the disciplines. This in turn gives them the required knowledge for the courses in the second and third year.
In the methodological courses (‘Doing research’), students will learn about the main qualitative and quantitative research methods and techniques. At the end of each semester, in the integrated seminars, students conduct a project based on social challenges and themes, such as solidarity and global justice.
By the end of the first year, students must choose one major.
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The second and third year: majors
In the second year, students start on their specialisation (major) in either politics, psychology, law, or economics and business. The majors have been specially and carefully designed by teams of leading scholars from all across the University of Amsterdam. Students have the option to spend a period of study abroad, most commonly as an additional semester of study. Before receiving their Bachelor’s of Science degree, they will write an extensive Bachelor’s thesis.
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Personal development integrated into the curriculum
In addition to focusing on the acquisition of academic knowledge and skills, the PPLE study programme also aims to foster students' personal learning and development. We tailored a programme that revolves around topics that ultimately determine the quality of life, yet are not normally addressed at university. In a series of interactive workshops topics such as self-worth, decision making, but also more interpersonal topics such as friendship, grief, and sexuality are covered.
For more information, see the Course Catalogue.
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Doing Research, An IntroductionPeriod 16
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Politics, Power and Governance IPeriod 16
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What you don’t learn in schoolPeriod 1Period 2Period 3Period 4Period 5Period 6—
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Law, Justice and MoralityPeriod 26
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RhetoricPeriod 26
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Integrative seminar I: Human RightsPeriod 36
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Economics for a Changing World IPeriod 46
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Philosophy of the Social SciencesPeriod 46
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Introduction to Statistical AnalysisPeriod 56
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Mind, Behaviour and Society IPeriod 56
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Integrative seminar II: SolidarityPeriod 66
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Law and BehaviourPeriod 16
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What you don’t learn in schoolPeriod 1Period 2Period 3Period 4Period 5Period 6—
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Economics for a Changing World IIPeriod 26
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Integrative Seminar III: SecurityPeriod 36
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Politics, Power and Governance IIPeriod 56
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Integrative Seminar IV: Societal ChallengesPeriod 66
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MathematicsPeriod 16
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Organisations and MarketsPeriod 26
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FinancePeriod 46
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Intermediate MacroeconomicsPeriod 46
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Statistics and ProbabilityPeriod 56
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History of Legal TheoryPeriod 16
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Comparative Constitutional LawPeriod 26
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Principles of European Contract LawPeriod 46
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Skills and Research Methods for LawPeriod 46
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Public International LawPeriod 56
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International Politics and International RelationsPeriod 16
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Introduction to Public PolicyPeriod 26
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Democracies and DemocratisationPeriod 46
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Skills and Research Methods for Political SciencePeriod 46
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Conflict and Cooperation in Global PoliticsPeriod 56
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Fundamentals of PsychologyPeriod 16
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Group ProcessesPeriod 26
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EmotionsPeriod 46
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Skills and Research Methods for PsychologyPeriod 46
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Motivation and CognitionPeriod 56
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Mind, Behaviour and Society IIPeriod 46
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Research LabPeriod 46
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Free-choice electives: PPLE GeneralPeriod 2Period 3Period 4Period 5Period 612
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ThesisPeriod 5Period 612
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Econometric AnalysisPeriod 16
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Economics of Money and BankingPeriod 16
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Intermediate MicroeconomicsPeriod 26
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Marketing ManagementPeriod 56
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Comparative Administrative LawPeriod 16
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Comparative European Tort LawPeriod 16
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European Union LawPeriod 26
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Comparative Criminal LawPeriod 56
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Authority, Accountability and LegitimacyPeriod 16
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Political EconomyPeriod 16
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Transnational GovernancePeriod 26
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Political BehaviourPeriod 56
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Self, Identity and PersonalityPeriod 16
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The Psychology of ReligionPeriod 16
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Political PsychologyPeriod 26
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A Critical Look on Psychology's Past and FuturePeriod 56
Politics
The world of politics has been transforming dramatically over the past 50 years or so. The focus of political science is no longer only the state. Non-state actors (such as NGOs and social movements) have come to play a larger role, new axes of economic and military power have emerged, and the dynamics of inter- and intra-state conflicts have changed. The global order increasingly has to deal with challenges of a truly global nature. Political scientists also increasingly study the linkages between politics on different scales, from the local to the global.
Psychology
The human factor is a critical variable in almost all the complex problems we face today. Psychology, as the study of human behaviour, will help to understand (and change) the role we as humans play in topics such as social inequality, climate change and consumer behaviour.
Law
As a guiding framework for modern societies, law affects people in all domains of life. Interdisciplinary courses in law will help you interpret complex social issues, such as international relations, immigration and European integration, through the lens of the legal system and principles of justice.
Economics and Business
Economic reasoning is crucial to the analysis of the major challenges that the world faces. Policies on, for instance, international trade, economic and social development as well as management of the environment all benefit from a thorough understanding of economic behaviour and the relations between the major stakeholders.
Entrance test
Students who want to major in economics need to successfully pass the economics major entrance test in the spring semester of their first year.