Are Honours Programmes real game-changer?

When students start their Masters, the GSLS organizes an introductory week to present all the possible Honours programmes. However, many students get lost in all the information provided and forget about them. Thus, briefly explaining which options are available, how the programmes work, what is needed and how to stay updated might be a good idea. The GLSL offers three main Honours, each having a specific focus and demanding specific skills. More information can be found at https://studyguidelifesciences.nl/.

Aside from knowing what is possible, it is essential to keep track of all deadlines. The suggestion from Catarina Padilla, a student accepted in the U/Select, is to dig within the first week, the opportunities and write all the important dates on your phone, agenda, or planner. Then, four weeks after the course starts, she recommends rechecking the dates and going through all the needed documents. Some of them might be dependent on a professor submitting a document or writing a motivation letter. The organization is everything.

However, how hard it is to be selected? Considering that most programmes accept around 10-15 students per year, what is the secret to choosing among so many good candidates? Different aspects compose the selection process, and having good grades, are – unfortunately – essential. However, it is not only the grades that count, and a good motivation letter plays a substantial role. Moreover, recommendation letter from professors, PhD candidates or coordinators will be asked so making sure to have these connections from the beginning is indispensable.

Some students might ask a few questions: do I need an Honours programme for a future PhD position? Is it so essential? Involving yourself in academic and research activities is indeed necessary if ones pursue an academic life. So an Honours programme might play an important role. Not all PhD candidates did an Honours Programme, so it remains questionable if taking part in a programme is a deal-breaker. Under Catarina’s point of view, the remarkable difference is between continuing the academia life in Utrecht and doing the PhD at Utrecht University or going to another institution. Locally, it may have a more substantial influence. However, if the plan is to go to a different country, it might not be necessary.

In sum, applying for an Honour is a much more a personal choice than a need requirement from society. Each, and every student should put their options on the table and see what they consider essential, especially if their goal is to pursue an academic life.