Profile and Mission

Mission

The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences’ mission is to conduct high quality and relevant scientific research and also to provide a challenging academic environment in the areas of human behaviour and human society. Research and education contribute to critical reflection on society, human behaviour and their mutual connections.

Profile

With circa 5,650 students and 800 employees, the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences offers 7 undergraduate programmes (Interdisciplinary Social Science, Cultural Anthropology, Educational Sciences, Pedagogical Sciences, Psychology and Sociology). This Social Sciences Faculty is the only institution in the Netherlands to offer the University Teacher Education Programme for Primary Education, which it does in collaboration with the Hogeschool Utrecht. There are also 14 taught degree programmes, ranging from Latin American and Caribbean Studies to Neuropsychology, 7 research programmes, and 1 teacher training programme.

Research at the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences is concentrated into five research institutes. Our researchers conduct large-scale and fundamental research projects and participate in renowned research institutes in the Netherlands and abroad. This enables the Faculty to help, understand and solve current and future issues in the fields of: man and society, labour, health-care and welfare, multiculturalism, perception and cognition, psychology and health, education and development.

Across disciplinary borders

Our broad range of programmes and research domains offers opportunities for thematic combinations of research and education. For example, engaging research is under development that transcends the borders of the various disciplines, creating appealing options for students and an inspiring research environment for talented researchers. This is also one of the ways that the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences makes a valuable contribution to addressing scientific and societal issues.

Future prospects

The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences invests in quality teaching and research via activities that span multiple disciplines and faculties by maintaining a constant focus on the link between teaching and research, modern research methods and approaches to education.