International Institute of Social Studies
International Institute of Social Studies

Teaching and learning during COVID-19

Top-notch education in-person and online
ISS corona face masks hanging

Throughout the corona pandemic, the International Institute of Social Studies has done its utmost to ensure that students continue to receive the excellent education they expect from one of the top institutes for Development Studies.

Offering in-person education unless corona measures dictate otherwise

Since the onset of the pandemic, we have striven to provide in-person education in a safe environment and have offered our students help and support in navigating the Dutch corona measures. At times these measures have meant that we have had to move to online education, either partly or wholly, and we have now built up extensive experience in doing so.

Our point of departure remains in-person education but we are able to switch swiftly and efficiently to online teaching should that be necessary.

Teaching at ISS during the pandemic

Teaching at ISS during corona

Teaching at ISS during corona

Learning and teaching during a pandemic: Lessons learned

MA student Surabhi Srivastava and Deputy Rector Professor Karin Arts, share their experiences

Read their discussion in ISS DevISSues
Surabhi Srivastava and Karin Arts staff-student discussion in DevISSues

Dispatches from a (pandemic) academic year

Students from Colombia, India, Jordan and Uganda talk about their journeys to ISS

Listen to our Global ISSues podcast
ISS podcast

Got a question?

ISS follows the general regulations of the Government of the Netherlands. The latest Dutch government advice states:

'All coronavirus measures have been lifted. Following the advice below can help you and others avoid getting infected. And you’ll be helping to protect people with health concerns.

The advice continues to be: wash your hands, cough and sneeze into your elbow, stay home and do a test if you have symptoms, ensure a good flow of fresh air indoors and get vaccinated and boosted.'

We will have a strict protocol and hygiene plan in place and fully respect the norms and guidelines developed for this purpose by the relevant authorities, Erasmus University Rotterdam and ISS itself. 

Yes, physical classes are expected to take place at ISS . Should pandemic-related restrictions still be in place, then ISS will provide blended teaching

Study places are available at the ISS Library. Students can use these spaces without any restrictions.

Having both physical classes and online classes at ISS.

The basic premise of Erasmus University Rotterdam (of which the ISS is part) is that all education continues as much as possible, albeit in an adapted form so that it abides by the government measures that currently apply to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. We make all extra efforts needed to continue our MA programmes and to maintain their quality. In addition, we strive to minimize any adverse effects from the Corona pandemic on out students’ study programmes so that there will be little to no study delay. The overall quality and value of the ISS MA degree certificates remain the same as before. Therefore, the obligation to pay regular tuition fees as a student is maintained.

Admitted students who are in financial hardship because of the Corona pandemic might consider applying to the ISS Hardship Fund for a fee discount.

Students have access to the ISS intranet where they find a COVID-19 FAQ. In addition they find links to the latest COVID-19 news and measures as announced by the Dutch government. Every time the situation in the Netherlands changes, the Deputy Rector of Educational Affairs sends an email to all students.

As travelling to and from the Netherlands depends heavily on the situation in other countries, we advise to check the government website.

Please check out the latest information through the website of the Dutch government.

If you experience cold or flu symptoms, such as a nose cold, sore throat or light cough, the strong advice is to stay at home, to avoid any social contact and to rest.

If the symptoms worsen (a fever higher than 38 Celsius and difficulty breathing) and you require medical assistance, you should contact a doctor (GP) by phone. For newly arrived students, the ISS Welfare Office can assist with contacting a GP. For more information about personal health and the coronavirus, please see the recommendations released by the Government of the Netherlands.

As a result of the corona measures, some prospective students may be faced with a slight delay in the final phase of their bachelors programme. In that case, ISS will decide on an individual basis whether a student can be conditionally admitted. In line with the policy of Erasmus University Rotterdam (of which ISS is part), in this situation conditional admission to an ISS programme is only possible:

  • for applicants who meet the other admission requirements;
  • when the combination of both study paths is considered feasible;
  • when it is to be expected that the bachelors degree will be obtained within the given time frame.

If you are conditionally admitted, you will receive a conditional admission statement. If you obtain your bachelors degree within the given time frame and meet all other conditions, the conditional admission to the MA programme will be converted into a final admission.

We will assess each case individually and you are advised to contact the Admission Office.

TOEFL-ibt Special Home Edition is now available in almost all countries.

We accept the TOEFL-ibt Special Home Edition.

If you are unable to start the programme at all, please inform us as soon as possible, and in any case before 1 September. If you are a self-funded student and transferred the fees, you will in principle receive a reimbursement of the fees minus the costs that may have been spent, for example on your visa application.

You are advised to contact the ISS Admission Office which, in close cooperation with the International Office at Erasmus University Rotterdam and the IND (Dutch Immigration Authorities), will try to find a solution.

You are advised to contact the Admission Office: admission@iss.nl 

If you will be unable to start the programme at all, please inform us as soon as possible, and in any case before 1 September. If you are a self-funded student and transferred the fees, you will in principle receive a reimbursement of the fees minus the costs that may have been spent for example on your visa application.

Want to do your MA in Development Studies at ISS? Here's how.

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