Master Sociology
Peter Achterberg (head of department)
Ruud Luijkx (lecturer and program director)
Maurice Vonk (extended master student)
Angelica Maineri (former master student)

Master: Politics, Policy, and Society in Comparative Perspective
Start: End of August / end of January
Master Open Day: November 4th

1. What does the program look like?
 Master Sociology
 Extended Master Sociology
2. Student experience
3. Career perspectives
4. Admission & Application
5. More information
Program (Extended) Master Sociology
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What does the
program look like?

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A. Master Sociology
B. Extended Master Sociology
C. Research Master Social and Behavioral Sciences
D. Double Degree Programs
- Tilburg University & University of Trento (IT)
- Tilburg University & University Pompeu Fabra (Barcelona, ES)
Options
Two intake moments

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• One year, 60 ECTS
• Two semesters: 4 units
• Language: English
• Title: MSc
• Two intake moments
 August 2018
 January 2018
A. Master Sociology

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• Societally oriented
How does internet use affect our social networks?
How can we explain the rise of radical right parties?
Profile Master Sociology
Politics, Policy, and Society in Comparative Perspective

804/11/2017Master Sociology
• Nostalgia
• Anti-Elitism
• Nativism
• Anti-trade openness
• Comparison with other
countries…
• Wilders’ PVV
• Le Pen’s FN
• Grillo’s 5 star movement…
• Petry’s, AfD
• Duterte, PDP, Philippines
• Farage’s UKIP
The inevitable Trump

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• Societally oriented
How can we explain the rise of radical right parties?
How does internet use affect our social networks?
• Research oriented
Master’s Thesis / more advanced statistics
• Policy oriented
How do different policies shape individuals’ behavior?
How effective are they?
Profile Master Sociology
Politics, Policy, and Society in Comparative Perspective

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An overview of the program (courses)
The Social Structure
of Western Societies
(6 ECTS)
Social Capital
(6 ECTS)
Social Policy &
Social Risks
(6 ECTS)
Politics and Society
in Comparative
Perspective
(6 ECTS)
Society
Policy
Politics
MasterSeminar(12ECTS)
&Thesis(24ECTS)

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Program structure Master Sociology (January)
Units Courses ECTS
Unit 1
January – March
The Social Structure of Western Societies
Master Seminar Sociology: From Theory to
Research
6
9
Unit 2
March – June
Politics and Society in Comparative Perspective
Master Seminar Sociology: From Theory to
Research
Master's Thesis Sociology
6
3
6
Unit 3
August – October
Social Policy & Social Risks
Master's Thesis Sociology
6
9
Unit 4
October –
December
Social Capital: Networks Resources and Attitudes
Master's Thesis Sociology
6
9
Total ECTS 60

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Program structure Master Sociology (August)
Units Courses ECTS
Unit 1
August – October
Social Policy & Social Risks
Master Seminar Sociology: From Theory to
Research
6
9
Unit 2
October –
December
Social Capital: Networks Resources and Attitudes
Master Seminar Sociology: From Theory to
Research
Master's Thesis Sociology
6
3
6
Unit 3
January – March
The Social Structure of Western Societies
Master's Thesis Sociology
6
9
Unit 4
March – June
Politics and Society in Comparative Perspective
Master's Thesis Sociology
6
9
Total ECTS 60

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• Discrimination of minorities in the labor market
• Is judicial legitimacy declining, and why?
• Health apps and psychological constraints
• School drop-out among ethnic minorities
• Social contacts and feelings of trust
• Religiosity and civic morality in the Netherlands
• And many more…
Theses topics

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The Extended Master Sociology (EMS) offers students the possibility
to experience what sociologists (can) do in practice on the
workplace.
EMS combines the regular course and thesis work with a junior
traineeship at a selected organization.
B. Extended Master Sociology (EMS)

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B. Extended Master Sociology
• One and half year, 90 ECTS
• 3 Semesters
 Semester 1 & 2: regular master courses Sociology
 Semester 2 & 3: Traineeship + Master Thesis
• Traineeship: 30 ECTS (half year)
• Language: English / traineeship: Dutch or English
• Title: MSc + professional certificate

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Traineeship
Participate in (research) projects of professional organizations
Why?
 Working experience
 Practical knowledge
 Improving your skills and competencies
 Policy & advice experience
 Future job?

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Selection
Motivation + CV
Interview by employer; regular application!
Traineeship

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Partner organizations

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Some student quotes of our extended master
‘What I particularly liked about my
traineeship was learning from the people
who have so much knowledge and
experience already. I always wondered
where sociologist would end up working
after their studies, but I finally found the
answer’
~Iris Bakker, 2014, Movisie
When looking back, I think it would fit
me more if I would have been
working at a research institute that
does commissioned work.
~Jolien Greven, 2014, Yes! Project
Utrecht University
I can conclude that this past year
has been very instructive to me.
I’ve learned about my
weaknesses but also about my
strengths and abilities both as an
individual and professional…….I
am thankful for this experience
and …I would recommend it to
every graduating student’
~Jessica Villamil, 2013,
Inspectorate of Education

Student experiences
Maurice Vonk
Angelica Maineri
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Extended Master Sociology
• Internship at the Ministry of Social Affairs
and Employment
• Projects I am participating in: Cliëntresearch
Participatiewet, Labor fraud Home-care
• Literature research
• Analyses with SPSS
• Writing chapters in reports
• Control work of others
• Attend meetings/ arranging meetings
• Writing thesis on cliëntresearch
Participatiewet
• Building professional network
• Applying knowledge/ Learning a lot
Maurice Vonk

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My experience with the Extended Master Sociology
• Internship at the Sociology department
• Projects:
• SERISS – Synergies for Europe’s Research Infrastractures
in the Social Sciences
• Experts’ survey on sampling frames (3 reports published)
• Selected and adapted items from f2f to Web Survey
• Attendance to international meetings and conferences
• EVS - European Values Study
• Assistant of the Methodology group
• Set up Web survey
• Harmonization of national classifications
• Why?
• Building academic(/professional) network
• Overview of all the steps of large cross-national survey project
• Trained academic skills
Angelica Maineri
Current position:
* Junior researcher at the
Sociology Department of TiU
* Assistant of the
Methodology Group of the
European Values Study

Career Perspectives
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Where are our graduates working?
12%
Facts and figures
Source: National Alumni Survey, 2016
• Average number of months until first paid job: 3
• 100% of our alumni does find a job within 4 months after graduation
• Required education level by employer: WO Master of Science: 86%
• Gross monthly income: €2.168

Where are our graduates working?

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Where are our graduates working?
12%
14%
21%
9%
9%2%
12%
2%
19%
ScientistRemaining functions
Manager/
Director
Journalist
Politician
Lecturer
Organization-
or HR Advisor
Policy Advisor
Researcher

Where are our graduates working?
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Top 10 employers Sociology:
1. Tilburg University
2. Cubiss
3. ZZP (zelfstandig)
4. Medtronic
5. Ministerie van Sociale Zaken
en Werkgelegenheid
6. FCB
7. Uitgeverij Em de Jong B.V.
8. European Commission
9. SKIM
10. Adriaanse van der Weel
advocaten

Admission & Application
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Admitted if …
• BA or Premaster Sociology from Tilburg University, or
• BA or Premaster Sociology from elsewhere, or
• BA Organization Studies or Human Resource Studies TiU - with
minor Sociology (18 ects)
• Liberal Arts and Sciences – Major Social Sciences
• Other bachelor or master  Ask & inform
• Premaster Sociology for HBO enrollers
http://www.tilburguniversity.edu/nl/studenten/administratie/inschrijven/tilburg-university/toelating-
social-sciences/

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Admission Procedure
• BA TiU  Register in studielink
• Else NL  Studielink + Request for Admission TSB
• Outside NL  Request Admission first
Application deadlines
• Start September: 1 August
• Start January: 31 January
More information, see the website:
• http://www.tilburguniversity.edu/nl/studenten/administratie/inschrijven/eerste-master/
• https://www.tilburguniversity.edu/nl/onderwijs/masteropleidingen/sociology/application/
• https://www.tilburguniversity.edu/nl/onderwijs/masteropleidingen/sociology/extendedmaster

Why Sociology in Tilburg?
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Facebook Sociology Tilburg University
https://www.facebook.com/tilburgsociologie/

At least 5 good reasons
1. High succes rates
2. Small scale / favorable student-staff ratio
3. Extended Masters: Unique traineeship possibility!
4. Good student evaluations
5. Broad Master Options and good career perspectives
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More information
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Information Market:
 In the Foyer of Warande Building 12:00 – 13:30
 Meet students, Academic Advisors and Career Services Officers!
 Double Degree session Sociology: Round 4, room Mz 20
Trial Lectures!
 Course: Social Capital: Networks, Resources and Attitudes
 Monday 20 and 27 November 2017
 Register online: www.tilburguniversity.edu/master/trial-lectures
Contact:
 Yvonne Alofs, Program Coordinator: question@tilburguniversity.edu
Dr. Ruud Luijkx, Program Director: r.luijkx@tilburguniversity.edu