General Description

In the MSc programme on Migration, Ethnic Relations and Multiculturalism (MERM), you will acquire the knowledge and skills you need to provide an answer to such questions through high-level research. If it is your ambition to do research on migration and ethnic relations and become an accomplished researcher, you are invited to apply for admission to this programme.
 
In the first part of the programme, we analyse the various phases and aspects of migration flows and the integration of ethnic minorities in countries in Europe. You will draw up inventories of the factors leading to migration, the characteristics of different migrant groups, and the migration policies of European countries. We then consider group identification processes among immigrant communities and host populations, as well as attitudes in host countries towards immigrants, immigration and cultural differences. In other courses, we go on to analyse the dynamics of prejudice, racism and nationalism; patterns of individual and collective mobility of immigrants; as well as the dynamics of their acculturation and integration. Finally, we look at the nature and consequences of ethnic/national heterogeneity of national states, especially with respect to the likelihood of ethnic mobilisation, ethnic conflict and separatism.

In each semester of the first year, students follow two courses that focus on theory, one course on methods and statistics, and one workshop. The workshops integrate the theoretical and statistical knowledge provided in the other courses, and students learn how to apply it to actual research questions. The second year continues with research training, research seminars, and the final Master’s project. Students conclude the programme with a Master's thesis and a draft research article for international publication.

The MERM MSc in Utrecht offers you a unique opportunity to investigate issues of migration and ethnic relations under the supervision of leading experts from the European Research Center on Migration and Ethnic Relations (ERCOMER). ERCOMER is located within the Inter-university Center for Social Science Theory and Methodology (ICS), and has a strong record of pioneering interdisciplinary research and teaching in the field of migration and ethnic relations.