ISS is a unique "independent and international" graduate school in the social sciences. It is one of the oldest and largest centres for the comparative study and research of social, political and economic development and change. ISS offers quality learning to its students, all young and mid-career professionals, and critical social science knowledge to its scientific peers, and stimulates debate with the general public, through an organisation that strives for "total quality care" .

The courses - all taught in English - provide knowledge and insights 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.

The Institute offers a four-year PhD programme, a 15.5-month MA in Development Studies with various specialisations, postgraduate diploma programmes and tailor-made short courses. All degrees are recognised internationally and by Dutch legislation on higher education.

Over the past 50 years, around 10,000 students from more than 160 countries have studied at ISS. Many now hold leading positions in government, international organisations, higher education, planning agencies and non-governmental organisations.

The staff is drawn from around thirty countries from all over the world. The multicultural community at ISS offers an excellent learning environment both inside and outside the classroom, in which students can gain from each others' diverse experience.

The ISS participates with other academic institutes in the Netherlands, including the University of Amsterdam, Utrecht University and Wageningen University, in the CERES Research School (Centre for Resource Studies for Development). During their stay PhD students participate in the School's activities, which include special courses and workshops. This gives them an opportunity to interact with PhD students from other universities in the Netherlands.

ISS is situated in the centre of The Hague, the city of peace and justice. The Hague is home to over 150 organisations like the Permanent Court of International Justice, the Peace Palace Library and Europol. From the Hague it takes a few hours to travel to European cities like Brussels, Paris or London. The ISS guarantees accommodation for all students. The ISS possesses of its own housing close to the institution's premises and in other parts of The Hague. The ISS has its own library which focuses on the social sciences with a predominant focus on developing countries. The institute has a permanent broad band connection to the internet and students get their own email account.