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 more information on the 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. 300€ per semester including ticket for public transport, see here for more information)
Appliation deadline: 15th June
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
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.
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.
Chat with a student
Do you want first-hand insights and experiences about the Master Sociology and Social Research and the Student life at the University of Cologne from WiSo students? Then don't hesitate and Chat with a student!
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
Admission Requirements
The admission requirements must be fulfilled until the application deadline:
Bachelor's degree
Application in the case of unfinished Bachelor studies: In cases where present Bachelor studies have not been fully completed, application is permitted if the candidate has earned at least 80% of the required credits and will have achieved the remaining results by 30 September at the latest. The specific admission criteria governing the designated course of study must already have been fulfilled on the basis of the exam results available at the time of application.
overall grade of at least 2.7 (German grade) in the Bachelor's degree
Fulfilment of the following subject-related 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
If the number of applicants meeting the admission criteria exceeds the number of places available for this course of study, a selection procedure is initiated for the purpose of ranking these applicants. The procedure is based on the grade earned in the Bachelor’s degree or a course of study deemed equivalent. The admission results of the last selection procedures can be found here.
The following documents must be uploaded to the Master's online application portal by the WiSo Faculty - certified documents are recommended but not obligatory. For enrolment, all documents must be presented in original or authenticated form.
Bachelor degree certificate | If you have not finished your bachelor studies but have passed at least 80% of the examinations (at least 144 credits in a bachelor degree carrying 180 ECTS credits), you can apply by submitting a confirmation of all credits earned so far, along with a provisional average grade computed and certified by your examination office. Please note that the remaining credits must be earned by 30 September.
Transcript of records | list of all taken modules and courses including grades and credits
Transcript of semester abroad | only if examinations passed abroad should be considered for the admission criteria as well | the courses have to be recognised by the home university as part of the bachelor programme and recorded in the transcript of records.
University entrance certificate | A-levels/ High school diploma
Official description of the content of all taken bachelor courses | e.g. course catalogue or PDF-file with link to course description at the website of the University (see FAQ 1.12)
Proof of English language proficiency
If you are interested in the Double Master's Programme in Demography and Social Inequality, please check the additional application documents and the different application deadline (see FAQ 2.4).
2) Applicants, who did not obtain their bachelor's degree in Germany must additionally apply online via uni-assist until 15 June. For your online application, please select "Winter Semester" and search for "Universität zu Köln".
Please note, you have to document your education in detail. You start with the certificate from the last school you graduated from (which entitles you to begin university studies in your home country) and continue up to the current state of progress in your university studies. Furthermore, you have to hand in all documents in original language and additionally in translation either in German or in English language.
Uni-assist recommends sending in the application at least eight weeks before the deadline expires. This ensures that uni-assist can inform applicants in time if they need to submit further documents. Only after the handling fee has been paid, the application will be evaluated.
The following documents are required by uni-assist - certified documents are recommended but not obligatory.
(translated) bachelor degree certification or attestation of 80% studies and Transcript of Records | Please submit all certificates in their entirety: include the diploma certificate as well as the overview of subjects and grades. You must not omit any parts of the certificate or single pages. In order to calculate your grade, uni-assist needs the grading system used by your university for your degree. More information can be read here.
(translated) university entrance qualification | e.g. A-level, High School diploma
proof of English language proficiency
all documents listed above in the original language | Only if the original document is not available in English or German language. Information about translation and authentication of documents can be read here.
only for applicants with Chinese (except Hongkong) or Vietnamese bachelor’s certificates | original APS certificate| certified copies cannot be accepted!
please check whether you need to hand in further additional depending on the country of origin: country-specific documents
not mandatory, however, useful for the uni-assist evaluation:(translated) diploma supplement
Application and admission procedure
Information on the application process and deadlines can be found on the application website.
Current changes with regard to the Corona Pandemic are summarised here.
If you have any questions, please contact the WiSo Student Service Point.
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.
