Social Cultural Science-Uni

Unique approach
This Master’s programme provides you with a thorough training in empirical research in the context of contemporary society. Taking a multidisciplinary perspective, you compare such social issues as inequality, poverty, the decline of organized religion, minorities and conflict and social cohesion in different countries – a unique approach in Europe. The programme is designed for all those who want to understand how society works and why countries differ from each other

Methodological basis
The emphasis in this programme is on methodology and research skills. You learn how to translate social problems into empirical research questions and which methods are most suitable to obtain an answer to those questions. This might be quantitative research – collecting and analysing large volumes of data – or qualitative research, for example, interviews or a content analysis of items in the press. In addition, students are able to draw on a considerable amount of existing data because the Nijmegen Institute of Social and Cultural Research (NISCO) has a rich data archive and it participates in several international surveys, such as the multi-country European Social Survey.

The best education
A recent evaluation by external experts rated our programme as one of the best in the Netherlands. The research carried out in our research institute NISCO was assessed as “good to excellent”. We ensure quality in the programme by limiting the number of participants to 15 and aim to attract ambitious students who are not afraid of a challenge. You will follow specially designed training modules, be given your own workplace (equipped with a PC) and receive personal guidance and supervision.

The programme
The programme, which takes two years, is structured as follows:

	Comparative theory and methodology (12 EC)
	Comparative research methods (18 EC)
	Comparative research applications (18 EC)
	Comparative research training (12 EC).
	Optional courses (12 EC)
	Master’s thesis (36 EC)
	Scientific journal paper, research grant proposal or policy recommendation report (12 EC)
	Within the various study components you can – depending on the nature of your previous education – choose to focus on Sociology, Cultural Anthropology or Development Studies.

Once you’ve graduated, you’ll be awarded a Master of Science degree.

Career prospects
About half of our graduates go on to do a PhD either in the Netherlands or abroad. They are also well qualified for policy or research work in national and international market research organizations and for jobs with a statistical component (for example, with Eurostat in Strasburg). Our graduates also work in a variety of other research agencies and for government.

Admission requirements

	The equivalent of a Dutch Bachelor’s degree in Sociology, Cultural Anthropology or Development Studies – also known as Non-Western Sociology – or Communication Science (as evaluated by the examinations commission)
	An interview to ascertain motivation and the degree of methodological training
	Fluency in both written and spoken English. A TOEFL score of at least 550 or IELTS 6.5 for non-native speakers of English.

Application

This Master’s programme begins in September. Registration closes on 1 January for students outside the EEA and on 1 April for students from EEA countries.

If you are not from the European Economic Area (EEA) and you apply before 1 March, we can guarantee accommodation as well as help with getting a visa and a residence permit. If you are from the EEA and you apply before 1 May, we can guarantee accommodation during your stay at the University.
If you apply after these dates, we will still consider your application, but unfortunately cannot provide the assistance described above. If you intend to apply for a scholarship, please make sure you send your request for admission well before the closing date of the scholarship programme.

More information
www.ru.nl/master/scs
Study coordinator: Elly van Wijk, email: e.vanwijk@maw.ru.nl or
scs@nisco.ru.nl

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