Social and Cultural Science: Comparative Research on Societies (research)
Have you ever wondered how diversity, solidarity and inequality are connected? Or how to counter radicalisation? How segregation in social networks arises? How organisational processes influence inequality? This programme is the one for you!
Something for you?
- During this Master's programme, you will study topics such as inequality, cohesion and cultural diversity from a comparative societal perspective.
- Dialogue and discussion are central in the many small-group teaching sessions led by inspiring lecturers of the Master’s programme.
- In this Master's programme, you have the opportunity to collaborate with the best scholars of the research institute Radboud Social and Cultural Research.
- A large majority of our graduates start PhD- and other research positions; almost all of our graduates found work shortly after graduating.
This Master's programme teaches you how to perform high-quality cross-cultural comparative research. You'll learn how to translate social problems into empirical research questions and you will be trained in applying diverse theoretical approaches, research designs, data-collections and analyses to get the best possible answer. What's distinctive about the approach of this programme, is that we synthesise theories and methods of different disciplines, like sociology, anthropology, development studies, political science and communication science.
The three tracks of Social and Cultural Science
By choosing one of the tracks below, you will deepen your knowledge in an area that best matches your interests. The tracks have different theoretical and methodological focuses. All students have the possibility to further personalise their programme through elective courses or an (international) internship.
- Comparative Sociological Research. Questions regarding cohesion and inequality; has a focus on cohesion and inequality in Western societies and on quantitative research methods.
- Comparative Anthropological and Development Studies Research. Questions regarding Cultural Diversity and Inequality; focuses on cultural diversity and inequality in non-Western societies and on qualitative research methods.
- Comparative Political Research. Questions regarding political representation, conflict and inequality, focuses on political institutions and actors, in (non-)democracies and on quantitative and qualitative research methods. In this track, you gain insight into how inequalities, social and cultural diversity shape political interests, conflicts and power. Politics is much more than just elections; it’s also about interest groups such as trade unions, grass roots mobilisation, social movements, protests and revolutions. How do social cleavages create conflicting political interests, and how do political actors respond to this? How do institutions enable and constrain political actors, and when do they succeed or fail in creating change? You will learn how to address such questions through rigorous, theory-driven empirical research.
- ECTS transcript – If you are still completing your Bachelor’s degree, upload an ECTS transcript showing the subjects you have studied, your grades, and the number of credits awarded. Your Bachelor’s diploma must be uploaded later, as soon as you receive it.
- Bachelor’s diploma – If you have already graduated, upload your Bachelor’s diploma. A separate ECTS transcript is not required.
Note: Your Bachelor’s degree must be in the same or a related field as the Master’s programme you are applying for. The university will check whether you have completed enough relevant subjects and ECTS credits.
Important! View the full requirements on the university’s official website. Requirements may vary depending where you completed your bachelor education.
Applicants have to prove their English language skills either by an internationally recognized language test or upon previous studies. Usually English language skills can be proved by the following documents:
- TOEFL iBT*
- IELTS Academic
- A Cambridge English qualification
- Higher education degree completed in English
- Secondary education completed in English in a country or school qualification accepted by the university
- An English subject and grade on your secondary school leaving certificate that meet the university’s requirements
- Other
Important: Accepted methods and minimum results depend on study programme and the country where you completed your education. Check the official requirements for your chosen study programme.
*Use the Kastu promo code LTU1000102 when registering for TOEFL iBT and receive a 5% discount.
The career prospects of a graduate of Social and Cultural Science are good; a large majority of our graduates gain PhD and other research positions. Almost all of our graduates found work shortly after graduating.
There are plenty of options open to graduates of the research Master’s in Social and Cultural Science, such as:
- Scientific research career (academia). The programme provides an excellent basis for a scientific research career and attaining PhD positions.
- Societal research career. Our graduates can also go on to have careers in relevant non-academic research and policy institutes like government ministries, Statistics Netherlands (CBS), The Netherlands Institute for Social Research (SCP) and The Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement (NSCR) and foreign equivalents.
- Other. Of course, this Master’s programme does not close other doors. Students with a research Master’s are also highly sought after by (commercial) businesses and organisations because of their analytical and communication skills and in-depth understanding of social and cultural behaviour. Other careers, such as policymaker, manager, journalist, etc are certainly within reach.
