Application and admission

Applications will be carefully evaluated by the admissions committee. The committee determines whether or not all entry requirements as specified below are met.

Entry requirements

Bachelor's degree
The programme is targeted at students with a bachelor's degree of the College of Social Sciences of the University of Amsterdam. They are considered to possess the knowledge, insight and skills as referred to below, and will be admitted to the programme on these grounds. This also applies to students with a bachelor's degree in Bèta-Gamma studies of the University of Amsterdam, provided that they have completed a major in sociology (90 EC).

Other students with an academic bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in a social sciences discipline closely related to the programme (including sociology, social/cultural anthropology, political science, international relations and geography) are invited to apply as well, provided that they meet the entry requirements as specified below..

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.

Social sciences theory
All applicants are expected to have a solid basis in the field of social sciences theory of at least (an equivalent of) 30 EC earned during previous study. Candidates with a related academic bachelor's degree, but with less than 30 EC obtained in the field of social sciences may be admitted provided they complete a preparatory semester in social sciences first

Research methodology
All applicants should have sufficient knowledge of social sciences research methodology of at least (an equivalent of) 20 EC. Candidates with less than 20 EC of social sciences research methodology may be admitted provided they complete an intensive research methodology module first.

English language proficiency
All students must be able to read textbooks, understand lectures, take part in classroom discussions and undertake written work in English.

Applicants with a bachelor's degree of the College of Social Sciences of the University of Amsterdam are expected to be proficient in English. Nevertheless, studying in English at master's level may proof to be quite demanding. As from September 2010 onwards, the College of Social Sciences will therefore offer a compulsory English language module that will prepare its bachelor's students to undertake an English-taught master. College of Social Sciences students who will already start per September 2010 with an English-taught master are advised to participate in the IELTS test organised by the University of Amsterdam. A minimum score of 6.5 is the level of proficiency expected at master's level.

All other applicants who are nationals of 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 enrollment. For more information, please follow the link below.

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 or complete a Dutch-taught preparatory year, especially designed for HBO graduates, before applying to the master's programme.

Application procedure and  forms

For more information on the application procedure and required application forms for one of the English-taught (research) master's programmes offered by the Graduate School of Social Sciences, please follow the link below.

Deadlines for application for the English-taught (research) master's programmes vary per programme and the academic qualifications of a student. Below you can download a document in which these deadlines are specified.

Questions

Consult the frequently asked questions if you have questions regarding application and admission. If you have questions that are left unanswered, please contact the Admissions and Registrar's Office at apply-gsss@uva.nl.