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Master of Science

Master Sociology and Social Research

If you’re already studying Sociology and Social Research and would like to find out more about specific details of your master programme, you’ll find what you’re looking for on the Master in Sociology and Social Research programme structure pages.

Sociology and Social Research at the University of Cologne is a theory-driven, empiracally oriented field of study. The programme therefore focuses not only on sociological theories but also on methods and statistics used in th social sciences. Keeping a close eye on requirements and changes in the world of work, it provides students with the necessary expertise, skills and methods to conduct research, judge research findings critically and take a responsible approach to their work. With respect to subject "Sociology" the University of Cologne is ranked No.1 in germany 2019 the seconf year in a row the acknowledged Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU/"Shanghai-Ranking").

In a nutshell

  • Standard period of study: 4 semesters, full-time
  • Scope: 120 ECTS
  • Start: Fall term
  • Degree title: Master of Science (M.Sc.)
  • Language: English
  • Fees: Only social fee (approx. 280€ per semester including ticket for public transport, see here for more information)
  • Appliation deadline: 15 June 2021

Key Issues

  • Find out how human decision.making affects the society we live in
  • Analyse links between ethnic diversity, trust and conflict
  • Explore successful ageing in modern societies
  • Learn how to use mathematical and statistical methods for social research
  • Take the next step in your career and become and expert in your chosen field
Clemens Kroneberg

The Cologne Master in Sociology and Social Research focuses on advanced methods of data collection and analysis. Our approach is practice- and research-oriented and deals with current topics such as ageing, ethnic diversity, education, family or the economy.

Clemens Kroneberg, Professor at the Institute of Sociology and Social Psychology

Practical Experience

As a student of the WiSo-Faculty, you gain from an approach that is based on theory and methods, combining both research and teaching with practical elements. The teaching at our Faculty has benefited from many years of experience in working with companies and visiting lecturers from different profesional fields. Many of the visiting lecturers are professional managers who bring important industry experience to the programmes, resulting in sector-specific, up-to-date programme content four our students. This ensures that the programmes reflect the real world and that they thus combine the practical and the theoretical knowledge, whilst also promoting knowledge-sharing between comapnies and you, the student.

Some examples of the questions Sociology and Social Research students look at:

  • How does human decision-making produce societal consequences?
  • What are the links between ethnic diversity, trust, and conflicts?
  • What are the determinants of successful aging in modern societies?
  • How do families cope with the competing demands of modern everyday life?
  • How can we explain trends in social inequality with respect to educational attainment, income, and wealth?
  • How can we explain crime and delinquency and what are the (dis-)advantages of different prevention and intervention policies?
  • Which methods and assumptions allow me to make causal inferences based on non-experimental data?
  • When and how do I apply special methods of data analysis, such as social network analysis, meta-analysis, or factorial surveys?

Career Opportunities

The Master of Science Sociology and Social Research widens the knowledge gained in your bachelor studies, giving you advanced expertise in your chosen field. Possible areas of employement for sociologists can be found within market and opinion research, national and international statistic agencies, national and international associations concerned with social and economic policy, research institutions, media research departments within mass media cooperation and personnel administration of corporations. Other opportunities present themselves in local governement e.g. in departments responsible for school, family, urban or enviromental policy, as well as provincial and federal agencies. Graduates possess skills tha qualify them for senior civil posts on Germany and leading positions in social and market research as well as social planning.

International

Since most of our courses are delivered in English, so you can apply and complete the masters programme even if you have no knowledge of German. For our Master of Science in Sociology and Social Research, we have applications from a large number of different nationalities, which means you can be sure of an internataional and intercultural enviroment. Our cooperation agreements with a selected number of excelent international partner universities provide you with attractive options to spend a term abroad. Alternatively, you may enrich your studies through a tailor-made short programme or through a summer school. More information and offers can be found at international.wiso.uni-koeln.de.

Double degree option

In addition to our regular master’s programme, students have the option to study the Double Master’s Programme in Demography and Social Inequality in cooperation with the University of Groningen. Students of the international study programme spend one year at the WiSo Faculty and one year at the University of Groningen. After successful completion of the programme, they are awarded two degrees.

Information on the application

Programme structure

Standard period of study: 4 semesters, full-time | Start: fall term | Degree title: Master of Science
The master's programe carries 120 ECTS credits and compromises a Core and Advanced Section, a Specialisation Section, a Supplementary Section and a Master Thesis.

The Core and Advanced Section of the master programme Sociology and Social Research includes 27 credit points and covers methodological basics of sociology and social research.

The Specialisation Section contains 39 credit points and consists of a research seminar, in which 15 credits points will be obtained, as well as advanced modules of sociology and social research.

The Supplementary Section serves as an additional section to develop a more specific profile – either by deepening and specialising or by diversifying knowledge. Further modules from business administration as well as from social sciences and economics are available to students. This area will contain two subareas that both require 12 credit points.

Detailed information concerning the curricular design is available on our homepage on the Programme Structure pages. Especially at the beginning of your studies, individual consultations will help to make the right choices over the course of the programme.