Social science master's programme & admission

Information about admission

(c) University of Vienna

The departments at the Faculty of Social Sciences offer a range of different master’s programmes in German and English. On this page, you will find brief descriptions of the individual master’s programmes.

Where equivalence exists in principle, additional courses and examinations corresponding to no more than 30 ECTS credits may be prescribed for full equivalence. These examinations are determined during the admission procedure and must be completed in the course of the master’s programme. Contact your StudiesServiceUnit/Department for information about any additional course and examinations to be completed. 

Detailed information

The website of the Teaching Affairs and Student Services unit provides information about admission with a bachelor's degree from the University of Vienna or a degree from another university. You can find detailed information about admission to master’s programmes at the Faculty of Social Sciences in the Master Access Guide of the Teaching Affairs and Student Services unit.

Please also obtain detailed information about the individual master’s programmes on the website of the relevant StudiesServiceUnit/Departments.

Social science master's programmes in detail:

Communication Science

The aim of the English-language master’s programme in Communication Science at the University of Vienna is to provide students with the necessary competences to conduct research on current, socially relevant research questions in the field of communication science at an internationally transferable level and using state-of-the-art research methods.  In addition, they are able to operate internationally as decision-makers in the field of communication, especially in private research. The master’s programme focuses on the contexts, contents and impact/consequences of communication processes on the micro, meso and macro level. Students of the master’s programme must provide evidence of English language proficiency corresponding to level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

General information about the master’s programme in Communication Science can be found on the Teaching Affairs and Student Services website.

You can find detailed information about the master’s programme in Communication Science on the Communication Science website.

Gender Studies

  • Language of instruction: German
  • Curriculum (in German)

The master’s programme in Gender Studies at the University of Vienna aims at imparting knowledge of the historical and current influences of gender constructions in research and society. Interdisciplinarity and transdisciplinarity are fundamental principles of gender studies and enable the transfer of methods and epistemes as well as the integration of different research cultures and traditions in the entire spectrum of approaches within gender studies.

General information about the master’s programme in Gender Studies can be found on the website of the Teaching Affairs and Student Services unit.

You can find detailed information about the master’s programme in Gender Studies on the website of the Gender Studies research unit.

Political Science

  • Language of instruction: German
  • Curriculum (in German) 

The master’s programme in Political Science aims to equip students with in-depth specialist knowledge and the ability to independently work on political science issues. Students acquire competences in methodical problem solving and have the opportunity to specialise in selected subject areas.

You can find general information about the master’s programme in Political Science on the website of the Teaching Affairs and Student Services unit.

You can find detailed information about the master’s programme in Political Science on the website of the StudiesServiceUnit of Political Science.

Social and Cultural Anthropology

  • Language of instruction: German
  • Curriculum (in German) 

The master’s programme in Social and Cultural Anthropology aims at expanding and complementing students’ academic competences. Graduates of the master’s programme in Social and Cultural Anthropology are qualified to develop and carry out research projects independently or in teams, and to work in a wide range of occupational fields that deal with the reception, analysis, preparation, presentation and implementation of research results.

General information about the master’s programme in Social and Cultural Anthropology can be found on the website of the Teaching Affairs and Student Services unit.

You can find detailed information about the master’s programme in Social and Cultural Anthropology on the website of the StudiesServiceUnit for Social and Cultural Anthropology.

Journalism and Communication Studies

  • Language of instruction: German
  • Curriculum (in German) 

 

The master’s programme in Journalism and Communication Science aims at expanding and complementing students’ academic education acquired during the bachelor’s programme. In particular, students acquire the necessary skills to address research questions independently and in accordance with content-related and methodological standards within the framework of their master's thesis. Furthermore, graduates of the master’s programme in Journalism and Communication Studies are qualified to work in executive positions in the field of communication.

General information about the master’s programme in Journalism and Communication Studies can be found on the website of the Teaching Affairs and Student Services unit.

You can find detailed information about the master’s programme in Journalism and Communication Studies on the website of the StudiesServiceUnit for Journalism and Communication Studies.

CREOLE - Cultural Differences and Transnational Processes

The joint master's programme in Cultural Differences and Transnational Processes (CREOLE) aims to provide students with a profound understanding of the connections between local life-worlds and transnational, as well as global social and cultural processes. On the basis of theories and practical examples, students receive an intensive and specialised education in three subject areas: a) new identities; b) material culture and consumption; c) visual culture. These subject areas are covered with regard to transnational processes, cultural diversity/difference as well as new community constructions.

General information about the CREOLE master’s programme can be found on the website of the Teaching Affairs and Student Services Unit.

You can find detailed information about the CREOLE master’s programme on the website of the StudiesServiceUnit for Cultural and Social Anthropology.

Development Studies

  • Language of instruction: German
  • Curriculum (in German)

The research-oriented and transdisciplinary master's programme in Development Studies at the University of Vienna aims to impart knowledge of content, theories and methods that are relevant for a critical examination and analysis of institutions, actors, practices and concepts in the field of development studies and development cooperation as well as to enable their classification in a larger historical, political, economic, cultural and social context.

You can find general information about the master's programme in Development Studies on the website of the Teaching Affairs and Student Services unit.

You can find detailed information about the master’s programme in Development Studies on the Development Studies website.

Nursing Science

  • Language of instruction: German
  • Curriculum (in German) 

The master’s programme in Nursing Science at the University of Vienna was established in the winter semester of 2011. It aims at deepening and expanding students’ knowledge of the subject-specific and research methodology acquired in a bachelor’s programme in Nursing Science or in a related bachelor's programme. The programme aims to enable graduates to independently plan, organise, carry out and evaluate research projects in the field of nursing science as well as projects that aim to implement research results. Beyond the narrower research context, students acquire comprehensive expertise that qualifies them to work in other academic fields of nursing science as well.

You can find general information about the master's programme in Nursing Science on the website of the Teaching Affairs and Student Services unit.

You can find detailed information about the master’s programme in Nursing Science on the website of the Department of Nursing Science.

Science-Technology-Society

Understanding the complex relationships between science, technology and society is an almost indispensable skill in today's world. The master’s programme in Science-Technology-Society offers the opportunity to acquire in-depth knowledge in this area.

General information about the master’s programme in Science-Technology-Society can be found on the website of the Teaching Affairs and Student Services unit.

You can find detailed information about the master’s programme in Science-Technology-Society on the website of the Department of Science and Technology Studies.

Sociology

  • Language of instruction: German
  • Curriculum (in German)

The master’s programme in Sociology emphasises the responsibility of research towards society, especially regarding the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, the freedom of science and teaching, the freedom of learning, the variety of academic doctrines and methods, and the connection between research and teaching. The master’s programme promotes equal treatment of people of all types of sexual orientation, religious, social and ethnic origin as well as the integration of people with special needs. Moreover, it aims to raise awareness of issues of gender relations.

General information about the master’s programme in Sociology can be found on the website of the Teaching Affairs and Student Services unit.

You can find detailed information about the master’s programme in Sociology on the website of the Sociology StudiesServiceUnit.

Global Demography

The principal aim of the master’s programme in Global Demography at the University of Vienna is to give students a strong scientific grounding in the analysis and forecasting of demographic developments across the globe – in particular, fertility, mortality and migration trends. Guided by leading experts in the field, students will be given the opportunity to explore the multidimensional ramifications and implications of demographic change on economic, social, and environmental issues. Students of the master’s programme must provide evidence of English language proficiency corresponding to level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

General information about the master’s programme in Communication Science can be found on the Teaching Affairs and Student Services website.