Literary and Cultural Studies

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The objective of the international one-year MSc programme in Population Studies is to train young professionals in the theories, methods and skills required to comprehend population dynamics.

Essential to understanding population dynamics is the study of demographic behaviour of people, in terms of their life events, e.g. birth, marriage, divorce, health, migration, and death. The master programme focuses on these demographic events, on how decision-making regarding these life events (e.g. its timing) is influenced by the historical, economic, societal, cultural, and medical context, and on how these demographic events have an impact on population-level trends.

You will learn about:

* theories on individual decision-making behind demographic life events
* sources of demographic data, questionnaire construction and interviews
* methods and techniques to analyze demographic data: life table, population projections, survey analysis, in-depth interviews, focus group discussion and observation
* population policies and interventions and their link to research

The field of Population Studies reflects on and deals with currently relevant demographic topics and related societal issues. The study is simultaneously concrete and broad.

Job perspectives
The program has been developed for future professionals in business, government, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and academia. Demographers are competent in reflecting on how the context in which we live affects population dynamics (migration, fertility, mortality, ageing, etc.) and vice-versa. This can be either through analyses of large data files for demographic data and trends, or through in-depth qualitative analysis of people's life.

The career perspectives are good. Many of our alumni continue into a PhD, whereas international mid-career alumni mostly acquire a higher position within the institute they were working.

Programme schedule
Courses

* Electives (10 EC)
* Masterthesis (20 EC)
* Theories of demographic behaviour (5 EC)
* Research process and qualitative workshop (5 EC)
* Demographic data, measures and methods (5 EC)
* Life table and population projections (5 EC)
* Advanced survey analysis (5 EC)
* Population policies and interventions (5 EC)

Study abroad

* Study abroad is optional

Study support

The Master Population Studies is relatively small, which facilitates easy contacts among students and between students and teachers. In addition, students will be offered the opportunity to have a mentor. A student that chooses to participate is assigned a mentor from the staff of the Department of Demography, mostly a Master Population Studies alumni. The objective of the mentor system is supervision of the study progress and timely detection of problems.

Specific requirementscertified competencesApplicants should be fluent in English and should have an interest in research.knowledge minimumStudents should have some background knowledge in population studies and should have successfully concluded at least two courses in statistics. Knowledge of mathematics (differentiation, integration, matrix calculation) and SPSS and EXCEL is essential and assumed to be active.previous educationStudents should have a Bachelor's degree in a discipline related to population studies. The holder of a certificate from the Bachelor's degree programme 'Sociale Geografie & Planologie' or 'Technische Planologie' or 'Sociology' of the University of Groningen or equivalent programmes (inter)nationally is expected to have the knowledge and skills required to start the degree programme, and is admitted to the degree programme on that basis. They are advised to follow (courses of) the Minor programme in Population Studies that is offered at the faculty, before entering the Master programme.professional experienceNot necessarry.other admission requirements * The Admissions Board may require students with Bachelor degrees other than 'Sociale Geografie & Planologie' or 'Technische Planologie' or 'Sociology' to follow additional courses, before being allowed to enter the degree programme. This 'transitional programme' will be assessed individually. * In applications from foreign students special focus will be - in addition - on whether the students have a sufficient demographic background. English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6.5 TOEFL paper-based test score : 580 TOEFL iBT® test: 92

The university is committed to recognizing excellence in academic achievement through offering a number of scholarships for international students and researchers. Several scholarships are available for international students who are motivated to study Bachelors, Masters and PhD programmes, as well as for exchanges, short courses and research stays at our university.

Besides scholarships awarded by the University of Groningen, a number of grants awarded by the Dutch government, the EU and (inter)national organizations, such as World Bank or the Ford Foundation, can be used for study or research at the University of Groningen as well.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Dutch Government