Programs/Master/Humanities, social sciences, communication and arts
Master

Child Development and Education (research master)

★ StudyPath verdict
8.2/10
Best for students pursuing research or PhD careers in child development and education sciences. Strong research focus at a top Dutch university; less emphasis on applied teaching practice than regular master's programmes.
Tuition · Intl
€23,455
EU: €2,694/year · click ↗
Duration
2 years
120 ECTS
Start
Sep 26
apply by Jun 26
Language
English
IELTS 6.5+
Accred.
NVAO
NVAO 2024
Admission
Open
no intake cap
Enrolled/yr
50
DUO ↓22% ↗
Intl. %
?
no data yet
S:F ratio
22:1
institution-wide ↗
Min. English
6.5
IELTS required
Entry route
Bachelor
4 bachelor routes ↗
Satisfaction
4.2/5
NSE 2026 ↗
Employment
99%
field est. ↗
Median salary
€3,363
/mo gross · field ↗
Alumni
?
no data yet
↗ Real values are sourced; tiles marked “?” aren’t collected yet · Enrolled/yr is live from DUO · Satisfaction/outcomes are live from StudiekeuzedatabaseLast sync: 26 Jun 2026
About this program
A unique blend of research skills and expertise in both Child Development and Education, along with the freedom to pursue your individual interests, defines this two-year, smallscale research Master's programme. The Research Master's programme trains students to do research into the nature, development and explanation of children's attributes. While topics vary, they share the bioecological model as a common theoretical framework. Students conduct two projects to apply the knowledge and technical skills that they will acquire throughout the programme. After the programme, students are qualified for research positions in fundamental or applied research. The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences at the University of Amsterdam has a strong tradition in empirical research and in connecting the teaching with the practice of research. In learning to develop their research skills, students will benefit from the department's extensive experimental research facilities, among which video-monitored observation rooms, a baby lab and an ERP research lab equipped with facilities for taking electro-physiological measurements. Students may also participate in observational and interventional research in families or classrooms, in large-scale skills-testing research on children and adults, or in conducting educational surveys using questionnaires for different target groups.
Institution’s own description (HOVI via Studiekeuzedatabase)
English120 ECTSMaster of ScienceField area: Behaviour & SocietySector: Onderwijs en OpvoedingCode of Conduct (intl.)Full-timeMaster
Teaching formats
ColloquiumComputer assignmentsGroup discussionIndividual assignmentInternshipLiterature studyOral presentationResearch
About University of Amsterdam
The University of Amsterdam (UvA), founded in 1632, is one of Europe's largest research universities with over 35,000 students. Located in the vibrant heart of Amsterdam, it's renowned for social sciences, humanities, and business programs. Ranked #53 worldwide and known for its progressive academic culture.
Living in Amsterdam
Student cost of living
Rent · room
€700/mo
Monthly total
€1,000–€2,000
Cost of living
High
Population
873k

Bustling, international, and culturally rich. Amsterdam balances historic charm with modern innovation. The city is bike-friendly, walkable, and offers endless opportunities for exploration and networking.

View city guide →
Specializations
Tracks from HOVI
Regular routeSpecialisation
The regular route is open to all research master students. In the regular route, students take the introductory course, three courses in methods and statistics, and a supporting co
Clinical routeSpecialisation
The clinical route is only open to Dutch students. For more information about the regular and clinical routes, we refer to the information brochure on the website.
Source: HOVI via Studiekeuzedatabase
Curriculum
Course structure by year
?No curriculum data yet
Career outcomes
Graduate surveys · field-group level
Good job-market outlookfield: onderwijskunde
Median starting salary (field)€3,363/mo gross
Employed ~1.5y after graduating99%
Months to a substantial job2
Working in their own field84%
Permanent contract52%
Satisfied with their job3.9/5
Top graduate occupations (field)
Psychologen21%
Specialisten op het gebied van onderwijsmethoden19%
Specialisten op het gebied van personeelsopleidingen16%
Onderwijsgevenden in het basisonderwijs11%
Specialisten op het gebied van beleidsadministratie8%
Field-group estimates from national graduate surveys via Studiekeuzedatabase — not measured per programme
Progression & cohort
Official register statistics
Complete this degree88%
Women among first-years79%
Say workload is “just right”64%
Official register statistics (1cijferHO · 2025) via Studiekeuzedatabase
Student voices
National Student Survey (NSE) — first-party reviews coming
4.2/5overall satisfaction · NSE 2026 · 11 respondents
Content & set-up3.8
Teachers4.1
Atmosphere4.4
Involvement & contact4.1
Study guidance3.8
Testing & assessment3.3
Facilities3.8
Career preparation3.9
Teachers' English4
Would choose again4.1
Source: Nationale Studenten Enquête via Studiekeuzedatabase (Studiekeuze123/LCSK)
Application timeline
Application deadline
2026-06-01
Upcoming open days
Open dayonline
2 Nov 2026
Admissions
Minimum language scores · from StudyInNL
  • IELTS overall band: 6.5
  • TOEFL internet based: 100
  • Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English: 190
Scholarships
Letje Lips Amsterdam Merit ScholarshipFor a talented Graduate School of Humanities student from outside the EU/EEA; deadline 15 January.
Horizon FundGrant for Master's students already studying at the Graduate School of Humanities to finance academic travel abroad.
Internships
?No data yet
🤝
Got admitted? We handle the rest.
Document review, visa, housing. 92% success rate. From €499.