- No tuitionTuition
- Winter and summerIntake
- EnglishLanguage
- 15 JanNext deadline
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- 5,000+ students guided
- 4.9 on Google (opens Google reviews in a new tab)
About the programme
Sociology at Bielefeld University is a four-semester Master of Arts worth 120 credit points, with double-degree options and starts in the winter or the summer semester. It offers a sound grounding in theory and methods and lets you specialise in different areas. Theory and methods seminars and all areas of general and special sociology on offer give you broad theoretical and methodological knowledge. The programme prepares you for international careers in research and science, and for jobs outside universities where sociological thinking, international perspectives and experience are needed. Typical fields include international governmental and non-governmental organisations, public relations, marketing and market research, administration, unions and political parties, human resources, publishing and the media, and universities and research centres. It suits graduates who want a sociology career with an international outlook.
Fields of study
How to apply
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Requirements
What you need to apply for Sociology at Bielefeld University
English language
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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.
German language
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Not required
Academic requirements
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The transcript must show that you have completed at least 80% of your studies (the corresponding number of courses must be shown in your transcript).
Not required
Tests and documents
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Motivation letter of max. 1500 words long;
Your motivation letter should state why you have chosen our programme. You should also describe your academic background and how your qualifications and perhaps your practical experience (job, summer school, etc.) have prepared you for the International Track programme. In particular, we would like for you to tell us why you are interested in the profiles of “Social Structure Analysis and Social Inequality” or “Sociology and Anthropology of the Global World” (see Curriculum).
Curriculum vitae, maximum 2 pages long, tabulated, listing your education and work experience from present to past. You may use the Europass CV although is it not mandatory;
optional to be uploaded in optional documents
Not needed
APS verification
APS checks your degree papers. You need it if your degree is from India, China or Vietnam.
Prerequisites
Access to the Master programme is granted to those who can provide evidence that they have a first university degree which has a standard period of study of at least six semesters, qualifies for exercising a profession and is in accordance with the subject-specific regulations.
Degrees from accredited Bachelor programmes at German ‘Berufsakademien’ are equivalent to Bachelor degrees from universities.
Applicants with a university degree obtained abroad are granted access provided that the degree they have acquired is deemed sufficient for this purpose and they can provide evidence of the required language skills.
Further information on required language skills (opens in a new tab)
Special conditions apply to applicants with a foreign certificate of education. (opens in a new tab)
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).
Applicants' transcripts of records (or similar documents) must indicate that their previous course of studies covers at least three of the following four subjects: theory of sociology, methods of empirical social research, special sociology / social science and general social sciences.
tudents 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.
Documents checklist
What to prepare for your application to Sociology
Programme-specific documents
School leaving certificate (a document which certifies your secondary education – the level you have to complete before starting undergraduate studies), both a certified copy of the original and a certified translation to English or German;
Undergraduate degree certificate and transcript of records, both a certified copy of the original and a certified translation to English or German.If you already possess one master’s degree, please provide a degree certificate and transcript for it as well. A master’s degree, which was completed abroad, doesn’t place you at a disadvantage to other applicants.If your transcript doesn’t contain your final grade and grade scale, please provide this information in the application form or the motivational letter. Don’t recalculate your grade into other systems (German, US, etc.)
Proof of English language skills, a certified copy. (For more, see above in language requirements);
Curriculum vitae, maximum 2 pages long, tabulated, listing your education and work experience from present to past. You may use the Europass CV although is it not mandatory;
You don’t have to provide a German language certificate, however if you have some previous knowledge of German you may provide such a certificate in the field “further documents”.
We don’t require any recommendation letters. However, you may upload them in the field “optional documents”.
This programme applies directly or via uni-assist. Submit your documents through the correct channel before the deadline.
Open application portal (opens in a new tab)Apostille and notarization
Requirements vary by nationality and issuing country. Many German universities require certified translations and, in some cases, document apostilles. Verify current requirements directly with the admissions office, or use our document services for guided preparation.
Need help preparing your documents?
Our document preparation bundle covers SOP, CV, LOR, and translation coordination, reviewed by our team.
View document bundleHow to apply
Step-by-step guide to applying for Sociology at Bielefeld University
Application quick facts
APS
Required for Application
APS checks your degree papers. You need it if your degree is from India, China or Vietnam.
Application fee
0 EUR
Complexity
MediumAddress
Prof Thomas Faist, Universitätsstraße 25, 33615 Bielefeld
Universität Bielefeld
Studierendensekretariat
Universitätsstr. 25
33615 Bielefeld
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Costs
Tuition
FREE
No tuition fees
Semester contribution
320 EUR
per semester
Application fee
0 EUR
per application
Estimated year-1 total cost
12,544 EUR
Includes tuition, semester contribution, and estimated living costs.
This programme has restricted admission (NC). Admission is competitive and based on academic performance.
Additional fee information
As education is fully subsidised by the government, there are no tuition fees at public universities in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Plan your total budget for Germany
Use the MS in Germany cost calculator to estimate living expenses, insurance, and your full year-one spend.
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