Research Master

On this page you will find a general description of the Research Master Developmental Psychology track as well as a list of FAQ's. The information provided on this page is for both Dutch and International students.

• General description
• FAQ
• Additional Information for International Students
• Testimonials from two of our Research Master Students

General description

The Research Master programme in Psychology is a two-year programme that is focused on acquiring research skills in a particular field of psychology. Students can focus on one of the specialisations within the Master’s programme. One of these specialisations is in Developmental Psychology, which allows you to study psychological processes from a developmental perspective. If you decide to apply for the Developmental Psychology specialisation, you can expect to get enrolled in a research programme with enthusiastic academics from different backgrounds: cognitive developmental psychology, social-emotional developmental psychology, and atypical development (e.g., autism, impulse control disorders, juvenile delinquency, speech and social anxiety). All these research areas are approached from different perspectives, using different methodologies, ranging from class room observations to brain development research.

The two-year programme partly consists of general courses that are offered to all students from different specialisations simultaneously. These courses deal with advanced methodological topics that apply especially to research in psychology, but they also teach you the essentials of academic writing and presentation of your studies.

Additionally, there are courses that are offered by the four different research programmes that exist within our unit of Developmental Psychology. During your first year, there are four specialised courses focusing on different aspects of developmental psychology. These four courses consist of small-scale discussion groups and one-on-one guidance by the research leaders. In your second year, you enrol in the research programme of your choice. This second year is fully focused on your own research thesis and internship, complemented by general courses which will guide you in the different phases of your research (writing, presenting, etc.).

More information about our research conducted by the unit Developmental and Educational Psychology, click here.
Follow this link for more information about the general Research Master programme.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions relevant for all students!

What can I expect of a Research Master programme?

Because only a limited number of students can enrol each year, the group of students is small. This makes it possible to offer students personal supervision and guidance during these two years. The contact with the supervisor and other members of the research programme is interactive and intensive. It is common to present our work to our colleagues, and this will also be expected from the Research Master students. This, and other experiences, will prepare the student in the best possible way for an academic career.

What are the requirements to enrol into the Research Master?

• BA or BSc in Psychology with a third year course (or 400 level) on the topic of the track;
• Superior grade for Bachelor thesis and project;
• A high average grade for coursework;
• Letter of motivation by applicant;
• Two positive reference letters by members of academic staff.

What are the deadlines?

For Dutch students:

• June 15 if you want to start in September
• December 1 if you want to start in February
  
  (See the paragraph "Additional information for International students" below, for the deadlines for international students.)
  

How do I register for the Research Master?

The Research Master is a so-called “niet-doorstroommaster” (non-automatic transfer master). This means that you always have to submit a request for admission. The admission form can be downloaded here (pdf)  or can be collected from the Plexus Student Information Centre. If the Faculty accepts the admission, the Student Information Centre will send you a “Bewijs van Toelating” (Proof of Admission) and a registration form. Please complete and return this form as soon as possible. Once you have been admitted, you are responsible for informing the IB-group of your transfer from the Bachelor to the Master programme by means of a “Mutatieformulier” (information alteration form).

When should I apply for the Research Master?

The admission form must be returned to the Student Information Centre before June 15 (if you want to start in September) or before November 1 (if you want to start in February). You will receive further information about the admission and/or possible selection within 4-6 weeks.

Can I still apply for further clinical training or work in a clinical environment with a Research Master degree?

Yes, you can! In the Research Master programme, you are entitled to 20 credits worth of free electives. You can use these free electives for the practical skills courses that are offered in the Professional Master programme. With an additional internship when you have finished your two-year Research Master, you will meet all the requirements to apply for the GZ programme (Dutch postacademic psychologist training). 

Please note that internships are only available for Dutch-speaking students.

What kind of diploma will I get upon graduation?

Upon completion of the Research Master, you will be granted the title Master of Science (MSc). For the sake of international compatibility, you will also receive certificates that show you have successfully completed our Research Master programme.

I have a question that is not in this FAQ, what should I do?

If you would like more information about the Research Master at Leiden University, or if you would like to speak to someone about this Master programme, please do not hesitate to contact us! (See below for contact details.)

Additional Information for International Students

In addition to the information above, please be advised that International students should meet the following additional requirements:

• Proficiency in English (IELTS score 7 or TOEFL 600 /250/ 100);

•  April 1 if you want to start in September;
• October 15 if you want to start in February.

Contact details

Eveline Crone, mentor research master students.
Room 3B33A; Phone 071-527 3681; Email: ecrone@fsw.leidenuniv.nl  

Testimonials from two of our Research Master Students

Bianca van den Bulk:
During the first three years of my Bachelor in Psychology I was never interested in doing research: from the beginning I knew that I wanted to work in the field. However, when I got involved in a very interesting research project during my Bachelor thesis, research got my attention. Now I am a second year Research Master student of Developmental Psychology and I really enjoy the Research Master: you follow a very decent educational programme in which you receive a lot of individual attention and during your thesis and internship you acquire good experiences in doing (your own) research. During my Research Master I also follow some courses from the Professional Master (as electives) and in the future I hope to find a job in which I can combine both masters.

Félice van Nunspeet:
The two-year Research Master programme ‘Developmental Psychology’ convinced me of pursuing a career in science. The great advantage of the Research Master courses is the opportunity to develop your own ideas for new experiments and research questions. You learn to review scientific articles, to formulate your own theories, and how to test your hypotheses with a good experimental design. You gain experience with different types of research methods, such as cognitive experiments and questionnaires, but also brain imaging techniques and physiological measures. After completing a Research Master programme, you are fully qualified to become a PhD student. So if you like to think of ways to get a better understanding of human behavior, a Research Master programme may be the best choice for you.