Entry requirements
Human Geography (MSc) - tracks
Applications will be carefully evaluated by the admissions committee. The committee determines whether or not all entry requirements as specified below are met and assesses the quality of each application compared to the other applications received.
International diplomas are evaluated on the basis of advice from professional diploma evaluators. The minimum level of the diploma should be equivalent to three years of Dutch academic education.
Entry requirements
Bachelor's degree
The Master's programme in Human Geography seeks students with an academic Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in Human Geography (Sociale Geografie), or in another social science discipline related to the programme, such as Sociology, Cultural Anthropology and Sociology, Political Science, Economics, and Bèta-Gamma and/or Future Planet Studies (provided it includes a major Human Geography).
Human geography
All applicants are expected to have a solid basis in the field of human geography studies with at least (an equivalent of) 30 ECTS credits earned during previous studies.
Research methodology
Applicants should have a solid basis in both qualitative and quantitative social sciences research methodology reflected by the completion of at least (an equivalent of) 20 ECTS during previous study. Experience with the following research methods skills is required:
- Make a solid research design
- Understand advantages and disadvantages of different research methods and a mixed methods approach
- Develop and apply a (simple) survey
- Interpret the results of a survey with a statistical package
- Be able to do statistical analysis, preferably with SPSS or similar software programme
- Conduct an interview
- Analyse the results of an interview
Promising candidates with slightly less than 20 ECTS of social sciences research methodology may be admitted provided that they complete an intensive research methodology module (in the four weeks prior to the Master's programme) offered by the Graduate School of Social Sciences. Please note that this is up to the admissions committee to decide. For more information on the intensive research methodology module, please see below.
Language proficiency
All non-native speakers of English (Dutch students exempted) applying to one of the English-taught programmes offered by the Graduate School of Social Sciences, are required to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. All students must be able to read textbooks, understand lectures, take part in classroom discussions and undertake written work in English.
Applicants who are nationals of countries other than the Netherlands, the United States, Australia, United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland or New Zealand are required to submit an English test score that meets specific requirements. Inability to do so will prevent enrollment. For more information, please follow the links below.
Preparatory Programme
Promising students who do not meet the entry requirements may be conditionally admitted into the programme, provided that they complete a tailor made preparatory programme first. A preparatory programme consists of a limited amount of undergraduate courses at our department. Please note that most, if not all, undergraduate courses are taught in Dutch. It is up to the admissions committee to decide whether a student can be admitted to the preparatory programme.
The costs of the preparatory programme in the academic year 2014-2015 are € 953,- for a programme of 30 ECTS or € 2859,- for a programme of 60 ECTS.
During preparatory programmes up to 30 ECTS students are registered on Bachelor level, meaning that they are eligible to study loans or a student public transport card. During preparatory programmes from 31 to 60 ECTS students are registered on a contract basis, meaning that they are not eligible to study loans or a student public transport card. All UvA student facilities are available during all preparatory programmes (regardless of ECTS).
Graduates from universities of applied sciences (HBO)
We offer a preparatory programme of 60 EC to students with an HBO BA degree Geography teacher (Lerarenopleiding Aardrijkskunde).
Please see below for more information about this preparatory programme.
Questions
If you have questions regarding admission and application, please contact the Admissions Office at apply-gsss@uva.nl.