The differences between a Master's, research Master's and joint programme

In the Netherlands, you can generally choose from several types of Master's programmes: a regular Master's, research Master's or joint programme. When choosing a Master's, it is good to consider what best suits you and your future plans. Below, we explain the main differences between these three types of Master's.

Master's

Master's programmes in the Netherlands are typically one to two years in duration and are focused on providing you with advanced and specialised knowledge in a specific field. These programmes are designed to deepen your understanding of a particular subject area, develop practical skills, and prepare you for a professional career in various fields. Regular Master's programmes often include a mix of coursework, internships, and a final thesis or project.

Key points:

Duration: 1 to 2 years.
Focus: Broad and specialised knowledge in a specific field.
Structure: Combination of coursework, internships, and a final project or thesis.
Career orientation: Geared towards preparing you for a professional career in industry, government, or non-profit organizations.

See all our Master's programmes

Research Master's

Research Master's programmes are specifically designed for pursuing a career in research or continuing with a PhD. These programmes are highly research-oriented and provide you with intensive training in research methods, critical thinking, and academic writing. If you want to contribute to the academic community through original research and scholarly publications, then a Research Master's programme is the one for you.

Key points:

Duration: 2 years.
Focus: Intensive training in research methods, critical thinking, and academic writing.
Structure: Emphasis on independent research, with fewer or no coursework requirements. Extensive focus on thesis or dissertation work.
Career orientation: Geared towards preparing you for a PhD, a research-focused career in academia, research institutions, or specialised industries.

See all our research Master's

Joint programmes

A joint programme is a Master's programme offered jointly by two or more universities. Radboud University offers several joint programmes in cooperation with other universities, often abroad. A joint programme Master's programme usually comprises two years and offers the opportunity to study your Master's in several cities (abroad).

See all joint programmes

Joint programmes come in different variations that vary in the study programme, the number of universities you will study at and the number of degrees you will receive after completing the Master's:

Dual degree

A dual degree Master's is offered with one other university (abroad). After completing a dual degree, you will receive two diplomas - one from each university. There are, however, differences in the content of the two programmes and degrees at the two universities, for example in subjects, duration and number of credits.

We offer a number of dual degree Master's programmes in collaboration with the University of Glasgow (United Kingdom):

Anthropology and Development Studies – with Economic Development at the University of Glasgow
Comparative Politics – with Russia, Eastern Europe, and Eurasian Studies or Political Communications at the University of Glasgow
Intelligent Technology – with Digital Society at the University of Glasgow
International Business – with Development Studies at the University of Glasgow
International Political Economy or Global Political Economy – with Global Economy at the University of Glasgow

We also offer dual degrees in collaboration with a number of other universities:

Borders, Migration & Justice - with the Universitas Gadjah Mada (Indonesia)
Capital, Labour, Extraction – with the Universitas Gadjah Mada (Indonesia)
Cities, Culture & Inequality – with the Universitas Gadjah Mada (Indonesia)
Conflicts, Territories and identities – with the Universitas Gadjah Mada (Indonesia)
Conflict, Power and Politics – with the American University (Washington, D.C., United States) or the University of Bamberg (Germany)
European Union Politics and Governance | Political Science – with the American University (Washington, D.C., United States) or the University of Bamberg (Germany)
Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Politics – with the American University (Washington, D.C., United States) or the University of Bamberg (Germany)
Global Political Economy – with the American University (Washington, D.C., United States)
International Relations – with the American University (Washington, D.C., United States) or the University of Bamberg (Germany)
Political Theory – with the American University (Washington, D.C., United States) or the University of Bamberg (Germany)
Strategic Human Resources Leadership – with the University of Bamberg (Germany)

Double degree

In a double degree Master's, a joint curriculum is offered with one other university (abroad). After completing a double degree, you will receive two equivalent diplomas - one from each university.

Education in Museums and Heritage – with the University of Glasgow (United Kingdom)
Publiekrecht – with the Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (the Netherlands)

Joint degree

A joint degree Master's offers a joint integrated study programme with one or more universities (abroad). After completing a joint degree, you will receive one joint diploma.

Nederland-Duitsland Studies – with the Universität Münster (Germany)

Multiple degree

A multiple degree Master's is offered with at least two other universities (abroad). After completing a multiple degree, you will receive multiple diplomas from the universities participating in the programme.

Erasmus Mundus joint Master's in AI (EMAI) – Erasmus Mundus Master's with Pompeu Fabra University (UPF) in Barcelona (Spain), Sapienza University of Rome (Italy), and the University of Ljubljana (Slovenia)
European Master in System Dynamics – with the University of Bergen (Norway), the University of Palermo (Italy), and NOVA University Lisbon (Portugal)
International Law and Global Security, Peace and Development – Erasmus Mundus Master's with the University of Glasgow (United Kingdom) and the Institut Barcelona d'Estudis Internacionals (Spain)