Master's students at their graduation ceremony

Sociology and Population Studies (Double degree)

1.5 years English Starts end of August

Study modern societies in Tilburg and Barcelona. Learn how to identify the main forces and challenges faced by key social institutions in modern society, such as families, schools, communities, and jobs. Universitat Pompeu Fabra and Tilburg University, two of the highest-ranked Social Science Departments in Europe, have combined their strengths to offer excellent double-degree research training.

On-campus education and online education | pleased to meet you

This academic year, education will take place partly online and partly on campus. Of course, we will always maintain a safe environment for our students and staff. For the latest updates on the corona situation see our FAQ for prospective students.

4
average number of months until first paid job

National Alumni Survey, 2020 | n = 6

#72
in Social Sciences worldwide

QS World University Rankings, 2021

74%
of current students is (very) satisfied with the program

National Student Survey, 2021 | n = 33

Program and courses

Get two full Master’s degrees in Sociology in 1,5 years from two outstanding academic institutions by combining two related subject areas with different approaches. Graduate both as Master of Research in Sociology and Demography at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF) and Master of Science in Sociology at Tilburg University. An ultimate international experience by studying both in Barcelona and the Netherlands.

At Tilburg University you can choose one of two tracks:

  • The general track Sociology: Politics, Policy and Society in a Comparative Perspective, focuses on translating societal problems into sociological research from both micro (family, social networks, crime) and macro perspectives (welfare, state, solidarity) in order to evaluate current policy and derive new ones.
  • 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. 

In the first year of the program, you can choose elective courses. This way, you can tailor your study program and create an individual, unique profile. Education takes place in a small-scale, interactive manner, and each student will get excellent individual thesis supervision.

Extend your master with a traineeship

Expand your knowledge and practical skills even further with a traineeship. The Extended Master provides you with a half year traineeship position and adds one semester to the total program. 

Typical courses are

  • Demographic Changes and Social Dynamics
  • Family, Gender and Society
  • Social Policy and Social Risks
  • Politics and Society in Comparative Perspective

More on the program and courses

  • Milou van den Bemd - Double Degree in Sociology and Population Studies

    Milou van den Bemd

    Extended Master's student

    "Studying abroad really enriches me and now I had the chance to attain two Master degrees in one-and-a-half year. I felt I could do more and started the extended master with an internship at Research Institute Telos."

Career prospects

Sociology and Population Studies is a broad, internationally oriented program that can lead to employment in a wide range of fields and jobs in Europe and beyond. Work in fields such as labor and employment, culture, welfare, recreation, education, or health care. Wide range of employers, ranging from government institutions to private companies and research agencies.

  • Interested in business, marketing, or journalism? The Guardian states that Sociology gives you a head-start, listing a range of specific abilities and skills associated with a degree in sociology, including the “ability to judge and evaluate evidence; understanding the complexity and diversity of situations(…); collecting information; making reasoned and logical arguments.”

Some examples of our graduates' jobs:

  • European Commission
  • Medtronic
  • Netherlands Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment

More on your career prospects

Students on campus enjoying the good weather

Admission and application

This program starts:

In September in Barcelona, Spain. Please note: the pre-Master’s program starts  at the end of August and at the end of January, in Tilburg.

Best preparatory programs:

Sociology, Psychology, Social Geography, Anthropology, Culture Studies, Human Resource Studies, Organization Studies, and Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Pre-Master:

Half-year (30 ECTS) pre-Master’s program available if your previous program is relevant but does not meet the required entry level, for example a Bachelor's degree from a University of Applied Sciences.

Tuition fees and scholarships

International students find all information about tuition fees and scholarships here.

Interested in this Master's program?

Check your eligibility

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More information

Please feel free to contact us for your personal queries. You can contact us on every page of the master's website. Or find out more by choosing one of the options below.

Personalized brochure

Create your own customized brochure with information on program content, admission requirements, career prospects, housing and immigration matters, and student life in Tilburg.

Download my brochure

Meet us

Throughout the year you have the opportunity to meet us and learn more about Tilburg University and the programs that we offer. You can take part in various types of events: on-campus, abroad or online.

Take a virtual campus tour

Interested in the Double degree in Sociology and Population Studies?

Check your eligibility and the deadlines for application

Application and admission

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