Entry requirements
International Development Studies (MSc), stap 1 (of 4)
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 university education.
Limited capacity and selection
The number of available places is limited to 60 students per year, that is 30 in September and 30 in February. If more qualified students apply than there are places available, candidates with the most convincing academic standing are selected. Please note that this programme attracts many applications each year and that International Development Studies is highly selective. Our selection is based on:
- previous study results
- the relevance of their previous studies
- previous knowledge of social sciences research methodology
- motivation
- job experience
- previously written academic work.
Entry requirements
Bachelor's degree
The Master's programme in International Development Studies seeks students with an academic Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in international development studies (ontwikkelingsstudies), or in another social sciences discipline related to the programme.
Development studies
All applicants are expected to have a solid basis in the field of social sciences and development studies in particular, of at least (an equivalent of) 30 ECTS credits earned during previous study.
Selection tends to be highly competitive reflecting the number and quality of applications received for each selection round.
Grade average
Study results obtained in previous education should demonstrate that a student is able to attain and maintain a good to excellent level, especially in the fields of international development studies and social sciences research methodology. Undergraduate studies should be completed with an overall grade average of at least a B/3.0 (American system), second class, lower division Honours degree (British system), C (ECTS system), 7.0 (Dutch system) or equivalent.
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.
English language proficiency
- All non-native speakers of English (including Dutch students) 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 or who have obtained their Bachelor’s degree in countries other than 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 enrolment. For more information, please follow the link below.
Applicants of the College of Social Sciences (CSW) of the University of Amsterdam who have successfully completed the CSW course in Academic English or have obtained a sufficient level during the entrance test of the course, are exempted from submitting an English language test score.
Graduates from universities of applied sciences (HBO)
Applicants with a higher professional Bachelor's degree obtained at a university of applied sciences (HBO) will first need to complete a relevant academic bachelor's degree before applying to the Master's programme. Completion of a relevant Bachelor's degree however, does not automatically lead to admission. Selection tends to be highly competitive reflecting the number and quality of applications received for each selection round.
Preparatory Programme
Promising students who do not meet the entry requirements may be conditionally admitted into the programme, provided that they complete a preparatory programme first. A preparatory programme consists of a limited amount of undergraduate courses at our department.
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).
Questions
If you have questions regarding admission and application, please contact the Admissions Office at apply-gsss@uva.nl.