Who are we?

Extensus is the Study Association of the Honours Programme of VU, UvA, and AUC, founded as a student initiative in September 2009. Since then, we have worked to ensure that participants of the Amsterdam Honours Programme benefit from being part of this Amsterdam-wide community of excellent students. Initially open only to honours students at VU, Extensus expanded to include the UvA and AUC in 2011. The name “Extensus” is derived from the Latin verb extendere, meaning to stretch out, extend, increase, or broaden, and is also used poetically in the phrase maiores pennas nido extendere—to spread one’s wings beyond the nest (adapted from Horace). This name reflects the two central goals of the Honours Programme: to broaden students’ horizons and to extend their knowledge within their own field. It also embodies the ambition, innovative spirit, and commitment to excellent education demonstrated by both students and teachers involved in the programme.