Studying abroad: how to choose the right Liberal Arts course?


Are you interested in all kinds of disciplines and appreciate transdisciplinary approaches? Do you want to understand the world around you and the laws and principles that govern it, without having to specialize in a specific field? Then the liberal arts are for you!

The origins of the liberal arts: a brief history

Although relatively recent in appearance, the study of the liberal arts originated in antiquity. The Greeks and Romans considered a set of disciplines to be the foundation of all culture and learning. At the time, the study of the liberal arts was organized into two cycles: the trivium and the quadrivium, focusing on oral and written expression and mathematics respectively. These first cycles of study were considered indispensable for access to more complex disciplines such as philosophy, theology and metaphysics.

From antiquity to the modern age: the liberal arts today

Inspired by the Greco-Roman model, the liberal arts taught in today’s universities offer students interdisciplinary programs that enable them to benefit from cross-disciplinary teaching, often combining art and science, to sharpen their general culture and develop a critical mind.

The subjects offered in these courses vary from one school to another, but generally speaking, they include the same core subjects:

  • The humanities, which study man on both an individual and collective scale, and include subjects such as art, languages, literature, religions and ethics;
  • social sciences, aimed at analyzing human societies, understanding the relationships between man and his environment, and his interactions with the environment in which he evolves. The social sciences can be studied through a variety of subjects, including history, politics, law, psychology and economics;
  • formal sciences, mainly focused on the study of mathematics, computer science and logic;
  • The natural sciences, which study the environment in which we live through various disciplines such as biology, chemistry, astronomy and geology.

The main advantage of a liberal arts curriculum is that it offers great flexibility in the choice of disciplines. Students must validate a core curriculum of a few fundamental subjects (often equal to two to three semesters of full-time study, or 15 to 17 hours of classes on average) and a certain number of credits. Once this core curriculum has been validated, you are then free (hence the term liberal) to select the subjects you wish to include in your program of study, as well as a certain number of courses in your major or specialization. It’s an à la carte curriculum, allowing students to delve deeper into different disciplines, before opting for a preferred field on which to focus their major or specialization, be it art history, chemistry, political science, literature, photography, film or mathematics. Almost any subject is possible!

In the U.S., most liberal arts colleges offer a four-year curriculum, while in the U.K. and the Netherlands it generally lasts three years, leading to a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BSc), depending on whether you choose to specialize in the arts or the sciences.

In the vast majority of American universities, the first and even the second year of study is akin to a liberal arts program. Students have access to a wide range of disciplines at the start of their studies, enabling them to choose with greater ease and certainty the field(s) they wish to pursue as part of their specialization. It’s worth noting that double majors are often available for those who wish to have the broadest possible curriculum. It is also very common for students to choose a less in-depth option (minor) in a subject that may be – but is not necessarily – related to their chosen major.

That said, there are many advantages to taking a liberal arts program at a dedicated university – a liberal arts college (such as Williams, Amherst, Swarthmore or Wellesley) – rather than at a major university: with a smaller enrolment than at a major university, students can benefit from greater proximity to teachers, and therefore better mentoring. Interaction between students and teachers is strongly encouraged, and students are encouraged to express their views. As a result, students benefit from personalized follow-up and frequent contact with their teachers, who are even more accessible than at university. Liberal arts colleges often emphasize that students can do research as early as the first year, and that they take all their courses with tenured professors in small groups, rather than having to take courses taught by graduate assistants like their counterparts at large research universities. In fact, since liberal arts colleges generally offer little or no master’s degree, the bachelor’s degree is the preferred course of study, and all professors teach students in this program. Moreover, liberal arts colleges are generally smaller than public universities; for example, while the University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass) has around 30,000 students, nearby liberal arts college Amherst College has just 1,800!

The best liberal arts and sciences courses

The United States, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and, to some extent, Canada and Ireland are among the most renowned destinations for the quality of their liberal arts and sciences programs.

In the United States

The United States was the first country to introduce liberal arts education into its academic system (in the 19th century). The United States is home to some of the world’s oldest liberal arts colleges, such as Williams College in Massachusetts, and Claremont College in California, whose reputation is well established.

Here is a list of some of the best-known liberal arts colleges in the United States:

  • Williams College (Williamstown, MA) ;
  • Amherst College (Amherst, MA) ;
  • Swarthmore College (Swarthmore, PA) ;
  • Wellesley College (Wellesley, MA) ;
  • Bowdoin College (Brunswick, ME) ;
  • Carleton College (Northfield, MN) ;
  • Middlebury College (Middlebury, VT) ;
  • Pomona College (Claremont, CA) ;
  • Claremont McKenna College (Claremont, CA) ;
  • Davidson College (Davidson, NC).

Emma, a fourth-year Bachelor’s student at Pomona College in California (USA), explains why she chose to study at Pomona: « While visiting universities in the U.S. during high school, I realized that I needed a college with a residential campus, small classes taught by professors rather than teaching assistants, a low teacher/student ratio and the freedom to take courses in a variety of disciplines – in short, everything a liberal arts college. Le Pomona College de Claremont, en Californie, est rapidement devenu l’école de mes rêves et, trois ans plus tard, je suis plus que certaine d’avoir fait le bon choix !

School size is that you really feel part of a community: I bump into people I know on campus all the time! What’s more, the many sports teams, clubs and activities make for a very active social life, so there’s never a dull moment. Throughout the week, and especially on weekends, students are free to explore Claremont’s five campuses, so I get to meet new people all the time! We’re also encouraged to explore nearby mountains, beaches and deserts, and to take advantage of the fact that Los Angeles is only 40 minutes away.

But my favorite thing about Pomona is the people! The staff and professors really care about the students’ well-being. Plus, everyone comes from all over the U.S. and the world, which really broadens your perspective. I’ve learned so much and had so many unique experiences thanks to the people I’ve met. Pomona creates an environment in which students can both flourish and grow, and I’m really grateful for the three years I spent there. »

In the Netherlands

Dutch liberal arts colleges enjoy an excellent European and international reputation. Students benefit from a quality education, very similar to that offered by American liberal arts colleges, at much lower tuition fees.

Classes are taught in English, and class sizes are deliberately kept small to enable students to benefit from personalized, interactive teaching in small groups.

In the Netherlands, the Bachelor in Liberal Arts takes three years to complete, with the option of a semester abroad as an exchange student.

Here is the list of the 10 liberal arts colleges in the Netherlands:

  • Amsterdam University College (AUC) ;
  • Erasmus University College à Rotterdam (EUC) ;
  • Leiden University College à La Haye (LUC) ;
  • University College Tilburg ;
  • University College Fryslân (UCF) ;
  • University College Groningen (UCG) ;
  • University College Maastricht (UCM) ;
  • University College Roosevelt (UCR) ;
  • University College Utrecht (UCU) ;
  • University College Twente (UCT) ;

Preksha, a second-year student at Amsterdam University College (AUC), explains the three main reasons why she chose AUC: « 1. Small classes – AUC offers small group classes (no more than 25 per class) which I love because it allows me to create stronger interpersonal relationships with both teachers and students. The teachers are also able to provide genuine attention to each student, which makes it much easier to understand the course. 2. The university environment – I really like the fact that the university is located in Amsterdam, a very dynamic city where there’s always something going on. I also like the fact that we’re not right in the center of Amsterdam, but close enough to go there at any time. All AUC students also have to live together in a residence, which is a real advantage – I really feel part of a community. 3. Lots of learning opportunities – AUC offers lots of opportunities to learn – both in and out of the classroom. I really feel like I’ve grown a lot as a person over the past two years and gained a lot of valuable skills. »

Julie, a second-year student at University College Utrecht (UCU), talks about her experience: « I was really struggling to figure out what I wanted to do after my science baccalaureate. I had the impression that I was more of a scientist in high school, but that’s also because I had more science classes. I find that the French system asks students to specialize too early, so I was planning to go abroad to join a multidisciplinary course. I hesitated between the UK, Canada and the Netherlands, and finally decided to study at University College Utrecht (UCU). This is a prestigious international liberal arts and sciences which is entirely in English and based on the American system. Admission to UCU is fairly selective, but is not based on grades alone (even though I had about a 16 average in high school). The student’s cover letter, personality and curiosity during the interview also count for a lot.

At UCU, I had the freedom to take courses in a variety of disciplines to determine the specialization that best suited me. During my first year, I was able to take courses in philosophy, religion and anthropology. As the program progresses, students are encouraged to specialize more and more, eventually concentrating on two disciplines. Currently in my second year of the program, I’ve decided to specialize in neuroscience and psychology. It’s really a very different educational system from others, as there are only 27 of us in class and the classes are very interactive.

What’s more, UCU students all live on the small campus just a few minutes’ walk from the center of Utrecht, and community life is very important in this educational system.

As a result, my social life and university life are quite mixed, as my classes are right next door to my residence. In terms of workload, organization is paramount. I figured that having only 16 hours of classes a week, as opposed to 8-17 hours in high school, shouldn’t be a problem, but you have to be disciplined. I highly recommend this university, as I was able not only to discover my interests here, but also to meet people from all over the world: the students are 50% international and 50% Dutch! UCU also offers the possibility of a four-month international exchange in the third year. I chose Iceland as my destination, but many of my friends opted for California or Australia. »

In the United Kingdom

Inspired by the American model, many universities in the UK now offer one or more courses in liberal arts, to meet the growing demand from students who are increasingly attracted by the interdisciplinarity that characterizes these programs.

Here are a few well-known universities where you can take a liberal arts program:

  • King’s College London ;
  • Royal Holloway, University of London ;
  • SOAS, University of London ;
  • University of Birmingham ;
  • University of Bristol ;
  • University College London (UCL) ;
  • University of Durham ;
  • University of Exeter ;
  • University of Leeds ;
  • University of Warwick ;
  • University of St Andrews.

Hadrien, Bachelor of Arts and Sciences student at University College London (UCL), explains why he chose this course of study : “In high school, I was one of those people who didn’t want to go into too specialized higher education. Even choosing a major was very complicated for me. I was also one of those who couldn’t see myself staying in highly formatted studies that left little room for free time, like most preparatory classes. After a lot of research and doubts, I came across the bachelor of Arts and Sciences from UCL in London. I’m currently in my second year of this course, and I’m very happy to have stumbled across this program, whose flexibility surpasses that of all the others and is totally suited to me.

So I was able to continue with mathematics, discover computer science and choose to specialize in it, while keeping the humanities (philosophy and literature) that are so dear to my heart. I was also able to try my hand at economics (before I could easily stop), as well as urban planning.

Ultimately, all students in this program follow a unique, personalized curriculum. They are responsible for building a coherent curriculum that really suits them. Normally, students graduate with either a BA (Bachelor of Arts) or a BSc ( bachelor of Science). Ce programme est le seul à délivrer un BASc ( bachelier en arts et sciences). On doit certes choisir entre une majeure scientifique et une majeure artistique (dans les sens très larges des termes), mais dans la pratique, on peut vraiment étudier ce qu’on veut. C’est un bachelor en trois ans, quatre si on décide de prendre l’année à l’étranger proposée.

There are also some common courses, and learning a foreign language is compulsory. All the same, this is a recent Bachelor’s degree that corresponds to a rather specific profile, and has certain shortcomings. For example, some of the compulsory joint modules on interdisciplinarity are not very interesting, in my opinion.

There’s also the recurring fear of not specializing enough in one field for later. I personally don’t have this fear and believe that an interdisciplinary profile is a real asset. Before choosing this program, however, I would advise you to be sure that you like the English system of study, with its few hours of classes and sometimes impersonal aspect, is right for you.

Living in London can be an obstacle for some. Nevertheless, I am very happy with my studies and highly recommend the bachelor of Arts and Sciencesde l’UCL. »

Blandine, a student in her first year of liberal arts at King’s College London tells us about his experience : « I really like the Liberal Arts program at King’s because it allows great flexibility in your choice of courses, which is ideal when you don’t have a clear idea of what you want to do. I was able to take human geography, world history, political science and Spanish this year before deciding to specialize in human geography next year.

The English system can be quite unsettling at first, as we have much more autonomy and personal work than in high school, but it’s a pace that suits me well now. The university is still quite large, although some events and group projects are organized within the Liberal Arts program to help us work together and get to know each other better. Being in a King’s residence has been ideal for meeting other students. Many events are organized there and there was also a common room ( common room) where we could all get together. My closest friends are still those in residence, because the short number of hours of classes means that it’s sometimes harder to make connections at university. I really like life in London and the student atmosphere – there are always things to do and great opportunities. I’ll even be able to spend an exchange semester in Melbourne, Australia during my second year! »

Laura, a student at the University of St Andrews (Scotland), talks about her experience of the course. sub-honours/honours in Scotland, which is similar in some respects to a curriculum liberal arts : « The division between sub-honours/honours in Scotland had a big influence on my choice: the flexibility of the first two years, which even allowed me to switch from a double to a single degree when I realised that I really preferred Latin and Greek (classics), as well as the choice and freedom of the final two years in terms of course selection is truly fantastic. Studies at St Andrews are in fact divided into two categories: the first two years are called “sub-honours” and the last two “honours”. During the first two years, you have the option of choosing three modules à la carte: you enter university with one or two subjects that you chose when you applied, and you can choose others in addition. For example, a friend of mine applied to St Andrews for a psychology degree, and took biology and philosophy modules in her first and second years. Once in the third year, you specialize in one or two disciplines (in my case, I only kept Latin and Ancient Greek) and can choose from several course options (for example, I chose a module on Roman history and another on Greek poetry).

The first two years are very useful, as they help you to define what you like best: I went in with the aim of studying Latin, Ancient Greek and Comparative Literature at the same time, but my first two years of Comparative Literature made me realize that I much preferred Latin and Ancient Greek!In the same way, when you’re not sure what you want to do, it allows you to try out different things: my friend who went for a psychology degree ended up liking biology so much that she’s now in her third year of a biology degree only! It’s a very useful flexibility if you’re not yet sure of what you want to do (as it avoids having to repeat the first year), but it’s also enjoyable as it allows some students to try out courses they would never have taken otherwise. »

The content of liberal arts programs varies from university to university. Don’t hesitate to check with the institutions you wish to attend before applying.

In Canada

The Canadian university system has much in common with the American one, and in some English-speaking universities such as UBC, Toronto or McGill, you’ll have the flexibility to combine several disciplines during your degree.

Jade recounts her experience at McGill University: « I’ve always wanted to apply to foreign universities so that I could combine subjects and build a Bachelor’s degree that would give me expertise in the different areas that interest me. This was particularly possible in Canada, at McGill in particular, which also gave me more time to choose my course of study. deadline for the choice of courses was in June), time that was invaluable in my reflection. McGill even allowed me to modify my program during the first year, depending on my interest in the courses I had initially chosen. While I was initially enrolled in major international development (always with a strong personal interest in Middle Eastern countries) and in minor economicsI ended up adding economics to my major because I realized how complementary this subject was to international development, as well as to taking a more global view of the world. minor in my field of interest, Middle East studies. »

However, Jade warns that the Canadian system may not be ideal for everyone: « A great deal of adaptation is required on the part of the student. The system is very different from high school, and it’s important to be independent in your work, to take charge of your research and revision, because nobody tells you what to do, and a student’s success depends solely on their motivation, involvement and autonomy in their work. The trap into which most first-year students fall is to let lectures accumulate without studying them, and to link them to the reading to be done between lectures until the first exams, only to find themselves with a considerable workload when the professor explains his expectations for the exam. The concepts taught require constant and regular work to assimilate knowledge as the course progresses. »

For those who wish to combine the arts and sciences, McGill also offers a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences, which gives you a great deal of flexibility in your choice of disciplines.

In Ireland

Although universities in Ireland will ask you to choose one or more major subjects when you apply, universities like Trinity College and University College Dublin offer some flexibility to students.

The majority of bachelor’s programs offered at Trinity last four years, and can even extend to five or six years for certain engineering or medical courses. Trinity College enjoys an excellent reputation in all fields, and its programs are among the most selective in the country. Its Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences is world-renowned for modern languages, literature, political science, international studies and history. Trinity also offers students the opportunity to learn an additional modern language during their studies (including Mandarin, Spanish, Korean, Japanese and German). In addition, Trinity’s broad curriculum allows students to take 10% of their courses in other university departments (including literature, film, languages, philosophy and psychology).

At University College Dublin (UCD), Bachelor’s programs generally last three or four years. For three-year programs, it is possible to take an additional year to obtain a Master of Arts degree. What’s more, many UCD programs offer great flexibility. Students can try out a large number of courses in their first year before specializing. There are also joint degrees within the Arts and Humanities department, enabling students to combine a variety of disciplines.

So the BA Arts program offers students the chance to combine disciplines as varied as history and English literature, mathematics and linguistics, or statistics and German. The choice is yours!

UCD also offers its students the opportunity to take two courses a year in other departments of the university to open up to other disciplines through the UCD Horizons program.

Find all the answers to your questions about studying abroad. our book “Etudier à l’étranger après le Bac” (Studyrama Editions).

Would you like more personalized support to make your plans to study abroad a reality? Don’t hesitate to contact the Your Dream School team!