Overview The Master of Science in Sociology and Social Research is an English‑taught programme that combines advanced sociological theory and empirical methods with elective coursework from neighbouring fields such as business administration, data analytics, economics and other social sciences. Housed within the Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences, the degree is built around rigorous scientific training together with practical application, preparing you to design and carry out independent research projects using contemporary analytical tools.
Research strengths and practical experience The department has a strong empirical research profile, regularly publishing in leading international journals and presenting work at global conferences. Close collaborations with prominent research organisations — including GESIS – Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences, the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies (Cologne), the Federal Institute for Population Research (BiB) and the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) — create numerous opportunities for hands‑on experience in public and private research settings. The programme’s research seminar and application‑focused methods modules emphasize real‑world problem solving and participation in funded national and international projects.
Career paths and advantages Graduates leave with strong empirical and analytical skills suited to roles in research institutions, public policy, consulting, data analytics and beyond, and are well prepared to pursue doctoral studies in the social sciences. Teaching is delivered by an internationally recognised faculty; the department has been ranked first in Germany in the Shanghai Ranking continuously since 2018, reflecting its national leadership in sociology.
Typical application checklist (prepare and verify exact requirements on the programme website)
Curriculum overview
The Core Section builds a solid foundation in contemporary sociology, giving you up-to-date knowledge of how modern societies function and how sociological theory can be used to interpret social phenomena. A strong focus is placed on quantitative methods: you will learn and practise advanced techniques for analysing cross‑sectional data, preparing you to handle empirical social-science datasets confidently.
The Specialisation Section lets you shape your own research profile by choosing seminars that match your interests. Here you progress to more advanced methods for analysing longitudinal data and take part in a hands‑on research seminar — a flagship element of the programme that provides direct, practical research experience and training in applied project work.
The Supplementary Section offers elective modules to broaden your skillset and improve employability. Options include courses from business administration (e.g., marketing, corporate development, media and technology management), data analytics, economics and other social-science disciplines. You complete the programme with a Master’s thesis that demonstrates your ability to carry out independent research and synthesise the theoretical, methodological and empirical skills acquired throughout the degree.
Key modules and learning outcomes
Core modules (key content)
Specialisation modules (key content)
Supplementary modules (examples)
Final requirement
Learning outcomes (graduates will be able to)
Admission requirements
You must hold a completed Bachelor's degree (or an equivalent qualification) in a relevant field and meet a minimum academic performance threshold. International applicants whose grading systems differ should provide appropriate transcript documentation and may need a grade conversion to the German scale.
In addition to the degree and grade requirement, the program expects prior coursework in both substantive sociology and quantitative methods. Credit totals cited refer to the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS); applicants from other systems should state how credits translate to ECTS on their transcript or in an explanatory note.
Required documents and qualifications (bullet points)
If you are unsure whether your prior coursework meets these ECTS requirements, contact the admissions office for guidance on credit conversion and document evaluation.
Winter Semester (International)
15 June 2026
Winter Semester (EU/EEA)
15 June 2026
Graduates are prepared for roles that require strong empirical and analytical skills, such as research positions in public and private research institutes, policy analysis in government and international organisations, data‑oriented roles in NGOs and the private sector, and consulting. The programme’s methodological emphasis also provides a solid foundation for applying to PhD programmes in sociology and related social sciences worldwide.
The combination of subject-specific theory, quantitative methods and elective courses from neighbouring disciplines makes alumni attractive to employers seeking interdisciplinary expertise and the ability to translate research into practice.