Below is the full list of undergraduate courses open to incoming exchange students. More information on the content of each course can be found by searching for the course name in the EUR Course Catalogue or by clicking on the link included in the name of each course, which will also take you to the Course Catalogue.
Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences (ESSB) offers bachelor courses (taught in English) in the areas of:
- Psychology
- Public Administration
- Sociology
A full academic year contains 60 ECTS, and therefore we advise you to take approximately courses up to a total of 30 ECTS per semester. The list of available courses can be found below. Please make sure to check the right semester.
To avoid a heavy study load, we advise you to choose a maximum of two courses per period. Students are limited to one minor and/or one third-year psychology course per period.
Academic year 2024-2025
Students are allowed to take courses in both disciplines simultaneously.
| Year | Block | Course name | ECTS | Programme | Period |
| 1 | 1 | Global Challenges | 6.5 | Public Administration | Sep-Nov |
| 2 | 1 | Network Governance | 7.5 | Public Administration | Sep-Nov |
| 1 | 1 | Sociology 1 | 6.5 | Sociology | Sep-Nov |
| 1 | 2 | International Law | 6.5 | Public Administration | Nov-Jan |
| 2 | 2 | Policy Analysis | 7.5 | Public Administration | Nov-Jan |
| 2 | 2 | Quantitative methods * | 7.5 | Public Administration | Nov-Jan |
| 3 | 2 | Global & European Governance | 7.5 | Public Administration/Sociology | Nov-Jan |
| 3 | 2 | Political Philosophy and Democracy | 7.5 | Public Administration | Nov-Jan |
| 1 | 2 | Organisation & Management | 6.5 | Public Administration | Nov-Jan |
| *Background in quantitative research methods (conceptually or using SPSS) required. |
| Year | Block | Course name | ECTS | Programme | Period |
| 2 | 1 | Brain & Cognition: Thinking and Remembering | 5 | Psychology | Sep-Nov |
| 3 | 1 | Minor: Positive Organizational Psychology - Engaged Employees and Employee Empowerment in Flourishing Organizations | 15 | Psychology | Sep-Nov |
| 3 | 1 | Minor: Cross-cultural Psychology - Fundamentals and Ethnic Differences | 15 | Psychology | Sep-Nov |
| 1 | 1.1 | Social Psychology: People in Groups | 5 | Psychology | Sep-Nov |
| 1 | 1.2 | Personality Psychology: Differences between People | 5 | Psychology | Oct-Nov |
| 2 | 2.2 | The World of Work | 5 | Psychology | Nov-Jan |
| 3 | 3 | Legal Psychology * | ** | 5 | Psychology | Nov-Dec |
| 3 | 3 | Mind in Society * | ** | 5 | Psychology | Nov-Dec |
| 3 | 3 | Pain: Psychology factors and treatments * | ** | 5 | Psychology | Nov-Dec |
| 3 | 3 | Motivation, self-regulation & performance * | ** | 5 | Psychology | Nov-Dec |
| 2 | 2.1 | Educational Psychology | 5 | Psychology | Nov-Jan |
| 1 | 2.2 | Biological Psychology: Brain & Body | 5 | Psychology | Nov-Feb |
| *Limited capacity ** Only for those with a major in psychology |
Students are allowed to take courses in both disciplines simultaneously.
| Year | Block | Course name | ECTS | Programme | Period |
| 1 | 3 | Designing Social Research | 6,5 | Public Administration/Sociology | Feb-Apr |
| 2 | 3 | Global Development Issues | 7.5 | Public Administration | Feb-Apr |
| 2 | 3 | International Migration | 7.5 | Public Administration | Feb-Apr |
| 1 | 3 | Political Science | 6.5 | Public Administration | Feb-Apr |
| 3 | 3 | Leadership in International Leadership in international Organizations | 7.5 | Public Administration/Sociology | Feb-Apr |
| 2 | 4 | Allocation and Management of Public Resources * | 7.5 | Public Administration | Apr-Jun |
| 1 | 4 | Public Policy | 6.5 | Public Administration/Sociology | Apr-Jun |
| 1 | 4 | Economics, Walfare and Distribution | 6,5 | Public Administration/Sociology | Apr-Jun |
*Limited capacity
| Year | Block | Course name | ECTS | Programme | Period |
| 3 | 4 | Leadership and Coaching ** | 6 | Psychology | Jan-Feb |
| 3 | 4 | Instructional Strategies ** | 6 | Psychology | Jan-Feb |
| 3 | 5 | Organisational Psychology ** | 6 | Psychology | Feb-Mar |
| 3 | 5 | A closer look at the learner ** | 6 | Psychology | Feb-Mar |
| 1 | 3.1 | Developmental Psychology: Child and adolescent development | 5 | Psychology | Feb-Mar |
| 2 | 3.2 | Clinical Psychology: Mental Health Challenges II | 5 | Psychology | Feb-Apr |
| 1 | 3.2 | Clinical Psychology: Mental Health Challenges I | 5 | Psychology | Mar-Apr |
| 3 | 6 | Occupational Health and Safety ** | 6 | Psychology | Mrt-Apr |
| 3 | 6 | The Brain ** | 6 | Psychology | Mrt-Apr |
| 3 | 6 | 21st Century Education ** | 6 | Psychology | Mrt-Apr |
| 2 | 4 | Brain and Perception ** | 9 | Psychology | Apr-Jun |
| 2 | 4 | A Multilevel Perspective on Well-being at Work ** | 9 | Psychology | Apr-Jun |
| 2 | 4 | Cognitive and Affective Perspectives on Learning ** | 9 | Psychology | Apr-Jun |
| 1 | 4.1 | Cross cultural psychology | 5 | Psychology | Apr-Jul |
| 1 | 4.2 | History and Methods of Psychology | 5 | Psychology | Apr-Jul |
**Only for those with a major in psychology
Academic year 2023-2024
Students are allowed to take courses in both disciplines simultaneously.
Please be aware that the courses with an asterisk (*) are Bachelor year 1 & 2 courses, which means that these courses follow a different academic calendar than Bachelor year 3 courses.
Bachelor year 1 & 2 courses:
Block 1: from 04/09 until 03/11
Block 2: from 13/11 until 02/02
Bachelor year 3 courses:
Block 1: from 04/09 until 06/10
Block 2: from 09/10 until 10/11
Block 3: from 13/11 until 15/12
We advise you to make sure that the courses you select do not overlap regarding the exam period. Exams take place in the last week of each block.
The above only applies to Public Administration and Sociology courses.
| Block | Course name | ECTS | Programme |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1* | Global Challenges* | 6.5 | Public Administration |
| 1* | Network Governance | 7.5 | Public Administration |
| 1* | Sociology 1* | 6.5 | Sociology |
| 2* | International Law | 6.5 | Public Administration |
| 2* | Policy Analysis | 7.5 | Public Administration |
| 2* | Quantitative methods** | 7.5 | Public Administration |
| 2* | Organisation & Management | 6.5 | Public Administration |
| 3 | Technology, Policy and Society | 7.5 | Public Administration |
**Course prerequisites for 'Quantitative methods': make sure to only register for this course if you have a background in quantitative research methods (conceptually or using SPSS.
Please be aware that the courses with an asterisk (*) are Bachelor Year 1 and Year 2 courses, which means that these courses follow a different academic calendar than Year 3 courses.
Bachelor Year 1 and 2 courses:
Block 1: from 04/09 until 06/11
Block 2: from 13/11 until 05/02
Bachelor Year 3 courses:
Block 1: from 04/09 until 06/10
Block 2: from 09/10 until 11/11
Block 3: from 13/11 until 15/12
| Block | Course name | ECTS | Programme |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1* | Social Psychology: People in Groups | 5 | Psychology |
| 1* | Cognition: Thinking and Remembering** | 5 | Psychology |
| 1* | Personality Psychology: Differences between People | 5 | Psychology |
| 2* | Biological Psychology: The Human Body | 5 | Psychology |
| 2.1* | History and Methods of Psychology** | 5 | Psychology |
| 2.2* | Brain and Cognition: Perception** | 5 | Psychology |
| 1&2 | Minor: Positive Organizational Psychology - Engaged Employees and Employee Empowerment in Flourishing Organizations | 15 | Psychology |
| 1&2 | Minor: Crosscultural Psychology - Fundamentals and Ethnic Differences | 15 | Psychology |
**In order to take this course, you need to be a psychology student and/or have sufficient background in the field of psychology. Approval by ESSB study coordinator for psychology needed, based on academic transcript of exchange student.
Students are allowed to take courses in both disciplines simultaneously.
Please be aware that the courses with an asterisk (*) are Bachelor year 1 & 2 courses, which means that these courses follow a different academic calendar than Bachelor year 3 courses.
Bachelor year 1 and 2 courses:
Block 3: from 12/02 until 12/04
Block 4: from 22/04 until 21/06
Bachelor year 3 courses:
Block 4: from 08/01 until 09/02
Block 5: from 12/02 until 15/03
Block 6: from 18/03 until 19/04
Block 7: from 22/04 until 31/05
Block 8: from 03/06 until 12/07
We advise you to make sure that the courses you select do not overlap regarding the exam period. Exams take place in the last week of each block.
The above only applies to Public Administration and Sociology courses.
| Block | Course name | ECTS | Programme |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3* | Designing Social Research* | 6,5 | Public Administration/Sociology |
| 3* | Global Development Issues | 7.5 | Public Administration |
| 3* | International Migration | 7.5 | Public Administration |
| 3* | Political Science | 6.5 | Public Administration |
| 4* | Allocation and Management of Public Resources (limited capacity) | 7.5 | Public Administration |
| 4* | Public Policy* | 6.5 | Public Administration/Sociology |
| 4* | Economics* | 6,5 | Public Administration/Sociology |
| 4 | Global & European Governance | 7.5 | Public Administration/Sociology |
| 5 | Political Philosophy and Democracy | 7.5 | Public Administration |
| 6 | Management Consultancy & Policy Advice | 7.5 | Public Administration/Sociology |
Please be aware that the courses with an asterisk (*) are Bachelor year 1 and 2 courses, which means that these courses follow a different academic calendar than Bachelor year 3 courses.
Bachelor year 1 & 2 courses:
Block 3: from 12/02 until 12/04
Block 4: from 22/04 until 21/06
Bachelor 3 courses:
Block 4: from 08/01 until 09/02
Block 5: from 12/02 until 15/03
Block 6: from 18/03 until 19/04
Block 7: from 02/04 until 31/05
Block 8: from 03/06 until 05/07
| Block | Course name | ECTS | Programme |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2* | Brain and Cognition: Perception** | 5 | Psychology |
| 3* | Child and Adolescent development | 5 | Psychology |
| 3* | Clinical Psychology: Mental Health Challenges | 5 | Psychology |
| 3.2* | Clinical Psychology: Anxiety and Stress** | 5 | Psychology |
| 4 | Leadership and Coaching** | 6 | Psychology |
| 4 | Instructional Strategies** | 6 | Psychology |
| 4.1* | Developmental Psychology: Challenges in Education and Development** | 5 | Psychology |
| 4.2* | Organisational Psychology: Performance at Work** | 5 | Psychology |
| 5 | Organisational Psychology** | 6 | Psychology |
| 5 | A closer look at the learner** | 6 | Psychology |
| 6 | Occupational Health and Safety** | 6 | Psychology |
| 6 | The Brain** | 6 | Psychology |
| 6 | 21st Century Education** | 6 | Psychology |
**In order to take this course, you need to be a psychology student and/or have sufficient background in the field of psychology. Approval by ESSB study coordinator for psychology needed, based on academic transcript of exchange student.
Course registration procedure
If you are an incoming exchange student at ESSB, you will be asked during the application process to select the courses you wish to attend at ESSB. We will ensure that you are automatically registered for these courses and practical groups. You should be able to find your personalised timetable by logging in to timetables at least one week before the start of each course.
However, if you wish to change your course selection after you've submitted your application, you will only be able to do so within the limited time slots shown below. You can change your course selection by emailing the Exchange Office at exchange@essb.eur.nl with your full name, ERNA ID and the changes you'd like to make (which courses you'd like to drop/add). This can be done up to the following deadlines.
| Course period | Registration period (Dutch time) |
|---|---|
| Semester 1 | 15 May application deadline; changes to the course selection in the application can only be made between 17 July - 1 August, 4.00 PM |
| Semester 2 | 1 October application deadline; changes can be made between 17 November – 1 December, 4.00 PM |
Late registration procedure:
If you have missed the course registration deadline but still want to add or drop any courses, you can do so during your exchange, al least one month before the start of the block. You will be given more information on how to do that at the start of your exchange.
However, please note that once the deadlines have passed, we will no longer be able to guarantee you a place on the course you have requested. From that point onwards, enrolment will be subject to the availability of places in each course.
In some cases, it is possible for incoming exchange students of ESSB to take one or two courses at another faculty of Erasmus University Rotterdam. You can find more information about the course offer of other faculties via the links below. If you would like to take a course at another faculty, please make sure that you follow their registration procedure and deadlines.
Please make sure to read the info on the pages below carefully, as not all courses are always open to exchange students from other faculties, some courses might have entry requirements and deadlines might differ from ESSB deadlines. Please remember that you have to enroll for courses at other faculties yourself.
- Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication (ESHCC)
- Erasmus School of Philosophy (ESPhil)
- Rotterdam School of Management (RSM)
- Erasmus School of Law (ESL)
You are not allowed to take courses at Erasmus School of Economics (ESE) and Erasmus Medical Centre (ErasmusMC).
If you have any questions, please contact us!
If you are an exchange student from another EUR faculty (ESHCC, ESPhil, RSM or ESL), you can take one to two courses at ESSB. You can find our undergraduate courses at the top of this page.
If you are interested in this option, please send an email to exchange@essb.eur.nl and include your full name, ERNA ID and the course(s) you would like to take. We will let you know whether it is possible to take the course(s). Please mind that the same deadlines as for the ESSB incoming exchange students apply here (see ‘ESSB Incoming Exchange Students’).
Please do not select any psychology courses for which background knowledge is an entry requirement unless you are a double degree student at your home university and are also studying psychology.