Preparing you for future challenges

The Cologne Master in Sociology – Social Research combines advanced training in sociology and social research with the opportunity to take courses in business administration, data analytics, economics, and other social sciences. By choosing this study programme, you will benefit from the multi-disciplinary strengths of the Faculty of Management, Economics, and Social Sciences.
 
The programme emphasizes both scientific rigour and practical relevance. We build on a strong research reputation, regularly publish in internationally leading academic journals, and present our work at conferences around the globe. Since most of our research is empirical in nature, we collaborate with various organisations and institutes – which gives you plenty opportunities to gain practical experiences in private and public research institutes. Among other organisations, strong ties exist to GESIS – Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences, the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies in Cologne, as well as to the Federal Institute for Population Research (BiB) and the Federal Institute for Vocational Training (BIBB).
The empirical and analytical focus of the programme enables you to analyse social phenomena using state-of-the-art research methods and to carry out an independent research project. Upon graduating from the programme, you will be ready for a professional career in many areas as well as for PhD programmes in social sciences with us or worldwide.

Key Facts

• Standard period of study: 4 semesters, full-time
• Start: Fall term
• Degree title: Master of Science (M.Sc.)
• Language: English
• International: 1 Optional Semester Abroad
• Fees: Only social fee

Flyer (PDF) >

Programme Structure

The master’s programme carries 120 ECTS credits and comprises a Core and Advanced Section, a Specialisation Section, a Supplementary Section and a Master Thesis.

• Core and Advance Section (24 ECTS)
• Specialisation Section (42 ECTS)
• Supplementary Section (24 ECTS)
• Master Thesis (30 ECTS)

From strong foundations to your personal expert profile

The Core Section of this programme will equip you with state-of-the-art knowledge on contemporary societies and as well as the ability to use sociological theory in order to understand the social word. A special emphasis is placed on learning and practicing advanced methods for analysing cross-sectional data.  The Specialisation Section will allow you to develop your own profile as a social researcher: You can choose seminars of your interest, will learn advanced methods for analysing longitudinal data, and will gain practical research experience in the research seminar—one of the highlights of the programme.  The Supplementary Section gives you valuable opportunities to further develop your profile and prepare you for the labour market. You can choose among modules from business administration (marketing, corporate development, media and technology management), data analytics, economics, as well as from other social sciences. With your master’s thesis, you complete your studies, underline the knowledge and skills you have acquired throughout the programme, and are ready to continue your career as an expert in your field.

International

English-taught programme: The M.Sc. Sociology – Social Research is taught entirely in English and welcomes students from countries all over the world.

Optional semester abroad: The integration of the “Studies Abroad” module into the programme provides you with attractive options for spending a term abroad.

International Option: Double Master’s Programme in Demography and Social Inequality

We offer a double degree Master in Demography and Social Inequality in combination with the University of Groningen. This alternate programme gives you the opportunity to benefit from the expertise of two top-ranking universities in two different countries:

•  Enjoy the advantages offered by the interdisciplinary approach and the participation of two renowned universities: University of Cologne and Groningen University.
• Study at each university for one year and graduate with two master’s degrees: spend your first year in Groningen followed by your second year in Cologne.

The Faculty of Managment, Economics and Social Sciences

The Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences (also known as “WiSo Faculty“) is part of the University of Cologne and has over a century of experience in educating new generations of business professionals, economists, social analysts and political experts. As one of Germany’s largest educational institutions, the WiSo Faculty regularly ranks among the top providers of sociological, managerial and business education.
As a student of the WiSo Faculty, you benefit from a teaching approach based on theory and methods in combination with research and applications.
The traditional diversity of subjects, top-level research, practical relevance and internationality allow the WiSo Faculty to stand up to national and international comparison and to achieve top positions in international research rankings. Through its interdisciplinary research approach, the Faculty’s seminars and institutes make a major contribution to the excellent research at the University of Cologne.

Career Opportunities

Example job opportunities include work within:
companies and organisations that look for heads of data science divisions (e.g. automobile industry, law enforcement). companies in market and opinion research. statistics agencies. associations concerned with social and economic policy or social planning. research institutes. media research departments within mass media corporations. human resources and data science departments in corporations. government agencies at local, state, federal and international levels (e.g. in departments responsible for school, family, urban or environmental policy).
Due to its strong research orientation and international reputation, our MSc. degree is an excellent base for applying for doctoral degree (Ph.D.) programmes, whether in Cologne or at other leading national and international universities.

Application information and requirements

Application process and deadline:   

• Applicants with a German bachelor degree apply via the WiSo Faculty’s master application portal  
• Applicants with a non-German bachelor degree apply via the WiSo Faculty’s master application portal and additionally via uni-assist  
• Application deadline is June 15th.

Requirements and selection procedure

A Bachelor degree or equivalent in the respective field (worth at least 180 ECTS) credits and an overall grade point average of at least 2.7 (German grade). Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• At least 18 ECTS in the field of Sociology or Social Psychology  
• At least 12 ECTS in the field of Methods in Quantitative Social Sciences, Applied Quantitative Empirical Social Research, or Statistics
• English language skills level B2 CEFR

The Admissions Board will communicate its decision by the end of July. Enrolment usually takes place in August