Social Psychology: VU University Amsterdam

Course Description

The Social Psychology department of the VU University Amsterdam offers talented and motivated students a challenging educational program:

• Social Psychology: the Regulation of Social Behaviour.

This unique, two-year Research Master’s program includes the following special features to ensure high-quality education:

• Teaching in small classes and individual meetings
• Expert courses and workshops by leading social psychologists
• Extensive academic skills training
• Advanced experimental research training
• High quality research and study facilities

The program takes a multi-disciplinary, integrative approach to fundamental social psychological processes. 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.

The teaching program aims at providing specialization in social psychology and creating bridges between social psychology and neighbouring disciplines. During the whole teaching program there will be a strong emphasis on both research skills and presentation skills.

Admission Criteria

Minimal Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in psychology or a related discipline, preferably with an emphasis on social psychology, biological psychology, cognitive psychology, economics, neurosciences or cognitive sciences, and with a strong focus on research.
• Students with a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in other disciplines can apply for admission to the Research Master Social Psychology, but in these cases students should have completed courses in statistics and methodology and should have experience with conducting and reporting experimental research.

English knowledge requirements:

Since English is the language used in the Research Master Social Psychology, non-native speakers are required to provide proof of proficiency by taking an internationally recognized exam (e.g., Guideline for English language test scores:

• TOEFL paper test: 580, TOEFL computer test: 237, TOEFL Internet test: 92-93, IELTS: 6.5 (and 6.0 for the Writing module), Cambridge CAE Advanced English: B, Cambridge CPE Proficiency in English: C