The Master’s programme in Sociology offers several pre-Master possibilities to academic and Dutch HBO (University of Applied Sciences) students to make up for (slight) credit deficiencies.
This pre-Master’s programme is a 30 credit fulltime programme for graduates who want to follow the master's in Sociology, but have completed a university bachelor's or master's degree that is not completely related. The programme mainly focuses on courses in the field of sociological theory and completing a sociological research project, to ensure that students acquire the knowledge and skills that are necessary for following the master's programme. To be admitted to this programme, you need to apply to the Master’s programme first. The admissions committee will decide whether you can follow the pre-Master’s programme. The programme starts in February and needs to be completed in one semester.
This pre-Master’s programme is a 60 credit fulltime programme. Courses are offered in the field of sociological theory and social science research methods. In addition, students follow three to four domain courses from the different specialisations of the Bachelor's in Sociology. The programme is concluded with the Research Project in which theory and methodology are linked. To be admitted to this programme, you need to apply to the Master’s programme first. The admissions committee will decide whether you can follow the pre-Master’s programme. The programme start in September and needs to be completed in one year.
Promising applicants who are marginally deficient in social science research methodology (so who have completed 20-24 ECTS credits out of the required 30 ECTS credits) and can remedy this deficiency with a short intensive course may be eligible for the Comprehensive Introduction to Research Methodology and Design offered in the summer prior to the Master's programme (July/August). The admissions committee decides whether a student is eligible to take this summer course to qualify for entry to the Master’s programme.
Insufficient research methodology training includes:
Incoming Master's students who are taking this summer course to prepare for their Master's programme at the UvA Graduate School of Social Sciences will not receive European credits (ECTS). Other students are eligible to gain 6 ECTS for this course.
Promising students who do not fully (but nearly) meet the requirements or who are in need of brushing up on their knowledge in the field of social sciences and research methodology, may be asked by the admissions committee to complete a MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) or a reading assignment prior to the Master's programme. Reading assignments are offered for free and do not require extra tuition fees.
Application for a pre-Master’s programme is not needed or even possible. You must register for the Master’s programme in Studielink and then submit an application through the link in Myinfo, also for the Master’s programme. The Admissions Committee will assess your application for the Master's programme and decide if a pre-Master’s programme or course is needed and if it will sufficiently prepare you for entry to the Master's programme.
If you have questions regarding admission and application, please contact the Admissions Office at apply-gsss@uva.nl.