From minds to society

Social Psychology (research master)

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The Experimental and Applied Psychology department at VU Amsterdam offers talented and motivated students a challenging and unique two-year Research Master’s programme in Social Psychology.

The programme focuses on providing in-depth knowledge of major fields in social psychology by emphasising general principles underlying social behaviour. You also reaching out to other disciplines relevant to understand human behaviour. It teaches you all the knowledge and skills that you need in every step of the research process. courses provide comprehensive training in research methods, statistics, writing and presenting.

Bridges to broader fields of knowledge
If you choose to study Social Psychology at VU Amsterdam, you’ll take a truly interdisciplinary, integrative approach. While social psychology is the main focus, the programme actively bridges the field of social psychology with knowledge and insights from adjacent disciplines. This includes the evolutionary sciences, developmental psychology, neuroscience, behavioural genetics, economics and political science. The underlying idea is that new insights can be generated by incorporating biological, cognitive, neuroscience and evolutionary perspectives within the study of social psychological phenomena such as communication, cooperative behaviour, interpersonal relations, the self and emotions.

Small classes and expert courses
But you won’t just be focused on theory – you’ll also apply that theoretical knowledge to improving our understanding of critical societal issues, such as climate change, responses to refugees and conflict between groups. Because this is a Research Master’s programme, there will of course be a strong emphasis on research skills, using our excellent research and study facilities. But you can also expect teaching in small classes and individual meetings with your professors; expert courses and workshops by leading social psychologists; extensive academic skills training; advanced experimental research training and presentation skills training.

The start date of this programme is September 1^st.

Take a look at the schedule of this programme.

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1st year
2nd year

First year

In your first year, you’ll take four theoretical courses, including one elective course of your choice. You’ll also take two expert workshops, three academic skills courses, and you’ll carry out a research project on a topic of your own interest.

Take a look at the schedule of this programme
For more detailed information on the content of the courses in the first year see this overview.

Studyguide
For more information see the studyguide.

Second year

In your second year, you’ll take three theoretical courses, including one elective course of your choice, and two expert workshops. On the basis of two further research projects, you’ll culminate the programme by writing your Master’s thesis.

Take a look at the schedule of this programme
For more detailed information on the content of the courses in the second year see this overview.

Studyguide
For more information see the studyguide.

Already thinking about doing a PhD? Read more about objectives and activities of the Graduate School and PhD training track, the PhD Education Committee (PEC) and the organisation of the Graduate School.

Many related Research Master programs in the Netherlands start “broader” and allow for a specialization in social psychology only later in the curriculum. This Research Master offers a specialization in social psychology directly from the start. It has a unique focus on the research areas of evolution, cooperation, and morality but also offers extensively training in research skills that are applicable to any topic. The program is explicitly designed to foster creative bridging, not only within social psychology, but also across disciplines (e.g., with evolutionary science, developmental psychology, neuroscience, behavioral genetics, criminology, communication science, economics, and political science) and with application to key societal issues.

Having completed your Research Master’s degree in Social Psychology, your career prospects are excellent. You’ll be very well prepared to do advanced PhD work, conduct research, or teach at universities or colleges. Alternatively, you could apply for a job in the private sector – as a consultant, researcher, marketing director or manager, for example. You’ve got plenty of options ahead of you!

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