Guiding decision making
What is this workshop about?
In this workshop, you will use a model to explore what making choices involves and what the process of choosing requires from both the student and the tutor. As a tutor, you support students in making choices, while they often do not yet have a clear idea of what they want. This can make it difficult for them to make decisions. For you as a tutor, the challenge is to take a coaching approach without advising or directing too much. After all, the aim is for your student to take ownership of their choice and truly commit to it.
What will this workshop offer me as a professional?
After completing this workshop, you will be familiar with a practical model that gives you concrete tools to guide the decision-making process more effectively in practice. You will know:
- how to work through and evaluate the different stages of a decision-making process;
- how to pay targeted attention to the personal pitfalls that can play a role in making choices;
- how to design activities that address decision-making in a purposeful way.
As a result, you will be better able to help students feel ownership of the choices they need to make and the choices they have made, supported by the tools you can now offer them to make better decisions. After completing the workshop, you can request a certificate of participation.
Is this workshop for me?
This workshop is designed for:
- tutors
- lecturers
- student counsellors
- study career counsellors
- deans
Our approach is based on the idea that making choices is a skill. The way you make choices yourself influences how you perceive choices, how much weight you attach to making a choice, and how much understanding you can show when someone else is going through a decision-making process. In this workshop, you will become aware of your own patterns in this regard, so that they are less present unconsciously and you can create more space for the other person’s decision-making process.
No prior experience is required to take part in this workshop. It is, however, important that you work with students or pupils, so that you are familiar with the kinds of situations discussed in the course.
Incompany
We also offer this course in-company as a customised programme. Would you like to explore the possibilities? Please feel free to contact us — we would be happy to think along with you. Send an email to: onderwijsadviesentraining@uu.nl.
All workshops for tutors
Professional education at Utrecht University
If you choose to take this training, you are assured of high-quality education at our broad-based, international research university. In addition, we are the only university in the Netherlands that conducts scientific research into how professionals learn. This means you can be confident that our teaching methods are specifically tailored to your needs as a professional. Within our professional education offerings, our leading academics share their up-to-date knowledge with you. At the same time, participants contribute insights from their own professional practice, creating new perspectives that you can apply directly in your work. By taking part, you also become part of a relevant professional network.
What is the structure of the workshop?
The workshop Guiding Choice-Making consists of one half-day session, which is divided into four parts:
If you attended the workshop as a UU or UMC employee, you can schedule a free professional consultation afterwards. During this consultation, you will receive feedback on how you applied the model you learned, or on other challenges you may face in supporting decision-making.
If you are not a UU or UMC employee but would like to continue working with the material after the workshop, we can explore which tailored option would add the most value—for example an advisory project, a professional one-to-one consultation, or an in-company version of the workshop.
Dates
Datum | Tijd | |
|---|---|---|
1 | 12 May 2026 | 14:00 - 16:00 hrs |
The workshop is offered on several dates. Choose the date that suits you best. It’s a single-session workshop.
Where is the workshop held?
The session takes place at Utrecht Science Park. On the Utrecht Science Park website you can find an overview of the different travel routes and transport options. You can also view an overview of the available paid parking options if you plan to come by car .
What time investment does this workshop require?
ou do not need any preparation time for this workshop. Beforehand, you will receive suggestions to help you explore the topic in more depth, for example in the form of articles or reflective questions. After the workshop, we will discuss whether you need any follow-up support, such as feedback.
How does Utrecht University ensure that this workshop connects to current developments in my field?
The theme of making choices is, of course, timeless; after all, it concerns how you function as a person and how you relate to what you want or need to do. Although the topic itself is not especially trend-sensitive, current developments do naturally come into play, if only through the cases and examples that participants bring in.
Who are the trainers?
The trainers who provide professional education at Utrecht University are highly knowledgeable in their field and actively involved in relevant, up-to-date research. They combine academic depth with a sharp understanding of professional practice, which enables them to relate well to participants’ day-to-day reality.
Our trainers’ excellent teaching skills are specifically attuned to how professionals learn: in a practical, interactive, and applicable way. They also place great value on collaboration and create a learning environment in which dialogue, knowledge sharing, and co-creation are central.
Questions?
Do you have questions? First check whether your question is answered in the FAQ below. If not, please contact us at: onderwijsadviesentraining@uu.nl or +31 (0)30 253 2261.
About Education development & training
Education development & training supports education professionals throughout their careers. We provide tailored solutions for educational challenges and offer educational advice to schools and programmes. We connect knowledge from science with educational practice to arrive at new perspectives. Education Development & Training is part of Utrecht University. Payment and cancellation terms and conditions apply to all services.
General questions about Education for Professionals
Do you have a general question about Education for Professionals at Utrecht University? The best way to contact us is by emailing: professionals@uu.nl. You can also call us on weekdays at +31 (0)30 253 1018.
Questions about your career or a programme
Do you have questions about your career or a programme? Our Lifelong Learning programme advisor, Afke van der Velden, will be happy to help you via: a.i.s.vandervelden@uu.nl.
Payment and cancellation terms
Payment and cancellation terms and conditions apply to all services provided by Education Development & Training
How do I sign up?
Great to hear you’re interested in the Tutors’ Workshop: Guiding Choice-Making. You can register using the yellow registration button.
There are no admission requirements for this workshop. Please register no later than five working days before the start of the workshop, so we can send you the reading materials and/or preparatory questions in time.