Overview The four-semester Master of Arts in International Political and Social Science Research is a research-focused, internationally oriented programme taught in English. It is designed to train students in advanced social science methods and to prepare them for analytically demanding roles or continued academic study. Through a combination of theory and applied projects, students gain the skills to design and carry out independent research on contemporary political and social issues.
What you will learn The curriculum places strong emphasis on advanced methodological training in both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Students deepen competencies in statistical analysis, data visualisation, discourse analysis and research design, enabling rigorous empirical work. Core thematic modules address topical challenges—Researching Inequality and Diversity, Researching Digital Societies, and Researching International Politics and Conflict—so theoretical insights are paired with hands‑on research experience.
Career paths and further study Graduates are prepared for careers across national and international public institutions, civil society organisations, social science research institutes, science management, political consulting, and the media. The programme is particularly suited to students intending to pursue a PhD or to work in high‑level research and policy analysis in an international environment.
Key facts
This MA program is organized around four core components that together prepare students for rigorous, independent research in political and social sciences. The curriculum combines systematic methodological training, targeted disciplinary coursework, hands-on research experience, and a final supervised thesis. Together these elements aim to develop the analytical, empirical and communicative skills needed for academic or applied research careers.
Key modules and learning outcomes focus on: methodological competence (designing studies, collecting and analysing data, and critically evaluating evidence); thematic specialization through elective research fields; practical application of research skills during a supervised internship; and the ability to plan, execute and present an original research project in the Master’s thesis. Graduates should be able to formulate research questions, select appropriate methods, manage research projects, and communicate findings to scholarly and non‑specialist audiences.
For full module listings, contact and detailed structure see the program overview linked below. This is a research‑oriented MA, so students can expect sustained supervision, opportunities to join ongoing projects, and transferable skills useful for doctoral study, policy work, or research roles in the public and private sectors.
Curriculum components (required elements)
Program structure and module details: https://www.uni-marburg.de/en/fb03/studying/english-study-programs-m-a/ma-ipssr/structure.PDF
This master’s programme requires applicants to hold an undergraduate degree in the social sciences (or an equivalent foreign degree) that meets the programme’s minimum grade threshold. The grade requirement is expressed in the German grading scale: applicants must have a final grade of at least 2.7. If your final degree certificate is not yet available by the application deadline, the university may allow provisional enrolment until you can submit the completed degree documentation.
In addition to the degree and grade criteria, the programme expects applicants to have prior training in social science research methods. Specifically, you must have completed at least 10 ECTS credits focused on social science methods, with a minimum of 5 ECTS credits in quantitative methods and/or statistics. (ECTS = European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System; if your home institution uses a different credit system, be prepared to explain or document equivalence.) It’s a good idea to include detailed transcripts and course descriptions so the admissions office can verify that your prior coursework meets these method-related requirements.
Admission requirements (summary)
Winter Semester (International)
https://www.uni-marburg.de/en/studying/after-your-first-degree/masters-programs/application-for-a-masters-programme/master-application-deadlines
Graduates are prepared for analytical and research-oriented roles in national and international public institutions, civil society organisations, social science research institutes, science management, political consulting, and the media. The programme’s advanced methodological training enables alumni to work in positions requiring strong empirical skills such as policy analysis, programme evaluation, research coordination, data-driven social research, and communication of research findings to stakeholders.
For those pursuing academia, the MA provides a solid foundation for PhD programmes in political and social sciences. In the private and public sectors, graduates are competitive candidates for roles involving quantitative and qualitative analysis, research design, and evidence-based policy advice—particularly in areas related to digital societies, inequality, and international conflict.