Sociology and Population Studies

The International Master in Sociology and Population Studies is a Double Degree Program offered jointly by the Department of Political and Social Sciences of the Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona (Spain) and the Department of Sociology of Tilburg University (Tilburg,the Netherlands). After the successful completion of the program students will graduate as:Master of Research in Sociology and Demography, issued by the Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF)Master of Science in Sociology, issued by Tilburg University (TiU)The Double Degree Program combines the strengths of two of the highest-ranked Social Science Departments in Europe to offer a high level research training in Sociology and Population Studies. The program emphasizes the study of modern societies from a structural and dynamic perspective, so as to identify the main forces and challenges faced by key social institutions (families, schools, neighborhoods, jobs, etc.). The program, which is entirely offered in English, is taught by top researchers and academics from the two participating universities during an 18-months period, the first half in Barcelona and the second in Tilburg.Five reasons to choose the Double Degree in Sociology and Population StudiesComplete two degrees in less time than it would take to earn them separately.Distinguish yourself from other students and have a unique international experience.Unique combination of two related subject areas with different approaches.Opportunity to study at two outstanding academic institutions in a challenging, high quality, small scale and international educational setting with enthusiastic and accessible teaching staff.Highly relevant topics and therefore good job and (international) career opportunities.Contents and StructureThe International Master in Sociology and Population Studies is a one-and-a-half-year, 90 ECTS program that combines the contents of two Master programs: the Master of Research in Sociology and Demography offered by the UPF and of the Master of Sociology offered by TiU. Each of these masters carries 60 ECTS. In order to graduate from the double degree program students have to fulfill the course and research requirements of each separate master. They will gain 30 ECTS because the thesis requirements of both programs are combined into one. Hence, students only need 90 ECTS rather than 120 to graduate from the program and obtain the two master degrees. They also do it in a shorter time—in one-and-a-half rather than two academic years.The first two trimesters of the first year of registration in the program (from late September to mid-December and from early January to early April) are spent in Barcelona at UPF, doing the coursework corresponding to UPF’s Master of Research in Sociology and Demography, and preparing a master thesis proposal. In the third term of the first year, students start their coursework and master thesis at Tilburg University, corresponding to TiU’s MSc Sociology. They will continue both in their second year. The thesis must be completed and defended at Tilburg University by the end of January.