Social Sciences - Master's Programme

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.

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.

• 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

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, in particular:

• 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.

The proof of language proficiency must be presented for the enrolment and must not be older than 5 years.

For other proof possibilities see:

• Language requirements (language certificates, preparatory German courses, etc.)
• FAQ proof of language proficiency (what does mother tongue mean, what official language, etc.) and
• in the admission regulations of the degree programme (possible admission with conditions, etc.)

Ideally, a semester abroad can be completed in the third semester at an international partner university offering comparable degree programmes.

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

• 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.

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.