Profile
The Institute
of Social Studies (ISS) is an international postgraduate school
of policy-oriented, social science teaching and research, whose
diverse activities include teaching, interdisciplinary research
and advisory work in the field of development studies. Founded by
the universities of the Netherlands in 1952, the Institute is one
of the world's leading centres of higher education and research
in this field.
One of the distinguishing
characteristics of the ISS is its interdisciplinary, pluralistic
and comparative approach to the analysis of global and local issues
in development. The Institute's academic staff are embedded in both
the theory and practice of development through the strong combination
of teaching, research and advisory work. They are drawn from around
the world, with 30% from developing countries and more than 50%
from outside the Netherlands.
Among the Institute's
Honorary Fellows are Hans Linneman, Lucille Mair, Benno Ndulu, Mamphela
Ramphele, Amartya Sen, Hans Singer and Rodolfo Stavenhagen.
Many ISS alumni
hold leading positions in governments, planning agencies, international
organizations, law and higher education, and in non-governmental
organizations.
As an international
academic institution, the ISS has worldwide links. It is a member
of various international associations such as the Society for International
Development. The Institute is one of the Institutes of International
Education in the Netherlands and is firmly embedded in the Dutch
system of higher education and research.
Policy workshops,
research seminars, international conferences and various other events
focusing upon issues in the development field are held regularly
at the ISS, providing a meeting place for academics and policy makers.
Postgraduate School of Development Studies
The ISS has
a range of high-level programmes taught in the English language,
including postgraduate Diploma programmes, a Master of Arts (MA),
and a PhD programme. ISS degrees are internationally recognized
and incorporated in the Dutch law on Higher Education.
Starting in
2002 the ISS will offer two new degrees jointly with Dutch universities:
an LL.M. with the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and an MSc with the
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and the Wageningen University.
All ISS teaching
emphasizes academic quality and professional relevance. ISS teaching
is therefore provided in a multi-disciplinary setting and include
input from a broad array of disciplines and perspectives, such as
sociology, anthropology, law, political science, economics, policy
studies and gender studies. Moreover, the ISS advocates comparative
analysis of societal problems, highlighting similarities and commonalities
as well as differences. The comparative approach is greatly facilitated
by the wide range of backgrounds represented among students and
staff, and by the stimulating open discussions and exchange of experience
that characterize ISS classes.
Courses are
mainly given in The Hague, but some are taught in developing countries.
Each year the ISS welcomes 250 students. Since the Institute's foundation,
over 9,000 participants from approximately 160 countries have taken
part in its programmes.
PhD
The Institute
of Social Studies has a 4-year programme leading to a PhD degree
(Development Studies). This advanced research degree begins with
course-work and preparation for a research seminar, which takes
place at the end of the first year. After a period of research in
the field, PhD students write a thesis. Students benefit from access
to a multi?disciplinary faculty working on different aspects of
development problems, combined with fieldwork under local guidance
and institutional support.
MA Development Studies
The 15-month
Master's programme (Development Studies) provides solid and balanced
academic and professional training in theory and methods relevant
to development studies. It aims at those who intend to return to,
or wish to immediately proceed with, a professional career and at
those who wish to pursue their studies at PhD level. The ISS MA
provides eligibility for admission to PhD programmes in the Netherlands
and throughout the world.
The ISS offers
the following specialisations:
- Agricultural and Rural Development;
- Economics of Development;
- Human Resources and Employment Studies;
- Local and Regional Development;
- Politics of Alternative Development Strategies;
- Population and Development;
- Public Policy and Administration;
- Women, Gender, Development.
Postgraduate Diploma and Special Postgraduate Programmes
The short postgraduate
Diploma programmes (10.5 weeks, unless indicated otherwise) aim
to meet the needs of specific clientele in the following specialist
areas:
- Children and Development
- Effective Social Policies for Human Development
- Globalization and Development
- Governance, Democratization and Public Policy
- Human Rights
- International Law and Sustainable Development
- Managing Rural Resources and Resource Conflicts
- Modelling and Accounting for Sustainable Development
- Policy Analysis Skills for Transition Economies (6.5 weeks)
- Universalising Social Security
These Diploma programmes address topics that are currently high
on the agenda. They are intended for professionals who wish to be
brought up to date on the newest debates and insights, and who wish
to acquire the practical skills to deal with the issues concerned.
The teaching methods include case studies, hands-on workshops and
interactive learning.
There is also
a special seven-week postgraduate programme on Development, Law
and Social Justice, concentrating on human rights issues.
LL.M. International Law and Organization
With the Vrije
Universiteit Amsterdam the ISS offers a 40 week postgraduate course
(September - June), focusing on the role and contribution of international
law and organization in regulating international economic relations
and shaping processes of development. Classes are held two days
each week at the ISS and two days at the Vrije Universiteit.
MSc Development Economics
Jointly with
the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and Wageningen University the ISS
organizes a 1 year postgraduate programme (January - December) in
Development Economics. The programme focuses on applied microeconomics
and policy analysis, and in particular on the relations between
the micro and macro level. The main courses will be organized at
the ISS. For the specialization courses students study at one of
the three institutions, depending on their choice of courses.
Research
The main features
of research at the ISS are its interdisciplinary, comparative and
pluralistic approach, and its focus on policy issues. The research
is based on rigorous analytical and methodological foundations and
geared towards theoretical innovation.
Within the ISS,
research activities are organized in four Staff Groups and build
on synergies with teaching, institutional capacity development projects
and advisory services.
Economics
of Sustainable Development
Sustainable and equitable economic development implies the efficient
management of available natural resources and the development of
human capabilities as key aspects of economic processes. Research
in this area focuses on the study of those factors that facilitate
or impede sustainable and equitable economic development.
States, Societies,
World Development
The research of this group concentrates on changing state and society
relations in the context of globalization. It studies roles and
potentials of states, markets and civil society agents in local,
national, international and global development processes.
Human Resources
and Local Development
The main focus of this group is the study of processes and policies
of socio-economic restructuring of production and reproduction.
Particular attention is paid to the changing configuration of labour
and gender relations, and their implications for employment, income
generation and livelihood.
Rural Development,
Environment and Population Studies
This group is multidisciplinary in terms of background and interdisciplinary
in approach towards the main research areas. Rural development acts
as a unifying element, with environment (including issues of politicial
ecology and natural resource management) as a key growth area, and
population studies as another important (and relatively new) area
of staff and PhD research.
Crosscutting
themes are poverty alleviation, gender analysis and environmental
sustainability.
The ISS participates
in the Centre for Research Studies for Development CERES, the national
inter-university research school for development studies, recognised
by the Royal Netherlands Academy of Sciences.
Publications
Research outputs
are disseminated in various ways: through monographs (including
PhD dissertations) and edited books, chapters in books, articles
in academic journals, reports, the ISS series of working papers,
and Development Issues. The international journal Development and
Change (edited by ISS staff) is published by Blackwell five times
per year.
Projects and Advisory Services
Since it was
founded in the early 1950s, the ISS has been actively involved in
a wide range of international projects and advisory services. These
have included long-term programmes of cooperation with teaching
and research institutions and government bodies in developing countries
and transitional economies, aimed at strengthening their capacities
for training, research and policy analysis. Activities in this field
include teaching inputs, curriculum development, contract research,
the provision of policy advice on a wide range of issues, and the
appraisal, formulation, evaluation, and monitoring of development
programmes and projects.
Over the years,
the ISS has implemented more than 30 long-term programmes of cooperation
with overseas institutions and numerous advisory assignments for
around 40 client organizations, involving more than 60 developing
countries. In the past decade the ISS has expanded its activities
in international projects and advisory services towards the transition
economies.
Facilities
The Institute
occupies spacious modern premises in the heart of The Hague, within
walking distance of key institutions such as ministries, embassies
and the International Court of Justice. The student residences are
next to the ISS building. The Institute can provide a comprehensive
conference package for up to 300 delegates.
The ISS has excellent teaching facilities, a well-equipped library
(with over 100,000 specialized volumes and 600 current periodical
subscriptions), and extensive computer and data-processing facilities,
including Internet access, available for staff and students.
How to apply
Admission
criteria
PhD
Admission to PhD studies will, in principle, be restricted to fully-qualified
and outstanding applicants whose thesis topic falls under one of
the themes of the Institute's Research Programme (see above).
A research proposal
with a maximum of 5,000 words must be included in the application
and should indicate: 1) a statement on the nature of the research
problem, defining the temporal, geographical and conceptual limits
to the research work; 2) an indication of the contribution of the
research to a theoretical or policy-making field, such that the
main theoretical orientation can be chosen, options can be justified
and research priorities may be established; 3) the formulation of
the research questions and/or hypotheses that are to be examined
in the research, as precisely and concisely as possible, indicating
the relationship between concepts, variables, phenomena or events;
4) if relevant, the secondary research questions or operational
hypotheses which will further help define the relations the research
is observing and explaining; 5) a short review of the relevant theoretical
background and an introduction to the main analytical approaches
to be pursued; 6) an indication of the sources of data and/or data-collecting
and processing techniques, if relevant; 7) a table of contents;
and 8) references/bibliography. As is clear from these guidelines,
it is assumed that the applicant has already done some preparatory
work on the thesis topic before applying.
Applicants are
required to have a Master's degree in one of the social sciences,
with at least class 2.1, B+ or equivalent, as determined by the
Netherlands Organization for International Cooperation in Higher
Education (NUFFIC). (See section below on English language requirements.)
A limited number
of fellowships have been made available by the Netherlands Government
for men up to the age of 40 years of age and women up to 45.
MA Development
Studies; LLM International Law and Organisation; MSc Development
Economics
Applicants are required to have a Bachelor's degree in one of the
social sciences (consisting of a minimum of three years of university
study), with at least class 2.2, B or equivalent, but preferably
with class 2.1, B+ or equivalent, as determined by the Netherlands
Organization for International Cooperation in Higher Education (NUFFIC).
(See section below on English language requirements.)
Professional
experience relevant to the Major which the applicant wishes to study
is considered an asset and is normally expected. Applicants should
clearly indicate the Major for which they wish to register.
Postgraduate
Diploma Programmes
Applicants are required to have a Bachelor's degree in one of the
social sciences (consisting of a minimum of three years university
study), with at least class 2.2, B or equivalent, as determined
by the Netherlands Organization for International Cooperation in
Higher Education (NUFFIC). (See section below on English language
requirements.)
Professional
experience relevant to the Diploma Programme is expected.
Selection
and Admission Procedures
An application
should be submitted using forms supplied by the Institute or, where
financial support is required from the Netherlands Fellowship Programme,
using the RFP forms through the Netherlands Embassy or any other
body representing the Netherlands abroad.
The application should be accompanied by:
- academic transcripts
and certified photocopies of degrees and diplomas;
- a certified statement of proficiency in English from one of the
recognized authorities
mentioned in section 5 below; and
- three letters of reference from persons able to judge the applicant's
professional
and/or academic abilities.
If the applicant
is to be on leave, a letter of recommendation from the employer
would be appreciated.
All letters
and documents must be submitted in English.
English Language
Requirements
The ISS does
not require a language certificate from native English-speakers.
All other applicants must provide a certificate from one of the
following bodies:
TOEFL:
The certificate must include the Test of Written English (TWE).
Please note that the TWE is held only four times per year (September,
October, March and May) and plan accordingly.
For PhD applicants, the minimum acceptable score is 550 for the
TOEFL and 5.5 for the TWE. For those taking the computer-based TOEFL
test, the minimum acceptable score is 213, with an Essay Rating
of at least 5.5.
For MA applicants, the minimum acceptable score is 550 for the TOEFL
and 4.5 for the TWE. For those taking the computer-based TOEFL test,
the minimum acceptable score is 213, with an Essay rating of at
least 4.5.
For Diploma applicants, the minimum acceptable score is 500 for
the TOEFL and 4.0 for the TWE. For those taking the computer-based
TOEFL test, the minimum acceptable score is 173, with an Essay Rating
of at least 4.0.
IELTS/British
Council:
For PhD applicants, the minimum acceptable score is 6.0, with a
minimum score of 6.0 for writing.
For MA applicants, the minimum acceptable score is 6.0 with a minimum
score of 5.5 for writing.
For Diploma applicants, the minimum acceptable score is 5.5 with
a minimum score of 5.0 for writing.
Certain other tests, such as ALIGU and Michigan, are recognized
and should show equivalent results.
The ISS reserves
the right to reject other certificates of English proficiency of
which the equivalence to IELTS or TOEFL is not readily established
Application
Dates
Application
forms for each of the programmes below can be downloaded from our
website www.iss.nl (except for the
RFP forms for the Netherlands Fellowship Programme: these are given
out by the Dutch Embassy). The application closing dates for teaching
programmes are as follows:
PhD applicants
(programme starts in January each year): applications should be
sent directly to the ISS; selection takes place on a regular basis.
MA Development
Studies (programme starts in September each year): applicants
are advised to send in their applications directly to the ISS as
early as possible so they can try to secure funding on the basis
of an admission letter. Early selections are made in December. For
applicants with secure funding selections continue up till August.
Those who seek a fellowship from the Netherlands Fellowship Programme
must use the special RFP forms, to be acquired at the Dutch Embassy
in your country and must submit these forms to the Embassy by 1
February. Selections on these applications will take place in March/April.
LLM International
Law and Organisation (programme starts in September each year):
applications should be sent directly to the ISS before 1 June. The
admission board will regularly consider applications starting 15
January.
MSc Development
Economics (programme start in January each year): applications
should be sent directly to the ISS, preferably before 30 June.
Postgraduate
Diploma Programmes (programmes starting in January, April and
May):
For those who seek a fellowship from the Netherlands Fellowship
Programme the application forms (RFP forms) must be submitted to
the Dutch Embassy; closing dates are
15 August for the programmes starting in January
15 November for the programmes starting in April
15 December for the programme starting in May
For other applicants
the applications must be submitted by
1 November for the programmes starting in January
1 February for the programmes starting in April
1 March for the programme starting in May
Special Graduate
Programme (programme starting in May): applications should be sent
on the ISS application forms, directly to the ISS, before 1 February.
