Why this programme

Public Administration and Organisational Science (Research Master)

What does this study entail?

Climate change, porous borders, the knowledge economy, infectious diseases, Artificial Intelligence. The world is changing at an unprecedented pace, creating tantalising opportunities as well as wicked problems for the way in which we govern our societies. 

As a student of this research programme, you will analyse how governments cope with these complex challenges. However, these challenges are no longer the sole responsibility of government institutions. Public governance occurs both in national political institutions and at local, regional, European and international levels of government, in multi-actor, multi-sectoral networks, and at the headquarters of large companies. 

Is this the right programme for you?

This master degree is a joint programme offered by four Dutch universities: Utrecht University, Tilburg University, Erasmus University Rotterdam, and the Free University of Amsterdam. The participating institutes belong to the best Public Administration and Organisation Science research groups in Europe. Their multidisciplinary, international faculties offer state-of-the-art insights about public sector governance, management and policy. All courses are taught in English.

Unique about this two-year master programme is the intensive interaction between professors and students and the personal attention and the international study climate. In the previous years we have had students from all over the world.

About the programme

The Research Master in Public Administration and Organisational Science comprises three pillars.

First pillar: theoretical themes

The first pillar contains the core theoretical themes in the fields of Public Administration and Organisation Science, such as public policy, public management, bureaucracy and public service, and human resource management. These courses connect classic theories to cutting edge research. Students both develop knowledge about theories and learn to apply them in research. It offers room to develop your personal interests through a tailor-made tutorial.

Second pillar: philosophy of science and research methods

The second pillar consists of a broad range of philosophy of science and research methods courses. These courses will focus both on high control designs such as experimental and survey research as on low control designs such as case studies and field research. The programme will provide you with the broad basis that is needed for researchers in this field. We offer various choices in this pillar so that you can choose the modules that are most valuable to you.

Third pillar: applied and fundamental research projects

The third pillar consists of both applied and fundamental research projects, resulting in a (smaller) group thesis at the end of the first year and a (larger) individual thesis at the end of the second year. A policy-oriented research project typically involves a specific organisation or policy problem. The aim of the project is to offer advice on a current issue, and this requires you to conduct research in a real-life setting. A theory-oriented research project involves the writing of an academic article or the formulation of a detailed PhD proposal, which can serve as the basis for a future PhD project. (Please note that completing this master programme does not automatically guarantee you a PhD position).

Research in Public Administration and Organisational Science

Testimonials

Joëlle van der Meer, student Public Administration and Organisational Sciences

Joëlle van der Meer - Student Public Administration and Organisational Sciences

It's a challenging master programme that gives you practical experience and a critical attitude.
It's a challenging master programme that gives you practical experience and a critical attitude.

After my Bachelor in Public Administration at Erasmus University I decided to follow the Research Master Public Administration and Organisational Sciences, since I was very interested in research subjects. In addition, it was very appealing to me that this programme is organised over the course of two years, instead of during one year. As a student, you have more time to develop your research skills which are necessary for the specific subjects you are interested in. Another interesting aspect of the Research Master is the cooperation between six universities. You get the opportunity to be in touch with professors, who are all specialised in a certain area of Public Administration. The contact between professors and students is very informal and there are many possibilities to be in touch with professors individually. This was very helpful for me as it stimulated me to discover my own interests in the developments on the labour market. There are small and interactive classes. Thanks to the study trip at the beginning of the year the group became very close. Everyone in our group is very motivated and has a critical attitude and I have learned a lot from this.

This master programme is also known as a challenging programme. Nonetheless, in my experience, it it definitely rewards you with something. Within the programme, you have to manage your own research projects. In addition, you are forced to work together with students on different assignments. For example, we conducted an applied research for a ‘real client’, the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport. Thus, this master programme has given me much practical experience and a critical attitude. These skills are very useful now during my internship at a research institute. The Master’s programme has not merely given me valuable academic experience, but has also enabled me to pursue a career in the field of consultancy, policy making and beyond.

Prof. dr. Markus Haverland

Prof. dr Markus Haverland - EUR coordinator Research Master

At a time when information seems abundant and is often contested, public governance needs professionals with strong theoretical, analytical and research skills who generate and apply high quality evidence and policy insight. This is what this small-scale master programme delivers.
At a time when information seems abundant and is often contested, public governance needs professionals with strong theoretical, analytical and research skills who generate and apply high quality evidence and policy insight. This is what this small-scale master programme delivers.

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