Master's in Sociology Bielefeld University

In the International Track, the MA Sociology can be studied entirely in English; no German is required. Alternatively, the programme may also be studied in German or in a combination of both languages.

International Track students are encouraged to attend free German courses at the Language Centre to join German-taught seminars in later semesters.

The MA Sociology – International Track is a four-semester, English-language degree programme. It primarily focuses on the following areas of the MA Sociology curriculum:

• Social Structure and Social Inequality
• Sociology and Anthropology of the Global World
• Sociological Theory
• Sociological Methods

Within these areas, students may choose from a wide range of courses taught in English. In addition, students can select modules from other areas of the MA Sociology programme, in which courses are offered in English on an irregular basis, including:

• Sociology of Work and Economics
• Political Sociology
• Organisational Sociology
• Sociology of Gender
• Media Sociology

The programme is a research-oriented Master’s degree that requires a high level of competence in academic writing. During the course of study, students are required to write six term papers (20 to 30 pages each) as well as a Master’s thesis of approximately 70 pages.

All relevant information on the MA Sociology International Track can be found on the programme’s website.

Applications will be accepted between 1 June and 15 July for the following winter semester and between 1 December and 15 January for the summer semester. For further information and potential changes, please consult the programme website: https://www.uni-bielefeld.de/fakultaeten/soziologie/studium/international/track/.

The programme of the MA Sociology – International Track consists of the following elements:

• An introductory module (three lectures in sociological theory and methods)
• Six thematic modules (twelve seminars). At least one of these modules must be completed in the form of a student research project module. Students are required to decide on a study profile, which either consists of three modules from the same thematic area or a general profile consisting of one module in Sociological Theory and one module in Sociological Methods.
• The Master’s thesis and a colloquium

Further information on the organisation and structure of the programme can be found on the website of the MA Sociology International Track.

The study programme strongly encourages students to undertake an internship during their semester break. Students can complete an internship module as one of their mandatory thematic modules if they write a paper based on their internship activity. 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. However, internships are not mandatory in the MA Sociology International Track.

No tuition fees

Since Bielefeld University does not charge tuition fees, every student only has to pay a social fee. The social fee includes the contribution to the social ticket for free public transport in the city and area of Bielefeld and on regional trains and buses in North-Rhine Westphalia for the whole semester.

The current semester contribution is approximately 300 EUR.

Costs for studying in Germany are relatively high due to the living expenses.

• Rent in a room in student halls of residence or a private student hall, in a room or flat comes to approx. 280 EUR per month.
• The expected costs for student health insurance and other medical fees are about 120 EUR per month.
• Depending on your lifestyle, you might spend about 150 EUR on food each month.
• Altogether, monthly costs for food, clothes, leisure activities, social fees, travel expenses, telephone bills, and the other mentioned expenses add up to approx. 850 EUR.

There are several ways of cutting expenses in Bielefeld. For example, it is possible to rent a room in a student residence for about 250 EUR, and a meal at the student canteen (Mensa) costs only about 3 EUR.

The MA Sociology International Track is designed for students who hold a subject-specific Bachelor’s degree in Sociology or an equivalent programme. A Bachelor’s degree is considered qualified if the following disciplinary requirements, amounting to at least 10 ECTS credits, are documented in the transcript of records:

• Competence in Sociological Theory: Knowledge of classical and contemporary sociological theories, including their comparison and exemplary application.
• Competence in Methods of Empirical Social Research: Basic knowledge of different methods of empirical social research, including their application, potential, and critical reflection.
• Competence in a specialised field of Sociology: Knowledge and application of key concepts, theories, and empirical methods in a relevant specialised area of sociology.
• Competence in an additional specialised field of Sociology or basic knowledge of another social science field or related discipline.

Competencies in all four areas must be shown in the transcript of records.

Further information can be found in the Subject Specific Regulations and Handbooks for Modules.

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. A degree from a programme taught completely in English is also deemed sufficient proof of English proficiency.

Applications will be accepted between 1 June and 15 July for the following winter semester and between 1 December and 15 January for the summer semester. For further information and potential changes, please consult the programme website: https://www.uni-bielefeld.de/fakultaeten/soziologie/studium/international/track/.

No

Basically, with your residence permit (stamp in your passport), you will receive a work permit for 120 work days per year. This allows you to work 120 full days (eight hours per day) or 240 half days (up to four hours per day). This condition must be noted expressly in the passport by the authorities.

Please try to secure accommodation in Bielefeld as early as possible. In Bielefeld, a broad range of accommodation options can be found at affordable prices. Students residences are run by the public "Studierendenwerk" or private organisations, and shared flats are very common.

Offers of accommodation can be found online by following the links below:

• Studierendenwerk Bielefeld (dormitories)
• WG-gesucht.de (private shared accommodation)

The International Office supports students who are searching for accommodation.

Career planning is a step-by-step development and clarification process that requires individual strategies. Based on a strengths- and resource-oriented approach, we support you in developing your own career prospects.

Depending on your needs, our Career Service at Bielefeld University will accompany you throughout the entire process or in individual steps.

https://www.uni-bielefeld.de/themen/career-service

At PunktUm, our German Learning Centre, we offer a comprehensive range of academic support programmes that are designed to meet the needs of international members of the Bielefeld University. These include the Academic Mentoring Programme for Master's students, the Peer Mentoring Programme for Bachelor's students, and semester-long workshops designed to help all students and researchers with academic writing. We also offer individual consultations on academic writing in German as a Foreign Language (DaF) or German as a Second Language (DaZ).

The International Office provides an orientation programme for all international members of Bielefeld University, including degree seekers (BA and MA), double degree students, Erasmus/cooperation students, doctoral students, scholars, interns, and refugees/preparing applicants. Example of activities include Café International, campus tour, introductions to digital services and administrative procedures.