Tilburg University is a research university located in the city of Tilburg in the Netherlands. It was founded in 1927 and offers a range of bachelor's, master's, and PhD programs in fields such as economics, law, social sciences, humanities, and theology. The university is known for its expertise in fields such as economics, business, psychology, and law, and is home to a number of research institutes and centers focused on these areas. Tilburg University has a strong international focus, with students from over 100 countries and partnerships with over 150 universities worldwide. It is also a member of several international research and educational networks.

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Combine the Sociology Master’s programs from Tilburg University and the University of Bamberg (Germany). The program features a research-oriented curriculum from sociological theory to empirical social research. You’ll attend classes in sociological theory, empirical research methods, social structure analysis, and social policy. Show less

Program content
Courses at Bamberg University
You will take seven courses in research, data acquisition and data analysis (42 ECTS) and three content courses (18 ECTS ) during your first year at the University of Bamberg:

Sociological Theory, Lecture (6 ECTS)
Research Design (6 ECTS)
Two courses in Advanced Methods of Data Aquisition (12 ECTS)
Four elective courses in Advanced Methods of Data Analysis (24 ECTS)
Two elective courses in Education and Work in the Life Course (12 ECTS)
Total 1st year: 60 ECTS

Courses at Tilburg University
You will take the following courses in block 1: August – October
Social Movements: Social Media, Democracy and Change
You get a thorough introduction into the scientific field of social movement research. In a globalizing context and the current network and information society, it has become easier than ever to connect with people, share ideas and mobilize in collective action. In the recent decade we have seen several examples in which local movements spread globally through social media.
Analyse Seminar Master Sociology
You will take the following courses in block 2: October – January
Social Policy and Social Risks
Address social policy and welfare states and discover how various 'welfare regime types' have developed over time in different countries, reflective of different concepts of social solidarity and leading to varied outcomes in terms of economic well-being, stratification patterns, and life-course risks.
Master Seminar Sociology: From Theory to Research
Throughout the program, you participate in the Master's seminar Sociology, which prepares you for writing your thesis.
Analyse Seminar Master Sociology
Master's thesis
You will take the following courses in block 3: January – March
The Social Structures of Western Societies
During this course, you get an outline of the main sociological concepts, theories, research and debates of the social structure of western society in general, and three important elements (social class, family and ethnicity) in particular. Learn to describe and explain the impact of national institutions, history and traditions, and overarching trends such as modernization and globalization in a micro-macro perspective.
Master Seminar Sociology: From Theory to Research
Throughout the program, you participate in the Master's seminar Sociology, which prepares you for writing your thesis.
Analyse Seminar Master Sociology
Master's thesis
You will take the following courses in block 4: March – July
Politics and Society in Comparative Perspective
Develop cross-country analyses of politics and societies, particularly focusing on the rise of populistic groups and of populistic rhetoric.
Analyse Seminar Master Sociology
Master's thesis
Full overview program and courses

Master’s thesis at Tilburg University
Start your Master’s thesis (24 ECTS) at Tilburg University in your second year by drawing your Individual Research Proposal (IRP) with feedback from the thesis supervisors. This proposal will be presented within the framework of the Master Seminar Sociology in unit 1 and 2.

You will write your Master’s thesis under joint supervision of faculty members of both University of Bamberg and Tilburg University.
Your thesis can have a more empirical theoretical accent with scientifically relevant conclusions, or can be a sociological analysis of a social or practical problem and existing interventions leading to relevant policy conclusions.
Preferably, a Master’s thesis has a strong link with the departmental research program.
Defend your Master’s thesis at Tilburg University in February of the second academic year.

Thesis examples from the Sociology track (Politics, Policy and Society in Comparative Perspective):
Discrimination of minorities in the labor market
Is judicial legitimacy declining, and why?
Health apps and psychological constraints
School dropout among ethnic minorities
Social contacts and feelings of trust
Religiosity and civic morality in the Netherlands
Analysis of European values
Please note: programs are subject to change. We advise you to look up the current program in OSIRIS Student at the start of the year.

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You will need to book the accommodation after you have been accepted.

You can choose to live on campus or off campus in private accommodation.

How to book:

• Make a booking online after you have been accepted (in this case please let us know your choice when you apply).
• Register when you arrive - its not possible to reserve a room before arriving. You can arrive a few days before and book it

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