Student op de brug voor Koopmans

Career prospects Research Master in Social and Behavioral Sciences

As a graduate of the Research Master’s program in Social and Behavioral Sciences you are an all-round researcher who can think out of the box and is specialized in one of four academic disciplines. You will have the knowledge and skills to successfully enter and finish a PhD program at Tilburg University, or any other university in the world.

You will be a highly desirable candidate for high-level research positions at universities and Research & Development departments of governmental institutes; and companies involved in applied or fundamental research.

Naturally, you also have been trained for high-level positions as policy researcher and advisor, organization advisor, and management consultant.

Below, you can check out your career perspectives per track.

Sociology track

Knowledge and skills

You are trained to translate major social trends into empirical research questions, using theoretical insights and advanced research methods. This track gives you a competitive advantage in any career that requires sharp analytical and problem-solving skills, project management, or hands-on experience with the full empirical research cycle. Our graduates have developed strong careers in and outside academia. You are also well-prepared for a PhD program at Tilburg University or any other university. 

Typical starting positions

  • PhD student
  • Researcher
  • Teacher
  • Analyst
  • Trainee
  • Project Officer
  • Policy Officer
Methods and Statistics track

Knowledge and skills

In the Methods and Statistics track, you acquire the necessary skills and competencies for a successful career in academia or outside of it. For example, at research universities and research institutes, Shell, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen Pharmaceutica, Statistics Netherlands, Eurostat, Qualtrics, or Growth for Knowledge. You have a competitive advantage in any career that requires sharp analytical and problem-solving skills, project management, or hands-on experience with the full empirical research cycle. In addition, you are specialized to tackle research questions involving complex data. You are also well-prepared for a PhD program at Tilburg University or any other university. 

Typical starting positions

  • PhD student
  • Researcher
  • Analyst
  • Trainee
  • Project Officer
  • Policy Officer
Organization Studies track

Knowledge and skills

This track gives you a competitive advantage in any career that requires sharp analytical and problem-solving skills, project management, or hands-on experience with the full empirical research cycle.  As a graduate, you understand how organizations are structured and developed, and you are able to analyze and deal with problems in organizations, which is vital in an ever-changing society. Our graduates have developed strong careers in- and outside academia. You are also well-prepared for a PhD program at Tilburg University or any other university. 

Students that follow the track Organization Studies find jobs inside and outside academia that require proficiency in data analysis. Most graduates in this track find jobs as a data analyst, PhD student, or consultant at private organizations. 

Typical starting positions

  • PhD student
  • Researcher
  • Teacher
  • Analyst
  • Trainee
  • Project Officer
  • Policy Officer
Social Psychology track

Knowledge and skills

You are trained to translate major social trends into empirical research questions, using theoretical insights and advanced research methods. This track gives you a competitive advantage in any career that requires sharp analytical and problem-solving skills, project management, or hands-on experience with the full empirical research cycle, including publication. Our graduates have developed strong careers in and outside academia. You are also well-prepared for a PhD program at Tilburg University or any other university. 

Typical starting positions

  • PhD student
  • Researcher
  • Teacher
  • Analyst
  • Trainee
  • Project Officer
  • Policy Officer

Recent placements include:

  • PhD student (Leuven University)
  • Behavioral Change Expert (Dijksterhuis & Van Baaren)
  • Data analyst and Research Expert (ING Bank)
  • Project Management Trainee at Philips University
  • HR data analyst (EY)
  • Labor Mobility Advisor Central Government
  • Data Consultant Insights & Data at Capgemini

Alumni facts

  • Average number of months until first paid job: 3.5
  • 75% of our alumni find a job within 3 months after graduation
  • 75% would choose this Master's degree program again
  • Gross monthly income: €2,983
  • 75% of our graduates is (very) satisfied with the Master's program in general
  • Graduates are most satisfied with the acquired academic skills within the Master's program

Source: National Alumni Survey, 2021| n = 4

PhD Opportunities

As a graduate of the Research Master’s program in Social and Behavioral Sciences you will have the knowledge and skills to successfully enter and finish a PhD program at Tilburg University, or any other university in the world.

Interested in a PhD position at Tilburg University?

Go to PhD programs at Tilburg University.

After your Master's

Your transition to the labor market

We help you prepare for your transition to the labor market by offering a number of career services:

  • Coaching, support and training courses offered by our Student Career Services to improve your employability and communication skills.

  • Dedicated Career Services Officers who can give you individual career guidance or help you to find interesting and relevant internships.

  • Familiarize yourself with the labor market and meet potential employers by participating in several career events, which are organized every year in collaboration with the study associations.

  • To those who wish to discover and develop their entrepreneurial talent, we offer education and support services.

More on our Career Services

More on our Entrepreneurship services

Working in the Netherlands after graduation

After obtaining a Master’s degree in the Netherlands, non-EEA students can apply for a residence permit under the Orientation Year for Highly Educated Persons’ scheme. This allows you to spend a period of up to twelve months in the Netherlands to find employment.

Interested in the Research Master in Social and Behavioral Sciences?

Do you have:

  • the ambitions for an intellectual challenge

  • strong critical and analytical abilities

  • an interest in and experience with doing research

Then check your eligibility and the deadlines for application.