Skills Academy
The Skills Academy offers UU students the opportunity to develop skills from other disciplines in addition to their studies. Most modules are open to all UU students and consist of small modules of 2.5 EC. You can apply from the second year of your bachelor; master's students can also participate.
Register
You can register through this link. Registrations will open on Monday, 8 December at 9 a.m. Registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis. In addition, we believe a disciplinary group is important. Module capacity is limited, so register soon.
Registration closed for the Skills Academy 2025-2026
The registration period for the Skills Academy 2025-2026 is closed. It’s not possible anymore to register for modules in Period 3. For some modules in Period 4 there are some modules that have a waiting list for when spots come available. If you’re interested in the waiting list, please send an email to: skillsacademy@uu.nl.
Contact
You can reach the Skills Academy through skillsacademy@uu.nl.
1. Is it only possible to receive ECs for Skills Academy modules if I take part in an honors?
All students who participate in and successfully complete a Skills Academy module receive ECs, regardless of whether they are enrolled in an honors course. In some cases, ECs earned through Skills Academy modules can count toward the honors course or programme of your study or faculty.
2. Is it doable to take part in a Skills Academy module alongside my thesis?
A Skills Academy module accounts for 2.5 ECs, equivalent to approximately 70 hours (about six days) of study in total. This includes class attendance, preparation, and completing assignments. Based on the experiences of previous students, combining a Skills Academy module with your thesis is manageable.
3. Does failing a Skills Academy module affect my master record?
If you do not pass a module, an NVD (Not Completed) will be recorded in Osiris. In general, this will not affect your study results, although this may vary for specific programmes. Check the Education and Examination Regulations (OER) of your programme for details.
4. Are there costs involved in following a Skills Academy module?
There are no additional costs for participating in a Skills Academy module, except for any potential material costs needed for the module. These will always be communicated in advance.
5. Do I receive credits for completing a Skills Academy module?
Yes, you will receive ECs after successfully completing a Skills Academy module. To successfully complete a module, you must attend the sessions and complete the required assignments.
6. Can you miss a Skills Academy module session?
The courses in the Skills Academy modules are based on experiential learning, making attendance crucial. The Skills Academy modules emphasize experiential learning, requiring 100% attendance. Exceptions may be made in case of force majeure, in consultation with the module coordinator.
7. Can you use a Skills Academy module in the free elective space?
In principle, ECs from Skills Academy modules can be used in the free elective space of your bachelor’s or master’s program. However, always confirm with the coordinator of your program whether these ECs will be accepted.
8. Is it possible to follow more than one Skills Academy module?
Yes, you can take more than one Skills Academy module. However, if you apply for two modules in the same period (e.g., period 3 or 4), you will receive lower priority for your second choice. Consequently, we cannot guarantee that you will be able to complete three modules and earn 7.5 ECs in a single period.
9. Are the Skills Academy modules offered in Dutch or English?
Most Skills Academy modules are offered in English, but some are only available in Dutch. You can check the language of each module on the Skills Academy website or in the Osiris description.
10. Can I apply for all Skills Academy modules regardless of my programme?
In principle, all Skills Academy modules are open to all students, but there are exceptions. Some modules may not be open to students from certain faculties. Check the Skills Academy website or the Osiris description for details about eligibility.
11. Is it possible to follow Skills Academy modules online?
No, all Skills Academy module sessions are held on-site and cannot be attended online.
12. Where can I sign up for Skills Academy modules?
You can sign up for Skills Academy modules by clicking the link provided on the Skills Academy website.
13. Do Skills Academy modules appear on my diploma?
Yes, completed Skills Academy modules will be listed on your transcript of records.
14. What are Edubadges, and can I apply for one after completing a Skills Academy module?
An Edubadge is a digital certificate that you can earn after successfully completing a Skills Academy module. It can be added to your LinkedIn profile. You will receive an email from the Skills Academy with instructions on how to claim your Edubadge.
Modules in period 3
The Conflict Management and Negotiation module will give you an insight into conflict management and negotiation styles. You will be trained to recognize your own preferences in these situations and develop skills to manage negotiations effectively. This knowledge will be applied through a simulation involving multi-party negotiation.
Course description
SA.014.B (for Bachelor)
SA.014.M (for Master)
When
- Monday, 02-02, 5:15 PM - 7:15 PM
- Monday, 09-02, 5:15 PM - 7:15 PM
- Monday, 16-02, 5:15 PM - 7:15 PM
- Monday, 09-03, 5:15 PM - 7:15 PM
- Monday, 16-03, 5:15 PM - 7:15 PM
Where
Bijlhouwerstraat 6
Data visualisation plays a large role in journalism, policy making and other communication. In this module, you will learn to create impactful data visualizations for communication. You'll develop skills in using various tools and methods, applying them to create visualizations for a group report on a sustainability topic.
Course description
SA. 023.B (for Bachelor)
SA.023.M (for Master)
When
- Thursday, 12-02, 5:15 PM - 7:00 PM
- Thursday, 19-02, 5:15 PM - 7:00 PM
- Thursday, 26-02, 5:15 PM - 7:00 PM
- Thursday, 12-03, 5:15 PM - 7:00 PM
- Thursday, 26-03, 5:15 PM - 7:00 PM
Where
Janskerkhof
In Dealing with Difficult Collaborations, you will learn how to navigate challenging teamwork situations that inevitably arise during your studies and future career. You will explore which communication patterns escalate or improve these situations and practice hands-on techniques to use your role more effectively. And, you will develop strategies to turn conflict into productive collaboration and improve outcome.
Course description
SA.024.B(for Bachelor)
SA.024.M(for Master)
When
- Monday 9-02, 5:15 PM - 7:00 PM
- Monday 23-02, 5:15 PM - 7:00 PM
- Monday 9-03, 5:15 PM - 7:00 PM
- Monday 23-03, 5:15 PM - 7:00 PM
Where
Bijlhouwerstraat 6
Digital ethnography is a methodology that guides observation, documentation, and analysis of social action and lived experiences in specific contexts. In this module, you’ll learn the tools of this method to study your own ‘lived experience' of digital media, particularly focused on how AI is swiftly becoming interwoven into the enactment of everyday life, education, research, and work.
Course description
SA.021.B (for Bachelor)
SA.021.M(for Master)
When
- Thursday 05-02, 17:15 - 19:00
- Thursday 12-02, 17:15 - 19:00
- Thursday 19-02, 17:15 - 19:00
- Thursday 26-02, 17:15 - 19:00
- Thursday 05-03, 17:15 - 19:00
Where
Janskerkhof
The focus of this module is to equip you with the ability to apply basic financial and accounting principles in various professional situations to stay in control of your budget. Excel is used for this as a powerful tool.
Course description
SA.010.B (for Bachelor)
SA.010.M (for Master)
When
- Tuesday 3-02, 17:15 - 19:00
- Tuesday 10-02, 17:15 - 19:00
- Tuesday 17-02, 17:15 - 19:00
- Tuesday 24-02, 17:15 - 19:00
- Tuesday 10-03, 17:15 - 19:00
Where
Kriekenpitplein
Learn what good preparation looks like, and what you can do during meetings to keep them as efficient as possible.
Course description
SA.003.B(for Bachelor)
SA.003.M(for Master)
When
- Wednesday, 11-02, 5:15 PM - 7:15 PM
- Wednesday, 25-02, 5:15 PM - 7:15 PM
- Wednesday, 04-03, 5:15 PM - 7:15 PM
- Wednesday, 11-03, 5:15 PM - 7:15 PM
- Wednesday, 25-03, 5:15 PM - 7:15 PM
Where
Bijlhouwerstraat 6
In deze (Nederlandstalige) module leer je wetenschappelijke informatie helder en aantrekkelijk te presenteren. Je oefent verschillende schrijftechnieken en krijgt inzicht in hun effect op lezers. Ook werk je aan het verbeteren van je schrijfvaardigheid, bijvoorbeeld door het schrijven van nieuwsartikelen, column of opinieartikel.
Cursusbeschrijving
SA. 016.B (voor bachelor)
SA. 016.M (voor master)
Wanneer
- Do 12-02, 17.15-19.00
- Do 19-02, 17.15-19.00
- Do 26-02, 17.15-19.00
- Do 5-03, 17.15-19.00
- Do 12-03, 17.15-19.00
Waar
Kriekenpitplein
This module focuses on turning research into visuals to engage a broader audience. Learn to summarize complex information in images and communicate effectively through visuals, no drawing skills required.
Course description
SA.006.B (for Bachelor)
SA.006.M (for Master)
When
- Wednesday, 04-02, 5:15 PM - 7:00 PM
- Wednesday, 11-02, 5:15 PM - 7:00 PM
- Wednesday, 18-02, 5:15 PM - 7:00 PM
- Wednesday, 04-03, 5:15 PM - 7:00 PM
- Wednesday, 18-03, 5:15 PM - 7:00 PM
Where
Bijlhouwerstraat 6
Modules in period 4
Explore the impact of digitisation on society by working with big data. You'll gain experience in data visualisation, algorithms, and machine learning.
Course description
SA.001.B(for Bachelor)
SA.001.M(for Master)
When
- Tuesday, 19-05, 5:15 PM - 7:00 PM
- Tuesday, 26-05, 5:15 PM - 7:00 PM
- Tuesday, 02-06, 5:15 PM - 7:00 PM
- Tuesday, 09-06, 5:15 PM - 7:00 PM
- Tuesday, 16-06, 5:15 PM - 7:00
Where
Kriekenpitplein 21-22
Design Thinking is a creative approach to solving complex challenges. In this module, you will learn its principles, develop a design thinking mindset, and gain skills to apply it to specific challenges.
Course description
SA.017.B(for Bachelor)
SA.017.M(for Master)
When
- Tuesday 28/04/2025 17:15 - 19:00
- Tuesday 12/05/2025 17:15 - 19:00
- Tuesday 26/05/2025 17:15 - 19:00
- Tuesday 02/06/2025 17:15 - 19:00
Where
Playground
Strengthen your ethical awareness and capacity to judge and develop skills in how to act on that awareness. The focus is on your personal, social, and professional role in an open and inclusive society.
Course description
SA.008.B(for Bachelor)
SA.008.M(for Master)
When
- Tuesday, 12-05, 5:15 PM - 7:00 PM
- Tuesday, 19-05, 5:15 PM - 7:00 PM
- Tuesday, 26-05, 5:15 PM - 7:00 PM
- Tuesday, 02-06, 5:15 PM - 7:00 PM
- Tuesday, 09-06, 5:15 PM - 7:00 PM
Where
Janskerkhof
The focus of this module is to equip you with the ability to apply basic financial and accounting principles in various professional situations to stay in control of your budget. Excel is used for this as a powerful tool.
Course description
SA.010.B(for Bachelor)
SA.010.M(for Master)
When
- Tuesday 21-04 5:15 PM - 7:00 PM
- Tuesday 28-04 5:15 PM - 7:00 PM
- Wednesday 06-05 5:15 PM - 7:00 PM
- Tuesday 12-05 5:15 PM - 7:00 PM
- Tuesday 26-05 5:15 PM - 7:00 PM
Where
Kriekenpitplein
In Mimicking and Masking, you will learn to navigate a world where real and fake information increasingly blur together. By exploring how facts are created, how they are imitated, and how misinformation and synthetic data spread, you will develop sharp critical-thinking and fact-checking skills. Through hands-on exercises and source evaluations, you’ll learn to judge the trustworthiness of information and apply these skills within your own academic discipline.
Course description
SA.004.B(for Bachelor)
SA.004.M(for Master)
When
- Monday, 20-04, 5:15 PM - 7:00 PM
- Monday, 04-05, 5:15 PM - 7:00 PM
- Monday, 11-05, 5:15 PM - 7:00 PM
- Monday, 18-05, 5:15 PM - 7:00 PM
- Monday, 01-06, 5:15 PM - 7:00 PM
Where
ICU
Much of what happens in the workplace in organizations, occurs beneath the surface. This module explores the hidden emotional dynamics in organizations, often concealed by agendas, strategic plans and rules. Through experiential learning, you will develop skills to uncover and intervene in these dynamics using a systems-psychodynamic approach.
Course description
SA.019.B(for Bachelor)
SA.019.M(for Master)
When
- Wednesday, 20-05, 5:15 PM - 7:00 PM
- Wednesday, 27-05, 5:15 PM - 7:00 PM
- Wednesday, 03-06, 5:15 PM - 7:00 PM
- Wednesday, 10-06, 4:15 PM - 7:00 PM
Where
Bijlhouwerstraat 6
Public speaking is more than just speaking clearly and standing up straight; it’s about making an impact. In this module, you will explore what truly drives effective communication, learning how physical, linguistic, cognitive, social and emotional skills shape your performance. Through weekly practice, you’ll apply techniques for storytelling, audience engagement and confident delivery.
Course description
SA.015.B(for Bachelor)
SA.015.M(for Master)
When
- Monday, 05-11, 5:15 PM - 7:00 PM
- Monday, 18-05, 5:15 PM - 7:00 PM
- Monday, 01-06, 5:15 PM - 7:00 PM
- Monday, 08-06, 5:15 PM - 7:00 PM
- Monday, 15-06, 5:15 PM - 7:00 PM
Where
Janskerkhof
This module will familiarize you with the skill of “futuring”; the process of using different techniques for active future-making and using that to achieve positive change. Develop several of these techniques like scenario planning, modelling, science fiction, back casting and experiential futuring.
Course description
SA. 013.B(for Bachelor)
SA. 013. M(for Master)
When
Mondays, 5:15 PM - 7:15 PM
Where
t.b.d.
Many societal challenges are too complex for simple cause–effect solutions. In this module, you will learn to analyze such multidisciplinary issues using systems thinking. You will explore how feedback loops can generate unexpected outcomes and how perspectives from different fields can change the way we understand problems. Through individual and group assignments, you will practice building systems analyses and proposing powerful actions, scenarios and indicators to address real-world sustainability and policy challenges.
Course description
SA.018.B(for Bachelor)
SA.018.M(for Master)
When
- Tuesday, 28-04, 5:15 PM - 7:00 PM
- Tuesday, 12-05, 5:15 PM - 7:00 PM
- Tuesday, 19-05, 5:15 PM - 7:00 PM
- Tuesday, 26-05, 5:15 PM - 7:00 PM
Where
Janskerkhof