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Social and Behavioural Sciences (research)

Leerdoel

The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences (FSW) offers programmes and conducts research in Behavioural, Organisational, and Social Sciences. The prevalent methodological perspective is an empirical-analytical one. It is designed for students interested in examining major societal issues from a fundamental scientific point of view. Excellent students in relevant discipline (psychology, sociology, organisational sciences, human resource, leisure studies) can enter this master if the right elective courses have been followed during the bachelor. Admission is further based on results achieved: minimal (Dutch) grade 7.5 (75%) or equivalent. Students from countries outside Western Europe or North America will have to do an admission test. Around 30 students will be admitted every year.

Afstudeervarianten

Within the programme, four different �tracks� are distinguished. Certain parts of the programme are the same for all students, while other parts are track specific. The tracks are:

• Psychology and Health
• Psychology and Society
• Social, Cultural and Organisational Dynamics
• Methodology and Statistics

Programma

The master�s degree programme in Research in Social and Behavioural Sciences (M.Phil) is a two-year programme leading to the Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) degree. The faculty�s best researchers and research groups will participate in this programme. The proposed programme focuses on four specialisations: two in psychology (psychology and health, psychology and society), one in social, cultural and organizational dynamics and one in methods and statistics. The goal of the two-year master�s programme in research is to prepare students with a bachelor�s degree to do fundamental scientific research on their own. It will provide students with the knowledge and skills to carry out research at the frontiers of the substantive fields in which the staff of the faculty is specialized. The training focuses on theories and methods of the social and behavioural sciences and aims at developing knowledge, ability, and insight. The programme has a strong international orientation and will be taught in English. The programme starts in September 2005.

Toelatingseisen

Students must apply for enrollment in the programme. The admission committee, appointed by the dean, decides about admission on an individual basis. Approximately 30 students can enrol. The admission requirements are as follows: A bachelor�s degree, which provided undergraduate training in a relevant discipline (psychology, sociology, organisational sciences, human resources, leisure studies). If students from outside the Netherlands apply, it will be checked whether the bachelor�s programme that the student followed is comparable to the bachelor�s programme at Tilburg University; An average score of 7.5 (75%) for the courses in the second- and third-year bachelor�s programme, or equivalent; Sufficient knowledge of the English language. Students who are not native speakers of English will have to pass the TOEFL, a language admissions test, with at least 600 for the paper based version and 250 for the computer based version; Sufficient talent for and affinity with doing scientific research. Students will have to show the bachelor�s thesis or a comparable essay from the bachelor�s degree; Supportive evidence of a suitable attitude and motivation for the successful completion of the programme will have to come from an application letter and two letters of reference. In case of doubt, the board of the graduate school can decide to have an additional interview as part of the selection procedure. Students with a bachelor�s degree other than those mentioned above can also apply for an admission. We strongly recommend that students from this group take the opportunity for getting a preliminary advice on their chances of being admitted. Note that the programme has only one moment of entry each year: September 1th. Admission will be open from January 2005.

Beroepsperspectief en arbeidsmarkt

Students who have completed this two-year master�s programme will also be qualified for high-level research positions at universities and R&D departments of governmental institutes; companies involved in applied or fundamental research, such as Statistics Netherlands (CBS) and the Social and Cultural Planning Office (SCP); research institutes for assessment, consultancy, and marketing; and the top research institutes for basic and applied research in the Netherlands and abroad. Furthermore, students will be able to successfully enter and finish a Ph.D. programme at this faculty. Additionally, students will also have the skills and qualifications to apply for similar positions at other universities.