Social Policy and Social Work in Urban Areas (MSc)

Programme outline

The social problems plaguing today's urban centres require an integrative approach and collaboration between various parties, including social workers, care workers, the police, citizens' organisations and private business. Launching, developing, implementing, monitoring, evaluating and legitimating social policy and social projects are therefore important professional competencies these days.

The problems and opportunities presented by urban settings demand an increasingly broad mix of academic and professional skills. The Master's programme in Social Policy and Social Work in Urban Areas is designed to equip tomorrow's leading social professionals, policy makers, researchers, public sector managers and advisers with the combination of insights and skills they will need.

Studying Social Policy and Social Work in Urban Areas at the University of Amsterdam

This Master's programme is the product of a unique collaboration between the University of Amsterdam (UvA) and the Amsterdam School of Social Work within the Hogeschool van Amsterdam (HvA). There is also increasing collaboration with universities and polytechnics in seven other European cities: Stockholm, Berlin, Antwerp, Madrid, Pecs, Zagreb and Ankara. This collaboration offers students the opportunity to study or conduct fieldwork abroad for a full or half semester as part of their Master. The programme's core staff are engaged in innovative research in the field of urban problems. Moreover, their expertise in the area of Dutch urban environments, particularly in relation to major centres like Amsterdam and Rotterdam, also allows them to be active in advising policy makers.

What our students say

Click here to read testimonials by Social Policy and Social Work in Urban Areas students Juliane Kube and Stefan Pool and lecturers Bowen Paulle and Siemen Spinder.

Social Policy and Social Work in Urban Areas as a part-time programme

Part-time study is only possible in exceptional circumstances, after submission and approval of a written request.