Career Development

Prepare for an academic career

This Master's programme offers you structured and systematic training in theoretically and methodologically advanced research. As a graduate of the programme, you will have the academic skills and capacities to perform research that  contributes to solving (complex) social sciences issues. You will be a highly qualified social scientist who can:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of current multidisciplinary theories in the field of migration, ethnic relations, and multiculturalism.
  • Apply theoretical and empirical insights to new phenomena.
  • Use advanced quantitative research methods.
  • Independently complete the empirical cycle of developing a research design, analysing data, drawing conclusions, and presenting research findings to a scientific audience, policymakers, and the general public.

Prepare for a professional career

Students who regard the MSc as the terminus of their academic education can capitalise on their: research experience abroad; foreign language fluency; analytical, research, and reporting skills; and successful completion of a demanding programme.

The career orientation days were very helpful because listening to former students’ experiences gave me an idea of all the possible jobs and organizations (outside of academia) I could work at after graduation. I felt well prepared to enter the labor market after MERM!
Paola Hasbún Lopéz
Paola Hasbún Lopéz
FSW What's Next Logo

What's Next?!

Every year, the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences organises the What's Next?! career event to prepare you for the world of further studies, internships and job-hunting. Over the course of two weeks, you can attend all kinds of free workshops intended to help you plan your future and acquire new skills which will come in handy after your studies. Keep an eye on the What's Next?! web page for more information about the upcoming edition of this event.

After MERM

Migration, Ethnic Relations and Multiculturalism also organizes a yearly career event where current students meet with alumni and learn about their career path after their Master's. We also maintain a community page on LinkedIn where current and former students can connect to each other and share information about international job offers and internship opportunities.

Impression of CareerNight FSBS 2019

Online CareerNight FSBS 2020

In April 2020 the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences organised an online edition of the CareerNight FSW. On this evening, 30 alumni from all programmes of the faculty were present. Students could attend three rounds of panel discussions with alumni from different sectors and talk to the individual alumni to learn more about their position, work activities and organisation.

Career Services

In addition to the activities organised by the programme and the faculty, Utrecht University offers several university-wide services to familiarise you with the labour market.

Career Services offers training related to career orientation and job application skills; examples include writing an job application letter and a resume or how to conduct a job interview. Every faculty has its own Career Officer who can help you discover your talents and interests and help you orientate on future career prospects.

You can find more information about career services on Career Services for Dutch students or Career Services for international students.

Careers Day

 UU CareersDay

Once a year Utrecht University organises the CareersDay, which brings students and companies together. The Careers Day offers you the opportunity to sign up for workshops and trainings, and to meet recruiters at the Career Fair. For example, you can attend a job application training or have your resume checked.

UU CareersDay 2021

For the 2021 online edition, in honour of the Utrecht University CareersDay and Wellbeing week, the Utrecht Union interviewed acclaimed photographer Jimmy Nelson.