Sociology
- Degree
- Master of Arts
- Duration
- 4 Semesters
- Credits/ECTS
- 120
- Teaching language
- German
- Tuition fee
- None
- Semester contribution
- € 305,05
- Start of studies
- Winter semester, Summer semester
- Part-time possible
- Yes
- Institutions
- Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences
- Institute of Sociology
Programme summary
The Master of Arts programme "Sociology" offers interest- and research-based studies closely connected to national and international research projects, amongst others the DFG Research Group on "Post-Growth Societies".
The study programme includes courses in qualitative and quantitative methods of emperical social research. Furthermore, seminars on research practice offer students the opportunity to gain own research experiences. The selection of one of the three offered areas of concentration as well as the interdisciplinary integration of different study programmes allow an individual and flexible study structure.
Students may specialise in one of the three offered areas of concentration: (1) "Labour, Economy, Welfare", (2) "Sustainability and Societal Transformations" and (3) "Gender Relations in Modern Societies".
- If you select "Labour, Economy, Welfare", you will examine labour market processes, their political regulation, and professional action in welfare state institutions.
- If you select "Sustainability and Societal Transformations", you will research the course of social change in modern societies as well as goals, forms, and methods of sociological interpretation of time.
- If you select "Gender Relations in Modern Societies" (available as of winter term 2019/20) you will deepen your knowledge of structure and change of gender relations in modern societies with focus on the crisis of social reproduction. Furthermore, this area of specialisation deals with the current international debates about the category "gender" and the analysis of the organisation and reorganisation of care work in neoliberal capitalist societies.
The Institute of Sociology offers further areas of main research:
- Economic sociology, industrial sociology and organisational sociology
- Analysis of labour market and social policy
- Analysis of social structure and inequality research
- Sustainability research and post-growth research
- Social theory
Special features
Jena has one of the top sociology institutes in Germany. In the current university ranking by the CHE, it received excellent marks for student support services, methodological training, and the overall study situation.
In terms of content, this degree programme ties into the institute's well-established areas of research, closely connected to the topics of the special Collaborative Research Centre "Social Developments after Structural Change".
Career opportunities
Sociologists are characterised by their wide range of skills and abilities. Yet it is essential to seek experience beyond one's studies in order to guarantee professional success.
Potential employment opportunities include social research, market research, statistics departments, academic positions, personnel departments, public relations, the media, adult education, project management, and consulting or advisory positions in companies, politics, the health sector, or social welfare authorities.
A variety of research projects in the context of the Jena Graduate Academy offer graduates opportunities to pursue doctoral research and a career in academe.
Admission requirements
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Undergraduate degree or equivalent
For this master's programme you need a subject-specific undergraduate degree (minimum 6 semesters/180 ECTS-Credits) or an equivalent degree that includes knowledge in Sociology or equivalent fields of science of at least 60 credits (ECTS), comprising at least 20 credits (ECTS) in empirical social research.
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Language requirements
This master's programme requires the following language proficiency:
- English language proficiency at level B1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)
- international applicants: German language proficiency at minimum level DSH-2 (or a recognised equivalent)
Application documents
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CV
Your CV should have a tabular form, containing key information on your school record and academic career.
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Motivation letter
A motivation letter should not exceed the size of two DIN A4-pages and normally, it should contain information on your motivation for taking up this course of studies. You should elaborate on the following essential questions:
- Why do you desire taking up this specific course of studies?
- What are - in your opinion - the main features that this course of studies excels in?
- Which features of this course have inspired your application?
- Why Jena?
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University entrance qualification certificate
Please upload at the online application system your university entrance certificate/school leaving certificate. Usually, this means the school graduation diploma (German "Abitur"), i.e. the diploma that makes you eligible for studies at an University or other institution for higher education. Be mindful of the fact that here, we do not need any University diploma but a High School diploma!
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Previous university degrees earned
All previous University degrees (Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, etc.) if available before the application deadline - if not, please make a note of the anticipated date of issue of your degree certificate. Please upload your University degree or the most actual, detailed transcript of records/ mark sheet of all semesters available to you, should you not hold your degree certificate at the time of application. The main document is the degree/ transcript based on which you apply for the master programme.
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Detailed transcript of records
Detailed transcript of records/ mark sheet of your first, subject-specific University degree, with which you apply for the master's programme (minimum requirement is the transcript/mark sheet up to the semester before the last). This trancript MUST contain an overall cumulative grade point average or average mark.
You need at least 140 credits (ECTS) by the time you apply.
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Proof of relevant work experience
Should you have obtained subject-specific work experience, you can upload corresponding certificates in order to support your application.
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Proof of subject-specific practical experience
Should you have obtained subject-specific practical experience (e.g. by internships etc.), you can upload corresponding certificates in order to support your application.
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Proof of language proficiency
You have to submit the following proofs of language proficiencies:
- Proof of language proficiency in English (Level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)
Additional application documents for international students
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Proof of German language proficiency
For German taught master's programmes, i.e. programmes with (predominantly) German as language of instruction, a sufficient German language proficiency proof is mandatory.
The Friedrich Schiller University Jena accepts the following certificates as German language proficiency proof exclusively:- the Goethe-Zertifikat C2 (GDS),
- the Deutsche Sprachdiplom der Kultusministerkonferenz (DSD II),
- the TestDaF, minimum TDN 4 in all four parts of the examination,
- Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang (DSH), min. level 2 (= DSH-2),
- Certificate telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule (min. level "befriedigend"),
- a German language examination in the framework of an assessment test at a preparatory college.
Please note: We strongly recommend that you provide the required German language proof at the time of applying.You have not yet taken the DSH exam, the TestDaF or another equivalent exam (see above) or have not yet received the test result? Then please do the following:
- Upload a certificate attesting your German language skills at min. level B2 (according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) AND
- upload a confirmation that you have registered for a language exam (e.g. DSH examination, TestDaF or an equivalent examination) to your online application. Please make sure to register for the test well in advance. In case you receive an admission offer, you must provide the language certificate by the time of enrolment (by the end of March resp. the end of September)!
The following applicants are exempted from providing proof of their German language skills:
- Applicants, who have obtained a German taught bachelor's degree within one of the following countries: Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. This applies only to degrees that were awarded by a university in the relevant country (no satellite campuses or international branch campuses in other countries, no correspondence course degrees, no joint- or double-degrees with institutions in other countries);
- Holders of a German, Austrian or Swiss (from school where the language of instruction is German) university entrance qualification.
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Translation of foreign/external application documents
Every mandatory application document from foreign/external countries must also be available in either English OR German translation. Such a translation has to be conducted by officially acknowledged/ sworn translators or translation offices.
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Proof of grading system
External/foreign degree certificates/ transcripts of records must contain information on the grading system (= description of the maximum grade possible and the minimum passing grade) used at the respective University.
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Certificate APS
Applicants with degrees from India, Vietnam or China must submit the original APS-certificate issued by the German Embassy.
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University entrance exam
Applicants from the following countries must submit a certificate of their university entrance examination/college entrance examination:
- Iran (College entrance examination certificate or certificate of pre-university course/year)
- Republic of Korea/South Korea: SAT (Scholastic Ability Test)
- People's Republic of China: College entrance examination certificate ("Gaokao")
Contacts
Room 2.79
Carl-Zeiß-Straße 3
07743 Jena
Google Maps site planExternal link
Room 4.129
Carl-Zeiß-Straße 3
07743 Jena
Google Maps site planExternal link
Bachstraße 18k
07743 Jena
Telephone hours:
Mondays and Fridays (9:00 – 11:00)
Wednesdays (13:00 – 15:00)
The ASPA is primarily responsible for students in the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, and the Faculty of Theology.
Postal address:
Akademisches Studien- und Prüfungsamt
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena
Google Maps site planExternal link
Office hours:
Telephone consultation:
Tuesday - Thursday
10 am - 11 am
Personal consultation:
Tuesday - Thursday
2 pm - 3 pm
Live chat:
mondays and fridays
10 am - 12 noon
Ticket enquiries via Service Desk at:
www.uni-jena.de/service-msz
Postal address:
Friedrich Schiller University Jena
Master Service Centre (MSZ)
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena
Video chat:
To the video chat – Zoom
Videochat ZeitenTuesday - Thursday
3:15 pm - 4 pm
Password Master
Data protection informationpdf, 101 kb
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena
Google Maps site planExternal link