As soon as I found this programme on the UvA Master’s catalogue, I reached out to the coordinators and subscribed to the newsletter. They were very responsive and informative, without overwhelming my inbox, and they clearly explained what I needed to do in order to qualify for the program. I had to provide detailed descriptions of the courses I completed during my bachelor’s as evidence of meeting the requirements in coding, mathematics, and social sciences. They reviewed my background efficiently and informed me of the skills I needed to further develop. I was able to complete an asynchronous and flexible Coursera course, which they quickly approved. 

The lectures and courses we have taken so far have introduced us to a wide variety of perspectives and disciplines, sparking conversations that remain relevant to both current and future challenges. The wide range of backgrounds represented in the programme is also reflected in the student body, enriching discussions and lectures with diverse interests and perspectives.  

The course content is demanding, but the assignments are thoughtfully designed to reinforce the concepts covered in class in practical ways, allowing us to apply our growing skills through dynamic individual and group work. By the time I complete this programme, I believe I will have developed the skills and knowledge necessary to work as a policy advisor, policy designer, researcher, or data analyst. I feel confident that we will be well equipped to identify complexity within systems and contribute to the strategic and effective implementation of interventions to address many of today’s, and tomorrow’s, most pressing issues.