Amsterdam, Netherlands

Pre-University Honours Programme: Politics & Identity

As our hyper-connected world draws closer together, it falls to present and future generations to understand how this affects the political climate. Every aspect of our lives is intertwined with political decisions, as is our identity. But how can something as fluid and changeable as identity be the basis for political debate? What implications does our own identity have on our political beliefs, and how does our identity have an impact on and change the interpretations of others, and to what extend to they change our political establishments and conversations?

Over the last few decades, the topic of identity has become central to many political debates and developments. The Black Lives Matter protests, Women's Marches, Brexit, the debates on multiculturalism and migration in Europe, and the resurgence of nationalist movements in Scotland and Calatonia are just a few examples that illustrate the growing importance of identity in politics. But how should we understand identity? How do different aspects of identity relate to each other and to phenomena such as globalisation? And how can explain recent political developments? Are identity politics here to stay, or just a temporary measure?

Course leader

Luuc Brans

Target group

This programme is designed for high school students (16+ at the start of the programme) to experience studying in a competitive, international environment at the Graduate School of Social Sciences of the University of Amsterdam. The lectures and all course materials are in English. Participants in the course will develop study skills and become acquainted with learning methods that will give them an advantage as they continue their education at University.

Course aim

At the end of the programme, students will have enhanced their knowledge of the diverse ways identity plays a role in contemporary politics while coming to terms with the ways in which their own identity is formed, and the consequences this has on their political worldview. This programme is designed for high school students to experience studying in a competitive, international environment at the Graduate School of Social Sciences of the University of Amsterdam. The lectures and all course materials are in English. Participants in the course will develop study skills and become acquainted with learning methods that will give them an advantage as they continue their education at University

Credits info

Official Certificate of Participation.

Fee info

EUR 1350: Programme fee. This includes:
lunch on class days;
public transportation card;
welcome and farewell events;
excursions and site visits.
EUR 450: Housing fee (optional).