Science for Sustainable Societies (BSc)

About the programme

BSc Science for Sustainable Societies in short

• A mix between natural sciences (50%), social sciences (40%) and politics (10%).
• Theory combined with hands-on experience, including field work, excursions, assignments based on real-life cases, and group assignments.
• A local-to-global approach, learn how local initiatives can serve as an inspiration for solutions on a wider scale.
• Research-driven and practice-oriented: learn about and conduct research on important topics in the Netherlands and globally (e.g. Africa, the Philippines).
• A sound preparation for the job market with both sustainability knowledge and tools and sought-after skills like critical and creative thinking, programming, presentation, working in a team, project management.
• Personal attention, in the seminars you will work in small groups with plenty of room for personal attention and development.
• International learning environment, consisting of both Dutch and international students and lecturers.

Study both local and international developments

Sustainability is an issue that concerns everybody on this planet. So why is it so complicated to find solutions for the sustainability problems? It would be easy to save the planet if everyone wanted the same thing, but they don’t. Sustainability is a giant balancing act, a big tug of war between all the different stakeholders (all the involved people, companies, governments, but also the animals, plants, land). For example, we want to stop climate change, but factories still need massive amounts of power to make the products we use every day. Farmers need water to grow our food, but there isn't enough for everyone. Who gets it first? We need to plant forests to clean the air and increase biodiversity, but we also need that same land for houses or factories. The larger the scale, the more complex these issues generally are. That is the reason why in this programme, you will learn to analyse local solutions and how they differ across various locations, and how these solutions can be scaled up to suit a multi-national or even a global approach.

Read more about the programme structure here.

Study load

As a Science for Sustainable Societies student, you can expect a full working week of about 40 hours. You will spend an average of 15-20 hours in-class. The rest of the time you will independently study (by doing homework, preparing for classes, working on assignments and exams) and work on group projects with fellow students.

Educational methods

Our classes are a mixture of lectures and tutorials, individual and group assignments, practical learning, and fieldwork and excursions. The lectures focus on particular topics, which are further elaborated upon in tutorials. In these tutorials, small groups of around 20 students, discuss, brainstorm about and further analyse the topics dealt with in the lectures. While developing essential academic skills, such as essay-writing, project management, debating, presenting, and providing and receiving feedback, you will also be challenged to develop your critical thinking.

Our tutorials are interactive, lively, and dynamic. We want you to get the most out of your studies, which means that we expect you to actively participate in the programme. This active participation ranges from joining discussions and field trips, to doing presentations and working in a team with fellow students.

Co-teaching

During this bachelor, mainly in the second year, we will be using a unique education method. In a great deal of the lectures in this year you will be taught by two lecturers at the same time, one from the natural sciences domain and one from the social sciences domain. This educational set-up is intended to show you how different perspectives can complement and stimulate each other. In this way you will come to understand how knowledge and methods from different disciplines can be integrated in order to develop a completely new approach to a specific sustainability problem.

Mentor system

Student support services

Do you need support during your studies? Our study advisors are available for advice or practical help. The threshold to approach them is low, as you will meet one of them in a personal meeting at the start of the studies. The study advisors will monitor your study progress and if necessary, will discuss this with you. Moreover, you are welcome to ask them questions about the programme, or to discuss personal circumstances that affect your studies.

In addition, we offer many other support services. If you would like to work as an intern outside of your BSc programme, our Career Services can help you find an internship position. Our International Office can help you arrange a study semester abroad. Should you need extra support due to chronic illness, dyslexia, or a physical or psychological disability, the university’s Fenestra Disability Centre is ready to assist you.

Binding Study Advice

As a first-year bachelor’s student at Leiden University, you will receive a binding study advice (BSA). This means that you will need to earn at least 45 out of the 60 ECTS (study credits) at the end of the first year. If you do not meet this requirement, you will not be permitted to continue this bachelor programme. In formulating this study advice, any relevant circumstances, such as sickness or other personal factors, will be taken into account.