University College Tilburg: Liberal Arts and Sciences

Program content

Liberal Arts and Sciences provides you with a broad, interdisciplinary foundation and the possibility to specialize by choosing one of five majors. The program gives you much opportunity to make your own choices. 

• During your first year you will be introduced to the core disciplines covered within the program.  
• In the second year you choose a major. This major consists of both compulsory courses and elective courses. You can choose one of five majors:

1. Business and Economics
2. Law in an International Context
3. Social Sciences: Human Behavior
4. Arts and Humanities: Past – Present – Future
5. Cognitive Neuroscience: Brain and Cognition

• In the third year you can tailor your study program even further. Now you can also choose electives from outside the program, for instance at a university abroad. You finish your studies with a Bachelor’s thesis. Your degree (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science) depends on the major you choose.

Typical courses are:

• Mind and Brain: Introduction to Neuroscience 
  Get introduced to the fundamental problems and views of the relationship between mind and brain. Explore both historical views and the views of contemporary scientists. Gain basic knowledge about the brain and nervous system and become familiar with methods of experimental research on the mind-body relationship. 
• Imagining Justice: Introduction to Law and Humanities 
  Get acquainted with important works at the intersection of law and the humanities. Discuss them in the context of their time and explore their relevance with respect to issues of today, such as the human and the non-human/inhuman, law and morality, civil disobedience, human rights and civil rights, capitalism, refugees, and power relations. 
• Individuals and Collectives: Introduction to Business & Management and Social Sciences  
  Gain a thorough understanding of the Social Sciences and Business and Economics fields and apply theories to the theme of sustainability. Learn how sustainability is very much related to social relationships and individual decision making, how businesses and individuals allocate scarce resources, and what happens when individual and collective interests are not aligned. 

More on the program and courses

Study Liberal Arts and Sciences in Tilburg

• You become part of a stimulating, open, diverse and supportive community that includes students from 40+ different countries and diverse social and cultural backgrounds.
• The program offers small-scale and intensive education.
• You will learn how to approach societal challenges from a multitude of perspectives.
• We offer you opportunities to explore and develop relevant skills and tools, such as debating skills, entrepreneurial skills, and tools to deal with failure and adversity.
• You live and study in an environment that suits you best! University College Tilburg offers you the possibility to live with your fellow students*, without this being mandatory.

*Are you interested in living together with fellow Liberal Arts and Sciences students in the city center of Tilburg? Check Step 7 on the Application and admission page to see when you can apply for that option. There are limited rooms available in the shared housing facility, which means a room is not guaranteed.

What to expect when coming to Tilburg

• Why Tilburg University?
• International student support
• Study in Holland

Beyond your Bachelor: Extracurricular Activities

• Become an active member of study association Extra Muros, which organizes a range of academic as well as cultural and social activities for the Liberal Arts and Sciences community. 
• Challenge yourself by participating in one of the Honors programs.  

View all extracurricular activities

Pursue a Master's degree

Most students pursue a Master's degree after graduating from their Bachelor's degree - before starting their career. Our graduates have been admitted to more than 150 different Master’s programs worldwide. Here are just a few examples of Master's programs you could opt for - depending on your major: 

Check out all applicable Master's programs

Career prospects

After graduating in Liberal Arts and Sciences, you will have received a well-rounded education, including academic skills that employers commonly cite as highly desirable. You will have the ability to adapt to a variety of tasks and changing work environments. 

Depending on your interests, focus and the Master's program you choose, you will then have a wide variety of options. Graduates of Liberal Arts and Sciences at University College Tilburg pursue successful careers in the private, public, and non-profit sectors, as well as in research institutes.

 Read more about your career prospects

Please follow the national application and admission procedure (in Dutch) if you are applying based on a Dutch vwo or hbo-p diploma, regardless of your nationality. A general description of the national application procedure is also available in English.

Admission requirements

• To be eligible for admission to a research university such as Tilburg University, you must have a high school diploma equal to the highest level of secondary education in the Netherlands (the Dutch vwo diploma).
• As this Bachelor’s program is taught entirely in English, you must prove your English language proficiency. 

You can find more detailed information about the admission requirements on this program's 'Application and admission' page.

Go to application and admission

Related Bachelor's programs

• Global Management of Social Issues
• Online Culture: Art, Media and Society
• Psychology