International Track Sociology

Please understand that we do not carry out a preliminary check of application documents!

You will find all important information about the application below.

 

Formal requirements

To be eligible for the MA Sociology program, you must hold a first university degree with a regular duration of study of at least three years, which is recognised as equivalent to a German Bachelor's degree.

You can use the anabin database to check in advance whether your degree is recognised as equivalent.

The formal requirements are checked by the student office at Bielefeld University. If you have any questions, please reach out to the student office.

 

Subject-specific requirements

Applicants must hold a first degree (Bachelor's or equivalent) in sociology or a related discipline (e.g., social sciences, political sciences, ethnography, gender studies, etc.).

In addition, your transcript of records must show that you have studied the following four subject areas in your previous studies, each worth approximately 10 credit points (Leistungspunkte or LP):

1. Sociological Theory: Knowledge of classical and contemporary sociological theories, their comparison, and their exemplary application.
2. Methods of Empirical Social Research: Basic knowledge of different methods in empirical social research, their application, potential and reflection.
3. Special Sociology: knowledge and application of key concepts, theories and empirical methods of a relevant special sociology.
4. General Social Science or basic knowledge of another social science field or a related discipline.

Further information can be found in the subject-specific requirements.

 

Language requirements

For the International Track of the MA Sociology, you are required to provide proof of sufficient English language skills at a B2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference. Information on the certificates we accept can be found here.

Application for the MA Sociology Program

You can apply online for the Master's program through our Application and Status Portal.

Select "1" as the semester for the start of your studies, regardless of whether you begin in the winter or summer semester. Complete the application form and upload all required documents.

 

General Information

Please note the following instructions for uploading your application documents to the application portal:

For large documents, combine all pages into a single PDF instead of uploading each page individually.
Give each document a clear name, e.g. "Transcript" or "English-Certificate".
Make sure that your documents are easy to read (resolution and contrast).
Rotate and save documents again if necessary before uploading them.

 

Application Documents

You must submit officially certified copies of your documents as well as official translations in German or English:

A transcript of your first degree with a list of grades (Transcript of Records). If the transcript does not contain a final grade or grading scale, this should be listed in a separate document. Please do not convert your grade into other grading systems. Please also enclose the Diploma Supplement or a similar document, if available.

If you are unable to submit an official degree certificate at the time of your application, it is still possible to apply. However, the prerequisite is proof from your university of your expected final grade.

An official English language certificate in certified copy.

As the MA Sociology program is admission-restricted, study places are limited. Therefore, it is important to submit all required documents in full by the end of the application period in order to be considered.

After the Application

Once you have submitted your application, you can check the processing status of your application at any time in the online application portal. To do so, log in with your username and password and click on "Application Status".

Please refrain from making written enquiries about the status of your application. You will be automatically notified once a decision has been made.

Rejection notices for applicants who meet the admission requirements but cannot be offered a place in the programme due to limited admission capacity will be uploaded at a later time, as there is a waiting list for applicants.

 

Admission

Congratulations - you have been admitted to the International Track of the MA Sociology program! We look forward to welcoming you to the Faculty of Sociology soon.

Please read the following information carefully so that you can start your studies successfully.

If you have been admitted to Bielefeld University, you will receive an official letter of admission. You can find this in the online portal, along with information regarding the enrollment deadline.

Please note that the letter of admission is only valid for the semester you applied for. No letters of admission will be issued for future semesters. If you have not enrolled by November 15th (winter semester) or May 15th (summer semester), your admission will be revoked.

Delaying the Start of Your Studies

If you anticipate that you will be unable to arrive for the semester you were admitted to (for example, due to visa issues), you have two options.

The first option is to let your admission lapse by not enrolling. You can then reapply for the following semester.

A second option is to enrol and pay the semester fee. This guarantees your study place for the semester of your admission. You will then also have to re-enrol for the following semesters by paying the semester fee.

Further information on enrolment can be found on the website of the Student Office.

General Information

Attendance is not compulsory at Bielefeld University, but mandatory coursework (Studienleistungen or SL) are required.

The requirements of a course will be announced in the first session. If you arrive later, you should contact the lecturer to clarify the details.

You will receive credit points (Leistungspunkte or LP) for the successful participation in courses as well as the successful completion of examinations. Examination results are additionally graded.

It is recommended that you earn approximately 30 credit points (Leistungspunkte) per semester.

The standard duration of the MA Sociology is two years, but as long as you continue to pay your tuition fees, there are no consequences from the university if you need more time! The Faculty of Sociology is aware that personal circumstances such as internships, study abroad, illness, caregiving responsibilities, or financial issues can have an impact on your studies.

At the same time, we would like to point out that delays in your studies can have an impact on residence permits and visa matters. It is your responsibility to stay informed about these matters.

 

Credits

The MA Sociology program consists of a total of 120 credit points (Leistungspunkte). It is recommended that you complete approximately 30 credit points (LP) each semester.

For a coursework (Studienleistung), you will receive 4 credit points (LP) in the MA Sociology program.
For an examination (Prüfungsleistung), you will receive 6 credit points (LP) in the MA Sociology program.

 

Overview of Grades

The table provides an overview of the meaning of each grade.

Responsibility in Your Studies

The Bielefeld study model promotes self-responsible students who actively participate in teaching and exam organization. This means:

You choose the content of your studies independently according to the subject-specific guidelines.
It is your responsibility to achieve your study goals.
You approach lecturers proactively.

There is no mentor to guide you; self-organisation is crucial!

 

Academic Writing

Grades in the MA Sociology program are primarily earned through term papers. You can find more information on academic writing here.

You can also find the guidelines for dealing with plagiarism here.

 

Contacting Your Teachers

You can contact your teachers primarily via email, the corresponding address can be found in the PEVZ.

Please use a formal form of addressing and greeting when writing an email. It also makes processing much easier if you give your email a meaningful subject line and state your request clearly and politely.

It is normal for it to take a few days to receive a response.

Profiles

In the MA Sociology program, students must choose one of eight profiles:

General profile
Profile Social Structure and Social Inequality
Profile Sociology of the Global World
Profile Sociology of Work and Economics
Profile Organisational Sociology
Profile Political Sociology
Profile Sociological Methods
Profile Sociological Theory

You can find an overview of the structure of the various profiles Here. Please note the "Mandatory option" column, which indicates the mandatory content for the respective profile.

Most courses taught in English are currently offered for the profiles "Social Structure and Social Inequality", "Sociology of the Global World", "Sociological Theory" and "Sociological Methods".

 

Modules

A module usually consists of two thematically assigned seminars. Coursework (Studienleistungen) must be completed in both seminars. An examination (Prüfungsleistung) must also be completed in one seminar.

A complete module in the MA Sociology usually comprises 14 credit points (Leistungspunkte).

There are compulsory modules and compulsory elective modules.

 

Compulsory Modules

Compulsory modules must be taken regardless of the profile.

The Introductory Module only takes place in the winter semester and consists of three lectures.

The Final Module comprises the Master's thesis and a corresponding colloquium. The Master's thesis is approximately 70 pages long. The colloquium supports students in the development and realisation of their thesis. Further information on the administrative procedure for the Master's thesis and graduation requirements can be found here.

International Exchange

International students on the MA Sociology program can apply for stays abroad during their studies.

Planning should begin at an early stage.

 

Erasmus+

The Faculty of Sociology maintains a wide range of partnerships with universities in other (European) countries. 

An Erasmus+ stay is financed by a monthly scholarship. General information on Erasmus+ can be found on the website of the International Office.

An overview of the Faculty of Sociology’s partner universities can be found here.

 

Master Double Degree Bielefeld/Bologna

Students in their first Master's semester have the opportunity to apply for the Master Double Degree. Applications can be submitted until January 31 of each year.

Further information on the Double Degree can be found here.

Examination Management and Credit Transfer

You can manage your study and examination achievements independently via your online student account.

An interim transcript showing the current status of your studies is easily available online. Please follow the steps outlined in these instructions.

You can also assign your academic and examination achievements to the respective modules independently. Important information on how this process works can be found here.

Please follow the instructions of the Examination Office if you need to transfer credits (e.g. from foreign universities).

 

Master's Thesis

The master’s thesis is a key component of the program, accounting for 28 credit points (Leistungspunkten). It demonstrates and promotes the student’s ability to carry out independent academic work.

The Master's colloquium is intended to provide students with the opportunity to network and exchange ideas with one another, as well as to offer a space for support and guidance from academic staff. The 2 credit points (Leistungspunkten) for the master's colloquium are credited together with the credits (LP) for the master's thesis.

General information on the master's thesis can be found here.

 

Supervisor for the Master's Thesis

The search for a suitable supervisor is the responsibility of the student.

It is recommended to contact lecturers for whom you have already written term papers. Alternatively, you can find an overview of all teaching staff at the Faculty of Sociology here.

It is advisable to include a first outline of your proposed thesis when reaching out.

 

Registration of the Master's Thesis

The registration of the master's thesis should be done in consultation with your supervisors.

You can find the registration form here or on the faculty website. This form must be filled in, signed, and submitted to the Examination Office.

 

Certificate application

Once you have successfully completed all coursework and examinations in the M.A. Sociology program, you may apply for the issuance of your degree certificate.

The application form is available here or on the faculty website.

Bielefeld University offers a wide range of services for (international) students. Some of these services are presented below.

 

The Student Office is responsible in particular for admission, enrolment, re-registration, leave of absence, de-registration, and for providing general information and guidance on the application and enrollment process.
 

The International Office supports international students in organising their stay at Bielefeld University. It offers advice on financing your studies, finding accommodation, and questions regarding visa matters.

At the beginning of the semester, there is an orientation program with support in dealing with authorities and opening a German bank account.

 

PunktUm offers a language support program for international students. The German courses are free of charge for students on English-language degree programs.

The ZSB provides support with all study-related issues, such as choosing a degree program, organizing your studies, or changing your subject. It also offers psychosocial counselling for personal challenges, such as difficulties making social contacts, concentration issues, or exam anxiety. You can attend the open consultation hours without an appointment.

 

The Faculty of Sociology's Gender Equality Committee is committed to promoting gender equality at our faculty and is your point of contact for questions about gender equality, as well as experiences of sexualised discrimination and violence. It promotes gender-sensitive language, offers counselling and consultation hours and provides contacts to referral centres.

On the website of the University's Central Gender Equality Committee you can also find further information on sexualised violence and discrimination.

 

The International Student Council of Bielefeld University (ISR) is the independent representation of international students at Bielefeld University. It works together with the university administration and the student union (AStA) to represent the interests of international students. It also organises cultural and social events and offers support in finding accommodation and funding.