u/-babapro31-

Hi everyone,

I’m a non-eu 23M currently finishing my double major in Psychology and Business Administration (GPA: 3.51) .

I have a primary career goal: working as a Quantitative UX Researcher or Human Computer Interaction Specialist in the Big Tech industry (e.g., Google, Spotify, Meta) or high-tech applied research.

However, as someone deeply interested in the intersection of human cognition and technology, I am also very open to hearing any other career path suggestions that might fit my profile.

To give some background:

• I have a strong quantitative focus. My current graduation thesis investigates the "AI Trust Penalty" using fNIRS and PsychoPy.

• I recently completed a Research Internship at the University of Amsterdam (UvA) which resulted in co-authoring a Q1 paper.

• I’ve also been working as a Product Owner at a fintech company

• Fun fact / Side hustle: I am currently an established nationwide DJ and music producer in my home country (exp. apprx.10 years)

I recently received my admission results: I have been accepted to both Utrecht University and Radboud University. However, I was rejected by UvA over a weird bureaucratic technicality (currently appealing).

I have a few big questions about my next steps and would really appreciate your insights!

1. Utrecht vs. Radboud vs. UvA: Which program actually fits my goal?

• Utrecht (Accepted) - Applied Cognitive Psychology: Seems heavily geared towards Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and ergonomics. I heard they have thesis connections with NLR(which would also work for me)

• Radboud (Accepted) - Cognitive Neuroscience: Amazing labs, but maybe too clinical/academic for a purely tech-focused career?

• UvA (Appealing) - Brain and Cognition in Society: Very prestigious globally, and I already did my internship in their labs.

My main question here: Does UvA actually hold a significantly higher reputation in the Dutch tech industry compared to Utrecht for UXR/Human Factors roles? Or is Utrecht’s "applied" label more valuable for Big Tech companies?

2. Internships and Starting Salaries: What is the reality?

I want to step out of the traditional psychology route and move fully into tech. Given my background (fNIRS, behavioral data, Python/SPSS basics, PO experience):

• How feasible is it to land relevant internships, "working student" roles, or company-sponsored thesis projects during these Master's programs?

• What are the realistic starting salaries and career progressions for a junior Quantitative UX Researcher or other positons realted to mine in the Dutch tech market right now?

3. Student Life & The Music Scene (DJing side-hustle)

To be completely honest, I didn't get to fully experience a vibrant, stereotypical "university youth life" (except my djing career) during my undergrad back home.

Even though this Master's is only a one-year program, I really want to make up for that, socialize, and have a great time outside of studying. How is the international student life and social vibe in Utrecht vs. Nijmegen (Radboud) vs. Amsterdam?

Also, since the NL is the global capital of electronic music, I’d love to continue my DJing career as a side gig. How feasible is it for an international student to tap into the local music scene and get gigs while balancing a tech-focused Master's? Any networking tips?

4. Appealing a Rejection: Has anyone won against the Dutch EC algorithm?

Here is the frustrating part about UvA: They rejected me not because of my academic quality, but purely because their algorithm requires a single, monolithic "Bachelor’s Thesis" block of ≥9 EC.

My university breaks this workload down into modules. I submitted an appeal proving that my independent thesis (4 EC) + my active research internship at UvA (6 EC) + my research methods course (5 EC) forms a 15 EC empirical portfolio where I programmed experiments and wrote APA reports.

Does anyone have experience with the UvA appeal process? Are admission boards in NL flexible when you prove "workload equivalency," or are they rigidly stuck to course titles?

5. What would you do in my shoes?

Assuming the UvA appeal fails and I go with Utrecht (or Radboud), how would you strategize the next year to guarantee a solid entry into Big Tech? Any specific hard skills (like SQL/advanced Python) I should prioritize right now?

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I know this is quite a long read, (since I’ve been struggling with the stress of these questions for a long time) so thank you so much in advance for your time and attention. I’d genuinely appreciate any brutal honesty, guidance, or career suggestions you can share!

Summary: Psychology/ Business Double-Major student with strong quantitative/neuro-tech background aiming for Big Tech UXR. Accepted to Utrecht (Applied) and Radboud (CNS), rejected by UvA due to a thesis credit technicality (appealing). Want to make up for a lack of undergrad student life and continue my DJ side-hustle. Seeking advice on UvA vs. Utrecht industry prestige, tech salaries, the social/music scene, and appeal chances in NL.