Social Inequalities and Change Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences (ESSB), Erasmus University Rotterdam

Is this the programme you're looking for?

Why are social divisions in society increasing? Are you interested in knowing how welfare policies can help to reduce social inequality? Then this master track might be the right choice for you.

The study programme in a nutshell

This programme trains you to become an expert in the field of social inequality. You will examine various dimensions of inequality—such as wealth, race, gender, and spatial distribution—investigating the complex interplay among social structures, familial environments, and individual behaviors. This programme brings a unique interdisciplinary perspective on the origins and implications of social inequality, and sheds light on how social policies can reduce it. The theoretical breadth of the programme equips you with essential skills in critical analysis and methodology, preparing you to address these pressing societal challenges.

What you will learn

Each core course is composed of a series of lectures and small-scale tutorials. The lectures present the main theoretical and empirical insights about the topic of the course. In the tutorials, students learn to analyse and apply these insights by discussing and presenting various assignments in small groups.

Entry requirements

Prior education

Depending on the specialisation you wish to apply for, you are eligible for admission to the master’s programme Sociology if you have obtained a relevant Bachelor’s or undergraduate degree* from a research university that includes at least 7.5 EC in social science research methods and techniques, in the following fields of study:  

• Social Sciences; 
• Psychology; 
• Political Science; 
• Media- & Culture Science; 
• Public Administration; 
• Communication Science; 
• Science & Technology Studies; 
• Economics; 
• Pedagogical Sciences; 
• Health Sciences, Policy & Management; 
• Philosophy; 
• Anthropology. 

If you have successfully completed a comparable bachelor’s or undergraduate degree* in disciplines related to sociology, and that includes at least 7.5 EC in social science research methods and techniques, you may also be eligible for admission to the master’s programme Sociology (master track Social Inequalities). This depends on the contents of your prior education. Examples of some bachelor’s degrees with which you may be eligible for admission are: European Studies, International Relations, Political Sciences, Liberal Arts & Sciences. When you apply to the master’s specialisation of your preference, the Admissions Committee will assess whether you are eligible for direct admission to that master’s specialisation.  

We expect a comparable degree in disciplines related to sociology to include courses in sociology and courses related to the specialization of your preference. 

* Comparable to the Dutch academic level according to the standards of the Dutch Organisation for International Cooperation in Higher Education (Nuffic).

Read more at Admission requirements for Master Social Inequalities and Change | Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences | Erasmus University Rotterdam