The budget for 2026 shows a small positive result for regular operations. From 2027 onwards, however, we anticipate a structural deficit in the budget of the Faculty of Humanities, which is expected to increase in the following years.

Based on the current multi-year outlook, we expect to be able to absorb the budget deficits up to and including 2030 using the faculty’s reserves. Drawing on these reserves is not a sustainable long-term strategy, but it does allow us to bridge a period in which we can work purposefully on structural measures. It remains essential to take action in the coming years to achieve a financially sound and future-proof faculty.

In the 2025 budget, we projected that—if no policy changes were made—the faculty would face a much larger budget deficit in the coming years. Based on that outlook, we implemented additional measures, including budget targets for the institutes and the faculty office, as well as several cross-institute initiatives. These collective efforts are now visibly paying off.

In addition to the above measures, which will continue in the coming years, there are two further contributing factors. Firstly, personnel costs are expected to decrease over the coming years, as employees retire and temporary contracts come to an end. The guiding principle is that these positions will not be replaced. As a result, the faculty’s workforce is projected to shrink by approximately 150 FTEs by 2030.

Secondly, we have chosen to scale back certain costly educational innovation projects in light of the faculty’s financial sustainability. A portion of the funds previously reserved for these innovations will now be redirected. This allows us to temporarily absorb deficits and gives us additional time to work together on more structural solutions.

The projections up to and including 2030 are based on the data currently available to us. However, we are dealing with unknown variables, such as student intake and potential government cutbacks. In the past, we have taken a relatively conservative approach to budgeting in light of such uncertainties. This is one of the reasons why we currently have sufficient reserves to absorb deficits in the coming years.

We do not yet know exactly what the financial picture will look like in 2030. It is precisely this uncertainty that highlights the urgency of using the time we now have wisely — by working together towards a more flexible organisation, so that we are better equipped to respond to unforeseen developments in the future.

We have collectively chosen to retain all our areas of expertise and academic programmes at this time. The vision for the faculty is to see these areas — which are highly valuable and unique within the Netherlands, Europe, and even globally — thrive and be given the space to flourish further.

To achieve this, measures are needed in both education and support services that will ensure the faculty remains flexible and able to adapt to unexpected developments or external circumstances over which we have limited control, such as fluctuations in student intake or changes in government policy.

Yes. The Faculty Board has withdrawn the previously announced decisions to discontinue several programmes as of early 2025. At present, there are no plans to terminate any degree programmes.

For an up-to-date overview of available programmes, please visit: FGW Bachelor's and Master's programmes.

All programmes within the Faculty of Humanities will undergo some changes. Currently, many courses have very few students enrolled, so in the coming years, the number of courses will be reduced. This means that, over time, the range of courses you can choose from may become slightly smaller. Additionally, programmes will collaborate more closely, which means you may take some courses alongside students from related programmes. This interdisciplinary approach can offer new and valuable perspectives.

Despite these changes, the high quality of education remains a priority, and a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from the Faculty of Humanities at Leiden University remains highly valuable.

It is essential that we continue to prioritise the quality of education and research in light of the developments we will be working on in the coming years. Changes to the educational portfolio also present opportunities: they allow us to critically review our teaching, align it more closely with the needs of today’s students, and ensure it better reflects the demands of our time.

Would you like to share your ideas about your degree programme or education? You can do so via your Programme Committee or the Faculty Council. Check the right-hand side of this page for more information.