Leadership Programme

In the interdisciplinary Leadership Programme students learn what it takes to skillfully practice leadership.

The Leadership programme is an extracurricular honours programme for students interested in advancing their leadership skills. You can follow this programme (10 EC) on top of any Master’s degree at Utrecht University. The working language of the Leadership Programme is English. However some elements are offered in Dutch when preferred (e.g., personal development intervision, skills trainings, a few College Tours and Leader-to-Shadow). 

Theory Sessions and case analysis

The Leadership Programme is designed for students eager to learn about interdisciplinary theories and leadership in practice, while discovering and strengthening their own capacity to lead. Our theory sessions are hosted by guest lecturers from various disciplines who will share their expertise in leadership. For example, by looking through the lens of psychology, you'll discover how everyone's subjective perspectives on reality creates blind spots that lead to bad decisions. You will apply these theoretical insights immediately to real-life leadership cases, when you share your perspective and discuss decision-making in small groups with students from all different backgrounds. You will not only learn to listen but also come to better grasp what it means to practice leadership in any sector in a globalizing world.

Leadership in Practice

During the interactive and intimate College Tours, you can engage with leaders from different domains in society, such as business, culture, higher education, and politics. 

In the last study period, you will submerge yourself together with a few of your co-students within the real-life practice of a leader in society, putting your new knowledge and experience to the test to actual dilemmas and suggest applicable interventions to solve the challenge at hand.

Personal Development and Skills

Over the course of the year, various skill sessions will be hosted by experts from inside and outside the UU that will support your personal development as part of strengthening your own capacity to lead. Examples would be intervision for reflection, interpersonal communication, case analysis as well as public speaking. Personal development is central to the program, which means you will be challenged on your assumptions and worldview and invited to step out of your comfort zone to grow. 

Upon the successful completion of the programme, you will have a better understanding of practicing leadership, what your strengths are and how to deploy them and how to become aware of your blind spots. These are lessons that will last you a lifetime. Moreover, you will receive 10 EC's of extracurricular credit and an Honours certificate.

Students with Leaders (Upper Left: Mo Allach; Upper Right: Therese Nleng, Lower Left: Max Schalow and Chingishkan Kaakhstan; Lower Right: Therese Nleng)
Students working with interactive projects