Power, Publics and Engagement
Erasmus University Rotterdam offers this 12-month English-taught master's in Rotterdam, ranked #52 by FT — Global MBA. Students who have successfully completed a university-level (wo) Bachelor's degree in Sociology at a Dutch university are directly eligible for admission to the master's programme.
What it takes to get in
Entry bar: moderate. Driven by specific prior degree and prerequisite coursework.
- English tests
- IELTS 6.5 · TOEFL iBT 90
- English requirement
- TOEFL iBT 90 (minimum sub-scores 20); IELTS Academic 6.5 (minimum sub-scores 6.0); Cambridge EFL CAE level B or CPE level C; Language Cert Academic 75 (65); Pearson Academic 75 (66). Exemptions: Bachelor diploma from Netherlands university; VWO diploma with English graded 7.0 or higher; International Baccalaureate diploma (valid for 5 years); Native English speaker from Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, United Kingdom or United States with secondary education in English for at least 2.5 years; Higher education diploma obtained entirely in English from Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, United Kingdom or United States; English Bachelor programmes at West European or Scandinavian universities usually accepted.
- Prior degree
- Students who have successfully completed a university-level (wo) Bachelor's degree in Sociology at a Dutch university are directly eligible for admission to the master's programme. Students who have completed the EUR pre-master's in Sociology are also directly eligible for admission to the master's programme. 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.
- Accepted degrees
- SociologyEuropean StudiesInternational RelationsPolitical SciencesLiberal Arts & Sciences
- Documents required
- Proof of English proficiency
- Academic transcript(s)
- Proof of ID/immigration status
- Deadline
- 1 Jun 2027
What it costs
Plan for roughly €45k–€48k per year all-in as a Non-EU student — tuition plus a normal Rotterdam student life.
Living in Rotterdam →
What you'll study
60 ECTS over 12 months — core foundations, then a track of your choice, then a thesis.
Assumed knowledge
If you're interested in a critical approach to the main contemporary forms of power, from capitalism to whiteness, and from patriarchy to coloniality, this master's programme (MSc) is for you.
Where graduates end up
What graduates of this programme tend to do — and where they end up working.
Common career paths
Rankings
- FT — Global MBA 2026#52
- Times Higher Education 2026#107
- FT — Masters in Finance 2025#28
- THE — Business And Economics 2026#24
- THE — Clinical Pre Clinical Health 2026#52
- THE — Social Sciences 2026#80
- THE — Law 2026#101
Visa & life in the Netherlands
The practical stuff — what's allowed, what's funded, what to expect after you graduate.
- Student visa
- Non-EU students need a residence permit (VVR), arranged by the university on your behalf. EU students only need to register with the local municipality.
- Post-study work
- Orientation Year (zoekjaar) visa — 12 months to find skilled work after graduation. No employer sponsorship needed during this period.
- Tuition
- Statutory fee around €2,500/yr for EU students; institutional fees for non-EU students typically range €14,000–26,000/yr depending on the field.
- Scholarships
- Holland Scholarship (€5,000), university-specific funds such as the Amsterdam Excellence and Justus & Louise van Effen scholarships, plus Erasmus+ for EU mobility.
About Erasmus University Rotterdam
Erasmus University Rotterdam is a university in Rotterdam, Netherlands, with 31,652 students and 82 programs across its corridors. Its primary academic strengths lie in Business & Law, Arts & Humanities, and Social Sciences, with QS Subject rankings of #24 in Business and #51 in Medicine. The university placed #101 in the 2024 ARWU overall ranking.
Common questions
Is Power, Publics and Engagement at Erasmus University Rotterdam taught in English?
Yes — the programme is taught entirely in English. Non-native speakers need IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 90 (minimum).
How much does Power, Publics and Engagement at Erasmus University Rotterdam cost?
International tuition is €21,000 per year. Over the full 12-month programme that's roughly €21,000 in tuition, before living costs.
What is the acceptance rate at Erasmus University Rotterdam?
Not published. Most European public universities don't release acceptance rates — admission is requirements-based, so if you meet the stated requirements your application gets a full review rather than competing against a fixed quota. Based on the published requirements (specific prior degree, prerequisite coursework), the entry bar here is moderate.
Do I need GRE or GMAT scores?
No — GRE and GMAT scores are not required for this programme.
Can I work in the Netherlands after graduating?
Yes. The Netherlands offers a one-year Orientation Year (zoekjaar) residence permit to graduates of Dutch universities, letting you live and work in the country while looking for a job — no sponsor required during that year.
When is the application deadline?
The application deadline is 1 Jun 2027. Deadlines can differ by nationality — confirm on the programme page.
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