Below we explain what you can expect in each year.

Year 1

Introduction to the core disciplines of the leisure field  

In the first year, you will be introduced to the diversity of the field. You will study subjects such as sociology, anthropology and psychology, as well as economics and marketing. You will also work on your research skills and learn about methods, techniques and statistics.  

In some courses, the emphasis is on consumer perception from a social science perspective. Other modules focus more on the business side. You will learn how to put your knowledge into practice straight away. 

Open first year curriculum in a .pdf

Year 2

In the second year, you will strengthen your knowledge on what kinds of activities people choose in their leisure time, and how companies can organise those activities and profit from them. In addition to theoretical lectures, practical seminars, debates and case studies, you will work on several projects for commissioners from the leisure field. In these projects, you will apply the research techniques and theoretical insights learnt in the various courses.

Open second year curriculum in a .pdf

Year 3

In the first half of this year (semester 5), you can opt for a work placement or a minor. For the minor, you put together your own set of subjects at another university in the Netherlands. It is also possible for you to attend the minor at one of our partner universities abroad. In the sixth and final semester, you will apply everything you have learned by:

• considering leisure preferences, activities, networks and impacts from all angles. These leisure practices involve complex collaboration processes, for instance in the development of urban space and city culture;
• considering leisure activities across different cultures; studying fundamental philosophical questions about the relevance of leisure and the ethical questions it raises;
• investigating the contribution leisure can make to the development of urban space and city culture;
• In the last semester, you will write a thesis, in which you will investigate a complex leisure issue. Topics for the bachelor's thesis can be connected to current research being conducted by members of staff.

Open third year curriculum in a .pdf

During the study Bachelor of Science Leisure Studies you can expect, among others, the following courses.

Project Mixed Methods

In this course, you work in groups on a research project that utilises a mix of research methods. This mix includes both qualitative techniques (interviews, participant observation) and quantitative techniques (surveys, statistics). For this research, you will write a short report, create a poster, and undergo an oral examinationa. An example of a research project conducted in this course is studying the social impact of the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort on the local environment.

Experience Measurement & Design

Experience is one of the key concepts in the realm of leisure. In this course, you will learn not only about the role of experience in the economy and society but also within individuals' lives. You will also learn what constitutes an experience and how to design leisure products to achieve the desired experience. Additionally, you will explore how to measure experiences during leisure activities using some of the latest research techniques, such as heart rate, skin conductance, and brain activity.

Leisure and Making Places

Leisure utilises spaces primarily for consumption but also contributes to the creation of places that significantly enhance the quality of the spatial environment. Therefore, leisure is considered an important pillar within placemaking. In this course, you will study placemaking from various theoretical perspectives. You will also visit several placemaking initiatives in the Netherlands and the surrounding area to firsthand experience how theory comes to life.

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