Universitat Pompeu Fabra

Sociology and Population Studies (Double degree)

1.5 years English Starts end of August

Study modern societies by combining the Sociology Master’s programs from Tilburg University and Universitat Pompeu Fabra (Spain). Learn how to identify the main forces and challenges faced by key social institutions in modern society, such as families, schools, communities, and jobs. Focus on sociological and demographical research at Universitat Pompeu Fabra and learn to translate societal problems into new policies at Tilburg University.

Top 175
in Social Sciences worldwide

Times Higher Education Ranking, 2024

#94
in the field of Social Sciences and Management

QS World University Rankings, 2023

72%
is (very) satisfied with the program

National Alumni Survey, 2021 | n = 11

Program and courses

Get two full Master’s degrees in Sociology in 1,5 years from two outstanding academic institutions in Europe. You will spend your first year in Barcelona (Spain) and your second year in Tilburg. By combining two related subject areas with different approaches you will learn how to identify the main forces and challenges faced by key social institutions in modern society, such as families, schools, communities, and jobs. At Universitat Pompeu Fabra you will focus on sociological and demographical analyses and research while at Tilburg University you will focus on how to translate societal problems into new (healthcare) policies

  • You will get small-scaleinteractive education with excellent individual thesis supervision and enthusiastic teachers
  • You only write one Master's thesis.
  • Enhance your skills and gain relevant work experience by doing an Extended Master's program and doing an internship (30 ECTS).
  • Tailor your program to your interests and create an individualunique profile by choosing elective courses in the first year.
  • At Tilburg University, you can choose one of the two tracks:
    • The track Sociology: Politics, Policy and Society in 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. 

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 was really enriching and led me to attain two Master's degrees. After this experience, I started the extended master's 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. You could work in fields such as labor and employment, culture, welfare, recreation, education, or health care for a wide range of employers, including government institutions, private companies, and research agencies.

Some examples of our graduates' jobs:

  • Policy officer
  • Management trainee at Alliander 
  • Junior policy advisor & researcher at ARQ Knowledge Center 

Alumni facts

  •  70% of our alumni find a job within 6 months after graduation
  •  82% would choose the same program again, at the same university
  • 72% of the graduates is (very) satisfied with the program

Source: National Alumni Survey, recent graduates 2021 | n=11

More on your career prospects

Students on campus enjoying the good weather

Admission and application

This program starts:

In September (in Barcelona, Spain). 

Best preparatory programs:

  • Sociology
  • Psychology
  • Social Geography
  • Anthropology
  • Culture Studies
  • Human Resource Studies
  • Organization and Management Studies
  • Liberal Arts and Sciences

Pre-Master's program:

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. Please note that the pre-Master’s program starts in Tilburg and has two intake moments (end of August and end of January).

Tuition fees and scholarships

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

Interested in this Master's program?

Check your eligibility

Students walking in the Koopmans building

More information on this Master's program

Create your own e-brochure with information on program content, admission requirements, career prospects, 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 Double degree in Sociology and Population Studies?

Check your eligibility and the deadlines for application