Sociology

The MA Sociology International Track offers an international study programme of four semesters' duration.
The International Track focuses on two elective profiles which offer a variety of courses in English to allow students to meet all the requirements for the MA Sociology within four semesters:

• Social Structure Analysis and Social Inequality
• Sociology of the Global World

Moreover, courses in the following thematic areas are only offered in English on an irregular basis:

• Sociology Theory
• Sociological Methods
• Sociology of Work and Economics
• Political Sociology
• Organisational Sociology
• Sociology of Gender
• Sociology of Science and Technology
• Media Sociology
• Sociology of Governance and Regulations

In addition, students can take academic language training courses in English, German, and other languages.

Educational organisation

The programme of the MA Sociology International Track consists of four elements:

• an introductory module (courses in theory and methods)
• five further modules (ten courses)
• an empirical student research project (two courses)
• the Master's thesis and a colloquium

Study abroad unit(s)

Students are also encouraged to integrate one or two semesters abroad into their study programme - the Faculty of Sociology cooperates with numerous partner universities and has more than 50 bilateral agreements within the ERASMUS exchange programme. Credit points acquired abroad will be fully recognised for the International Track.

Internships

The study programme strongly encourages students to undertake an internship during their semester break. The programme as well as other institutions at Bielefeld University regularly offer workshops and information events around internships and jobs in the international job market. Internships are no requirement, however.

Forms of assessment

Written and oral exams, oral presentations, homework, essays, research report, Master's thesis

Course objectives

Students will gain in-depth knowledge on classical and current core theories and concepts in German and international sociology. They also receive rigorous empirical training in both quantitative and qualitative social science methods. Students have the possibility to put theories and methods into empirical practice with their own projects supervised by experienced researchers. Depending on the subject, students' research may be carried out abroad. The study programme promotes critical thinking and team work among students and between students and staff. Its specially tailored academic programme qualifies students for an international career in academia, public institutions, non-governmental organisations, and private companies in Germany, Europe, or anywhere else in the world.

Language requirements

Students of the MA Sociology do not necessarily need a German language certificate, but must be able to furnish proof that their English language proficiency meets the International Track's minimum entry requirements, such as a TOEFL (iBT) with a minimum of 87 points, TELC English with a minimum grade of B2, IELTS with an overall band score of 6.5 or an equivalent English language test. Qualifications and degrees from an English language institution are also deemed sufficient proof of English proficiency.

Academic requirements

Students must have an undergraduate degree in sociology or a related discipline with at least three years of higher education (usually a Bachelor's degree). Students from other academic backgrounds may also apply for admission and will be accepted if they provide good reasons why they would like to join.
Applicants' transcripts of records (or similar documents) must indicate that their course of studies covers at least three of the following four subjects: theory of sociology, methods of empirical social research, special sociology and general social sciences.
Qualifications can only be reviewed if all the required documents are submitted within the application period.

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Want to improve your English level for admission?
Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• Flexible study schedule
• Experienced teachers
• Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Enrolment fees

Currently approx. 270 EUR per semester, including a ticket for public transport in the city of Bielefeld and the whole state of North Rhine-Westphalia

Costs of living

The following monthly costs can be expected: the rent in a student hall of residence, in private halls, rooms, or flats amounts to about 300 EUR per month; health insurance is about 80 EUR per month; and a meal in the students' canteen (Mensa) costs less than 3 EUR. According to lifestyle, about 150 EUR per month can be expected to be spent on food. So the cost of living amounts to approx. 670 EUR monthly, i.e. some 8,000 EUR per year.

Job opportunities

Basically, international students are allowed to work parallel to their studies for 120 full days or 240 half days per year without a work permit once they have successfully completed preparations for their studies and started a course.
A limited number of jobs are available at the university; however, jobs for students can also be found in companies in and around Bielefeld.

Funding opportunities within the university

The university society "Westfälisch-Lippische Universitätsgesellschaft" awards some part-cost grants for excellent international Master's students.

Arrival support

Personal mentoring programmes as well as several welcoming services are offered by the International Office. Additionally, the International Office organises introduction days for all international students and provides individual counselling.
http://www.uni-bielefeld.de/(en)/International/Students/brother-sister

Services and support for international students

In addition to many services and facilities available to all students, the International Office offers a wide range of special services helping you adjust to your new surroundings and providing you with continuing support that will enhance your learning.
At the beginning of each semester a leisure day programme with a variety of activities is published to which all international students are invited: day excursions, weekend trips, journeys taking several days and evening meetings in the international contact centre.
The PunktUm project offers interdisciplinary assistance for the acquirement of basic academic skills to international students. Project offers are composed of individual counselling, workshops and courses on the following contents: academic writing, oral study achievements and scientific language for subject-related and interdisciplinary use. Bielefeld University's "brother-sister-programme" is a personal tutoring programme for all foreign freshmen and participants of the German language courses. Students of all semesters and fields of study support people new to Bielefeld during their first semester in dealing with organisational difficulties and in other new situations.
In 1985, the Society for the Support for International Students was founded with the purpose of supporting international students and scholars/scientists of the Bielefeld academies and encouraging contacts and relationships with the people of the region.

Accommodation

In Bielefeld, a broad range of accommodation options can be found at affordable prices.
There are 17 halls of residence run by the public "Studentenwerk" and private organisations. Additionally, single apartments as well as rooms in shared flats with other students are available. The rent for a room in Bielefeld amounts to about 180 to 300 EUR per month. The International Office supports students who are searching for accommodation.