You are eligible for the Research Master's programme if you meet the following requirements:
- You hold a university Bachelor's degree in the social sciences or the arts
- You have basic knowledge of social scientific research methods
- You have a sufficient level of English proficiency (see below)
- An average grade in your previous studies of at least 7.5 according to the Dutch grading system
Among candidates who meet the above requirements, a further selection is made on the basis of the following criteria:
- Connection between your previous studies and the Research master's programme
- Grade point average (GPA)
- Analytical and academic writing skills
- Motivation
- International background
- Reference letter
All teaching is carried out in English. We must be convinced that you have sufficient fluency in written and spoken English to cope with the course from the start.
We ask you to provide evidence of your command of English. You should include your test scores, if available, in the relevant section of the application form.
You meet the English proficiency requirement if:
- you have a Dutch ‘vwo’ diploma and grade of 7 or higher in English;
- you hold an International Baccalaureate diploma including English Standard Level (A) or English Higher Level (A or B);
- you hold a European Baccalaureate diploma including English as 1st or 2nd language;
- You are a native speaker of English (i.e. a national of one of the following countries: Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom and the United States of America) and you have obtained a diploma of secondary education in English for at least 2,5 years in one of the above countries; or
- You have obtained your diploma of higher education in English (the entire programme) in one of the following countries: Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South-Africa, the UK or the USA.
- We usually deem the level of English (the entire programme) Bachelor programmes at West European or Scandinavian universities sufficient for exemption as well.
If you do not meet one of the above requirements, you may demonstrate proof of proficiency in English through any of the following tests (online IELTS and TOEFL tests are not allowed):
- IELTS Academic with a minimum score of 7.0 overall. All sub scores should at least be 6.5.
- TOEFL iBT Internet based with a minimum score of 100. All sub scores should at least be 23.
- Cambridge C1 Advanced or Cambridge C2 Proficiency with a minimum score of at least 185.
Please note that the test may not be older than two years at the time of application. Also note that it takes several weeks before the results of the tests are known. Take this into consideration when you think of applying. Without the results, we will not be able to assess your application.
Deadlines for submitting proof of English proficiency:
- non-EEA students: no later than 15 May
- EEA students: no later than 1 August
We would like to point out that having a solid command of the English language will greatly benefit the applicant’s study success. We expect students contribute to our lectures and group discussions, as well as being able to speak, read and write in English. An insufficient command of the English language will affect their study success negatively.
As a rule, students are admitted to the full two-year programme. If you have demonstrated academic excellence (minimum GPA of 8 and at least a 8 on your thesis) motivation during one of the regular Erasmus University one-year master’s programmes in Sociology, Arts and Culture Studies, Media, or Communication and your English meets the standard, you may apply for admission to an abridged version of the programme. If you are admitted, you are exempt from the research traineeship and exchange, resulting in an abridged version of the programme of approximately one year.
Unfortunately, you cannot apply directly for a Master’s degree programme. You will have to apply for a pre-master’s programme first (if available). After finishing the one-year pre-master’s programme, you will be automatically admitted to the related Master’s degree specialisation.
Of course, you can also check the detailed admission criteria on the programme’s website.
Yes, you can apply and we will consider your application. However, any offer made to you will be conditional until you meet all of the entry requirements. Please plan your test as soon as possible. Bear in mind that it will take several weeks before you receive an official copy of your test results. If you are admitted, please send us your language test results no later than the deadline mentioned in your admissions offer. Without official proof of your English language proficiency at the required level, we cannot register you as a student for the programme!
If you have not yet taken any English test, we recommend that you take TOEFL -iBT or IELTS academic.
Check the programme’s entry requirements to see which scores you need to obtain in the language test. A Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE - grade B or A) or a Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) will also be accepted.
Please note:
- Test results of the First Certificate in English (FCE) and the TOEIC-test are not accepted!
- Please plan your test as soon as possible. Bear in mind that it will take several weeks before you receive an official copy of your test results.
- If you are admitted, please send us your language test results no later than the deadline mentioned in your admissions offer. Without official proof of your English language proficiency at the required level, we cannot register you as a student for the programme!
No, we do not. Therefore, you need to submit a digital copy of your English language test report.
For native speakers and graduates of recognised academic programmes taught entirely in English, the obligation to take a language test may be dropped after considering their academic performance.
In the Admission Portal you need to upload an official document stating the language of instruction of your Bachelor’s degree programme.