Data & Society (MSc)

This English‑taught Master’s programme trains students to understand and influence data-driven technologies not only as technical systems but as social phenomena. You will learn to assess how algorithms, AI, and data practices interact with human behaviour, societal needs, and political frameworks, gaining the skills needed to shape technological development responsibly. The curriculum is strongly interdisciplinary and practice-oriented, blending advanced engineering, natural sciences, and informatics with social science perspectives on ethics, law, and sustainability.

Through focused coursework, you will develop both technical expertise and critical social‑science literacy. Topics include the analysis of data and algorithmic decision‑making, human and social dynamics, ethical and philosophical issues of technology, regulatory and legal conditions, and criteria for environmentally and socially sustainable technology use. Graduates leave prepared to evaluate opportunities and risks associated with modern technologies and to manage their application in industry, public administration, or academic research (including progression to a doctoral programme).

Core study areas

• Data Perspectives
• Human & Society
• Regulatory frameworks
• Sustainable Development

Key competencies you will acquire

• Technical and interdisciplinary methods for analysing data, algorithms, and AI-supported decisions
• Understanding of human behaviour and social dynamics relevant to technology deployment
• Ability to evaluate ethical, political, legal, and ecological implications of technological solutions
• Skills to manage and guide the use of data-based technologies in industry, government, or research

For full, formal details about the programme structure and official requirements, please consult the programme documentation (Degree programme documentation for the Master’s programme in Data & Society — PDF, German).

Curriculum overview

This programme is designed to be flexible and stackable, giving you freedom to shape your studies around your interests and career goals. The bulk of the degree is made up of elective work: you must complete at least 90 credits through elective modules. Those electives are structured so you gain both methodological depth and domain-specific expertise, and you also apply what you’ve learned in a practical project.

Core elective areas and what you will study

• Method Orientation: a dedicated set of modules (minimum 12 credits) to build quantitative, qualitative and mixed-method skills for analysing data in social contexts.
• Specialisation: the largest portion of the electives (at least 72 credits) is taken from six thematic module blocks, each worth 12 credits. These blocks are organised into four broad specialisation areas — Data Perspectives, Human & Society, Regulatory, and Sustainable Development — and you must include at least one 12‑credit block from each of those four areas, allowing for an interdisciplinary profile.
• Application Project: at least 6 credits are reserved for an applied project where you integrate methods and specialist knowledge to tackle a real-world question.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the programme you will be able to apply appropriate research methods to societal data problems, combine technical and conceptual perspectives from multiple disciplines, and design or evaluate interventions with attention to regulatory and sustainability implications. The applied project develops your capacity to move from theory to practice, communicate findings to diverse audiences, and work across disciplinary boundaries — skills valuable for both academic research and policy, industry or nonprofit roles.

Requirements (concise)

• Minimum 90 elective credits total
• At least 12 credits in Method Orientation
• At least 72 credits in Specialisation (choose from six thematic blocks; each block = 12 credits)
• At least 6 credits in Application Project
• From the Specialisation area, include at least one 12‑credit module block from each of: Data Perspectives, Human & Society, Regulatory, Sustainable Development

Graduates are prepared to evaluate and manage the opportunities, risks and regulatory aspects of data-based technologies. Typical career paths include leadership and specialist roles in technology-driven companies, public administration and regulatory bodies, as well as positions in NGOs or consultancies where assessment of socio-technical impacts is required. The degree also provides a solid foundation for academic research and is suitable preparation for doctoral study.

Because the programme combines technical skills with social, legal and ethical perspectives, alumni are well positioned for interdisciplinary roles that require both technical literacy and an understanding of societal implications.