Erika van Elsas. Photo: Marte van Liere

If you aspire to a career as a professional researcher, I would definitely recommend this programme for several reasons. For instance, the curriculum has a rich offer of methodological courses. You not only learn to apply various advanced statistical methods and different software packages, but also to understand the logic underlying different statistical approaches. As such, at the end of the programme you have a methodological toolkit ready to apply to your own research interests.

'Courses were generally taught in small groups, with a lot of personal attention'

Second, the close contact with the teaching staff and the other motivated students make for a stimulating atmosphere. Courses were generally taught in small groups, with a lot of personal attention. The teachers, themselves experienced researchers, encourage you to develop your own research interests. They were also very approachable. Especially during my Master’s thesis, there was ample opportunity to discuss my proceedings with my supervisor, which really helped me to lift my research project to a higher level.

'The Master’s thesis is a good way to gain experience with all phases of the research process'

Third, the Master’s thesis is a good way to gain experience with all phases of the research process, as you conduct your own research project from beginning to end. Since the aim is to produce a publishable article, you are stimulated to live up to academic standards throughout the whole process. My thesis was a quantitative study of political trust, and how political trust as an attitude is structured among lower and higher educated citizens.  The Research Master's programme provided enough time and freedom to explore this topic in-depth and to put into practice several statistical methods I had learned, while at the same time the close contact with my supervisor helped to stay on track.

'The programme also offers the opportunity to gain professional experience through a research internship'

Finally, the programme also offers the opportunity to gain professional experience through a research internship. I did my internship in a research project at the Political Science department of the University of Amsterdam. As a Research Master's student, I was entrusted with several responsibilities, from doing the statistical analyses to writing articles and presenting at a conference. Thanks to this fruitful internship, I was able to co-author several academic publications even before my graduation.

'The Research Master has certainly lived up to my expectations'

I chose the Research Master Social Sciences because I aimed to develop the research skills necessary for an academic career.  The Research Master has certainly lived up to my expectations. All in all, it has provided me with research experience, professional experience and a thorough methodological grounding. Now that I am starting my own research project, the experience and knowledge I have built up in the Research Master are of great value. I would therefore definitely recommend this Research Master to anyone who aims to continue in social scientific research.

• For more student stories, please take a look at the overview page.