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Social Sciences - Master's Programme
The "Social Sciences" Master's programme has a broad social science profile, where the key theme of “organisations” is developed across all modules. Organisations are central to modern societies and are present throughout our lives in the areas of education, health, culture, politics and economics. Accordingly, detailed knowledge about the workings of organisations is essential for developing a comprehensive understanding of modern societies. With its unique emphasis on organisations in the German-speaking academic landscape, the M.A. “Social Sciences” provides students with in-depth and consistent knowledge in both political science and sociology.
In our modern society, and in the social sciences in particular, dealing with knowledge construction and social practice is vital to understand how our world works. Here in Oldenburg, the M.A. "Social Sciences" offers opportunities for students to specialise in areas of their own choosing and aims to introduce students to an integrative approach to the analysis of social phenomena. Graduates will be given the tools required to actively participate in and impact the evolution of our modern society.
By using English as the language of instruction, students are able to develop their intercultural skills and become better equipped for navigating a multicultural environment. These abilities ensure that graduates are competitive in both the business world and academia.
Study Design and Contents
The curriculum consists of compulsory modules focusing on the theoretical foundations of organisational research, organisations in politics and society, and knowledge and learning in organisations, as well as providing a comprehensive understanding of qualitative and quantitative methods. Students can customise their course by selecting from a wide range of electives in political science and sociology, economics, business administration, health sciences, and advanced methods courses.
Focus Areas
Social scientists must have the ability to think through scientific or practical problems from different perspectives. They should be able to situate these problems in a wider context and research them using appropriate approaches and methods. Accordingly, the M.A. "Social Sciences" curriculum is structured to combine subject-specific and practical research skills with comprehensive theoretical knowledge and a wide range of methodological approaches. The programme equips students with the tools to theoretically analyse the social science issues inherent in an organisational society and to empirically investigate them via quantitative and qualitative methods. In doing so, students are able to critically unpack the ‘norms’ and persistent systems of our modern society.
Teaching and Learning
The modules of the Master's programme "Social Sciences" use various teaching formats such as
- lectures
- seminars
- colloquia, and
- exercises.
All classes are held in small groups, ensuring close personal exchange among students and with the instructors.
Reasons for Studying
- Innovative: Unique substantive focus in the German-speaking academic landscape
- Interdisciplinary: Similar shares of content from sociology and political science
- Method-oriented: Comprehensive training in quantitative and qualitative methods
- Multicultural: Promotion of intercultural competencies through English as the language of instruction
- Individual: Opportunity for individual profile formation in the elective modules
- Personal: Close contact with instructors in small groups
Foreign Language Skills
German language skills are not required for admission.
In order to study this course at the University of Oldenburg, you need an adequate knowledge of English.
English Language Proficiency see admissions regulations
- Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) Level B2
- if applicants have a university degree in an English-language degree programme obtained in a country with English or German as the official language (within the last two years).
The proof of language proficiency must be presented for the enrolment.
For other proof possibilities see: Language requirements.
Study abroad
Ideally, a semester abroad can be completed in the third semester at an international partner university offering comparable degree programmes.
Careers and Areas of Employment
By taking the M.A. "Social Sciences", Graduates will acquire a wide range of skills transferable to a number of career opportunities, including:
- University research and teaching
- Teaching in other educations institutions
- Science management at universities or research institutions
- (International) Organisational development and consulting
- Public administration
- Media production and development, including e.g. opinion research
Target Group/Admission Requirements
- A Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences, Sociology or Political Science or an equivalent degree in a subject-appropriate programme*.
- Descriptive and inductive statistical competencies amounting to at least 9 credit points.
*A previous degree programme is subject-appropriate if the degree programme leading to the Bachelor's degree or an equivalent degree covered competencies in one of the fields of Social Sciences, Sociology and/or Political Science to the extent of at least 60 credit points.
For more details see Foreign language skills on this page.
Application/Admission Procedures
This course of studies accepts a limited number of applicants, and application is only possible in the winter semester.
The application deadline for the winter semester is 30 september.
Overview application deadlines Master's programmes
Please note
For open-admission Master's degree programmes it is strongly recommended to submit their applications as early as possible before 15 July for the winter semester and before 15 January for the summer semester. If the supporting documents are submitted after these dates but before the standard application deadlines, this may have disadvantages for the start of your studies. Please note our information on the local application procedure (German document).
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International applicants: There are different application procedures.