For Ghent Uni students

Ghent University Elective Courses

Ghent University Elective Courses are elective courses that can be taken by any student with no prior knowledge required. They give students from different disciplines the opportunity to work on a certain topic together.

You can choose from the following elective courses.

Movement and Sports: Now and Later

Credits: 3

When: in the second semester

Language: Dutch

Would you like to do something about your condition? Do you want to know what it means to have a healthy and sporty body? Then enrol in this course! This course combines a general theoretical education about a sporty body with sports lessons in a sport of your choice. These sports lessons are adapted to the level of the student. This means that non-sporty students can also take this course.

Academic English

Credits: 3

When: in the first or second semester

Language: English

Would you like to master your scientific English better? Then take this course! In this course, you will learn the general academic vocabulary and broad communication skills that are relevant in a scientific setting (speaking, writing, listening, reading).

Advanced Academic English

Credits: 3

When: in the first or second semester

Language: English

Would you like to improve your scientific English writing skills with a view to writing your master's thesis or a paper? Then choose this course! In this course, you will learn more advanced skills in the field of scientific communication. The main focus is on writing texts, but other aspects such as giving a presentation in English are also covered.

Basic Entrepreneurship

Credits: 3

When: in the first semester

Language: Dutch

Would you like to learn more about the role of entrepreneurs in our society? Then enrol in this course! This course introduces you to the different types of businesses in our economy and teaches you the key success factors for a start-up.

Coaching and Diversity

Credits: 3

When: during the academic year

Language: Dutch

Would you like to guide and support a first-year student academically and socially during the academic year and help them find their way at UGent? Then include this course in your curriculum! In this course, you get the opportunity to combine academic knowledge with social engagement. After a theoretical introduction to a number of concepts such as 'coaching' and 'diversity', you will immediately start working with these concepts as a mentor of a first-year student from the same study programme.

Co-Creation

Credits: 6

When: during the academic year

Language: Dutch and English

Would you like to work in a team to find a solution to a current question from a specific client? Would you like to know more about themes such as Design Thinking, prototyping and entrepreneurship? Then this course is for you! Besides an overview of various theoretical principles, you can work on a specific project that you will choose out of a list of proposals, according to relevant interests and background. The foundry and design campus Kortrijk will be the designated venues for lectures and to develop and execute the project work.

Human Rights: Multidisciplinary Perspectives

Credits: 5

When: in the second semester

Language: English

Would you like to know more about the role that human rights can play in various social fields? Do you want to gain insight into the discourses that human rights frameworks use and/or deal with human rights? Then this course is for you! In a number of response lectures, the central concepts within human rights are approached from various disciplines. You will also work in groups on an interdisciplinary analysis of a case.

Programming

Credits: 5

When: in the first semester

Language: Dutch and English

Would you like to convert a task into a programme that can be executed by a computer? Do you want to learn to think in a programming language and develop the skills to write computer programmes in programming language? Then choose this subject! In this course, you learn to think like a programmer and you are taught the programming language Python.

Context and Nuance. A Critical Reflection on Current Topics

Credits: 6

When: in the first semester

Language: Dutch

Would you like to discuss a current social issue and approach it from different perspectives and disciplines from the humanities? Then this course is for you! After one or two introductory lectures on the year's theme, experts will take up the subject and challenge you to take part in the debate.

Physics for Citizens

Credits: 4

When: in the first semester

Language: Dutch

Do you want to gain more insight into the physics component of phenomena and events from everyday life and current affairs? Then choose this course! This course teaches you some basic principles of physics that are then applied to current technological and social issues. The course is built around four modules: energy, technology, climate and modern physics. No prior knowledge of physics is required.

Animal Welfare, Law and Ethics

Credits: 3

When: in the second semester

Language: Dutch

Are you interested in how we treat animals in society and do you want to take the opportunity to think about it with other students and come to insights? Then follow this course! In this course, twelve lectures are offered from various scientific disciplines that address different aspects of animal welfare, ethics and law, with opportunity for reflection and discussion. This course is organised together with KU Leuven.

Migration and Society: an Interdisciplinary Introduction

Credits: 5

When: in the second semester

Language: English

Do you want to know more about migration and how this very diverse and rapidly changing phenomenon has implications for all institutions of our society? Do you want to study this phenomenon from the perspective of different disciplines, each with their own focus and preferred methods? Then choose this course! This course offers a multi- and interdisciplinary introduction to migration studies with sufficient room for focused discussions on specific topics.

Global Minds

Credits: 5

When: in the second semester

Language: English

Do you want to improve your critical reflection on global challenges and global justice from different scientific perspectives? Then definitely choose this course! In this course, unequal power relations are addressed in historical and contemporary processes of globalization, highlighting multiple scientific and societal perspectives, with special attention to perspectives from the Global South.

Essentials of Artificial Intelligence: a Beginner's Guide

Credits: 3

When: in the second semester

Language: English

The field of artificial intelligence is evolving rapidly. Its impact on people and society is increasing and the applications and consequences of AI can no longer be ignored in the media. In this course, the basis concepts of AI will be explored first. After that, different perspectives on AI will be discussed (societal, legal and ethical). Finally, based on the knowledge and perspectives provided during the lessons, students will be challenged to reflect on and argue about the societal implications of AI. Would you like to learn more about AI? Then choose this course!

Leadership for student directors

*New from the academic year 2024-2025*

Credits: 3

When: in the first semester

Language: Dutch and English

Are you taking up a meaningful leadership position in an organisation and are you looking for a course that teaches you leadership skills? Then this course is for you! This course not only provides an overview of recent scientific research on leadership from different disciplines, but also focuses on strengthening leadership skills through thematic workshops. The course is organised in cooperation with UGent@Work, an interdisciplinary research consortium aimed at realising impact with UGent research on work and the labour market.

Students wishing to register for this course should send an e-mail to Brecht Neyt before October 1, indicating (i) their board and/or management position and (ii) a brief description of key responsibilities and (intended) accomplishments in this position.

More information?

Contact your Faculty Student Administration