Sociology (Bachelor's Degree Subject)Gaining nuanced insight into the workings of society

Sociology is at the heart of the social sciences, and addresses all aspects of human coexistence. For instance, it asks what norms and values guide our behavior, analyzes the phenomenon of social change, investigates how social integration or gender relations operate, and grapples with issues such as identity, migration, digitalization and globalization. This vast spectrum of subject matter has led to the emergence of diverse sub-disciplines within sociology, such as political sociology, cultural sociology, developmental sociology, media sociology, and so on. In Basel, we attach great importance to providing a well-rounded education in sociological theories and methods. Besides engaging with the discussion on the manifold forms of social relations, practices, processes and structures, the bachelor’s program focuses on the questions of how society is possible at all, how it functions, and what problems it generates. Core thematic areas include social inequality, conflict and cooperation, globality, sustainability, identity, and knowledge and culture.

Focal areas of teaching and research

The Bachelor's Degree Program in Sociology encompasses sociological theory, and the critical and reflective analysis of all forms of society. Students will benefit from a nuanced education in theory (cultural theory, social philosophy, anthropology and political theory), which is closely intertwined with more practically oriented training in qualitative and quantitative empirical social research methods. The main focus of the program consists of two thematically organized modules:

The Politics, Development and Social Inequality module bridges the fields of political and developmental sociology. This combination enables in-depth analysis of diverse phenomena in the area of social inequality at the regional, national and international level. The main themes covered in this study option include social inequality, work, conflict and cooperation, and globality and identity.

The module Economy, Knowledge and Culture focuses on the sociocultural creation and shaping of economic practices, structures and knowledge forms. It offers an introduction to foundational theories, questions and topics relating to economy, knowledge and culture, combining cultural and socioeconomic perspectives.

The individual disciplines are brought together by integrated courses addressing overarching themes. To enable students to develop a research-based learning approach early on, particular emphasis is placed on interactive forms of study. This is achieved by means of small tutor-led groups and project-oriented tasks.

Short profile

DegreeBA in Sociology
TypeDegree subject
Start dateFebruary, September
Credit points180
Program structure

The bachelor's degree is the first degree. It comprises a total of 180 credit points (CP). Sociology is studied as one of two degree subjects, each worth 75 CP. In addition, there are free electives (30 CP).

One ECTS credit point corresponds to approximately 30 hours of work.

Subject combination

In addition to subjects from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, a second bachelor's degree subject can also be an extra-faculty subject.

The free electives are at the free provision of all students. It is generally used to acquire general skills (foreign languages, IT, rhetoric, etc.), interdisciplinary learning (non-subject or interdisciplinary courses), further deepening of one's own subject studies or the acquisition of a certificate.

Language of instructionGerman
Subject areaSociology

Bachelor’s admission requirements

The Student Administration Office at the University of Basel is responsible for admitting students to bachelor’s programs in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. This is based on the admission regulations of the President’s Office:

  • with Swiss educational qualifications, 
  • foreign educational qualifications, or
  • as a visiting student (not working toward a degree at the University of Basel)

Holders of a Swiss federal Maturität certificate will be admitted to all bachelor’s degree programs.

If you have any further questions, please consult the information provided here.

Registration dates

Students must register for their bachelor’s or master’s degree program within a specified timeframe – even in cases of delayed registration.

Information events

The University of Basel organizes regular information events for bachelor’s and master’s programs. Details can be found on the <link de/fakultaet/aktuelles/ - external-link-new-window "Öffnet internen Link im aktuellen Fenster">events page</link> of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. 
Some subject areas also offer their own separate information or welcome events. Please consult the page for the relevant subject area for event dates and locations.

Bachelor Prüfung & Abschluss

Fristen und Termine Bachelorstudium (siehe Merkblätter unter Dokumente und Merkblätter)

Zur Bachelorprüfung können sich Studierende anmelden, die im zu prüfenden Fach 60 KP bzw. im Studiengang 120 KP erbracht und die für den Abschluss zählenden Seminararbeiten im zu prüfenden Fach oder im Studiengang absolviert haben. Der Nachweis erfolgt durch Vorlegen der Modulzuordnung.

Es kann neu auch nur ein Fach pro Session geprüft werden. Das bedeutet, die beiden Bachelorprüfungen können auf zwei Sessionen verteilt werden (Achtung: nur bei Studienfächern – bei Studiengängen ist eine Trennung der beiden Prüfungen nicht möglich).

BA-Prüfungen: Auf Grund der freien Verfügbarkeit von KI-Textgeneratoren (wie bspw. ChatGPT) hat die Phil.-Hist. Fakultät beschlossen, die Durchführungsart der BA-Prüfung anzupassen. Mit dieser Anpassung soll die Eigenleistung der Studierenden sichergestellt werden. Neu werden ab FS23 die BA-Prüfungen wieder in den Räumen der Universität unter Aufsicht geschrieben. Dabei handelt es sich um digitale «bring-your-own-device» Prüfungen. Die Prüfungstermine bleiben unverändert bestehen. Prüfungskandidat*innen beachten bitte unbedingt das aktualisierte Merkblatt zum Ablauf der BA-Prüfungen sowie das neue Anmeldeformular (Studienfach, Studiengang). Bei Rückfragen wenden Sie sich an die Studienadministration.

 HS 2024FS 2025HS 2025FS 2026HS 2026
Anmeldeformulare (Studienfach / Studiengang) verfügbar ababgelaufen20.01.2501.09.2526.01.2631.08.26
Anmeldezeitraumabgelaufen03.03. - 21.03.2529.09. - 17.10.2509.03. - 27.03.2628.09. - 16.10.26
Schriftliche Prüfungenabgelaufen05.05. (NEU) & 09.05.2505.12. - 12.12.2511.05. - 18.05.2604.12. - 11.12.26
Notenmitteilungenabgelaufen01.07.2523.01.2601.07.2615.01.27
Abschlussantragformulare spätestens verfügbar ababgelaufen02.06.2505.01.2601.06.2604.01.27
Prüfungseinsicht und Antrag auf Abschlussabgelaufen04.08. - 22.08.2526.01. - 13.02.2603.08. - 21.08.2618.01. - 05.02.27
Diplomfeier26.04.2518.10.2518.04.2617.10.2617.04.27

Unter Vorbehalt nachträglicher Änderungen.

Academic advice

Teaching committee

To top