Science in Society

Science and technology clearly have a profound influence on society, but the reverse is also true: society significantly shapes the ways in which science and technology evolve. Economic interests, public opinion and policy shifts are decisive for the shaping of science and technology. However, experience has shown that scientists on the one hand and the general public, government and businesses on the other aren't always able to clearly understand one another. That is why experts with a background in science and an understanding of social processes are indispensable. This specialisation will therefore teach you how to build a bridge between scientific expertise and societal practices. You'll become a biologist, chemist, mathematician, etc. that reflects on the implications of scientific results and advises on how to turn this knowledge into practical use for policymaking or communication purposes. This reflection will not just be scientific; you'll also learn how to detect the philosophical, political and ethical side of issues. You'll make scientists familiar with social perceptions as much as you'll be advising governments and businesses or informing the general public.

Key courses: Risk Communication; Science & Societal Interaction; Science and Media; Framing Knowledge; Knowledge Society and Science & Public Policy.

Best preparatory Bachelor’s: Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Mathematics, Computing Science or a related degree that admits you to one of the Master’s programmes of the Faculty of Science.

Admission requirements:

You'll need to be enrolled in one of the two-year Master's programmes of the Faculty of Science to be admitted into this specialisation.

There are various scholarships available for studying at Radboud University. Some of the opportunities are described below. A full list, including detailed information, can be found on our scholarships and grants page at our website. 

Radboud Scholarship Programme

Open to a select number of excellent international students. Instead of the institutional tuition fees, non-EEA students pay the legal tuition fees (€2,083 in 2019/2020). Visa and residence permit costs, liability insurance and health insurance are also covered.

Orange Tulip Scholarship

Open to students from Brazil, Mexico, Russia, Indonesia, South-Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, and China. Instead of the institutional tuition fees, non-EEA students pay the legal tuition fees (€2,083 in 2019/2020). Visa and residence permit costs, liability insurance and health insurance are also covered.

Fulbright-Radboud Scholarships

Open to excellent American students. The grant will be paid in 12 monthly instalments of 1,050 euros. International travel and the cost of the residence permit will be covered, and an extra allowance of €1150 will be paid on arrival.

Sino-Dutch Bilateral Exchange Scholarship

Open to excellent students from China. Consists of a contribution of € 16,113 towards the total costs of one year of study or research in the Netherlands.

DIKTI-Neso Scholarships

Aimed at lecturers at higher education institutions in Indonesia who wish to pursue a PhD or Master's at a university in the Netherlands. A DIKTI scholarship includes allowances for living expenses, insurance, travel costs, tuition fees and more.

Indonesian Education Scholarship (LPDP)

Open to excellent Indonesian students under the age of 35. Involves a full scholarship.

Holland Scholarship Programme

Open to excellent students from Canada, America, India and Turkey. Scholarship consists of 5,000 euros payed at the start of study.

Dutch Student Finance

EU/EEA students and Swiss students under 30 years of age are eligible if they are working at least 56 hours per month in the Netherlands, or have been living in the Netherlands for five years or more. Dutch student finance consists of four components: a basic grant, a supplementary grant (depending on the parental income), a student travel product, and a loan.