Master of Science in Educational Sciences: Learning in Interaction

Explore the Complexity of Cognitive and Social Learning Processes

Do you want to disentangle and understand the complex interaction of development, education, and learning? Are you curious about how processes in educational contexts relate to the cognitive and social development of children, youth, and adults? The Master’s program in Educational Sciences: Learning in Interaction invites you to tackle these topics and more.

Education can sometimes be dull and ineffective. We can change that by recognizing and developing the concept that we never learn alone. We always learn by interacting with someone or something, such as:

• People who are more knowledgeable than us (teachers or more advanced fellow students)
• People who are equally knowledgeable as us (peers or in teams)
• Artifacts (the environment around us, books, computers)

If you’re interested in learning about and carrying out high-quality research into these interactions, you can make a real difference in learning, teaching, and instruction.

Research-Focused

This program is designed to prepare you for a career in research (for example as a Ph.D. candidate), or for work in education policy and consultancy. Educational Sciences: Learning in Interaction is offered by the Department of Education and Pedagogy, which in turn is part of Utrecht University’s Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences. The program is based on the faculty-wide research theme of Education and Learning, which is embedded in local, national, and international research networks.

High-Quality Program

Educational Sciences: Learning in Interaction is recognized as a high-quality program and has been awarded several high ratings by different ranking organizations in the Netherlands. The renowned 'Keuzegids Masters 2021' labeled Educational Sciences: Learning in Interaction received the highest score of all research master's in the field of Educational Sciences.

Internationally Oriented

Collaboration with students from multiple countries provides you with opportunities to explore issues in education and learning within a broader international perspective. In addition, researchers and scholars from abroad are invited for guest lectures and research seminars. We encourage all students to participate in international research seminars or to complete an internship abroad.

"There are more and more opportunities to use multimedia in the classroom, but is it always effective? It is crucial that the source of learning connects with the way our memory operates. Only then can children find their way through the material".



Kennisnet

As a graduate of this Master's program, you’ll be a well-qualified practitioner in educational and learning sciences. You’ll have a thorough knowledge of current developmental, learning, and teaching theories as well as the neurobiological basis of education and learning. In addition, you’ll have the tools and expertise to conduct high-quality research in education. The program prepares you equally well for a career as a Ph.D. candidate or as an applied researcher outside academia.

Multidisciplinary

This multidisciplinary two-year program allows you to synthesize insights from education, psychology, neuroscience, and linguistics. Our lecturers represent different disciplinary backgrounds, such as developmental psychology, educational sciences, experimental psychology, human movement science, linguistics, pedagogy, natural sciences, and sociology. This broad range of perspectives will help you develop a comprehensive outlook on issues in educational sciences.

This program prepares you for a position as a researcher in a university context, such as a Ph.D. candidate, and it also prepares you for high-level academic positions in the educational practice and policy field.

Academic Career

• Ph.D. candidate at a university

Professional Career

The program also prepares you for a career as an applied researcher in educational institutions and services, such as:

• Education and educational research departments at universities, colleges, and professional colleges/polytechnics
• Teacher education colleges and universities
• University-related research centers, educational service agencies, and knowledge centers
• School and child advisory services
• Governmental educational departments and inspectorates
• Non-profit, private, and/or commercial educational research institutes and knowledge centers.

"Educational Sciences: Learning in Interaction turned out to be great preparation for a career in research, but there are many other options outside academia".



Rutmer Ebbes, alumnus Educational Sciences: Learning in Interaction