NETHERLANDS · THE HAGUE
Institute of Social Studies
public · Founded 1952 · Languages: en, nl
In short
The Institute of Social Studies (ISS), part of Erasmus University Rotterdam, is a graduate school in The Hague focusing on global development and social justice. It offers MA and PhD programs with a diverse international community and critical approach to social sciences.
Key facts
- Type
- Public
- Founded
- 1952
- Students
- 500
- International students
- 153
- Acceptance rate
- 30%
- Tuition (intl)
- €8–8k/yr
- Languages
- EN, NL
- Location
- The Hague, Netherlands
The International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) is a graduate school and research institute focused on global development and social justice. As part of Erasmus University Rotterdam, ISS brings together students and faculty from around the world to its location in The Hague, a city known for peace and justice. The institute is dedicated to fostering critical thinking and contributing to a more equitable world through its education, research, and public engagement. ISS offers a distinctive one-year Master of Arts in Development Studies, designed for those committed to building a fair and just future, attracting a diverse international student body. Additionally, it provides a four-year PhD programme for scholars interested in positive social change. Research at ISS is a core activity, concentrating on areas like migration, environmental issues, and land dynamics, often with a critical, care-based perspective. With a diverse student and faculty community, ISS provides a vibrant academic environment that promotes cross-cultural exchange and collaborative learning. The institute actively disseminates its research and insights through publications, news, and a blog, engaging with pressing global challenges and contributing to international dialogue.
Why study here
- Be part of a globally diverse academic community with students and faculty from the Global South and North.
- Benefit from a critical, policy-oriented approach to social sciences and development studies.
- Study in The Hague, the international City of Peace and Justice, offering unique perspectives and opportunities.
- Earn an internationally recognized degree from both ISS and Erasmus University Rotterdam.
- Engage in cutting-edge research focused on pressing global issues like poverty, inequality, migration, conflict, and ecology.
Student life
ISS strives to provide an accessible and welcoming environment for all students and staff. The building includes gender-neutral toilets, free menstrual products, a dedicated prayer and meditation room on the 5th floor, and a lactation room for nursing mothers. The ISS Library, part of the Erasmus University Library, specializes in English-language social science literature with an emphasis on development. It offers a collection of 100,000 books, 120,000 e-journals, 300+ online databases, and study spaces for quiet work, group collaboration, or relaxation.
Fees
InternationalPhD tuition fee is €8,000 per year, payable over 4 years (€32,000 total).
HomePhD tuition fee is €8,000 per year, payable over 4 years (€32,000 total).
LivingApproximately €44,100 for 36 months for PhD researchers to cover living costs in the Netherlands. Fieldwork costs for 12 months are approximately €13,650.
Additional costs include health insurance (approx. €2,000 for four years) and visa/work permit fees (€1,000 for the researcher and any accompanying family members). All PhD researchers must show proof of sufficient funds for the program and a Dutch residence permit.
Admissions
PhD ApplicationContact a potential supervisor to discuss your research proposal.
Rankings
QS World University Rankings by Subject — Development StudiesTop graduate school for development studies
University scholarships
ISS partial scholarships—
ISS-OAS Scholarship—
ISS Early Bird discount—
ISS - COLFUTURO scholarship (Colombia)—
Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship—
REISS Scholarship—
Accreditation
The ISS MA Degree in Development Studies is accredited by the Netherlands Flemish accreditation organization (NVAO) and provides eligibility for entry to PhD programmes worldwide.
For international students
NetherlandsStudent visa & funds
Non-EU students cannot apply for their own residence permit; only an IND-recognised institution (a registered sponsor) submits the application on their behalf. The permit is issued for up to five years and stays valid for three months after the programme ends. For university and HBO students the IND requires proof of at least €1,130.77 per month (the 2026 study norm) for living costs, held by the student or guaranteed by the institution. Students must also keep satisfactory progress — at least 50% of annual credits — to retain the permit.
Working while you study
Non-EU students may work a maximum of 16 hours per week during the academic year, or alternatively full-time during June, July and August. In either case the employer must first obtain a work permit (TWV) from the UWV before the student starts; the student cannot apply for it themselves. Internships that are a formal, graded part of the degree are exempt from the TWV requirement when a tri-party agreement is in place, as is volunteering with a Volunteer Declaration.
After you graduate
After a bachelor’s, master’s or PhD at a Dutch institution, non-EU graduates may apply for the orientation year permit (zoekjaar), valid for one year and not extendable. During this year the holder may work freely — no employer TWV is needed — and may also freelance or start a business. The application must be made within three years of graduating. Graduates of a foreign university ranked in the global top 200 can also qualify with English proficiency at IELTS 6.0 or equivalent.
English tests
- IELTS6.0–6.5 for bachelor’s; 6.5–7.0 for most master’s; specialist master’s up to 7.0–7.5
- TOEFL iBT80–90 for bachelor’s; 90–100 for master’s; some research universities require 100
Main intakes
SeptemberFebruary
Typical living cost
€1,200/month
Approximate all-in student budget; major cities run higher.
Programs
a selectionInstitute of Social Studies · Netherlands
Fast Track PhD Programme
The International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) offers a Fast Track PhD Programme for experienced professionals who wish to formalize their existing experience and insights into a PhD. This route is designed for candidates who have a strong background in development, have advanced in their careers, and possess a record of applied research and publications. ISS welcomes these candidates and values their commitment to transforming their work into academic research. While adhering to the general ISS PhD programme regulations, fast-track candidates have the flexibility to shape their academic journey with their supervisory team, potentially waiving coursework or seminar requirements if they can demonstrate prior achievement.
PhD
Level
—
Tuition
—
Duration
Institute of Social Studies · Netherlands
Institute of Social Studies
The Institute of Social Studies (ISS) is part of Erasmus University Rotterdam and offers advanced Master's degrees and PhD programs focused on global development and social justice. Located in The Hague, Netherlands, ISS provides a unique academic environment for critical analysis of development issues. The institute emphasizes interdisciplinary research and teaching, with a particular focus on contemporary global challenges such as migration, inequality, and climate change. ISS aims to contribute to building a more just and equitable world through its academic programs and research activities.
Master's
Level
—
Tuition
12 mo
Duration
Institute of Social Studies · Netherlands
LLB (Bachelor of Law) in the Netherlands
The Netherlands offers a high-quality education system with many LLB (Bachelor of Law) programs taught in English, making it an attractive destination for international students. These programs provide a strong foundation in legal education, focusing on developing critical thinking, analytical skills, and practical legal knowledge. Studying in the Netherlands offers exposure to a diverse, multicultural environment and a robust legal tradition, with a practical approach to learning that includes case studies, moot courts, and potential internships. This comprehensive legal education can open doors to numerous career opportunities within the Netherlands' vibrant legal sector and international organizations.
Bachelor's
Level
€8k
Tuition
36 mo
Duration
Institute of Social Studies · Netherlands
MSc Computer Science
Master's
Level
—
Tuition
—
Duration
Institute of Social Studies · Netherlands
PhD in Global Development and Social Justice
PhD
Level
—
Tuition
48 mo
Duration
Scholarships
for Netherlands
full fundingDutch Research Council (NWO)
NWO Rubicon Programme
For researchers who have recently completed (or are about to complete) a PhD, who want to gain research experience at a foreign institution (or at a Dutch institution if coming from abroad). It is a postdoctoral programme; applicants must have obtained their doctorate within the last ~12 months and apply through NWO with a host.
full
Funding
€180k
Max
Mar 31, 2027
Deadline
full fundingNuffic (Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP) Scholarships
Open to mid-career professionals who are nationals of, and currently living and working in, one of the listed OKP partner countries. Applicants must have proficiency in English or French, be in work that aligns with one of the priority areas designated for their country, be able to show they will use and transfer their new knowledge within their employing organization, and agree to comply with the obligations and conditions of the OKP. A limited number of awards is granted to motivated female and male professionals.
full
Funding
€40k
Max
Mar 31, 2027
Deadline
full fundingUniversity of Groningen
Welcoming International Talent (WIT) PhD Fellowship
Open to Early-Stage Researchers of any nationality who, at the call deadline, have no more than four years of full-time-equivalent research experience and have not yet been awarded a doctoral degree. Applicants must hold a qualification that grants access to doctoral studies, meet the MSCA mobility rule (not having lived or worked in the host country for more than 12 months in the previous three years), and have at least certified B2-level English.
full
Funding
€32k
Max
Mar 18, 2027
Deadline
full fundingMaastricht University
UM Brightlands Talent Scholarship
Open to non-EU/EEA and Swiss nationals under 35 who have conditional admission to a participating master's programme affiliated with a Brightlands campus, have not previously enrolled in Dutch higher education, and demonstrate strong academic performance.
full
Funding
€31k
Max
Feb 1, 2027
Deadline
full fundingMaastricht University
Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship
Open to talented students from outside the EU/EEA, Switzerland and Suriname who have applied for admission to a participating full-time Master's programme at Maastricht University, meet the programme's admission requirements, have not previously studied for a degree in the Netherlands, and are no older than 35 on the cycle's start date.
full
Funding
€30k
Max
Feb 1, 2027
Deadline
full fundingDelft University of Technology (TU Delft)
Justus & Louise van Effen Excellence Scholarship
For exceptional non-EU/EEA students applying for an MSc programme at Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) with an excellent academic record. The scholarship is merit-based and competitive; you apply for it after applying for admission to an eligible TU Delft master's, by the deadline (commonly 1 December).
full
Funding
€30k
Max
Dec 1, 2026
Deadline
Frequently asked questions
What programs does the Institute of Social Studies (ISS) offer?
+
ISS offers a one-year Master of Arts in Development Studies and a four-year PhD program. These programs are designed for individuals committed to global development and social justice.
What are the tuition fees for PhD researchers at ISS?
+
The PhD tuition fee is €8,000 per year, payable over four years, totaling €32,000. Additional costs for health insurance and visa/work permits apply.
What is the cost of living for PhD researchers at ISS?
+
Living costs for PhD researchers are estimated at approximately €44,100 for 36 months. Fieldwork costs for 12 months are approximately €13,650.
What makes studying in The Hague unique for ISS students?
+
The Hague is recognized as the City of Peace and Justice, providing a relevant backdrop for studies in global development and social justice. This offers unique perspectives and opportunities for students.
What kind of research is conducted at ISS?
+
Research at ISS focuses on areas such as migration, environmental issues, and land dynamics. The research often adopts a critical, care-based perspective on pressing global challenges.
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