Contents of the programme

Pedagogische wetenschappen

Pedagogical Sciences is all about aspects and processes in the upbringing and development of children and youngsters. The programme incorporates knowledge on the normal situation our society’s children are brought up in, how it can be optimised and what relation it bears to how children were brought up in the past or in other societies.

The emphasis can also be on problems that can occur when children are being brought up. Some of them lead to front page news almost every day: rising juvenile delinquency, soccer hooliganism and youngsters who can’t keep pace with their peers. Other difficulties manifest themselves at a more individual level, such as learning or social / emotional problems.

If you are interested in how children can change and develop, how society is changing and what the relation is between the two, then a bachelor’s programme in Pedagogical Sciences is a good choice. 

Pedagogical Sciences has a long tradition at the UvA with an emphasis on theory and research and on the political, social and historical dimensions. Attention is devoted to theories on guiding and supporting children’s upbringing in normal situations as well as on remedial education, i.e. supporting, guiding and treating children with developmental problems.

In the first year, you take courses with students in Education Studies. Students take the basic courses in both the bachelor’s programmes, and also in psychology, philosophy, methodology and statistics. They do labs in academic skills and at the end of the first year, decide which of the two bachelor’s programmes they want to take.
In the second and third year, students expand their skills in supporting and guiding children and in social care and intervention, diagnostics and teaching skills. They can also do part of the programme abroad.    
The bachelor’s programme is completed with a research project and a bachelor’s thesis.

After the bachelor’s programme in Pedagogical Sciences, graduates get a bachelor’s degree.

Master's programmes and afterwards

Students should bear in mind that they are not education specialists until they have also completed a master’s programme.

After a bachelor’s programme in Pedagogical Sciences, it is possible to specialise by taking the one-year master’s programme in Pedagogical Sciences. 

The UvA offers several other types of master's programmes for which graduates can apply:

• Onderzoeksmasters: Two-year research master's programmes for which there is a selection procedure
• Other options: You might be able to enrol in other master's programmes depending on the so-called minor courses followed during the bachelor's.

Follow the link below for a complete overview of master's programmes offered by the UvA (in Dutch).

The job market

Master's graduates find work in social services, occuping themselves with special education and working with for instance disabled children. Pedagogical scientists also work at local or national prevention projects to protect children from drugs, abuse or crime. Pedagogical scientists also conduct research on the best methods for child rearing. They try to reproduce reality and translate data to policy and decisions.

Additional entry requirements

Apart from the entry requirements which apply to all students (see below) the following applies to school subjects:

• Compulsory: Mathematics
• A good command of English is very useful since much professional literature is in English

Application and admission

The application procedure for regular study programmes taught in Dutch depends on the country where you have obtained your diploma. Follow the link below for detailed information on application and admission.