The first year of the programme is introductory in character. This means that your courses will provide you with an overview of the entire discipline. You will be introduced to the most important ideas, approaches, debates and topics in the field, and learn about discourse, intertextuality, intermediality, cultural capital, gender, semiotics, cultural memory and more. You will test different ways of analysing and interpreting specific cultural artefacts, including narrative, rhetorical, discourse and visual analysis, and explore a series of case studies to strengthen and expand your analytical and interpretive skills. You will study a number of philosophical concepts that are right at the heart of contemporary debates about the arts, popular culture and literature, and practice ways of relating particular cultural, literary, and artistic objects to different contexts. You will develop specific academic skills, such as academic writing and conducting independent research.

The second and third years of the programme build on the foundations laid in the first year courses, focussing specifically on Cultural Theory and Cultural Studies. In the second year, you will engage with the historical philosophies that have shaped academic and intellectual debates to the present day, as well as contemporary and 20th century literature and cultural theories that have enabled new ways of analysing, interpreting and reflecting on literature, the arts and popular culture. You will be introduced to Cultural Analysis and become familiar with the debates, approaches and concepts that are central to its development in the Humanities. You will also be able to tailor the programme to your own interests by selecting a minor or elective courses in a wide range of subjects.

In the third year of the programme, participate in a research seminar designed to prepare you for your thesis research and writing, and work with your fellow students on concrete case studies ranging from installation art to theatre. You will be able to further specialise in your field of interest through a range of electives or take the opportunity to study abroad for a semester or do an internship. In the course, ‘Philosophy of the Humanities’, you will explore the historical and philosophical background of the Humanities, with a particular emphasis on the literary, cultural and artistic disciplines. You will conclude your Bachelor's programme by writing a Bachelor’s thesis, your first major piece of independent research

Next to your regular courses and your specialisation, you will also have 30 ECTS worth of space to fill by doing electives, a minor, an internship or by studying abroad.

Electives

In theory, any course can be taken as an elective, from courses offered by the Faculty of Humanities to those offered by other faculties or even other universities. Most programmes offer separate electives.

Minor

A minor is a cohesive teaching programme that consists of 30 ECTS. Doing a minor is not mandatory. However, it may be a good way to prepare for a Master’s programme or for a certain profession.

The programme allows for you to do an internship and/or to study abroad for a period of time.

Internship

You can enrich your study programme as well as your CV by doing an internship. This will allow you to gain experience at an organisation in the field of Ancient Studies and gives you an impression of the job opportunities they offer.

Studying abroad

The UvA is closely involved with international programmes involved with cooperation and exchange within Europe, the United States and Canada. This gives you the opportunity to study abroad for a period of time.

Would you like to be challenged even more? You can choose to do two Bachelor’s degrees or follow the Honours programme.

Double Bachelor’s in Humanities

The Faculty of Humanities offers the possibility to obtain a degree from two different Bachelor's programmes. By means of exemptions you can obtain two degrees with a reduced effective workload. The double Bachelor's is intended for motivated students who are looking for an extra challenge and/or a broader perspective during their studies.

Honours programme

Highly-motivated students may qualify to take part in a selective Honours programme. This programme accounts for an additional 30 ECTS and will help familiarise you with various other aspects of academic research and prepare you for a subsequent Research Master's degree.

Literary and Cultural Analysis is a three-year Bachelor’s degree of 180 ECTS credits. Each academic year accounts for 60 credits (ECTS) and comprises two semesters, with each semester composed of two 8-week blocks and one 4-week block. As a Bachelor’s student, you are expected to spend an average of 42 hours a week on your studies.

• In your first year, 12 to 15 of those hours will be spent attending lectures, while in your second and third years you will have approximately 8 to 10 hours of class. 
• The remaining time will be spent on self-study, preparing for lectures and seminars, completing coursework and assignments, as well as exams.
• You will attend both lectures and small group seminars.
• Lectures will generally introduce the main topics of the course, discussing and explaining course readings and literature.
• In the seminars, you will work closely with your fellow students, collaborating on assignments, presentations and talks.
• You will be tested by means of written and oral exams, presentations, essays, reports and assignments. Your final grade for a course is determined by the results you receive for each of these.

It is possible to enroll in this programme as a part-time student.

• Part-time students follow the same programme as full-time students. However, you follow less courses per year and the course load of the programme will be 30 credits per year instead of the full-time course load of 60 credits per year. Part-time students complete the programme within six years.
• As for full-time students there is a Binding Study Advice (BSA): in the first year it is required to obtain a minimum of 24 credits in order to re-enroll for the second year.
• The tuition fee for part-time students is lower than the fee for full-time students, for more information see tuition fees.
• Part-time students are not entitled to the Dutch student loan system.