Elective courses at Summa: more is possible than you think

At Summa, you have the opportunity to broaden or deepen your education with electives. This can be done in two ways: through electives within your own program and through Summa-wide electives. These are electives that all students can take, regardless of their program. Summa-wide electives are especially interesting if you have fewer options within your program or if you consciously want to explore beyond your own field of study.

These are electives that are separate from a specific program and open to students from various fields. Examples include photography, English, Spanish, and Design Thinking.

Project leader Ilse Wijnands explains that Summa aims to provide increasingly flexible education, and the electives are aligned with this. "We want students to have the opportunity to create their own path. We want them to choose what suits them best," Ilse explains.

In principle, every Summa student has freedom of choice, even if an elective isn't offered as standard within your own program. You can even choose an elective from another vocational program elsewhere in the country.

Those who take initiative often discover more opportunities than anticipated. According to Ilse, students also find this to be true: "There are more possibilities than you think, especially if you actively look for them."

Summa-wide electives are designed for a wide audience. This allows you to take an elective that may not directly relate to your program, but is relevant to you personally. In practice, students from very different programs often take the Photography elective together, for example.

However, there are also practical considerations. Not every elective is always possible for everyone. For example, an elective shouldn't overlap with the program you're taking. It also has to fit within the schedule, travel time, and fixed class times of your program. "That's why consultation is important," says Ilse. "Talk to your study coach about this. Together, you'll explore what's feasible and how you can properly justify your choice."

The right electives can strengthen your personal profile. You show who you are, what your interests are, and what you want to develop. Ilse compares electives to a minor in higher professional education: "By taking an elective very specifically, you shape your portfolio and sharpen your identity." Her message to students is clear: "Look beyond your program, engage in conversation, and seize the opportunities available."

More information about Summa electives and the associated rules can be found at this page.