Celeste (Bachelor: History)

'Honours is a place where you are challenged. You learn to think differently, meet motivated fellow students and have a lot of contact with lecturers. You are not looked at oddly if you ask a lot of questions. My honours classes are always the highlight of my week.

I think a big misconception is that only try hards sign up for honours. People in honours are just very broadly interested and motivated to look outside their own disciplines. That's something you can learn a lot from.

I only have one message to freshmen: apply! Honours is perfect if you want to develop yourself more broadly. And if you ever run into something: you can always talk to coordinators, study advisors, and lecturers. They are ready to help you!'

Theodor (International Studies)

'Honours enabled me to discuss topics with students from other disciplines. Since all disciplines have unique methods for approaching topics they study, such discussions enabled me to see the alternative ways of approaching complex topics. Moreover, doing honours alongside my regular programme and part-time work taught me how to balance schoolwork effectively. 

A misunderstanding about honours that it is too demanding, timewise and in terms of assignments and grading. It’s not so much different from a regular course, I still had time to work part-time, play football and spend time on hobbies.

I think everyone who is hesitant should give it a shot. There is plenty of courses focusing on a variety of different topics, so I think everybody will find a few they are really interested in. Many of my friends were also initially hesitant to join, but after I had completed a semester of honours, they saw it was possible and fun and decided to join as well.'