COURSE CURRICULUM

The master’s specialisation in Sociology of Policy in Practice at Leiden University is a one-year, 60 EC program designed to combine academic research with hands-on organisational experience. It is tailored for students who want to conduct policy-oriented research and apply sociological insights to real-world organisational challenges.The program begins in the fall semester with a research internship placement, where students are introduced to potential internship providers and assigned to an organisation based on mutual agreement. During the winter, students conduct ethnographic research as part of a three-month internship, applying sociological theories and methods to analyse organisational practices and policy issues. In the spring, students participate in a Thesis Seminar, where they learn to systematically analyse and interpret their collected data. The program concludes in the summer with the completion of a written master’s thesis, which is also reported to the internship provider, linking academic research directly to practical organisational outcomes.The course structure supports this integrated approach. Students take Contemporary Anthropological Social Theory (10 EC) to gain a theoretical foundation, Research Design for Sociology of Policy in Practice (5 EC) to develop research skills, and prepare a Research Proposal for Sociology of Policy in Practice (5 EC) as a blueprint for their internship project. The Policy-Oriented Research Internship (20 EC) forms the core practical component, while the Thesis Seminar (5 EC) and Master Thesis Project (15 EC) guide students through analysis, interpretation, and presentation of their findings.Educational methods include lectures, seminars, group discussions, and practical exercises that develop critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and effective communication skills. The program emphasizes close interaction with organisations, enabling students to understand organisational contexts, design relevant research, and translate sociological knowledge into actionable insights.Graduates of the Sociology of Policy in Practice specialisation are well-prepared for careers in consultancy, policy research, government institutions, non-governmental organisations, and international organisations. The program also provides a strong foundation for pursuing a PhD, equipping students to conduct independent, policy-relevant sociological research that bridges theory and practice.