Universiteit Leiden

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Minor programme

Leiden University gives its students the opportunity to assemble part of their programme themselves, which enables them to choose their own areas of emphasis. One way in which they can do this is to follow a minor, a coherent package of courses worth 30 credits.

Who can take a minor?

Minors are intended for undergraduate students who have passed the first year (the propaedeuse). Given the expected attainment level of minors, they are particularly suited to third-year undergraduates.  The Guidelines for Elective Credits and Minors describes the procedure by which students choose and apply for a minor, as referred to in Article 3.2.2 of the (model) Leiden University bachelor's Course and Examination Regulations (OER) 2023-2024.

Purpose of minors

If students choose their minor well, they will increase their knowledge, understanding and skills, and bring new experiences to their own field of study. They can also use the minor as a form of pre-selection for a master’s programme that they want to follow after their bachelor’s programme, thus increasing their chances of being granted a place on the master’s programme. For information about the individual minors see the e-Prospectus.

Requirements and guidelines

  • In principle, students may follow a full minor of their choice. They do not require permission from the Board of Examiners to do so. The OER for the degree programme that a student is studying specifies what is and is not permitted in this regard. 
  • Students who only wish to follow part of a minor require permission from the Board of Examiners.
  • Students must complete the minor within one year.
  • If students complete the minor in Education together with certain bachelor’s programmes, this qualifies them to teach at secondary school (the first two years of vmbo and first three years of havo/vwo and vmbo-t).

Can lecturers develop minors?

The minors offered change each year. Faculty Boards must inform the Executive Board of their minors for the next academic year by 30 November of the current one. A special form must be used to submit proposals for new minors. For enquiries about minors, Nico Boot from the department of Strategy and Academic Affairs is the contact person.

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