Institute of Social Studies in the Hague

The Institute of Social Studies (ISS) is an international postgraduate school and one of the oldest and largest centres for the comparative study and research of social, political and economic development and change. ISS is part of Erasmus University Rotterdam.

The ISS provides top-quality education in the social sciences to postgraduate professionals, mostly from developing countries and countries in transition. The courses - all taught in English - provide knowledge and insights acquired in a number of fields including development economics, sociology, politics, public policy and management, governance, gender, employment, population, social security, children and youth, and human rights. ISS degrees are nationally and internationally recognised. 

Every year, the ISS is host to hundreds of students participating in its PhD, Masters and Diploma programmes. Over 10.000 students from more than 160 countries have participated in the Institute's programmes. The staff is drawn from around thirty countries from all over the world.

Students come from government, NGOs and social movements, universities and private companies, as well as some directly from their previous studies. This mixture of professional backgrounds and the large variety of nationalities and cultures among staff and students provide the exceptional participatory learning environment that characterises ISS. 

The multicultural community at the ISS offers an excellent learning environment both inside and outside the classroom, in which students can gain from each others’ diverse experience.