Higher Education, Science, Society
(Master of Arts)

Many social terms are shown, such as social, modern, science or interrelations

Profile

Course type

Postgraduate studies (Master)

Standard Course Duration

4 semesters

Course Start

Winter semester

Language of Instruction

German

Language Requirements

German HZB: none
International application: German C1
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Admission

Restricted admission

International

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

Course Structure

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) Sociological Diagnosis of the Present / Knowledge Society Introduction to Theoretical and Practical Philosophy of Science Economics of Education Actors and Institutions of the System of Higher Education and Science			Specialisation in Methods of Empirical Social Research (10 CP) Specialisation in Qualitative Methods Specialisation in Quantitative Methods	Research Methodology (5 CP) Introduction to Research Methodology
2	Specialisation module (compulsory area)				Project course (25 CP)
2	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 400 hours with the partner organisation 290 hours preparation and follow-up
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
3	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)			Accompanying seminar Project Course 2
4	Master’s thesis and colloquium (30 CP)

Recommended Abilities

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

Career Opportunities

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 and application

Admission Requirements

An undergraduate degree in a related field of study, such as

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: