Dr. Franca van Hooren and student Mirta Krsnik tell you what makes the programme of Social Sciences unique.
The Graduate School of Social Sciences (University of Amsterdam) offers three Research Master's programmes in the field of International Development Studies, Social Sciences and Urban Studies. Would you like to know what a Research Master's is?
Frequently asked questions
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How many people are accepted for the programme?
The programme is selective. Each year we can place 40-45 students.
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What are the main differences between the one year master's programmes of the Graduate School of Social Sciences and this research master's programme?
In the research master's programme there is a strong(er) focus on methodology courses. Students also develop their own individual thesis project, and receive individual thesis supervision. The two-year research master's also offers more time to gain in depth knowledge and allows you to develop the skills necessary to carry out high quality social scientific research.
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What does the programme look like?
In our Course Catalogue you will find an overview of the programme.
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What are the specialisations of the Research Master's Social Sciences?
The programme offers three methodological specialisations:
- Empirical-Analytical
- Interpretative
- Mixed Methods (with a mandatory internship or fieldwork)
In the first block (first eight weeks in September and October), students will follow two general courses on social theory and ethics. During this period students also have the opportunity to get acquainted with the programme and staff members, and to choose their methodological specialisation. The methodological specialisation consists of a compulsory methods course in block 2 and 3, followed by a series of methods electives and other compulsory courses.
For more information see the Course Catalogue.
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How many electives can I choose?
We offer a range of thematic and methods electives. You will follow three thematic electives (18 EC in total). One thematic elective can be replaced by an individual reading course.
The number of methods electives differs per methods specialisation:
- In the Empirical-Analytical methods specialisation you’ll have 24 EC in methods electives
- In the Interpretative methods specialisation you’ll have 12 EC in methods electives
- In the Mixed Methods with mandatory internship specialisation you’ll have 30 EC in methods electives
- In the Mixed Methods with mandatory fieldwork you’ll have 6 EC in methods electives
For more information see the Course Catalogue.
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Are there any grants or subsidies I can apply for?
Please check our website to know about possible grants or subsidies.
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What are the admission requirements?
Please check our webpage for information about application and admission.
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What can I expect from a tutor?
In the first year, all students have a tutor, who functions as the bridge between students and the research programmes affiliated with the departments of Anthropology, Sociology and Political Science. There are three tutors in the programme, and they have the following responsibilities:
- introducing students to relevant program groups and UvA researchers
- helping students to develop their research ideas and find a research topic
- suggesting staff members for an individual reading course
- helping students to find an internship(supervisor) and thesis supervisor(s)
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Which students undertake fieldwork, and when?
Students in the Interpretative methods specialisation and Mixed Methods with mandatory Fieldwork specialisation undertake fulltime fieldwork of 24 EC, in their second year, from the beginning September until the Christmas break. You can do your fieldwork within the Netherlands or abroad. Check the student site for more information about the fieldwork.
Students in these methods specialisations can also choose to do less extensive fieldwork of 15 EC, in case they want to do an internship as well. Check the student site for more information about the internship.
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Which students do an internship, and when?
Students in the Empirical-Analytical methods specialisation and Mixed Methods with Mandatory internship follow a mandatory internship of 12 EC, in the first semester of the second year. For students in the other methods specialisations the internship is optional, and smaller (9 EC). Check the student site for more information about the internship.
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