Double MA Degree in Sociology University of Bamberg

• All required courses for the Barcelona and Tilburg programmes are taught in English.
• Students in the Trento programme must take two courses in the first year that are only offered in German.

Participants acquire a double Master's degree either from the University of Trento (Sociology and Social Research), the University Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona (Sociology and Demography), or the University of Tilburg (Sociology), combined with a Master's degree in Sociology from the University of Bamberg. In the Trento programme, students can spend their first year either in Trento or in Bamberg. Students in the remaining two programmes spend their first year in Bamberg, and their second year in either Barcelona or Tilburg.

Trento:
The double degree programme with Trento focuses on social research. 
The combination of the two international degrees is the perfect synergy to achieve skills pertinent to sociology and social research. In the first year, students select courses from the following different sociological fields: Sociological Theory, Research Design, Data Collection, and Methods of Data Analysis (Quantitative and Qualitative Methods). The second year offers a choice between the following two focus topics: "Education, Labour, Inequality" or "Communication and Internet". The focus on "Education, Labour, Inequality" gives students the opportunity to choose between supplementary courses in Social Inequality and Social Structure Analysis, Methods and Statistics, and specific sociological subjects related to the focus area (e.g. Education, Labour Market). "Communication and Internet" entails elective courses in Sociological Theory of Culture, Methods and Statistics, and specific sociological subjects like Technology and Communication.

Barcelona:
The double-degree programme with Barcelona has a strong emphasis on sociology and demography. As in Trento, in this programme students follow advanced data analysis courses including the use of STATA.
During the two-year period, students attend some mandatory courses and some elective ones. The first year entails mandatory courses like Sociological Theory, Research Design, and Empirical Research Methods. The second part contains elective courses in the area of Demography and Family as well as Migration and Integration. In their second year, students have to take the following obligatory courses in the area of socio-demographic analysis: Demographic Changes and Social Dynamics, Social Policy and the Welfare State, Analysis of Social Inequalities and Family, and Gender and Society. Two courses are electives in the thematic area of Migration and Society or Health and Inequality.
These programmes offer students the possibility of discovering different branches of research while studying at well-known universities and learning interdisciplinary approaches.

Tilburg:
The complete double-degree programme can be studied like a normal two-year programme because both universities have agreed on a list of courses that are mutually recognised. During the first semester, students will be assisted in designing their individual study plans. In Bamberg, students take courses in Sociological Theory, Research Design, and Advanced Methods of Data Acquisition. Four elective courses in Advanced Methods of Data Analysis and two in Education and Work in the Life Course are provided in Bamberg. In Tilburg, students take courses in Social Capital, Social Policy and Social Risks, Social Structure of Western Societies, Populism in Comparative Perspective, and the Theory of Research.

Deadlines for students who want to start in the following winter semester are as follows:

• 1 July for all double degree programmes (Trento, Barcelona, Tilburg)

Students apply for one of the following:

• MA in Sociology in Bamberg (Germany) and a Master in Sociology and Social Research in Trento (Laurea Magistrale in Sociologia e Ricerca Sociale - classe 88) (Italy) or
• MA in Sociology in Bamberg (Germany) and a Research Master in Sociology and Demography (Spain) or
• MA in Sociology in Bamberg (Germany) and MSc in Sociology in Tilburg (the Netherlands)

Tuition fees apply at our partner universities in Barcelona and Tilburg. Please see the information on our website: www.uni-bamberg.de/ma-dd-sociology/

The detailed study plan for the double degree can be found on the website of the University of Bamberg:

• Study plan Bamberg/Trento
• Study plan Bamberg/Barcelona
• Study plan Bamberg/Tilburg

Students are required to fulfil 60 ECTS at the University of Bamberg and the other 60 ECTS at the partner university (Trento, Barcelona or Tilburg). In order to obtain both degrees, students must spend the second year studying abroad.

An internship is not obligatory in order to complete the MA at Bamberg, the Laurea Magistrale in Sociology and Social Research in Trento, the Research Master in Sociology and Demography in Barcelona, or the MSc in Sociology in Tilburg. Nevertheless, students will be provided with information about internship opportunities throughout their studies. Furthermore, study trips to potential future employers are offered.

Varied

Tuition fees apply at our partner universities in Barcelona and Tilburg. Please see the information on our website: www.uni-bamberg.de/ma-dd-sociology/

Students whose home institution is Bamberg must pay a regular contribution for the administrative costs at the university (118.60 EUR per semester at present). There are no additional tuition fees during the student's stay at the host institution. A "Semesterticket" for public transport in the city of Bamberg is included (more information here).

Bamberg is still one of the cheaper student cities. In 2021, the average rent was 410 EUR per month (source: 22nd Social Survey of the German Studierendenwerk). Since then, rents and, above all, energy and heating costs have risen sharply, so the cost of an apartment is likely to be higher.

The admission procedures follow the common rules of the regular single degree programmes.

At the University of Bamberg, students apply for the regular "MA Soziologie", at the University of Trento students apply for the "Laurea Magistrale in Sociology and Social Research", at the University of Tilburg students apply for "MSc Sociology", and at the University Pompeu Fabra they apply for the "Research Master in Sociology and Demography". However, there are additional admission criteria for admission to the double degree programme.

Applicants have to accomplish the following:

• Satisfy the admission criteria of the "MA Soziologie" at the University of Bamberg, i.e.
  • hold a higher education degree with a minimum of 30 ECTS accumulated in sociology (10 ECTS in theory, 10 ECTS in methods, and 10 ECTS in the general subject area)
  • have a GPA of at least 2.5 on the German grading scale or equivalent
• Satisfy the admission criteria of the "Laurea Magistrale in Sociology and Social Research" at the University of Trento
  • be enrolled in a MA or MSc programme in Sociology
  • have a GPA of at least 2.36 on the German grading scale or equivalent
  • 60 ECTS at least in two of the following areas (1. Law and Political Science, 2. Sociology, 3. Economics and Statistics, 4. Anthropology, History, and Pedagogy)
• Satisfy the admission criteria of the "Research Master in Sociology and Demography" at the University Pompeu Fabra Barcelona, i.e.
  • hold a university degree in social sciences, law, humanities, or health sciences equivalent to a minimum of 180 ECTS
• Satisfy the admission criteria of the "MSc Sociology" at Tilburg University
  • hold a Bachelor's or a Master's degree in a relevant discipline, e.g. sociology, social sciences, or humanities
  • be sufficiently conversant in the social sciences
  • possess adequate knowledge of social science statistics and research methods
• Possess sufficient English language skills (Level B2 of the Common European Framework)

Applicants have to hand in the following documents:

• Certificate of the Bachelor's degree
• Certificate documenting B2-level English language skills
• Transcript of records (can be handed in later if not all exams of the first semester are recorded yet)
• Motivation letter of one to two pages (written in English) describing why they would like to take part in the double degree programme
• Simple copy of a passport or identity card

Trento programme:

• B2 level English language skills
• B2 level German language skills (relevant only for students starting the programme in Bamberg)
• A1 level German language skills (relevant only for students starting the programme in Trento; can also be obtained during the first year)

Barcelona programme:

• English proficiency: TOEFL (minimum 577 paper-based / 90 Internet-based), IELTS (minimum 6.5 overall, no part less than 6.0), Cambridge First Certificate (A-B), or German "Abitur" with proof of a B2 level
• A1 level German language skills (can also be obtained during the first year)

Tilburg programme:

• English proficiency: TOEFL: 577 (paper), 90 (Internet); Academic IELTS: overall 6.5 and no sub-score less than 6.0; Cambridge Proficiency in English: all grades; Cambridge Advanced English: Grades A, B, and C
• A1 level German language skills (can also be obtained during the first year)

Deadlines for students who want to start in the following winter semester are as follows:

• 1 July for all double degree programmes (Trento, Barcelona, Tilburg)

Students apply for one of the following:

• MA in Sociology in Bamberg (Germany) and a Master in Sociology and Social Research in Trento (Laurea Magistrale in Sociologia e Ricerca Sociale - classe 88) (Italy) or
• MA in Sociology in Bamberg (Germany) and a Research Master in Sociology and Demography (Spain) or
• MA in Sociology in Bamberg (Germany) and MSc in Sociology in Tilburg (the Netherlands)

No internal funding opportunities for the Barcelona and Tilburg programmes. Students in the Trento programme can apply for Erasmus support during their stay abroad.

Students are encouraged to apply as student research assistants, a position that gives them practical experience. The possibility to apply as a student trainee in a company is also an option. Furthermore, students can do a lot of jobs that are not related to the curriculum of study. For example, they can get a job waiting tables in a restaurant.

Bamberg's housing market has changed considerably in recent years. The demand for private accommodations is quite high, and rent prices continue to increase. The common trend seen in many cities, and particularly in university cities, is now quite apparent in Bamberg, too.

It is thus advisable to begin looking for a flat as early as possible and to be patient, as the process can take quite a while. It also pays to check listings in the local newspaper (Fränkischer Tag), submit an announcement that you are looking for accommodation, or explore the numerous online housing portals.

www.uni-bamberg.de/en/studies/living-studying/living-in-bamberg/

Since the founding of the University of Bamberg in 1647, it is the people who have been its top priority. The close proximity of students and instructors provides for excellent advisory services, personal communication and interdisciplinary studies.

The University of Bamberg, with about 11,000 students, is among Germany's medium-sized universities. The university currently offers roughly 100 programmes at the Bachelor's and Master's level.

The university’s main areas of academic focus lie in the humanities, social sciences, economics, business administration and human sciences. These are rounded out by numerous programmes in application-oriented computer science. The premises of the four faculties are concentrated in three main locations that are easily reached by bicycle or via the local network of bus routes.

One of the University of Bamberg's main strengths is its commitment to a focus on international studies. The university’s International Office maintains exchange programmes with approximately 350 universities in nearly 60 countries worldwide.

There are currently about 1,900 foreign students from 100 countries enrolled at the University of Bamberg. The range of courses offered at the university reflects this focus on international studies. Degree programmes in fields like international business administration and management, European economic studies, or the joint Master’s degree in English and American Studies all require that students spend up to one year studying abroad. Furthermore, international students receive a great deal of support outside the classroom.

In order to help visiting students from around the globe become better integrated and acquainted with daily life, the International Office organises a tandem programme that brings together local and foreign students.

The university's international guests also have the opportunity to participate in an extensive programme of excursions and events meant to present a broader experience of life in Germany, even beyond the city of Bamberg. An international "Stammtisch" provides students with the opportunity to socialise and share experiences.

https://www.uni-bamberg.de/en/study/

https://www.uni-bamberg.de/en/

https://www.uni-bamberg.de/en/studies/living-studying/

Located in Northern Bavaria, it is easy to travel to and from Bamberg using many different means of transport. For those travelling by car, the city can be reached from all directions via the A70 and A73 motorways. Bamberg's railway station is also a stop on the ICE line between Munich and Berlin, which means that both cities can be reached in about two and a half hours without changing trains. Nuremberg, Bavaria's second-largest city, is approximately 45 minutes away by train, and its international airport provides flights to destinations worldwide.

www.uni-bamberg.de/en/studies/living-studying/mobility/