Study programme

In the first period, all students follow a joint programme. During this period, various aspects of contemporary social problems and policy processes are tackled by building a theoretical and empirical toolkit sharpened by real-life examples from professionals in the field. You will also embark on the 'Academic Professional' course. This course covers the entire year and will help you develop your professional identity in preparation for the labour market. 

You will make a choice between three tracks:

• Essentials of care
• Criminology and safety
• The Digital Society

You will be able to focus on specific content in each track. We also believe in the importance of linking theories and tracks to tackle important societal issues. For instance, domestic violence as a topic linking care and crime, or online bullying as a topic linking digital social research and crime. That is why each track includes three components:

1. the first sociological track course
2. a track elective from another discipline;
3. a track elective from one of the other tracks.

Your internship and thesis will be closely related. During your internship, you will do research at an organisation or company. Institutions where students may do an internship and conduct research include: policymaking and policy-evaluation units of municipal, provincial, national or international governments, semi-government agencies and strategic policy units within large companies, consultancies and NGOs.