Sociology (Master's Degree Subject)A theoretical, methodological and thematic education compatible with many other disciplines

Sociology is dedicated to the theory and analysis of past and present societies. As a science of social relationships, it seeks to explore diverse social practices, processes and structures along with their interdependencies and transformations. It investigates how society is possible, how it functions, what problems it causes, and which of them it solves. The master's program in Basel is characterized by its tightly integrated combination of theory and applied science, enabling students to develop in-depth knowledge both of social theory and of applied quantitative and qualitative social research skills. Key topics of study include poverty and exclusion, violence, work, migration, digitalization, economic practices and discourses, education and religion.

Focal areas of teaching and research

The way in which the Master's Degree Program in Sociology is organized allows students to specialize in particular thematic areas while developing a sound methodological and theoretical knowledge base.

In the Sociological Theory module, particular emphasis is placed on the areas of social theory, power and authority, anthropology and evolution, and the development of interdisciplinary theory at the interface between sociology, social philosophy and cultural studies. Two modules are devoted to developing students' skills in qualitative and quantitative Empirical Social Research Methods. Meanwhile, Inequality, Conflict and Culture addresses topics such as poverty and exclusion, violence, migration, digitalization, economic practices and discourses, and education and religion, as well as other relevant phenomena in contemporary society. 

Research at the University of Basel’s Department of Sociology focuses on the following topics:

  • nationally and internationally oriented research in inequality
  • international and transcultural research in conflict and violence
  • issues in socioeconomics and economic anthropology
  • historical sociology
  • digital transformations
  • sustainability
  • corporate governance
  • migration, transformations in the labor-oriented society, postcolonial theories and protest movements

Over the course of the program, students acquire transferrable skills and competencies which will prepare them for a wide range of professions beyond those specifically linked to sociology. These skills include the ability to conduct independent empirical research applying appropriate methods and techniques for problem identification, analysis and solving, the ability to critically evaluate different conceptual alternatives, capacity for innovation, social skills, time management, and many others.

Short profile

DegreeMA in Sociology
TypeDegree subject
Start dateFebruary, September
Credit points120
Program structure

The Master's degree is the second degree after the Bachelor's degree and comprises a total of 120 credit points (CP). In addition to Sociology, students choose a second, independent subject, whereby both subjects are studied for 35 CP each. The subject in which the master's thesis (30 CP) is written becomes a major, the other a minor. In addition, there are free electives (20 CP).

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

Subject combination

Students may choose a subject from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences or an extra-faculty subject as their second Master's degree subject. Students can choose it according to their interests and appointments.

The free electives pass freely selectable courses that can be used to deepen knowledge in the degree subjects, to gain insight into other degree subjects offered by the University of Basel or to acquire language skills.

Language of instructionGerman
Subject areaSociology

Master’s admission requirements

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.

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.

Master Prüfung & Abschluss

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

Masterarbeit
Semester Übernahme, Abgabe Übernahme HS 2023, Abgabe HS 2024Übernahme FS 2024, Abgabe FS 2025Übernahme HS 2024, Abgabe HS 2025Übernahme FS 2025, Abgabe FS 2026Übernahme HS 2025, Abgabe HS 2026
Anmeldeformular verfügbar ababgelaufen08.04.2430.09.2407.04.2529.09.25
Anmeldung Masterarbeitabgelaufen06.05. - 24.05.2428.10. - 15.11.2405.05. - 23.05.2527.10. - 14.11.25
Übernahmedatumabgelaufen24.05.2415.11.2423.05.2514.11.25
Abgabedatumabgelaufen24.02.2514.08.2523.02.2613.08.26
Abgabe Bestätigungsformular Masterarbeitabgelaufenspätestens bis 03.03.25spätestens bis 21.08.25spätestens bis 02.03.26spätestens bis 20.08.26
Gutachten Abgabe durch Dozierendeabgelaufen20.06.2519.12.2519.06.2618.12.26
Notenmitteilung und Gutachtenversand31.01.2531.07.2531.01.2631.07.2631.01.27
 
Masterprüfungen für Studierende des Studienfachs und Studiengangs
SemesterHS 2024FS 2025HS 2025FS 2026HS 2026
Anmeldeformulare (Studienfach / Studiengang) verfügbar ababgelaufen27.01.2518.08.2526.01.2617.08.26
Frist Anmeldung Prüfungen
(WICHTIG: ab FS 2025 Anmeldung per Phil Web App)
abgelaufen24.02. - 07.03.2515.09. - 26.09.2523.02. - 06.03.2614.09. - 25.09.26
Prüfungswoche16.12. - 20.12.2422.05. - 28.05.2515.12. - 19.12.2522.05. - 29.05.2614.12. - 18.12.26
Notenmitteilung10.01.2513.06.2516.01.2612.06.2615.01.27
 
Beantragung MA-Abschlussdokumente
SemesterHS 2024FS 2025HS 2025FS 2026HS 2026
Frist Antrag auf Abschluss
(WICHTIG: ab FS 2025 Anmeldung per Phil Web App)
13.01. - 14.02.2516.06. - 08.08.2519.01. - 13.02.2622.06. - 07.08.2618.01. - 12.02.27
Diplomfeier / Zeugnisvergabe22.03.2527.09.2528.03.2619.09.2620.03.27


Alle Daten vorbehaltlich nachträglicher Änderungen.

Career opportunities

Thanks to their broad theoretical and methodological training, graduates in sociology from the University of Basel are sought-after in many professional areas. Depending on their degree level (bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate) - and in some cases in combination with a further diploma or course of study - sociology graduates may find employment in the following professional areas: public administration (culture, education, family, social affairs, statistical services), industry and trade (human resources and organizational departments, as well as market and opinion research), political parties, associations, social services and social pedagogy, adult education, cultural and knowledge management, tourism, advertising, mass media, specialist curating in libraries, development cooperation and migration, integration work in international organizations and NGOs, or research and teaching in universities and advanced technical colleges.

Academic advice

Teaching committee

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