For best experience please turn on javascript and use a modern browser!
You are using a browser that is no longer supported by Microsoft. Please upgrade your browser. The site may not present itself correctly if you continue browsing.

Academic Core

The Academic Core is designed to ensure that students develop strong academic skills in several essential areas and are prepared for further studies in their major and elective courses. Students take Academic Core courses during all three years of the programme to ensure progression of their academic skills.
Looking back, one of the most valuable features of the AUC programme are the academic writing courses. Due to the knowledge I acquired during AUC’s writing courses, I have been asked to give feedback on essays and to review papers of my fellow master students, showing me that I indeed gained something during my education which others did not. Sofija Vučković

Components of the Academic Core

The Academic Core consists of courses that provide the foundation for students’ success in their majors and in their professional lives after graduation. These include methodology courses, language courses, Big Questions courses, academic writing courses, community projects & internships, logic, a programming course and the Global Identity Experience.

Courses required for all students

  1. Academic Writing Skills
  2. Logic, Information, Argumentation
  3. The Global Identity Experience
  4. Advanced Research Writing
  5. One 'Big Questions' course
  6. One programming course 
  7. Community Project or Internship (CPI)

Language courses are optional

AUC offers a variety of language courses as part of the Academic Core. These courses are optional and may be taken as electives as part of a student's curriculum.

Academic Core course overview
  • Big Questions

    A special feature of the Academic Core is the Big Questions courses. These courses approach big questions in science and society by examining theories and methods from the combined perspectives of the sciences, social sciences and humanities. By taking a Big Questions course, students transcend their major and develop interdisciplinary skills, such as the ability to collaborate in interdisciplinary teams, and recognise and integrate different disciplinary perspectives. You can choose from:

  • Logic, Information Flow and Argumentation

    Scientific reasoning is an essential skill when debating ‘big questions' and is the focus of this course. During Logic, Information Flow and Argumentation, students analyse patterns of reasoning and the validity of reasoning and information flows in a variety of contexts. This course develops analytical skills that will be of use to all students regardless of their major.

  • Academic Writing Skills and Advanced Research Writing

    Students are expected to enter AUC with a high level of written and spoken English. More specific training is incorporated in the Academic Core to help all students write texts at an academic level, give presentations and participate in academic debates during Academic Writing Skills. After the first year, students follow a more advanced course (Advanced Research Writing) to help prepare them for their Capstone (Bachelor's thesis). All students, including native English speakers, take both Academic Writing Skills and Advanced Research Writing.

  • The Global Identity Experience

    AUC is an international institution, located in a cosmopolitan city, and seeks to prepare its graduates for a globalised world. This course is designed to examine issues in an international, multicultural context and to equip students with intercultural (communication) skills. Part of the course involves a group research project in the city of Amsterdam.

  • Progamming courses

    Starting in September 2024, all students are required to take a programming course as part of their Academic Core requirements. AUC has introduced this requirement in recognition of basic programming skills being an essential 21st-century competency for all graduates. Students can complete their programming course in their first year, second year or third year. At present, two courses can be selected to meet the programming requirement: Programming Your World and Intermediate Programming: Principles and Practice. The list of courses from which students can select to meet their programming requirement will be expanded in the upcoming academic years.

  • Languages (optional)

    In today's globalised world, language skills are essential. AUC offers students the opportunity to choose various languages as elective courses. The language courses emphasise learning language by gaining insight into the cultural practices, beliefs and behaviours of language speakers. Students enhance their ability to speak, write, read and listen to a particular language and their intercultural skills. The languages offered include:

    • Contextualizing Dutch: Language and Society (Levels 1-4)
    • Contextualizing French: Language and Society (Levels 1-4)
    • Contextualizing German: Language and Society (Levels 1-4)
    • Contextualizing Spanish: Language and Society (Levels 1-4)
    • Contextualizing Arabic: Language and Society (Levels 1-2)
    • Contextualizing Chinese: Language and Society (Levels 1-2)

More information on the Academic Core

You can find more information on the Academic Core in section 2.5 of the Academic Standards and Procedures.

Access the Academic Standards and Procedures