Societal issues and problems are highly complex, and shaped by a multitude of influences and developments. Accordingly, their study must involve a broad range of perspectives, with research based on diverse theories and employing methodological approaches from various disciplines. This is precisely what the Master's Degree in Changing Societies at the University of Basel offers. Societal change is approached through the key topics of migration, conflict, and resources, examined through the lenses of anthropology, political science, and sociology. Students benefit from the advantages of an interdisciplinary social sciences program with mandatory methodological training.
The MA in Changing Societies is taught by lecturers from various disciplines within the social sciences:
These disciplinary perspectives provide the foundation for an exploration of the following focal areas:
| Degree | MA in Changing Societies |
| Type | Degree program |
| Start date | February, September |
| Credit points | 120 |
| Program structure | The Master's degree is the second degree after the Bachelor's degree and comprises a total of 120 credit points (CP). The Changing Societies master's degree program is a single major degree without any other subjects, which is completed with 100 CP. In addition, there are free electives with 20 CP. One ECTS credit point corresponds to approximately 30 hours of work. |
| Subject combination | The Changing Societies master's degree program is studied without a second degree subject. The free electives pass freely selectable courses that can be used to deepen knowledge of the degree subjects, to gain insight into other degree subjects offered by the University of Basel or to acquire language skills. |
| Language of instruction | German, English |
| Department | Department of Social Sciences |
Admission to master’s programs is regulated by the university student regulations and the stipulations of the individual degree program descriptions. More details of the general master’s admission requirements are provided here.
For students to be admitted with no additional requirements, they must hold a bachelor’s degree worth 180 CP from a higher education institution recognized by the University of Basel.
Subject-related requirements are defined in the admission requirements (section 3) of the study program for the relevant subject. The guidelines may also contain further useful information that is key to successful studies.
Students must register for their bachelor’s or master’s degree program within a specified timeframe – even in cases of delayed registration.
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.
| Semester Übernahme, Abgabe | Übernahme HS 2023, Abgabe HS 2024 | Übernahme FS 2024, Abgabe FS 2025 | Übernahme HS 2024, Abgabe HS 2025 | Übernahme FS 2025, Abgabe FS 2026 | Übernahme HS 2025, Abgabe HS 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anmeldeformular verfügbar ab | abgelaufen | 08.04.24 | 30.09.24 | 07.04.25 | 29.09.25 |
| Anmeldung Masterarbeit | abgelaufen | 06.05. - 24.05.24 | 28.10. - 15.11.24 | 05.05. - 23.05.25 | 27.10. - 14.11.25 |
| Übernahmedatum | abgelaufen | 24.05.24 | 15.11.24 | 23.05.25 | 14.11.25 |
| Abgabedatum | abgelaufen | 24.02.25 | 14.08.25 | 23.02.26 | 13.08.26 |
| Abgabe Bestätigungsformular Masterarbeit | abgelaufen | spätestens bis 03.03.25 | spätestens bis 21.08.25 | spätestens bis 02.03.26 | spätestens bis 20.08.26 |
| Gutachten Abgabe durch Dozierende | abgelaufen | 20.06.25 | 19.12.25 | 19.06.26 | 18.12.26 |
| Notenmitteilung und Gutachtenversand | 31.01.25 | 31.07.25 | 31.01.26 | 31.07.26 | 31.01.27 |
| Semester | HS 2024 | FS 2025 | HS 2025 | FS 2026 | HS 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anmeldeformulare (Studienfach / Studiengang) verfügbar ab | abgelaufen | 27.01.25 | 18.08.25 | 26.01.26 | 17.08.26 |
| Frist Anmeldung Prüfungen (WICHTIG: ab FS 2025 Anmeldung per Phil Web App) | abgelaufen | 24.02. - 07.03.25 | 15.09. - 26.09.25 | 23.02. - 06.03.26 | 14.09. - 25.09.26 |
| Prüfungswoche | 16.12. - 20.12.24 | 22.05. - 28.05.25 | 15.12. - 19.12.25 | 22.05. - 29.05.26 | 14.12. - 18.12.26 |
| Notenmitteilung | 10.01.25 | 13.06.25 | 16.01.26 | 12.06.26 | 15.01.27 |
| Semester | HS 2024 | FS 2025 | HS 2025 | FS 2026 | HS 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frist Antrag auf Abschluss (WICHTIG: ab FS 2025 Anmeldung per Phil Web App) | 13.01. - 14.02.25 | 16.06. - 08.08.25 | 19.01. - 13.02.26 | 22.06. - 07.08.26 | 18.01. - 12.02.27 |
| Diplomfeier / Zeugnisvergabe | 22.03.25 | 27.09.25 | 28.03.26 | 19.09.26 | 20.03.27 |
Alle Daten vorbehaltlich nachträglicher Änderungen.
The MA in Changing Societies prepares students for both academic and non-academic careers. Choosing a thematic focus can be the first step towards a PhD in one of the disciplines which make up the program. Alternatively, graduates of the program can choose from numerous exciting fields of employment outside higher education, such as international organizations, NGOs, politics, public administration, or culture and knowledge management. The program also qualifies students for careers that call for independent thinking and methodological and analytical skills, even if not directly linked to the thematic focus of changing societies.