Sociology

FsB vom 17.12.2012 mit Änderungen vom 17.03.2014, 30.11.2018 und 01.11.2022

Overview

Master of Arts
4 semesters
winter semester&summer semester
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The Master of Arts degree programme in Sociology offers a sound theoretical and methodological education and enables students to specialise in different areas. The overarching aim of the programme is to provide students with extensive theoretical and methodological knowledge in the theory and methods seminars as well as in all areas of General and Special Sociology offered.
The MA Sociology prepares students for international careers in research and science, as well as occupational areas outside universities where sociological thinking, international perspectives and experience are required. An increasing number of professions in scientific and non-scientific institutions throughout the world are now internationally oriented. International organisations have become increasingly important in recent years and there has been a growing demand for highly qualified young professionals who are experts in a variety of sociological fields and have had international experience during their studies. Typical career fields for MA Sociology graduates are:
· International Governmental and Non-Governmental Organizations
· Public Relations Firms
· Marketing Firms and Market Research Companies
· Administration, Unions, Political Parties, and Labour Unions
· Human Resources
· Publishing Companies, Newspapers, Radio and TV
· Universities and other Institutions of Higher Education and Research Centres

 
Professors and lecturers of the Faculty of Sociology, and in some cases professors and lecturers from other faculties at Bielefeld University, teach courses in the MA Sociology International Track programme. Additionally, guest scholars from all over the world who come to Bielefeld with the International Guest lecturer programme of the International Office, DAAD guest lecturer programme, Erasmus+ teaching mobility programme and others are regularly invited to Bielefeld to extend the course offering of the International Track.
The International Track focuses on two elective profiles of the MA Sociology, "Social Structure and Social Inequality" and "Sociology of the Global World", in which a broad range of courses in English are offered each semester. In addition, students can complete elective modules in other thematic areas of MA Sociology, such as “Sociological Theory”, “Sociological Methods”, “Gender Sociology”, “Sociology of Risk and Regulations”, “Political Sociology” and others, in which courses in English are offered on an irregular basis depending on the capacities of respective working groups.

Double-degree programmes

Università di Bologna

In this program, an international double degree is possible in cooperation with the Università di Bologna (Italy). For more information and advice, please contact the Faculty of Sociology and visit the page on double degree programs of the International Office of Bielefeld University.

International Track

This degree programme has an international track. This means that the curriculum can be studied entirely in German or entirely in English within the standard period of study. This can lead to limited study options. Further information and advice can be found on the website of the subject Sociology and on the information page on programmes with an international track at Bielefeld University.

The courses

You will find the programme of lectures for this course in the eKVV.

An overview of the introductory and information events is provided by the central student counselling services.

Formalities / Important information

Course start

Studies can be commenced in both winter and summer semesters. Courses are targeted to commencing studies in winter semester. Student counselling to plan the course of studies is recommended.

Length and scope of studies

The standard period of studies is 4 semesters.

The studies Sociology comprise 120 credit points.

Access requirements

Access to the Master programme is granted to those who can provide evidence that they have a first university degree which has a standard period of study of at least six semesters, qualifies for exercising a profession and is in accordance with the subject-specific regulations.

In any case, please read the specific Admission requirements for this Masters programme in the Subject-specific regulations (PDF).
Degrees from accredited Bachelor programmes at German ‘Berufsakademien’ are equivalent to Bachelor degrees from universities.

Applicants with a university degree obtained abroad are granted access provided that the degree they have acquired is deemed sufficient for this purpose and they can provide evidence of the required language skills.
Further information on required language skills

Application, admission and enrolment  1

The study places for this degree programme are subject to local admission restrictions (numerus clausus). You need to apply within the currently applicable application deadlines.

As soon as you receive a positive response in the application and status portal (notice of access from the faculty) and receive your admission notice from the Student Office, you can submit your application for enrolment within the set deadline. If you are already enrolled at Bielefeld University, you need to apply for a change of degree programme. After the deadline expires, the study place will be allocated to someone else.

You can find more detailed information on the application process as well as information on the enrolment procedure on the pages of the Student Office.

To the application portal

Further links

Internet pages of the subject Sociology

Internet pages of the responsible institution(s):

Faculty of Sociology with the courses offered

Legend

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Die Angaben zu Zulassungsbeschränkungen / Numerus clausus beziehen sich auf die Bewerbung zum Wintersemester 2024/25 und Sommersemester 2025. Informationen zu NC Werten aus früheren Jahren finden Sie auf dieser Seite.