Sociology

Migrants and assimilation, divergent experiences of mental illness, education depending on social background, populist political movements, gentrifying urban space, the radicalising of vulnerable young men...

These are some of the burning social and political issues that light up social media and parliamentary debate across Europe. Amsterdam sociologists stand at the forefront of social scientific analysis of such topics, and many more besides. As sociologists, we apply critical theories and fine-grained empirical research to deconstruct and challenge common understandings of these problems, so enabling innovative, effective insights and solutions. 

In providing the tools and training to think critically and to interrogate evidence, you will grow to understand the world around you - its culture, its political-economy, its injustices - in a wholly new way. This ability to combine critical-abstract thinking with evidence-based examination is why our BSc and MSc graduates are so valued across government and other policy-making institutions, the NGO sector, banks, marketing firms, not to mention further social scientific research.

Does sociology appeal to you?

The Bachelor's in Sociology allows you to develop expertise in subjects such as migration, inequality, healthcare, art & culture, labour markets, education, sexuality and social movements. In the past year, our students have investigated issues such as:

• Why do women earn less on average than men?
• How do social media affect the creation and survival of protest movements?
• In today's society, to what extent does your appearance affect your job prospects?
• How does the government deal with sustainability initiatives devised by citizens?

Closely examining our complex and multifaceted society

We will send you out into the city to conduct investigations using a wide variety of research methods. Every research question requires the correct mix of methods, making the conduct of sociological research a true craft: a craft that we will teach you. As a student of sociology, you will immerse yourself in surveys, statistics, in-depth interviews, text analysis, big data and everyday observations.

Classic issues

How does inequality arise? What does the success of capitalism say about Western European morals? Why is suicide a social issue rather than an individual one? Although these may seem like modern-day issues, the very founders of sociology have been poring over these matters since the 19th century. In Amsterdam, we take classical sociologists such as Karl Marx, Max Weber and Emile Durkheim as our point of departure for a journey that will introduce you to many other influential thinkers and fully develop your sociological knowledge. 

Internationally renowned academics

You will receive small-scale education at a highly renowned institute from a committed team of enthusiastic lecturers, many of whom are leading researchers. These academics are at the very epicentre of the social debate and their insight is frequently sought to discuss issues of the day. 

As a sociologist, the whole city is your laboratory

Amsterdam is the ideal place to study sociology. Everything you learn is reflected in this multifaceted city with a global reputation as a centre of art and culture. The 179 different nationalities represented in the city provide unprecedented diversity of people and ideas.

Convivial education environment

You will study in the heart of Amsterdam within a programme that greatly facilitates contact with lecturers and fellow students. 

Studying abroad

In your third year, you will have the option of going abroad for a semester to study or undertake a work placement. With regard to semesters abroad, the UvA has partnerships with universities across the world. 

Master’s programme

Upon completion of the Bachelor's in Sociology, you will be eligible for admittance to a range of Master's programmes compatible with your specialisation and field of interest.

Career prospects

As a graduated Sociologist your career prospects are diverse due to the broad skillset you obtain. On the Career Prospects page you will find more on your job opportunities, including a list of employers that hired Sociologist that graduated at the University of Amsterdam over the past three years. 

The Bachelor's in Sociology is a full-time degree programme lasting three years. Every academic year is worth 60 credits and consists of two semesters, each of which is subdivided into three study periods. The first semester runs from the beginning of September until the end of January and the second semester runs from the start of February until the end of June.

The Bachelor's programme is structured in such a way that, in principle, it equates to a 40-hour working week. Every week you will have approximately eight hours of lectures and six hours of tutorials, with the rest of the time spent studying literature, conducting research and writing papers and essays.

First year

During the first year, you will learn a new way of looking at society through sociological research, you will make connections between knowledge acquired about society and the work of sociological thinkers, and you will be introduced to sociology as a craft by means of your own research.

1. A new perspective on society

The results of sociological research provide new perspectives to issues that may previously have seemed intuitive and straightforward. The knowledge gained by sociologists offers tools to formulate new questions, analyse social problems and devise innovative solutions to social issues.

• In the first semester, Introduction to Sociology (and to the Netherlands) will give you a broad introduction to the work of sociologists and allow you to orient your academic career. What is sociology about? What do sociologists study? How do they study it?
• Sociology of Institutions addresses the structure of Dutch society and major changes in recent social history such as the rise of the welfare state, urbanisation, secularisation and migration.
• Sociology of Humankind introduces you to a variety of scientific styles and how sociology fits into them.

2. From classical to contemporary

The programme has a strong focus on theory. You will be introduced to 19th century pioneers of sociology such as Karl Marx, Max Weber and Emile Durkheim. Besides reading classical texts, you will also be studying modern work that builds upon the trailblazing work of these intellectuals.

3. Studying the city

Methodology is an important facet of this programme. You will learn about important methodological approaches and gain practical experience with a variety of methods such as:

• interviews
• observations of everyday life
• surveys
• statistical analysis
• text analysis.

You will also acquire vital skills such as reasoning, formulating research questions, providing critical commentary and writing essays.

You will round off your first year with a large fieldwork project in which you will apply your acquired knowledge and research skills to a concrete social issue and independently conduct research within a group of fellow students. For example, last year's students investigated how people react differently to homosexual and heterosexual couples kissing in public, the admissions policy to Amsterdam nightclubs, how shopkeepers prevent shoplifting, and how some Lidl customers show that they are not poor or uneducated.

Second and third year

The second year will broaden your sociological knowledge across six key domains of the field, before your third and final year allows you to deepen specific interests through various options of study and a final year thesis project. 

Domain courses

In the second year, you will broaden your knowledge of the discipline via six domain courses:

• Space & Place
• Intersectionalities: Class, Race, Gender & Sexuality
• Migration & Citizenship
• Globalising Cultures
• Life Courses, Family & Health
• Education & Work

Electives, work placements and studying abroad

The third year is mainly structured by the students themselves: you can take electives within Sociology or in other programmes, you can do a work placement or you can choose to study abroad.

Bachelor's thesis

You will round everything off with the ultimate test of your skills: your very own Bachelor's thesis. Although you will write your paper individually, the research will be conducted within a collaborative project. This will be headed by a lecturer who will introduce you to their specialisation: the topic of the final-thesis working group will be closely related to the lecturer's research. During your research, you will utilise all of the sociological skills you have acquired in order to become an expert in a subject via your selected project.

Teaching methods

Students of sociology are required to attend lectures and tutorials.

• During the lectures, the lecturer will add colour and depth to the literature you have studied in advance, putting it into perspective and giving examples.
• During the tutorials, you will take a more in-depth look at the subject matter together with a lecturer and a group of students. You will participate in discussions, complete assignments, ask questions and analyse examples.

Most of the courses are concluded with one or more assessments such as a written or oral examination, an essay or a talk.

The College of Social Sciences is looking for critical, inquiring students who have a desire to gain in-depth knowledge on current social issues and find solutions for these. Applicants should have a high level of English-language proficiency, a strong interest in what causes social problems and a desire to understand underlying processes. Ideal candidates are eager to get inspired by the classical sociological scholars and conduct their own research.

The application procedure depends on where you completed your prior education.

Previous education

Students will need to have completed their secondary school diploma before the start of the BSc in Sociology. The diploma (to be) obtained should be equivalent to a Dutch VWO diploma with mathematics and English taken as subjects on upper secondary / university preparatory education level and if and when applicable, both subjects should be included in the final secondary school or university entry examinations. Also, students are expected to have a basic knowledge of modern history.

Please see the list of approved qualifications here below for an overview on diplomas that are considered equivalent to the Dutch VWO-diploma. The list is far from exhaustive, will be updated on a regular basis and is meant for general guidance only. No rights can be derived from it. All applications will be evaluated on an individual basis by professional diploma evaluators.

If your qualification is not on the list, it does not necessarily mean you cannot be admitted and you are invited and encouraged to apply.

Mathematics

In general, mathematics has to be included in the upper secondary education curriculum up until the final year and final examinations. The level of mathematics should be equivalent to at least the Dutch level of VWO mathematics: Wiskunde C. There are no further minimum grade requirements.

An alternative route to meet the mathematics entry requirement may be to complete one of the English taught mathematics courses and exams offered by the James Boswell institute in The Netherlands. We will accept VWO certificates in mathematics A, B and C. Another alternative route may be to submit a SAT subject test Mathematics Level 1 score of at least 610 or an ACT Mathematics score of at least 27.

Language proficiency 

All students must be able to read textbooks, understand lectures, take part in classroom discussions and write extensive academic papers. A high level of language proficiency is expected of all applicants. The programme is fully taught in English supplemented by Dutch-language tutorial groups and elective courses for those who wish. In any case, a good command of the English language is essential and needs to be supported by a sufficient test or school examination score as stipulated below.

English test scores

Non-native speakers of English are required to submit a valid English test score which is not more than 2 years old.

• TOEFL Internet-based test: minimum total score 92; minimum score on each component 20
• TOEFL Paper-based test: minimum score on each component 20; there is no minimum total score
• IELTS test: minimum score 6.5, with at least 6 for each individual test component
• Cambridge International Examinations: minimum scores C (CAE), C (CPE)

Students are strongly encouraged to make early preparations for the test. Please refer to the contact details of test centers below. In case of insufficient scores, applicants can do a re-sit as long as deadlines are respected. Without sufficient test scores, you do not meet our admission requirements.

Study costs

In addition to your tuition fees, you will need to include a number of other study costs in your budget, such as books, stationary, excursions, a laptop or other equipment. These costs vary per programme but academic books and study materials will usually cost you around €550 per year.

Living costs

Keep in mind that living in Amsterdam also includes costs such as accommodation, food and public transport.

International students can apply for various scholarships to cover their studies at the UvA. The University offers two scholarships for exceptionally talented Bachelor's students from outside Europe: 

• Amsterdam Merit Scholarship
• Holland Scholarship