The master Societal Transitions is tailored for talented and motivated students. Your background may be in any discipline, from social sciences or humanities, to beta studies. Diploma requirements You can apply if: You have a university bachelor’s degree or its equivalent. You have a university pre-masters degree. Students who have not yet obtained their degree may already apply if they expect to graduate before starting with this master. English proficiency You meet the English proficiency requirement if: you have a Dutch ‘vwo’ grade of 7 or higher in English; you hold an International Baccalaureate diploma including English Standard Level (A) or English Higher Level (A or B); you hold a European Baccalaureate diploma including English as 1st or 2nd language; you obtained at least 2,5 years of English language secondary education in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South-Africa, The USA, the UK or Ireland. If you do not meet one of the above requirements, you may demonstrate proof of proficiency in English through any of the following tests: IELTS Academic (International English language Testing System) with a minimum score of 7.0 overall. All sub scores should at least be 6.5. TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language) with a minimum score of 100. All sub scores should at least be 23. TOEFL iBT certificate from 2026 onwards: 5 (including sub scores) ITP-TOEFL (Institutional Testing Programme) offered by the Language & Training Centre at the EUR, or any other Dutch University. Minimum requirement: 627. Cambridge C1 Advanced or Cambridge C2 Proficiency with a minimum score of at least 185. Deadlines for submitting proof of English proficiency: non-EEA applicants: before 1 May EEA applicants: before 1 August Please take the test well in time to meet the deadline. Allow some time to re-take the test, if necessary! English tests must not be older than two years at the time of application. If you have not yet taken a test, we recommend IELTS or TOEFL. Personal motivation A personal motivation for enrolment is required in which you explain why you find this master's interesting and why you think you are suited for it. This is particularly important because the curriculum places high demands on your involvement and commitment. Promising candidates who do not meet all entry requirements can contact philosophy@esphil.eur.nl or vannucci@esphil.eur.nl . The office of the Erasmus School of Philosophy can help you make a request to the Examination Board to override certain entry requirements. Got any questions about this programme? We're here to help
Do you think you meet the requirements? Start your application in Studielink . Making an application Your application process must be finalised: by 1 August if you do not need to apply for a visa; by 1 June if you do need to apply for a visa. For more information, please visit the website of the International Office . During the application process, you will need the following documents: certified copy of highest degree (if you do not have your degree yet, please add a note stating what degree you are about to obtain and when we may expect the certified copy); transcript of academic records (the courses you have followed and the grades you obtained for each of them); a copy of the information page of your passport. The programme you need to register for in Studielink is called "Societal Transitions". Do not fill out the 'Main language' search bar as this obstructs the correct search results. Got any questions about this programme? We're here to help
The Master Societal Transitions is a transdisciplinary programme that provides you with the knowledge and skills you need to understand, interpret, and facilitate transitions towards a just and sustainable future.