Today's challenges are too complex for one perspective alone. To make a real difference, we need to collaborate across disciplines, connect with others, and combine imagination with scientific precision. 

Collective Futures is designed for students who want to contribute to meaningful change. It offers a supportive, transdisciplinary environment where you’ll gain practical experience, explore your passions, and develop the skills to help shape more inclusive, resilient futures. 

Collective Futures is a five-month full-time (30EC) minor programme at the University of Amsterdam, open to students from any Dutch university enrolled in a two-year MSc programme. It runs each year in the second semester (Feb-Jul). 

You will join an interdisciplinary team of students and work on a project with collaborators from different fields, such as researchers, public organisations and social enterprises. You will work on a societal challenge, combining methods from science, systems thinking, social innovation and consulting.  

Additionally, you will participate in other learning activities, such as workshops, lectures, coaching, theatre and sports, and you will join a committee with a budget to co-organise parts of the programme. These activities support your personal and professional development and prepare you for a career that matters. 

You’ll develop a unique mix of analytical, creative, and interpersonal skills to thrive in today’s complex world: 

• Systemic thinking – Understand societal challenges holistically using approaches from science, design, and consulting. 
• Cross-boundary collaboration – Work effectively with people from diverse cultures, disciplines, and sectors. 
• Project and research skills – Manage real-world projects and analyse complex information. 
• Personal growth – Identify your strengths, build resilience, and navigate uncertainty with confidence. 
• Career clarity – Explore meaningful career paths aligned with your values and talents. 
• Creative leadership – Use imagination to realise visionary yet practical solutions. 

The Collective Futures programme blends deep project work with enriching learning activities designed to support your growth and performance. 

A distinctive feature is the student-led component: you and your peers co-organise parts of the programme, shaping your experience to match your learning goals. 

Key components include: 

1. Real-world project work 
2. Thematic workshops and expert-led lectures 
3. Peer-to-peer learning 
4. Coaching and reflective practice 
5. Excursions, sports, and creative session 
6. Community building and programme design