Program Overview

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International Public Policy and Leadership

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 | C&M, E&M, N&G, N&T
• Vwo | C&M, E&M, N&G, N&T
• 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.

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

There are no exceptions to the official admission requirements. The Enrolment Office is the only party that can make decisions regarding your qualification for admission based on official regulations. You can’t rely on any other sources of information for your qualification for admission.

Study choice activities

Join one of our study choice activities to find out if THUAS is the right fit for you.

• Open Day
• Shadow a student

Degree programme in figures

• 18 hours of lectures per week
• 24 hours of independent study per week
• 10 hours of projects per week
• 60 credits per year

Degree programme content

What will you study each year?

The first year is the introductory (propadeutic) year

At International Public Policy and Leadership (IPPL) students learn by doing and adopt an entrepreneurial, innovative way of thinking, seeking critical answers during their learning through some of the world’s most intractable issues. We believe strongly in this hands-on learning approach by emphasizing the learning of key professional products that will help students hone the skills needed to pursue a career that will make a real difference. In the first year, we focus on five professional areas: Advising, Advocacy, Evaluation, Organisation & Management, and Project-Based Working. Within these modules, you will cover subjects such as policy making, politics, law, economics, sociology, international relations, research, and data.

Semester 1

• Introduction to International Public Policy and Leadership
• Study and Career Skills
• Evaluating: Interpreting Information
• Advising on Policy: Understanding Global Challenges
• Advocacy: Global Challenges and their Stakeholders
• Project based Working: Understanding Projects
• Organising & Managing: Overview of Organizations

Semester 2

• Advising on Policy: Political Economy and Policy-Making
• Evaluating: Using Data
• Advocacy: The EU and National, Regional and Local Interests
• Organising & Managing: Allocation & Policy in practice
• Project based Working: Resources & Assignments

Delve deeper

In year 2, you will build on your foundational year by applying the knowledge and skills learned in year 1. Your modules in Advocacy, Advising, Project-based working, Evaluation, and Organisation & Management will directly prepare you for a career in politics, diplomacy, international governance, non-profit work, and more. You will learn to write speeches, policy briefs, apply international and human rights law, conduct a cost-benefit analysis, produce a balance sheet or cash flow statement, mediate conflicts, and analyze statistical data.

Year 2 also features the highlight of the IPPL program, the Year 2 Conference track. In this module, with your class, you will independently plan, implement, and evaluate your own conference on a global issue your class deems important to raise awareness on. You can take on a managerial role or a team player role, developing your interpersonal skills. The conference takes places every year and can gain the attendance of up to 500 people, or more if you’re ambitious!

Semester 1

• Study and Career Skills (Year 2)
• Advising: Examining Policy Implementation Challenges
• Advocacy: Planning and Persuasion
• Evaluating: Performance Management/Cost-Benefit Analysis
• Organising & Managing: Financial Management
• Project Based Working: Project Management and Conference Project Proposal

Semester 2

• Advising: Urban Governance Lab: Delivering Policy
• Advocacy: Negotiation, Mediation, and Conflict Resolution
• Evaluating: Data-analysis
• Organising & Managing: In Control of Organisational Change
• Project Based Working: Conference Project Plan, Pitch, Event, and Evaluation

Specialize

In year 3 and 4 you’ll get the opportunity to specialize in a specific field, wicked problem, or professional role. During the third year, you’ll be able to draft your own learning path by choosing specific specializations, minors, or go on exchange abroad.

Here you will find the specializations that IPPL has to offer:

• Focus on European governance and go on a study trip to Brussels in Challenges to European Governance;
• Work on peace building and human rights strategies with existing organizations and develop an impact campaign and documentary with professional equipment in Peace, Justice and Human Rights;
• Learning about global governance (especially from the global south) from practitioners from across the world in Global Governance and Development.

Internship, Professional product or thesis

In year 4, you will get a taste of the real world by completing a mandatory 20-week internship at an organization of your choice. By studying in The Hague, there are hundreds of organizations you can choose from. Many of our students get offered a job after completing their internship!

After your internship, you’ll have the opportunity to choose between a professional product track or a thesis track to be eligible for graduation. Your mentor will guide you throughout year 3 and 4 to help you make the right choice for you.

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.

Testimonials from our students

Who better to tell about the degree programme than our own students? They share their experiences here.

On International Perspectives

Marijn Rijk

"The International Public Policy major has enriched my understanding of global issues and provided me with analytical skills for effective problem-solving. Its emphasis on international perspectives in every class offers valuable insights into global policy impacts. The program also provides opportunities for Erasmus+ exchanges and extracurricular challenges like the Erasmus masters module and a free of charge pre-master. Additionally, leadership development is integral to the program, with opportunities for practical application through a democratically elected university participation system. I believe the skills acquired will shape my career positively, and eventually granted me a job in an intergovernmental organisation like one of the European institutions."

On Pursuing Ideals

Rintje Wijngaard

"I enjoyed the combination of courses IPPL offered, from law, sociology, public management, ethics and even financial management. We all want to make the world a better place by improving education, a decrease of inequality, reduction of greenhouse gases, less poverty, more gender equality or whatever your ideals are. And in my experience IPPL taught me how, in a world with politics, international treaties, national law, financial restrictions, ethical and moral dilemmas, I can pursue my ideals and try to improve that which I find important."

On Professional Skills

Soufian Siate

"The combination of theory and project-based working on professional tasks works great for me. It’s a great opportunity to directly implement the theory we’ve discussed in class in actual real-life assignments. I’ve already had the opportunity to create a European elections festival, write a mock grant proposal and talk about handling live situations. My goal is to work for the European Parliament and focus on human rights and citizenship. With this study I believe I’ll have a solid start to achieve my goal."

On Making a Positive Impact

Annefloor Janssen

"I joined the International Public Policy and Leadership program in 2022 with a goal to make a difference in the world. During my time there, I learned a lot about conflict resolution, writing policies, and understanding things like human rights and the SDGs. Now, having these skills, I feel ready to have a positive impact on the world. I also formed friendships with students from all over the world, which taught me the value of international collaboration. Looking ahead to the next two years in the IPPL program, I'm excited about learning even more and building even more friendships."

On Practice-Based Learning

Cristina Mitrea

"During my 3rd year specialization, I had the privilege of undertaking an evaluation project for Social Enterprise Ghana. I was tasked with evaluating the monitoring & evaluation processes of this organization – which was exactly as confusing as it sounds. With the support of my lecturers, I developed a deeper understanding of research design and cross-cultural collaboration. Working remotely with a client in a different cultural setting enhanced my ability to tailor my communication and advice to diverse organizational dynamics. This hands-on experience not only broadened my practical knowledge but also boosted my confidence in managing complex, real-world tasks."

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 studying

More than 60% of IPPL graduates 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 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.

IPPL Alumnus

Alice Bögli

During my International Public Policy and Leadership internship, I obtained expertise in the field of economic promotion. As a result, I got an interesting position with strategic and project management responsibilities at a regional government in Switzerland where I use the knowledge I obtained in the IPPL programme on a daily basis.

IPPL Alumnus

Viktoria Vukic

“When I made the decision to start my adventures at the International Public Policy and Leadership (IPPL), I merely expected to receive a degree in a field I had an interest in. I never would’ve expected it to bring me such immense knowledge, amazing experiences, unbelievable work opportunities, and lifelong relationships. It has brought me so much more than any other study could’ve and because of that IPPL undoubtedly is one of the most life-changing and important chapters of my life, both personally and professionally.”

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

You will have to pay tuition fees when you enrol on a bachelor's 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

Scholarships

Find out more about scholarships for international students. Please note that these scholarships are one-off scholarships only, meaning that if you obtain them it is only for your first year of study.

Student finance

Dutch students qualify for extra financial support via a loan. Dutch students automatically qualify for this financial assistance and international students may be eligible if they have lived in the Netherlands for at least five years or are employed for at least 56 hours per month.

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.

Visa and residence permit

More information about the visas and residence permits.

Help in choosing your study

We would like to help you make the right decision

It takes a bit of thought and research to find the right programme. The Hague University of Applied Sciences organizes various activities throughout the year to give you the best possible idea of the various studies offered. You also learn what it’s like to study at THUAS. This way, you can click on the registration button without a doubt in mind. Or you’ll know for certain it’s not right for you.

Walk in at our Study & Career Centre for…

• Help in choosing your study
• Book a meeting with a study choice adviser

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.

Study guide

The study guide is a collection of all kinds of practical information about the study programme, such as an annual plan and a substantive description of the various subjects. The required literature is also included in the course descriptions. We are still working on our new curriculum, not all the courses mentioned, will be given next year.

See the study guide here.

Downloads

• Programme and Examination Regulations
• OLP
• Study in numbers

Binding Study Advice (BSA)

To continue your degree programme after the first year, you need to earn 50 of the 60 credits (EC or Credits). In some cases, the degree programme may also require that you pass a specific subject as the European part of the credit requirements. We call this a qualitative requirement. If you meet the credit requirements as well as the qualitative requirement where applicable, you will receive a positive binding study advice (BSA) from the Examination Board at the end of your first year and you will be able to continue your degree programme.

If you earn less than 50 credits or don’t meet the qualitative requirements where applicable, you will receive a negative binding study advice and will have to leave the degree programme. This is why this advice is called a Negative Binding Study Advice (NBSA).

Your academic progress may be affected by personal circumstances such as illness or the professional practice of a sport. It is important that you inform the Examination Board immediately of any personal circumstances that might apply to you. The Board can take these into account when issuing its study advice.

Read all the rules for the binding study advice in Chapter 7 of the Education and Examination Rules and Regulations (OER) for your degree programme.

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