Higher Education, Science, Society
(Master of Arts)
Profile
German HZB: none
International application: German C1
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Stay abroad possible, but not obligatory.
Short Description
The Master's programme in Higher Education, Science, Society aims to explore the global knowledge society from a theoretical and methodological perspective. To this end, the programme is research-oriented and interdisciplinary in nature. Students acquire substantive knowledge of higher education and science studies in closely coordinated courses in the fields of sociology, political science, philosophy, law and economics. In addition, they gain in-depth methodological skills in qualitative and quantitative empirical social research.
They apply this knowledge directly in practical project work. In project work, students carry out their own research project of their choice with a cooperation partner. This could be, for example:
- Deutsches Zentrum für Hochschul- und Wissenschaftsforschung (DZHW)
- VolkswagenStiftung
- Niedersächsisches Ministerium für Wissenschaft und Kultur (MWK)
- Wissenschaftliche Kommission Niedersachsen (WKN)
- CEWS Kompetenzzentrum Frauen in Wissenschaft und Forschung (GESIS)
- Unitransfer
- HIS-Institut für Hochschulentwicklung (HIS-HE)
- Heinz-Piest-Institut für Handwerkstechnik (HPI)
- Leibniz Center for Science and Society (LCSS)
- and many more
Further information on the website of the institute for sociology (German language only)
Course Content
- Educational pathways and social structure
- Legal requirements for science and academia
- Methods of empirical social research
- Organisation and management
- Project study
The core of the programme is the ‘Project Study’ module, which is completed in the second and third semesters. Here, students build on the technical expertise they have acquired in the interdisciplinary foundation module and the further specialisation and elective modules. The basic module provides a systematic introduction to the thematic context of the programme and covers sociological, economic and scientific-philosophical perspectives. In the advanced and elective modules, students acquire skills in the field of higher education and science law as well as educational pathways and outcomes of higher education. They also gain an overview of the central elements of the science system at national and European level and the areas of conflict and consensus. Throughout the programme, students can acquire skills in qualitative and quantitative empirical social research and apply these in practice in their research project.
After the standard period of study of four semesters, students earn 120 credit points and receive a Master of Arts (M.A.) degree.
Part-time study is possible upon request.
| Semester | Topics and Analyses | Methods | Projects and Mentoring | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Basic module Higher Education, Science and Society (20 CP)
| Specialisation in Methods of Empirical Social Research (10 CP)
| Research Methodology (5 CP) | |||
| 2 | Specialisation module (compulsory area) | Project course (25 CP) | ||||
| Educational Pathways and Social Structure 1 (5 CP) Educational and Career Pathways | Legal Foundations (5 CP) Higher Education Legislation | Organisation and Management 1 (5 CP) Regulatory Structures and Management of Science (Introduction) | Accompanying seminar Project Course 1 | Project partner
| ||
| 3 | Compulsory elective area (one module is chosen) | Specialisation in Methods of Empirical Social Research (10 CP) either quantitative or qualitative specialisation | Accompanying seminar Project Course 2 | |||
| Educational Pathways and Social Structure 2 (5 CP) Access to Higher Education, University Graduates, Entering the Job Market | Organisation and Management 2 (5 CP) Regulatory Structures and Management of Science (Specialisation) | |||||
| 4 | Master’s thesis and colloquium (30 CP) | |||||
- A Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Sociology, Social Work, Political Science, Economics and Business Administration, Education/Education Sciences, Philosophy, Law or another closely related subject
- Knowledge of empirical methods worth 10 credit points
- Where applicable, evidence of an adequate knowledge of German (level: C1 GER) if applicants qualified for admission to higher education and gained their Bachelor’s degree outside Germany
- Social science research and learning activities in research into education, university and science research
- Higher education and research management in public bodies and R&D departments of companies from the private sector
- Conceptualisation and implementation of science and research promotion
- Development of science policy strategies for bodies such as ministries of science or international research establishments
- Research and innovation transfer for companies
- Career and human resources planning in the academic sector
Admission Requirements
An undergraduate degree in a related field of study, such as
- Economics and Management (Bachelor of Science)
- Law (State Examination, Bachelor of Laws)
- Philosophy as subject in the Interdisciplinary Bachelor’s Degree Programme (Bachelor of Arts)
- Political Science (Bachelor of Arts)
- Politics as subject in the Interdisciplinary Bachelor’s Degree Programme (Bachelor of Arts)
- Social Sciences (Bachelor of Arts)
For master's degree programmes with restricted admission, places shall be allocated according to the university’s own selection procedure, if there are more applicants fulfilling the admission requirements than there are places available. The exact admission requirements can be found in the admission regulations:
Application Deadlines
First-year students (application from non-EU countries: VPD from uni-assist is required)
- 1 June – 15 July of the year for the winter semester
Students resuming their studies and transfer students (application in a higher semester)
- 1 June – 15 July of the year for the winter semester
- 1 December – 15 January of the year for the summer semester
Do you have questions about studying? We are happy to help!
30167 Hannover
30167 Hannover
