Sociology – Bachelor of Arts

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Undergraduate study programme leading to a first degree and providing qualifications and skills for future employment.

How much culture, how much society is in you? Sociology deals with the structures of how people live together in a society. Starting with the social actions of individuals, it examines the principles and processes that shape society, change it, hold it together or also drive it apart. Sociology is interested, for example, in migration, fridays for future, the labour market, consumer behaviour, gender roles, family and sexuality, social media and youth cultures, education and universities, the essence of culture, poverty, wealth and all kinds of inequalities, the functioning of organisations and companies, crime, political power and environmentally friendly behaviour, in short: all aspects of human action. In doing so, it analyses the manifestations, causes and effects of the phenomena in order to understand and question them. The acquisition of the "sociological lens" is experienced by students of the subject as a surprising gain in their studies.

In Konstanz, you also attend ethnological courses as part of your sociology bachelor's degree. Cultural and social anthropology share sociology's interest in social problems and issues. Originally specialising in non-European cultures, anthropologists now also conduct research in their own societies. In both contexts, the specific anthropological profile is reflected above all in the pronounced awareness of the global variance and diversity of social and cultural life. The University of Konstanz is one of the few universities in Europe where sociology and anthropology can be studied in parallel. Students thus benefit from two exciting, theory-oriented, research-strong and internationally oriented academic disciplines.

Overview

Degree Bachelor of Arts
Programme start Winter semester
Period of study 6 semesters
Application period 9.5. - 15.7.
Admission restrictions yes
ECTS 180
Obligatory minor subject no
Number of places 91

Why study Sociology in the University of Konstanz?

  • The University of Konstanz holds a rich tradition of sociological research
  • Strong methodological training in quantitative and qualitative social research
  • Course contents are based on the interdisciplinary subject combination of sociology and anthropology
  • Individual focus (e.g. gender, migration, social culture, labour market, cultural sociology, cultural anthropology, university research)
  • Research-orientation at an early stage of your studies 
  • Practice-oriented project seminars with the opportunity to carry out your own research projects
  • Integrated semester for study abroad or internship: choice between study abroad (International Track) and practical semester in Germany or abroad (Internship Track)
  • Departmental internship database with a wide range of internships
  • Personal and individual counselling

Content

Prospects and opportunities

Career prospects

As a graduate of the Bachelor's degree programme in Sociology, a whole range of

career opportunities are open to you. Typical career fields are e.g.

  • companies (e.g. human resources, public relations/PR, marketing, project and change management)
  • research at universities and state-funded research institutes
  • market and public opinion research
  • associations, organisations and agencies
  • journalism
  • public authorities, ministries, NGOs, NPOs and international organisations
  • political parties, state institutions
  • public administration (e.g. universities, city councils, district offices)
  • cultural, media and educational insitutitions
  • research at universities and state-funded research institutions

For a career in Academia or in the field of research, you can directly continue your studies with a Master's Programme and a Doctoral Studies Programme.

You can find out more about career entry in the interview series #dreamjob - Starting a career. Alumni of the University of Konstanz tell their story.

Graduate studies

Programme structure

Programme start

Winter semester

Academic structure

You can find an exemplary structure of the study programme in this table (in German). Click here for an overview of the general structure of bachelor's programmes in the humanities.


Please check the Exam regulations (partly in German) for more information about the programme structure.

Internship and study abroad

Internships

If you opt for the Internship Track, you will do a compulsory 6-month internship during the 4th semester. The Departmental Internship Office and our Career Service Center will help you find a suitable placement.

Study abroad

If you opt for the International Track, you will spend one semester abroad at one of our partner universities in Europe or overseas during the 5th semester. The credits you gain abroad can be recognised. The university promotes study abroad via Erasmus+ and numerous other exchange programmes.

Impressions from students and lecturers

Hear from students and lecturers
In our interview series, students talk about their subject, teachers explain the department's research and tell you what topics they cover in seminars and lectures.

Get an impression
Discover online lectures and websites with more information about your prospective subject.

Requirements

What interests and skills should I have?

  • You need to be open-minded, interested and curious
  • You should be interested in society as well as in other cultures
  • Structured way of working
  • Good English skills

PocketGuide – Get to know the study programme
Is the study programme B.A. Sociology at the University of Konstanz something for you? Find out everything about studying sociology at the University of Konstanz in our PocketGuide B.A. Sociology (in German). You can take your first lessons and quizzes on subject contents and test your expectations.

Language skills

Foreign language skills
You do not have to provide proof of any foreign language skills.

German language skills
International applicants need documentation of their German language skills, level DSH-2 or TestDaF 4. Alternatively, other language tests or school certificates recognized as equivalent can be used as proof of the required German language skills. Preparatory German language courses or approved German language exams are not offered at the University of Konstanz. For this reason, you must submit accredited proof of your German language skills along with your application.

Language(s) of instruction

The language usually used in class and during examinations is German. Some courses are taught in English. Course work can also be completed in English.

Admission requirements

General higher education entrance qualification (Abitur) or equivalent.

Orientation procedures
If you intend to study at a university in Baden-Württemberg, you will need to submit proof of having completed an orientation procedure along with your university application. You must enclose proof of participation in the orientation procedure with your application documents. Here you will find a list of the orientation procedures recognised by the University of Konstanz.

For details, please see the admission regulations.

Fees

Semester fee

All students enrolled at the University of Konstanz are charged a semester fee each semester, similar to all other German universities. Here you can find the current semester fee and its individual components.

Tuition fees for first degree studies for certain international students
Since winter semester 2017/18, the state of Baden-Württemberg has required some international students to pay tuition fees for their first degree studies. The following students are not required to pay tuition fees: citizens of a country within the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA), doctoral students and certain “Bildungsinländer” (e.g. non-EU citizens with a German “Abitur”). More detailed information can be found here.

Each year, the University of Konstanz grants exemptions to a limited number of particularly gifted international degree-seeking students in accordance with the university’s “Begabtenbefreiungssatzung” (statutes governing the exemption of gifted students). More detailed information can be found here.

Tuition fees for second degree studies for all students
All students are required to pay tuition fees for their second degree studies. More detailed information can be found here.

Application and application documents

This study programme has no admission restrictions.

An application is possible during the following period: 9.5. - 15.7. (winter semester). There may be other deadlines if you are applying for admission to a higher semester (for instance, if you are changing subjects or universities). For more information please consult the university website.

Application documents

During the online application process, you will need to enter various kinds of information (school grades, attendance periods etc.) and upload various PDF documents. Please make sure that you have the relevant documentation ready. This may include:

  • your Abitur certificate (German general higher education entrance qualification)
  • documentation of any volunteering you may have done (FSJ, FÖJ etc.)
  • any documentation about vocational training you may have completed
  • any other required documents (medical certificate etc.)

An electronic assistant will guide you through the application process. Required fields are marked by an asterisk (*).

Application Guide
The PocketGuide Application will guide you as you take all the steps towards submitting a successful application to your first-choice study programme at the University of Konstanz.

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