Master Honours Challenges

Do you want to gain problem-solving experience? Shape your future with a Master Honours Challenge at Leiden University!

What is a Master Honours Challenge?

Master Honours Challenges (3-5 EC) combine theory with practice. You are trained as a problem-solver and experience what it's like to think as, for instance, an entrepreneur, researcher or policy-maker that aims to tackle a problem.

The scope of the challenge can vary widely, from a societal problem to an issue of a specific organisation. In case of the latter, you may for instance work with a company, municipality or NGO or take the first steps towards your own business. 

In your Master Honours Challenge, you will work closely with a team of students from different disciplines. You will learn to work together professionally in an interdisciplinary way and thereby prepare yourself for life after your master's.

Why a Master Honours Challenge?

• Discover your path. Try out new topics, fields, and skills and discover what suits you.
• Prepare for a problem-solving career. Gain experience with working with other disciplines on complex issues. 
• Broaden your skillset. Pitch for stakeholders, make a podcast, shoot a documentary, set-up an exhibit or create your own business. 
• Build a network. Work with motivated students and teachers, as well as real-life partner organisations.

How did students experience their challenge?

'The course enabled us to gain skills that are essential in our everyday life and opened up opportunities.'

'The interdisciplinary part was at times uncomfortable, but exhilarating. Everyone was in the same boat.'

'I really liked how involved everyone was. Lecturers had conversations, rather than just teaching facts.'

'This was a really valuable space for reflection on topics most courses do not approach - or at least not in this depth.'

Study credits and certification

Master Honours Challenges are always extracurricular and cannot be used as elective within your regular master's programme. You can request to add your course as an extracurricular activity on your master diploma supplement. Please contact your faculty's student administration for this. You can also request a certificate via usis-ha@ha.leidenuniv.nl. Students from Erasmus University Rotterdam and TU Delft automatically receive a certificate and grade transcript.