Program Overview

Program Overview

The Master's program in Sociology at VU Amsterdam is designed for students who are interested in understanding the causes of social issues, such as integration, volunteering, political participation, healthcare, labor, and social movements. The program aims to equip students with a critical perspective on social inequality and the skills to contribute to social change.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for the Master's program in Sociology, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• A Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, such as Social Sciences, with a minimum of 180 ECTS credits.
• A minor in Sociology (30 ECTS) or a related field, with a minimum of 30 ECTS credits.
• A pre-master program in Sociology, with a minimum of 30 ECTS credits, for students with a non-relevant Bachelor's degree.
• Proficiency in Dutch, demonstrated by a passing grade in a Dutch language proficiency test (NT2-II, ITN, or CNaVT).

Admission Procedure

The admission procedure for the Master's program in Sociology involves the following steps:

1. Application: Submit an application through Studielink, including all required documents, such as transcripts, diplomas, and language proficiency test results.
2. Assessment: The Admissions Committee will assess the application and determine whether the applicant meets the admission requirements.
3. Pre-master program: If the applicant does not meet the admission requirements, they may be required to complete a pre-master program in Sociology.
4. Registration: Once the applicant has been admitted, they must register for the program and pay the tuition fees.

Tuition Fees

The tuition fees for the Master's program in Sociology at VU Amsterdam are as follows:

• EU/EEA students: €2,168 per year (2025-2026)
• Non-EU/EEA students: €12,688 per year (2025-2026)

Research Areas

The Master's program in Sociology at VU Amsterdam covers a range of research areas, including:

• Social inequality and social justice
• Migration and integration
• Labor market and employment
• Healthcare and social policy
• Social movements and activism

Curriculum

The Master's program in Sociology at VU Amsterdam consists of the following courses:

• Methodology of Social Science Research: This course introduces students to the principles of social science research, including research design, data collection, and data analysis.
• Social Inequality and Social Justice: This course explores the concepts of social inequality and social justice, including the causes and consequences of social inequality.
• Migration and Integration: This course examines the processes of migration and integration, including the experiences of migrants and the impact of migration on host societies.
• Labor Market and Employment: This course analyzes the labor market and employment, including the impact of globalization and technological change on work and employment.
• Healthcare and Social Policy: This course explores the healthcare system and social policy, including the impact of healthcare policies on social inequality and health outcomes.
• Social Movements and Activism: This course examines the role of social movements and activism in promoting social change, including the strategies and tactics used by social movements.

Career Prospects

Graduates of the Master's program in Sociology at VU Amsterdam can pursue a range of career paths, including:

• Researcher: Graduates can work as researchers in academia, government, or private industry, conducting studies on social issues and developing policies to address them.
• Policy analyst: Graduates can work as policy analysts, developing and evaluating policies to address social issues.
• Social worker: Graduates can work as social workers, providing support and services to individuals and communities.
• Activist: Graduates can work as activists, advocating for social change and promoting social justice.
• Consultant: Graduates can work as consultants, providing expertise and advice to organizations on social issues and policies.