1 April 2026

With the second semester now in full swing, it’s time for an update on developments in our new and renewed bachelor’s programmes. Though still early days, the changes we implemented are already showing promising results.

Study advice and dropout rate 

Compared to 2024/2025, positive nonbinding study advice issued to students in January for almost all bachelor’s programmes has risen. Negative nonbinding advice issued in January for 2025/2026 has fallen, and the student dropout rate in all bachelor’s programmes has also fallen. An evaluation we’re currently holding will help put these figures into perspective over time. 

News from the bachelor’s programmes

Besides the initial results on the study progress of students at our faculty, there are some developments within the programmes that we’d like to share with you. 

• Criminology 
  The renewed bachelor's programme in Criminology has seen success with the 'Case competition' on the shortage of prison cells (Skills Lab) and the board game ‘CrimiNoMoney’ (LLP). In these activities, students experience for themselves what it’s like to live in a world where opportunities are unevenly distributed and where black money – unrecorded or illegal income – is important. The new course 'The Criminal Justice Chain in Practice' was also introduced in the last block. Weekly guest lectures from police, lawyers, the judiciary, and the Public Prosecution Service, give students an inside look at real-world practice. 
   

• Rechtsgeleerdheid (Law)  
  The introduction of Atelier classes in the second semester is getting positive feedback. The group discussions and activities where students work together are particularly appreciated. In this teaching format, students work in a cross-curricular, engaging, and small-scale setting on issues related to a certain theme, currently the environment.  
   

• Economie en Samenleving (Economics and Society) 
  The new BSc programme Economie en Samenleving  continued its successful launch in September 2025 with many enthusiastic students at the start of second semester. In February 2026, the economics programmes moved into the new Spui building in The Hague. The students have now founded their own study association: E.S.V. Pareto (after the famous Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto). 
   

• Cybersecurity and Cybercrime 
  The BSc programme Cybersecurity en Cybercrime is flourishing. What we particularly notice is how staff and students work together in a very cohesive and supportive way. Through study association Custodia, students take part in activities including visits to cyber security companies. Potential employers are also showing a lot of interest in these students. In block 4, teaching staff from all four disciplines (Law, Criminology, Public Administration, and Information Technology) work together on an integration course on online deception. Students learn how to tackle today’s major challenges in society from the perspective of various disciplines.  

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Other focus areas 

We will continue to develop the degree programmes offered at our faculty. In the coming months, our focus will be on: 

• Developing the minors offered in the fifth semester of our new and renewed bachelor’s programmes in 2027-2028. 
• Phasing out Dutchtaught elective courses and the further development of Englishtaught exchange courses for international students. 
• Developing active learning that will need suitable and flexible teaching spaces. Currently, the B0.20 classroom is being used as a pilot for a completely new set-up in line with the Cookbook guidelines.

Commitment and engagement 

These positive results and the further development of our new and renewed degree programmes would not be possible without the commitment, engagement and flexibility of our staff. So, we thank everyone involved in the ongoing efforts to shape and implement innovations in the education we offer. We will, of course, continue to monitor progress and keep you informed.