Utrecht University

Sociology and Social Research

Explore Pressing Societal Issues

How do social networks emerge and develop? How do they affect social capital, trust, and cooperation? What causes inequalities between men and women in the job market? Why do immigrants have higher unemployment rates and lower-paid jobs? In the Master’s programme in Sociology and Social Research, you will learn to develop testable explanations of important social phenomena using state-of-the-art social theory, empirical research, and data analysis.

Problem-driven research on social cohesion and inequality

As a student on this Master, you will deal with major sociological research questions related to social cohesion (solidarity) and inequality. Addressing these questions requires us to adopt an interdisciplinary approach. This programme is closely related to the research programme of the Department of Sociology, and is embedded in the Interuniversity Centre for Social Science Theory and Methodology (ICS).

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Multiple high ratings

The programme Sociology and Social Research is recognised as a high quality programme and has been awarded several high ratings by different organisations in the Netherlands.  

International orientation and individual development

The programme’s international character offers you global perspectives on sociology topics as well as a broad range of research opportunities. About 40% of our students come from abroad, famous international experts teach masterclasses, and you will have the opportunity to follow courses abroad. You will also have the opportunity to make choices that fit your goals, such as choosing to do an internship and writing your thesis at other institutions or research groups in the Netherlands or abroad.

Programme Objective

In this two-year Master’s programme, you will learn to operate as a highly qualified social science researcher with a clear focus on social cohesion and inequality. You will also learn to integrate sociological theory and empirical research by means of state-of-the-art statistical analyses. Your studies will fully equip you to become a PhD candidate.

Sociology: Contemporary Social Problems

Social problems: How do they arise? And how do you solve them?

The radicalisation of Muslim youth is continually in the news and high on the political agenda. What has scientific research revealed about the causes and background of this issue? How should the government and societal actors handle this trend and which policy is effective? An ageing population leads to increasing healthcare costs. How should care for the elderly be structured in order to make it personal and affordable again? The virtual and physical world are increasingly merging. What role does the internet play in shaping political and social movements' ability to self-organise?

The experts of tomorrow

As society becomes more complex, the demand for experts continues to expand. In the one-year Master’s programme Contemporary Social Problems, you will be trained to become an expert on one important social theme. You choose one contemporary issue in which you will specialise:

• Crime and Safety

• Internet, Social Media and Networks

• Care, Policy and Organisations

You design your own track in this Master’s programme, in which you quickly and rigorously immerse yourself in your specialisation. You will learn about the state-of-the-art in current scholarship. As an expert, you will also learn to think in multidisciplinary terms. In addition to sociology as your core subject, you will also take courses in the social psychology and social geography of your chosen theme, which allows you to further immerse yourself in your area of specialisation.

Theory and practice

As an expert, you will also learn to translate theory into practice. You will learn to translate scientific knowledge into concrete advice for companies or effective policy for the government. You will also learn to present research results to a wider audience. Speakers from the field, working visits and your own internship project ensure you gain comprehensive knowledge of the practical context.

Objective of the programme

During this Master’s programme, you will be thoroughly trained to analyse and advise on contemporary social issues. You will therefore develop yourself into an academic professional and an expert on your chosen theme. In these themes, the boundary between public and private is often transcended, which means that once you complete the Master’s, you can work in both the private and (semi) public sectors. Potential careers include social science expert, applied researcher in the corporate world, policy advisor at a ministry or municipality, advisor, project coordinator or consultant.

Labour market

There is a significant focus on labour market orientation and your transition to the labour market following your studies. You will, for example, be put in contact with relevant organisations in the professional field in addition to learning the professional project, communication, advice and interview skills you will need in your career.