Politics, Policy and Societal Development
In the Master's track Politics, Policy and Societal Development of the MSc Sociology, you become an expert in sustainable development in an international context by addressing global societal challenges. You acquire a macro- and meso-level perspective on sustainable development with a focus on social and economic drivers and motives. You translate important societal questions into sociological research to evaluate policies and to serve as input for new policies.
Education and COVID-19
All education takes place on campus again, now that the coronavirus measures have been scaled back. Of course, we will always maintain a safe environment for our students and staff. Therefore, a few basic measures still apply. For the latest updates on the COVID-19 situation, see our FAQs for prospective students.
National Alumni Survey, 2021 | n=10
National Student Survey, 2022 | n=27
Program and courses
Become an expert in sustainable development in an international context by addressing global societal challenges, such as poverty, inequality, migration, climate change, or humanitarian interventions after a natural disaster. You examine and discuss how organizations may address sustainable development goals by designing sustainable business models, leveraging digital platforms and the difficulties and shortcomings these interventions may entail. The core theme is sustainable development with a focus on social and economic motives. You adress societal issues at the macro- and micro-level from a sociological perspective.
- The Politics, Policy and Societal Development track addresses global societal issues from a societal, policy and political perspective. You learn how to run projects and compose teams of experts in an international classroom with 50% international students.
- Become part of an innovative program which brings together academics and students from all over the world in a small-scale and interactive learning environment, with plenty of community building activities.
- The Extended Master's program adds one semester to the total program to provide you with a half-year internship position to enhance your skills and gain relevant work experience.
- With the Double Degree program (Double degree in Sociology and Social Research), you have the opportunity to earn a degree from both Tilburg University and the University of Trento, in Italy.
Related tracks:
- The Sociology: Politics, Policy and Society in Comparative perspective track investigates important societal questions and sociological problems related to politics, social cohesion, and inequality. It studies issues such as rising populism, social movements, and the welfare state. You learn to evaluate social policies and use research as input for new policies.
- The Health, Wellbeing and Society track combines scientific insights from sociology and health sciences. With a strong collaboration with healthcare organizations, you will learn to become a specialist in the field of healthcare policy, societal resilience, and health and wellbeing.
Typical courses are:
- Social Changes and Sustainable Development
- Hybrid Organizations
- Politics and Society in Comparative Perspective
- Social Policy and Social Risks
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Luna Heuperman
Master’s student"I wanted to do something with sustainable development and combine it with my knowledge of psychology and sociology. Through the varied program and practical parts, this program met exactly those needs."
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Dana Foth
Master’s student"I liked the intersectionality of the program, looking at the world's biggest problems from sociological and organizational perspectives to help business solve them."
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Marit Messelink
Student"I wanted to learn about societal challenges and how to tackle them. The unique combination of insights from sociology and organizational sciences gave me the theoretical knowledge and practical tools I need to solve global issues."
Career prospects
You are prepared to lead and participate in change- and innovation-oriented projects aiming to tackle societal challenges. In this program, you learn to combine disciplines to address complex societal challenges from a cross-cultural and international comparative perspective. With this knowledge, you can think beyond country borders and the limits of one area of expertise. These skills are in great demand within companies, organizations and projects operating in international environments.
Some examples of our graduates' jobs:
- Consultant in an international organization, connecting people in order to create the most competent team to solve complex problems.
- Fundraiser finding solutions for poverty, or helping with introducing sustainable practices in supply chains.
- Project manager making projects run smoothly to produce the best possible results.
Alumni facts
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70% of our alumni find a job within 6 months after graduation
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82% would choose the same program again, at the same university
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72% of the graduates is (very) satisfied with the program
Source: National Alumni Survey, recent graduates 2021 | n=11
Application and admission
This program starts:
End of August
Best preparatory programs:
A bachelor’s degree in Global Management of Social Issues, Sociology, Human Resource Studies, Organization Studies, or Social Sciences.
Pre-Master’s program:
If your previous education does not entirely meet the entry requirements, you can do a pre-Master's program at Tilburg University. For this program, the pre-Master's program in Politics, Policy and Societal Development is available to both Research University and Dutch University of Applied Sciences (hbo) students. The pre-Master's program takes half a year (30 ECTS) and starts at the end of August and at the end of January.
Tuition fees and scholarships
International students find all information about tuition fees and scholarships here.
Interested in this Master's program?
More information on this Master's program
Download the brochure with information on program content, admission requirements, career prospects, housing and immigration matters, and student life in Tilburg. Throughout the year you can take part in various types of events: on-campus, abroad or online.
Interested in the Politics, Policy and Societal Development MSc track?
Check your eligibility and the deadlines for application
Related Master’s programs
- Sociology and Social Research (Double Degree with University of Trento, Italy)
- Sociology and Population Studies (Double Degree with UPF Barcelona, Spain)
- Sociology: Bamberg – Tilburg (Double Degree with Bamberg University, Germany)
- Sociology: Politics, Policy and Society in Comparative Perspective track
- Health, Wellbeing and Society track
- Research Master in Social and Behavioral Sciences