Overview

This Master's programme teaches you how to perform high-quality cross-cultural comparative research. You'll learn how to translate social problems into empirical research questions and you will be trained in applying diverse theoretical approaches, research designs, data-collections and analyses to get the best possible answer. What's distinctive about the approach of this programme, is that we synthesise theories and methods of different disciplines, like sociology, anthropology, development studies, political science and communication science.

Future career opportunities

The career prospects of a graduate of Social and Cultural Science are good; a large majority of our graduates gain PhD and other research positions. Almost all of our graduates found work shortly after graduating.

Accreditation

This programme is accredited by the NVAO (the Dutch-Flemish accreditation organisation).

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Programme Structure

In the first year, you will do a research project in which you conduct a small-scale empirical research under guided supervision of a researcher. You will write your process and research results like a scientific journal paper. The project is done in small groups (2-3 students) and prepares you well to independently conduct a comparative empirical social science study for your Master’s thesis in the second year.

In the core of the programme, students will be made familiar with the theories and methodological approaches that bind the different social science disciplines. The courses that constitute the core are followed by all students together. This ensures multidisciplinary views on the research themes inequality, cohesion and cultural diversity. Furthermore, you will have to choose one track:

Comparative Sociological Research
Comparative Anthropological and Development Studies Research
Comparative Political Research

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Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 24 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-09-01 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-05-01 00:00:00 , EEA/EU
- Apply before 2026-07-01 00:00:00 , National
Starting 2027-09-01 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-04-01 00:00:00 , International

More details

EU/EEA: 1st May (with housing support) to 1st July
Non-EU/EEA: 1st April (with housing support)
31 January for non-EU/EEA students applying for a scholarship

Language

English

TOEFL^® IBT

100

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IELTS

7

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4.9/5 student rating

Credits

120 ECTS

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Nijmegen, Netherlands

Disciplines

Area & Cultural Studies Sociology View 55 other Masters in Sociology in Netherlands

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

100

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

7

Prepare for Your English Test

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AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

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98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

The Research Master's programme in Social and Cultural Science is a selective programme, which means that a selection and placement process applies. The outcome of the assessment of your previous education determines whether you can be admitted to the selection and placement process. You are admissible to the selection and placement process if you have completed a Bachelor's degree in:

Sociology
Cultural Anthropology
Development Studies
Communication Science
or a related discipline.

Radboud University does not offer a pre-Master’s programme in Social and Cultural Science.

Language tests and scores

TOEFL iBT

Minimum score: 100

Subscores: 22

Please note: the TOEFL Home Edition is not accepted.

IELTS Academic

Minimum score: 7.0

Subscores: 6.5

Cambridge C1 Advanced

Minimum score: 185

Subscores: 176

Cambridge C2 proficiency

Minimum score: 185

Subscores: 176

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Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

15063 EUR / year

≈ 15063 EUR / year
EU/EEA Applies to you

Applies to you

EU/EEA Nationals

2695 EUR / year

≈ 2695 EUR / year

Additional Details

Statutory tuition fee €2,695.00 per year
Institutional tuition fee EU/EEA €10,705.00 per year
Institutional tuition fee non-EU/EEA €15,063.00 per year

Living costs

Nijmegen

Netherlands

800 - 1000 EUR / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

Radboud Scholarship Programme

The Radboud Scholarship Programme offers talented, highly motivated, non-EU/EEA students with outstanding study results the opportunity to be awarded a partial scholarship for an English-taught Master’s programme.

NL Scholarship (for prospective students)

The NL Scholarship (formerly known as Holland Scholarship) is a partial scholarship for non-EU/EEA students who want to do their Master’s in the Netherlands.

Fulbright-Radboud Scholarships

The Fulbright Commission, sponsored by Radboud University, is offering scholarships for talented American students to study at Radboud University.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Social and Cultural Science - Comparative Research on Societies (Research).

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

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About

Overview

Future career opportunities

Accreditation

Get more details

Programme Structure

Check out the full curriculum

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

Explore more key information

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Make sure you meet all requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

EU/EEA Applies to you

Additional Details

Living costs

Nijmegen

Funding

Radboud Scholarship Programme

NL Scholarship (for prospective students)

Fulbright-Radboud Scholarships

Check for any work restrictions

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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