The elective space in B2 and B3 – Faculty of Arts
If you started your Bachelor’s programme in or after 2025, your programme offers a lot of room to decide for yourself how you want to structure part of your programme. This allows you to specialise or broaden your knowledge in line with your choice of a Master’s programme or your career. In total, the full elective space consists of 60 EC, of which 30 EC in the second year (B2) and 30 EC in the third year (B3). In the B2 minor space, you choose two Faculty of Arts minors of 15 EC each; one in semester 1 and another in semester 2. In the B3 free elective space, you have the opportunity to take 30 EC of courses from other programmes.
What does the full elective space look like?
You can see the full elective space in the coloured area in the image on the right.
The full elective space consists of:
- The minor space in B2
In this space, you choose 2 Faculty of Arts minors, one in semester 1 and another in semester 2. - The free elective space in B3
In this space, you choose 30 EC of courses from other programmes within/outside Radboud University. You can also do an internship, study abroad or an educational minor (only for some programmes).
Exception: German Language and Culture
If you are studying German Language and Culture and started your programme in September 2025, the minor space and free elective space are reversed; you will have the free elective space in B2 and the minor space in B3. This is due to the compulsory stay abroad in B2. The information and guidelines for the minor and free elective space remain the same. Please consult your programme’s study guide from 1 July onwards for a schematic overview of your second and third years of study.
When do I need to choose and register?
Minor space
- July 2026: Register for the FoA-minor that you are planning to take in semester 1 and for the courses within that minor. Use the registration instructions to register.
- December 2026: Register for the FoA-minor that you are planning to take in semester 2 and for the courses within that minor. Use the registration instructions to register.
Free elective space
- Until December 2026: consider whether or not to study abroad in your third year (2027–2028)
- 14 January 2027: application deadline for study abroad in 2027–2028 outside Europe
- 28 February 2027: application deadline for study abroad in 2027–2028 within Europe
- 21 May 2027: application deadline for the educational minor in semester 1 of 2027-2028
- 15 juli 2027: application deadline for an internship in semester 1 of 2027-2028
- Juli 2027: register for the RU courses you wish to take in semester 1 as part of your free
elective space
Choose your own study path
The elective space is an important opportunity to add your own focus to your studies, allowing you to prepare for a particular career or Master’s programme, for example. By making strategic decisions, you can map out specific study paths for yourself, making you eligible for a particular Master’s programme or well-prepared for a job in education or research, for example.
Do you need help making choices or do you have any other questions about the free elective space? Please contact the student advisor of your programme.
