Program Overview

Introduction to the Double Degree Program

The International Master in Sociology and Population Studies is a Double Degree Program offered jointly by the Department of Political and Social Sciences of the Universitat Pompeu Fabra of Barcelona (Spain) and the Department of Sociology of Tilburg University (Tilburg, the Netherlands). After the successful completion of the program, students will graduate as:

• Master of Research in Sociology and Demography, issued by the Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF)
• Master of Science in Sociology, issued by Tilburg University (TiU)

Program Description

The double degree program combines the strengths of two of the highest-ranked Social Science Departments in Europe to offer a high level research training in Sociology and Population Studies. The program emphasizes the study of modern societies from a structural and dynamic perspective, so as to identify the main forces and challenges faced by key social institutions (families, schools, neighbourhoods, jobs, etc.). The program, which is entirely offered in English, is taught by top researchers and academics from the two participating universities during an 18 months period, both in Barcelona (two initial terms of the first academic year) and in Tilburg (from April of the first academic year to February of the second academic year).

Five Reasons to Choose the Double Degree in Sociology and Population Studies

• Complete two degrees in less time than it would take to earn them separately.
• Distinguish yourself from other students and have a unique international experience.
• Unique combination of two related subject areas with different approaches.
• Opportunity to study at two outstanding academic institutions in a challenging, high quality, small scale and international educational setting with enthusiastic and accessible teaching staff.
• Highly relevant topics and therefore good job and (international) career opportunities.

Program Structure

The international Master in Sociology and Population Studies is a one-and-a-half-year program that combines the contents of the Master of Research in Sociology and Demography, offered by the UPF, and the Master in Sociology, offered by Tilburg University. Each of these masters carries 60 ECTS. The students enrolled in this double degree can attain the training corresponding to these two masters, jointly worth 120 ECTS, by taking courses worth 90 ECTS. In order to graduate from this double degree, students have to fulfill the course and research requirements of each separate master. They will gain 30 ECTS because the thesis requirements of both programs are combined into one. Hence, students only need 90 ECTS rather than 120 to graduate from the program and obtain the two master degrees. They also do it in a shorter time-in one-and-a-half rather than two academic years.

Year 1: Coursework and Master's Thesis Preparation at UPF

40 ECTS of the Master of Research in Sociology and Demography, more specifically:

Year 1: Coursework at TiU

20 ECTS of the MSc in Sociology, more specifically:

Year 2: Coursework + Master's Thesis at TiU

30 ECTS of the MSc in Sociology, more specifically:

Requirements

To apply to the program, students must:

• Hold a university degree (undergraduate and/or graduate) in a -preferably- relevant discipline, e.g. the field of social sciences, law, humanities or health sciences, and have a graduation date no later than 1 September of the year the double degree commences.
• Have adequate knowledge of research methods and statistics, as demonstrated by having registered and passed at least one statistical course during their BA studies.
• Have demonstrated their English language proficiency (C1 CEFR) by submitting the results of either TOEFL (minimum 577 paper based / 100 internet-based), IELTS (minimum 6.5 overall, no part less than 6.0), or Cambridge Proficiency or Cambridge Advanced (A-B-C). In case a student fulfils all requirements, but has a B2 CEFR level in English, he can start the program under the condition that he follows a compulsory course in English during the first year at UPF.
• Provide two relevant and personalized academic reference letters.
• Have proven their sufficient motivation through a letter.

Application Deadlines

There are four deadlines for applications both for EU/EEA and for non-EU/EEA students along the previous academic year to the start of the double degree.

Maximum Number of Students

The maximum number of students to enrol in the double degree program will be 10 in each academic year.

Application Procedure

Students can apply through either institution. All applications will be looked at by both institutions. If accepted, students will receive one joint admission letter. Double Degree students are not admitted to the separate master programs offered within the double degree, but to the complete joint program only. To graduate, they must pass all the requirements of the double degree program.