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Population Studies – (M.Sc.)
University of Groningen
Faculty of Spatial Sciences
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| Application Deadline: | June 1; Non EU: January 1 | ||
| Annual Tuition Fee: | ≈ € 1,713 ≈ € 9,600 (non-EEA) | ||
| Location: | Groningen / Netherlands / View location on map ▾ Hide location on map ▴ | ||
| Duration: | 12 months | Start Date: | August |
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| Credits (ECTS): | 60 | ||
| Languages: | English | ||
Location of University of Groningen
Objective of the Master´s degree programme in Population Studies is to train young professionals in the theories, methods and skills required to comprehend population dynamics all over the world. The programme focuses on the processes or causal mechanisms underlying population change and on the historical, cultural and institutional context in which these processes originate and evolve.
Population-level trends and patterns, such as ageing, fertility levels, migration flows, spatial distributions and health differences, can be traced to the choices that individuals make, in the context in which they live. Therefore, understanding human behaviour is the key to understanding population change. Emphasis within Population Studies is on the study of life events, such as birth, marriage, divorce, changes in health, migration, entrance of the labour market, and death.
The study of demography is simultaneously concrete and broad. Demographic topics are studied in the MSc in Population Studies by placing them within theoretical frameworks; by studying them through the research process - including data collection, questionnaire construction and respondents interviews; by applying techniques to analyse data on these topics; and by reporting on the basis of your own study.
The programme was developed for future professionals in business, government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and academia. Demographers are competent in analysing demographic data and trends, are trained to work with large data files and are able to interpret these data. Good population data are required for policies and programmes - for instance in estimating the number of houses or schools to be built in the near future, or to estimate the future number of migrants in a country.
Examples of jobs of recently graduated demographers include working at a research institute (Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute; Eurostat), at United Nations Family Planning Association, at Medicins sans frontieres, at Netherlands Institute for Spatial Research, and doing PhD research. Many of the foreign master students integrate the demographic knowledge and skills in their jobs at institutes in their home country.
Contents
The one-year international MSc programme consists of core courses (35 ECTS), optional courses (5 ECTS), and a Master's thesis (20 ECTS).
The core programme consists of both social demography courses and analytical demography courses.
Within the course on Theories of Demographic Behaviour students learn relevant demographic and related theories that can be used to explain why individuals take certain choices regarding demographic events and how these choices have consequences for not only for individuals but also for society as a whole.
During the course The Research Process students learn how to go through the whole research process and how to write the research proposal for the Master's thesis.
In Population information: Data Collection and Data Quality, an overview of the nature and quality of different types of data sources for demographic research is provided. Within the different analytical demography courses, students learn the methods and skills required to study demographic data and trends, for example population projections and demographic survey analysis.
In the Population Policies and Interventions course, students learn to identify and indicate how scientific research can be translated into policy and action.
Courses may consist of two-week modules (many of the analytical courses) or one-week workshops on a specific topic (e.g. the workshop on Qualitative Research Methods and the workshop on the Demographic Survey Management). Students participate in seminars and discussion groups in an active research environment including guest lectures and seminars by established professionals from other demographic institutes. Quantitative and qualitative research methods are both part of the programme. Modes of instruction include classroom teaching, group work, (computer) practicals and literature study. Most courses are assessed on the basis of exams, assignments and presentations.
The MSc in Population Studies is concluded with an individual research project, resulting in a Master's thesis. The objective of the thesis is to make effective use of theories and techniques of data collection and data analysis to address demographic issues and to formulate recommendations for policymaking and interventions.
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Requirements
- Students should have an interest in research and must have an adequate educational background
- A Bachelor´s degree, including at least two courses in statistics. A transitional programme may be part of the admission procedure.
- Sufficient knowledge of English (TOEFL score of 550/213 or IELTS 6.0
Considering the logical structure of courses, it is highly recommended to start the Master´s programme in September. Starting in the second semester is possible. However, always contact the MSc coordinator beforehand.
Additional Requirements
| Minimal degree required: | Bachelor's degree |
| Minimal amount of work experience | Not specified |
Language Proficiency
| IELTS Band: | 6.0 |
| TOEFL Paper-based: | 550 |
| TOEFL Computer-based: | 213 |
Accreditation
Accredited by the Dutch Government
Funding details
Funding possible through: Netherlands Fellowship Programme (NFP)
The fellowships, which are granted for the duration of the programme, cover the tuition fees plus the costs of international travel, subsistence, books, and health insurance. Grant award period : 9-24 months
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