Sociology (Master)

Programme content, study objectives, professional fields

Sociological research skills for a future-oriented society: the Master's degree programme in Sociology at the University of Vienna

The Master's degree programme in Sociology enables students to develop theoretically and empirically sound expertise in the research-based analysis of society and in dealing with current social issues and challenges. The focus is on the acquisition and application of skills for the independent planning, implementation and coordination of social science research projects, for the commissioning and evaluation of sociological research and for the assessment, interpretation, processing and communication of research results. In addition to specialised technical skills (in-depth knowledge of selected theories and methodologies as well as central topics and debates in sociology), the focus is on mastering and applying advanced methods and procedures of quantitative and qualitative/interpretative empirical social research. Students acquire the relevant interdisciplinary qualifications for implementation in professional (research) practice in the following areas: project management, academic writing and presentation as well as knowledge transfer and knowledge transfer, with special consideration of inter- and transdisciplinary as well as practice-oriented research contexts.

The Master's degree programme in Sociology is aimed at students who are interested in further developing their reflective attitude in dealing with social challenges. This includes the willingness to critically engage with new topics, the independent acquisition and representation of expertise, the well-founded assessment of public discourse on social and socio-political issues from a sociological perspective and the critical reflection of one's own research practice.

Graduates of the MA in Sociology are able to analyse social processes and dynamics as well as social action in their interaction with social structures and discourses in a theory-based manner and using advanced methods. They can analyse this in independent research, classify social developments and assess their consequences with foresight. They have the ability to develop research-based solutions to social challenges and thus help to shape society with regard to its potential futures. Their knowledge and research skills are applied in university and non-university research and (further) education institutions, as well as in various practice-oriented professional fields, such as private and public institutions (e.g. public administration, welfare state institutions, interest groups, commercial enterprises, media, cultural and NGO sectors) and regional, national, international and transnational organisations.

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