Population Studies

After completing my bachelor's degree in Uganda, my primary objective was to further my knowledge in the field of demography, which led me to pursue the Master's programme Population Studies at the University of Groningen. Upon my arrival in Groningen, the Netherlands, I initially faced unfamiliarity with the university's system and operations.

Fortunately, I received invaluable assistance from professors and approachable students, enabling me to quickly adapt to the intricacies of the university's functioning.

The University of Groningen employs cutting-edge technology, ensuring seamless navigation through campus programs such as lectures, exams, and registration. Moreover, the provision of timely email reminders for important tasks minimizes the risk of missing crucial deadlines. I am particularly grateful for the exceptional support extended by Billie de Haas, the head of the department, who diligently assisted me in overcoming various challenges. Even when faced with problems for which immediate solutions were unavailable, she promptly directed me to the appropriate resources.

The university community possesses commendable proficiency in English, facilitating effective communication. This linguistic advantage ensures that individuals encountered during my time at the university were capable of engaging in meaningful dialogue. The students themselves are not only adept communicators but also reliable friends, always willing to offer assistance both inside and outside the classroom. Furthermore, the student ncommunity regularly organizes events designed to foster connections among peers and staff members. Such initiatives create an open and approachable atmosphere, facilitating interactions with faculty and fellow students.

Among the many courses offered, two notable ones are "Qualitative Research Methods for Policy and Practice" and "Qualitative Research Method." These courses provide valuable insights into complex social phenomena, human behavior, and lived experiences. Widely employed in disciplines such as sociology, anthropology, psychology, education, and healthcare, qualitative research utilizes rigorous and systematic approaches to data collection, analysis, and interpretation. It helps uncover profound meanings and understand the diverse perspectives of individuals and communities.

However, it is important to address the housing predicament faced by students. The demand for accommodation exceeds the available supply, posing challenges in securing suitable living arrangements. As an international student from a non-EU country, I encountered difficulties in finding housing. While numerous housing options can be found online, exercising caution and prudently selecting trustworthy sources becomes imperative.

- Delilah Namutebi

The Master Population Studies (for me as part of the DDM Demography and Social Inequality) provides students with tools to observe and model population dynamics, explicitly considering the role of spatial context. Coming from the field of (micro-)sociology, I especially benefitted from insights into macro-level processes interacting with (and informing) individual-level decision-making.

Also, having a mainly quantitative research background, I was interested in how statistics could be enriched through a more qualitative, conceptually rich perspective – and how the findings we produce as researchers can be taken up for policy-advice and public opinion- and decision-making.

At the Population Research Centre you find both; empirically open, qualitative research aiming to understand individuals’ living environment and thought processes, and quantitative research allowing generalization to a broader population. The idea that the research we conduct needs also to able to inform political decision-making and should be translated for a broader audience is strongly engraved in the spirit of the programme.

At the same time, the interdisciplinary and international setting at the faculty has provided me with an opportunity to grow – also personally. I have studied alongside students from all over the world, providing their unique perspective and experiences going beyond the German-Dutch context I was used to. Additionally, especially within the context of the one-year master and the four-block-system common in Dutch higher education institutions, students are really asked to coordinate tasks arising from the requirements of the various courses.

At the same time, the wide array of topics covered in lectures, seminars and workshops at the faculty of spatial sciences itself and at other faculties (in which students can take part within the context of elective courses) allows students to get a broad overview of promising areas of research and develop their own research interest. This experience has further encouraged me to pursue a career in academia and a PhD.

- Elias Hofmann

Photo credits: MPIfG/AD

After finishing my bachelor's degree in statistics, studying Population Studies as part of the Double Degree Master's (DDM) in Social Demography (University Pompeu Fabra & University of Groningen) was the best combination to link my interest in social sciences with my existing academic background. Through new inspiring perspectives brought by its broad international context and great professional possibilities, this DDM is perfect for those who want to develop new skills for social sciences.

This master’s degree allowed me to expand my knowledge and interests on a wide range of fields, from geographies of health inequalities to migration dynamics, while being given the concrete tools to practice research in these areas. The methodology courses were my personal highlight. The combination of qualitative and quantitative methods courses provided me with a resourceful toolkit that I will be confidently able to draw upon in any future academic and professional projects. Moreover, the engaging learning methods and the constant contact with international community make this challenging learning path into an enjoyable master's degree.

Last but not least, students are able apply the new skills taking on different professional opportunities, from research internships within the faculty or in other local and national organisations and companies. With the synthesis of all this aspects, from content and methods courses to its context, I feel prepared and well equipped for future professional experiences both in the public and private sector.

- Júlia Tena

After completing my bachelor's degree in Human Geography and Planning at the faculty of Spatial Sciences, I wanted to specialize in demography and population dynamics. That's why I chose to start with the Master's in Population Studies. I genuinely enjoyed the courses in the programme and found them to be incredibly insightful. The range of topics covered was diverse, offering both breadth and depth of knowledge.

Despite the diversity of subjects, the courses managed to maintain a good level of depth, ensuring a solid understanding of each topic. Furthermore, the courses included field trips to organizations and companies in our field of work and to conferences related to our studies, such as the Dutch Demography Day.

What made the experience even better was the cohort of around 20 students. This close-knit community created an environment where everyone knew each other by name, transforming classmates into friends and colleagues. It also led to some valuable discussions during lectures, enriching our understanding of the course material.

One notable aspect of the programme was the opportunity for internships. I took advantage of this and completed an internship, which provided practical insights beyond the classroom. This experience not only expanded my practical skills but also played a significant role in helping me secure a job after graduation.

Looking back, the Master's in Population Studies was a valuable step forward for me. It gave me a solid educational foundation, practical experience, and a supportive network. The combination of well-structured courses, a tight-knit community, and real-world exposure has undoubtedly shaped my academic and professional journey in a positive way.

- Wout van Hoorn

This infographic shows in which workfield alumni of the master's programme ended up, and is based on alumni who graduated between 2022 and 2024. As is visible, the majority of the alumni have found a job relevant to their field of study within 6 months since graduating.