M.Sc. in Social Psychology: Regulation of Social Behaviour (Research Master)

Curriculum

The Experimental and Applied Psychology department at VU Amsterdam offers talented and motivated students a challenging and unique two-year Research Master’s programme in Social Psychology.

The programme focuses on providing in-depth knowledge of major fields in social psychology by emphasising general principles underlying social behaviour.

If you choose to study Social Psychology at VU Amsterdam, you’ll take a truly interdisciplinary, integrative approach. While social psychology is the main focus, the programme actively bridges the field of social psychology with knowledge and insights from adjacent disciplines. This includes the evolutionary sciences, developmental psychology, neuroscience, behavioural genetics, economics and political science. The underlying idea is that new insights can be generated by incorporating biological, cognitive, neuroscience and evolutionary perspectives within the study of social psychological phenomena such as communication, cooperative behaviour, interpersonal relations, the self and emotions.

But you won’t just be focused on theory – you’ll also apply that theoretical knowledge to improving our understanding of critical societal issues, such as climate change, responses to refugees and conflict between groups. Because this is a Research Master’s programme, there will of course be a strong emphasis on research skills, using our excellent research and study facilities. But you can also expect teaching in small classes and individual meetings with your professors; expert courses and workshops by leading social psychologists; extensive academic skills training; advanced experimental research training and presentation skills training.

The start date of this programme is September 1st.

First year

In your first year, you’ll take four theoretical courses, including one elective course of your choice. You’ll also take two expert workshops, three academic skills courses, and you’ll carry out a research project on a topic of your own interest.

Second year

In your second year, you’ll take three theoretical courses, including one elective course of your choice, and two expert workshops. On the basis of two further research projects, you’ll culminate the programme by writing your Master’s thesis.