Think & Talk (Honours Programme Alpha Faculties)

Undoubtedly one of the most educational periods of my time as a student at Ghent University! (Bella Hovhannisyan)

Do you want to learn how to think critically and debate important issues for the 21st century?
Are you good at working in a group with other students?
Are you willing to invest time and energy on top of your master's programme?

After training in the art of debating, you will organise debate evenings with other students, under the guidance of experts, on topics that concern us all. Week after week, you will learn to think more critically and speak more thoughtfully.

What?

Think & Talk truly offered a unique opportunity to broaden my academic and personal horizons, whilst getting to know inspiring, open-minded people from different fields of study. (Cindy Lin)

In addition to your regular master's programme, in the second semester you will take part in a series of sessions, each held on Tuesday evenings from 19:00 to 22:00:

an opening debate with experts on the overarching annual theme
two workshops ‘Learning to debate’ and ‘Organising debates’ run by The Orator
five debate evenings on specific themes and questions, each organised by a group of five students
a creative assignment carried out as a group of five students
a closing evening with a presentation of the results to an audience of invited guests.

More about the programme structure and the workload

Who is it for?

Think & Talk offers a unique opportunity to hear new perspectives, be intellectually challenged and get creative - all in a pleasant and friendly atmosphere. (Kasper Dheedene)

Think & Talk is aimed at inquisitive and motivated students from the five alpha faculties, who, following a pre-selection, are invited to apply:

Do you still have one or two exams to sit in the resit examination period, but do you expect to be able to start your master's programme afterwards? Be sure to apply.

Not sure whether you are eligible? Please contact the lecturer-in-charge for Think & Talk, Prof. Dr Jakob De Roover, at think.talk@ugent.be.

We aim to put together a balanced and diverse group of 25 students, with five from each of the alpha faculties and a spread across the various study programmes. We particularly encourage students from groups that are under-represented at our institution to apply.

Why take part?

The Think & Talk honours programme took me out of the comfort zone of my own studies and faculty. It showed me how diverse the humanities are and how enriching it is to think beyond the boundaries of your own discipline. (Nina van de Velde)

To learn how to reflect and argue in an academic manner.
To further develop your communication, organisational and other transferable skills.
To step beyond the boundaries of your own discipline and collaborate with students and experts from other disciplines.

Once you have successfully completed the programme, you will receive a special certificate and a letter of recommendation signed by the rector. This can help you with job applications, scholarship applications or applications for further studies at home or abroad.

Testimonials from Think & Talk students from various faculties

How do I apply?

Each academic year, based on academic results, each faculty involved carries out a pre-selection of students, all of whom receive an invitation to take part in the Think & Talk honours programme. They must submit their application via the online application form, including a cover letter. The directors of studies at each faculty then select a group of five students from the candidates for their faculty to take part in Think & Talk.

The deadline for applying for the 2026-2027 academic year is Friday 18 September 2026 at 23:59.

All about the selection procedure.

Contact

Do you have a question? Please contact Prof. Dr Jakob De Roover, the lecturer-in-charge for Think & Talk, at think.talk@ugent.be.