International Public Policy and Leadership
Official name: Public Administration
Want to help fix international governmental issues? Join the dialogue on the administrative level with this degree programme.
Bachelor
4 years
Starts in September
The Hague - Main Campus
English
For you?
Are you interested in how governments, NGOS and influential organizations around the world tackle problems such as climate change, economic disparity and human rights?
Are you interested in being a changemaker with a deep understanding of “wicked” problems and the world’s most intractable issues in order to effect positive, lasting change? Then International Public Policy and Leadership (IPPL) is the program for you.
The world is changing at an ever-quickening pace. We need game-changers who can think on their feet and expertly unravel the big issues. We will teach you the tools of the trade, whether it be drafting policy briefs and issue papers, developing impact campaigns, producing documentaries, grant-writing or pitching a grassroots advocacy project, just to name a few.
We have many key international organizations and NGOs at our doorstep (in The Hague, the City of Peace and Justice), which means you can ‘hit the ground running’ and apply your new hands-on skills in the field. You will be in the heart of a rich international community - both in the city and the diverse classroom. During their internships, our students find themselves in a range of organizations: government ministries, international NGOs and corporations, global and European nonprofits and political movements. A vast array of jobs are open to students upon graduation; some even have started their own NGOs.
Admission requirements
You have a Dutch diploma
| Vooropleiding | Vereiste profiel |
|---|---|
| Havo |
|
| Vwo |
|
| Mbo | Niveau 4, middenkader- of specialistenopleiding |
To begin the International Public Policy and Leadership degree programme, you need a HAVO or VWO diploma in the correct subjects (listed below). You can also apply with a MBO diploma (level 4), if you fit the right profile.
You have a non-Dutch diploma
International Public Policy and Leadership is a four-year university of applied sciences degree. To qualify, you’ll need a high school qualification equivalent to a Dutch HAVO. Before we can decide on your eligibility, we’ll need to assess your certificate/diploma. To do this fairly, we work directly with NUFFIC, an external organisation that assesses international qualifications for all Dutch Institutions of Higher Education.
Language requirements
If you weren’t educated in the Netherlands and English isn’t your first language, you may have to submit a language test to be admitted. You may be eligible for an exemption depending on the type and country of your diploma. Please check our entry requirements page for more information.
Beheersing Engels
Deze opleiding is volledig Engelstalig. Je Engels moet daarom van goed niveau zijn, zowel mondeling als schriftelijk.
Heb je je middelbare school afgerond in Nederland, dan hoef je geen aanvullende Engelse taaltoets te doen. Dit is ook het geval als je je middelbare school hebt afgerond in Groot-Brittannië, Ierland, de Verenigde Staten, Canada (Quebec alleen als de hoofdtaal Engels was), Australië, Nieuw Zeeland, Zuid-Afrika of Malta of als je diploma vermeld staat op deze lijst en een van je examenvakken Engels was.
Don’t meet the entry requirements?
Perhaps your academic background is not quite the right level. Or you need some help improving your English skills. Don’t worry. There might be some alternative options to help you get in, and prepare yourself for a successful start of your studies at The Hague University of Applied Sciences (THUAS).
Admissions Test 21+
If you’re 21 years old before 1 September 2022, but don’t have a diploma or a qualification that meets the entry requirements, you can take the 21+ Admissions Test. The 21+ Admissions Test is offered at several dates between January and the start of the academic year, and consists of a digital general capacity test. Please note that you can only participate if you have an EEA-nationality or residence permit for the Netherlands that is valid on the test date.
English Academic Preparation Programme
Need help with your English? If you haven’t quite reached the right level of English for your chosen Bachelor’s or Master’s degree programme, you can enrol for English Academic Preparation Programme. After the successful completion of this programme, you’ll be ready to start your degree at THUAS and you will already have a good taste of studying and living in the Hague.
Decisions regarding your qualification for admission
No exceptions can be made to the official admission requirements. Only the Enrolment Centre (CSI, Centrale Studenten Inschrijving) can make statements about your eligibility based on the official regulations. You cannot derive any rights from information provided by others regarding your admissibility or from the information on this website.
Programme content
What will you study each year?
Working methods
Lectures, seminars, study visits, self-study, group activities and project work
We teach students how to unravel the world’s pressing issues with practical know-how, both in the classroom and as part of group assignments. Students are encouraged to read extensively, think critically and creatively solve problems. There is a healthy balance of individual assignments, group work, and exams.
After studying, our study association, Agora Student Union, arranges study trips, guest lectures, and fun social events for IPPL students to create a close-knit student community. Check out their Instagram page: Agora Student Union (@agora_thu)
IPPL also organises yearly visits to important Hague and European institutions. Year representatives can also organize class outings that cater to student interest. IPPL students can always take part in THUAS-wide events, lectures and special academic opportunities. Simply put, there is always something going on that benefits our students and enriches their learning experience both in and out of the classroom.
At work
After graduation from the International Public Policy and Leadership programme your options are endless. For instance, you could apply your new problem-solving changemaker skills to a rewarding role at an NGO or government office, or to crowd-funding new grassroots projects - at home or internationally. You could pursue a career as a project manager, consultant, analyst, civil servant or policy maker, or continue your studies with a master’s degree.
Is there anything I cannot be after I graduate?
IPPL gives you a range of useful skills which you can put to use in professional practice. We keep your job options open in the rapidly changing job market. Some suggestions are provided below, but there are myriad possibilities, depending on your strengths and interests.
Study facts
Discover THUAS
Your guide to our upcoming study-choice events
Career perspective
What you will become
Programme/project manager
Consultant
Analyst
Human resource assistant
Manager/team leader
Communications advisor/manager
Accountant
Entrepreneur
Civil servant
Stakeholder relations advisor
Continue your studies
More than 60% of IPPLgraduates go on to post-graduate courses. If you’re hoping to pursue an international master’s degree, you should be able to do so without a bridging qualification. However, its best to check your chosen institution’s entry requirements.
Please note that academic universities in the Netherlands require a pre-master’s programme after graduating from the hands-on IPPL degree. You can follow in the footsteps of many of our graduates and complete a pre-master’s degree in year three to pursue the Public Administration masters at Leiden University. Bear in mind that you may need to meet certain grade requirements, for example, an average grade of 7.5.
Other graduates go on to master’s degrees in subjects like International Relations or War and Conflict Studies , Crisis and Security Management , Cyber/IT studies or Law.
Testimonials from our students
Who better to tell about the degree programme than our own students? They share their experiences here. Some of them are also ready and waiting to answer any questions you may have.
Testimonials from our alumni
What lies in store after studying International Public Policy and Leadership? Our former students tell us where they ended up and how they look back on their study years.
Practical information
What else do you need to know?
How to apply
Your enrolment request must be submitted through Studielink. Before you do, please check the official name of the programme below. Would you like to find out more about the application process first? Check our page How to apply . The key deadlines are listed here as well. This degree programme starts in September and there is no intake in February.
Tuition fee and additional costs
Tuition fee
You will have to pay tuition fees when you enrol in a programme. You can pay in one or more instalments. If you pay in more than one instalment a small administration fee is charged. More information about tuition fees.
Additional Costs
You must also budget for books, excursions and field trips. You can expect to pay approximately €800 per year to cover these additional costs. During your semester abroad, you will also need to pay for tickets, housing and insurance.
Help choosing your degree
What if you’re still unsure?
Maybe you’re already excited about this programme, but it’s also completely normal to still have questions or doubts. Even after visiting an Open Day or talking to students, lecturers, parents or counsellors, you might not feel 100% certain yet. We’re here to help you find the study programme that truly fits you.
- Are you choosing between several programmes?
Get in touch with one of our study choice advisors for a personal conversation. - Are you unsure specifically about this programme?
Contact someone from the programme team with all your programme‑related questions. You can do this via the Contact button at the top right of this programme page.
Official details of the programme
This degree programme is registered in Registration of Institutions and Programmes (RIO):
- Official Dutch name of degree programme: Bestuurskunde/Overheidsmanagement
- Official international name: Public Administration
- Programme code (Isat): 34464
- Institution code (Brin): 27UM
Both the official Dutch and the official international name of the degree programme (current at the time of your graduation) will be printed on your diploma.
For more information on the accreditation of this degree programme, see the Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO) website.
Assistance during your studies
Study coaching and advice
In years one and two, you’ll be paired up with a mentor (a lecturer from the IPPL department) to support you through the academic year. As well as being your ‘go to’ person, they’ll help you develop your time management skills, provide general study advice and guide your career choices. In year one, mentoring is part of the Professional Skills module, so it’s mandatory to meet your mentor regularly. For more information about student counsellors/student psychologists, high-performance sports, Dutch language support or studying with a functional disability, go to our page about support during your studies.
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