Methodology and Statistics for the Behavioural, Biomedical and Social Sciences

STATE-OF-THE-ART RESEARCH IN METHODOLOGY AND STATISTICS

Modern society is highly data-driven. Everything is monitored and measured, yet there are major challenges to finding optimal ways to design research, analyse data, and extract the most valuable information.

This selective Master’s programme combines the research expertise of the following departments:

• Department of Methodology and Statistics (UU)
• Department of Biostatistics, University Medical Centre Utrecht (UU)
• Department of Research Methodology, Measurement and Data Analysis (UT)
• Statistics Netherlands

The collaboration between these departments provides you with an exceptionally broad range of internship opportunities and thesis topics focused on the following fields: Behavioural Sciences | Biomedical Sciences | Social Sciences

High Quality

The programme is recognised as a high quality programme and has been awarded high ratings in the past years by established rankings in the Netherlands.  

Combining theory and application

Through the programme’s cutting-edge research in methodology and statistics, you will acquire the knowledge and skills needed to carry out fundamental and applied research at the level of a PhD project. This two-year Master’s programme provides you with answers to questions such as:

• What is the best way to set up a clinical trial to test new medical treatments?
• How do we estimate the number of illegal immigrants in the Netherlands?
• How do we obtain valid answers in a survey about sensitive topics like income or tax fraud?
• How do we accumulate knowledge through Bayesian updating techniques?

You will also develop your ability to consult with applied researchers on a wide range of methodological and statistical issues. During your studies, you will select a specialisation in the behavioural, biomedical, or social sciences, which you will explore in depth through electives and (the preparation for) your Master’s thesis.

International orientation

Every year, students are invited to participate in the organisation of conferences, through which they have the opportunity to interact with scientists from around the world. In addition, there are opportunities to take electives abroad.

Excellent career prospects

The Methodology and Statistics programme prepares you for a scientific career in academia, research institutes, government organisations, NGOs, or private enterprises. Utrecht University, University Medical Centre Utrecht, the University of Twente and Statistics Netherlands maintain strong partnerships with various non-academic institutions, such as CITO, CentERData, TNO, UMCU, LSAC, ETS, AMC, SAS, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment, Stichting Arq, Dutch Inspectorate of Education, Danone, and Ex:plain, which provide excellent career prospects for our students. The majority of our graduates obtain positions as PhD students either in one of the departments that coordinate this Master’s programme or in other related departments in the Netherlands or abroad.

Thesis and preparation

You can prepare for and write your thesis at one of the participating departments, or you can broaden your experience by working with other organisations, such as CITO, Social Cultural Planning Office, TNO, or Research Centre for Examination and Certification.

Programme objective

Through this Master’s programme, you will develop the skills and knowledge to function as a qualified practitioner who is ready for PhD training or a research career outside academia. You'll learn how to:

• develop methodological and statistical approaches that are required by new developments;
• evaluate commonly used methodological and statistical approaches; and
• apply methodological and statistical approaches in cooperation with behavioural, biomedical, and social sciences researchers.

You will be fully equipped with the academic skills and knowledge necessary for your future career.