Degree
Bachelor of Arts
Semester fee
71 Euro
Start of the program
Winter semester
Standard length of the program
6 Semester
Place of study
Eichstätt
Part-time studies possible
No

The main aim of teaching sociology at the KU is to teach students to think independently, critically and empirically.

In the subject of Sociology, students learn the basics of social science research, theory and methods and also have the opportunity to deepen their knowledge in various areas, e.g. theory, qualitative and quantitative methods of empirical social research and specific topics such as political, media and cultural sociology. In a two-semester research internship, students who have chosen Sociology as their major subject put their acquired knowledge into practical research.

The subject can be studied in the Interdisciplinary Bachelor’s degree program as a major or minor subject in the Aisthesis.Culture and Media variant or in the flexible variant in the amount of up to 150 ECTS credits, in combination with at least one other subject and/or the Studium Individuale.

The program in detail

Contents

In the subject of Sociology, students receive a substantiated education in the methodological and theoretical foundations of sociology. It teaches skills for the critical analysis and interpretation of primary and secondary social science data and sources as well as the ability to critically examine the content, methodological orientations and controversies of sociology.

In addition, students have the possibility to deepen their knowledge in various topic areas, such as culture, media, religion, deviant behavior, education, science and technology, environment and technology, organizations, social structure and labor market.

With Sociology as a major subject, students also gain in-depth knowledge of social science research processes and in a two-semester research internship, the acquired knowledge is applied in a supervised project. This research orientation and the possibility of a one-semester stay abroad at a partner university and the related acquisition of a foreign language set the Sociology program in Eichstätt apart.

Rankings and assessments

StudyCheck2024

KU students and alumni have voted for their University to be Germany's most popular university in the 2024 ranking of the online portal StudyCheck. This is the third time in a row, as KU was also voted the most popular university in 2021 and 2022. The ranking was based on over 78,000 evaluations for more than 500 higher education institutions and universities. 97 percent of students questioned for the ranking would recommend studying at the KU to others. 

"There is no better praise for a university than almost 100 percent of students and alumni agreeing: I can only recommend studying at the KU! That is why we are very pleased with the ranking’s outcome, because it expresses the high level of satisfaction of our students," says KU President Prof. Dr. Gabriele Gien.

More ranking results

Studying abroad

In the context of studying Sociology in the KU's Interdisciplinary Bachelor's program, students have the opportunity to spend a semester at a foreign partner university. During the preparation and organization phase as well as during the stay abroad, a permanent contact person from the Department of Sociology at the KU is at the students' disposal.

The KU maintains a partnership network with around 300 universities worldwide. The KU International Office supports students in the planning phase and provides information on different financing possibilities for stays abroad.

Partner universities

Partner universities of the Sociology department

Partner_universities

The universities listed above are collaborating institutions of the Sociology department. Students are free to choose from the entire range of partner universities at the KU (more information is available here)

At the University of Trento, students also have the possibility to complete a double degree. In this case, they have to submit a special application. Selected students will be given the opportunity to spend one year abroad (instead of just one semester). At the end of the program, they will be awarded a degree of both universities (KU and Trento).

Practical connection

Research internship (15 ECTS credits)

The two-semester research internship is a unique characteristic of our training and distinguishes Sociology at the KU from many other Bachelor's degree programs in Germany. Here, acquired knowledge in theory and methods is translated into a research question and the acquired skills are applied in practical contexts with the support of the lecturers. In this way, students can already demonstrate academic research experience after graduation, which can be an advantage on the job market. At the same time, they will have acquired solid prior knowledge in the field of academic research for a further academic education in the context of a subsequent Master's program.

Internship (5 ECTS credits)

In an internship, students can apply what they have learned in practice and have the possibility to implement it in a possible future field of work.

Career possibilities and professional fields

Career prospects

The program prepares students for a subsequent Master's degree program and thus for a professional career in the scientific and university sector. In addition, sociologists find employment in professional fields of market and opinion research, organization and personnel development in the public and private sector, or in international organizations. With its interdisciplinary profile development component, the program also opens up professional careers in the areas of public relations, marketing, the cultural sector, at publishing houses and political parties, as well as in the health care and social sectors.

The KU

Sommerresidenz Luftbild

Campus

Short distances on campus at the KU save time and avoid stress. The KU is a campus University with modern facilities. The buildings on campus are located close to the Eichstätt old town. Although the University and its campus has grown, it is still characterized by short distances: In Eichstätt, everything can be reached within ten minutes’ walking distance. On campus, green spaces such as the Hofgarten are the perfect places to relax. The garden of the Kapuzinerkloster is also used by different student initiatives for their projects. The canteen is located at the heart of the Eichstätt campus and has a sun deck and cafeteria that leave nothing to be desired.

Studierende vor der Zentralbibliothek

What sets the KU apart

Studying at the KU is more than just acquiring specialist knowledge. We broaden our horizons together and take on responsibility in and beyond the individual degree programs. The KU has a particular focus on topics such as personal development, sustainability, social skills and social commitment.

It offers its students the possibility to study and work in a welcoming atmosphere and benefit from outstanding support and comprehensive service offers, a well-stocked library, a broad range of sports and leisure activities and a large global network of approx. 300 partner universities. Our team at the International Office helps you to plan your semester abroad and the KU Career Service provides comprehensive advice and support for embarking on your professional career.

Do I have to be Catholic in order to study at the KU? Do I have to deal with Catholic contents during my studies?

No, the KU is open to students of all faiths and beliefs.

At the KU, just as at all state universities, there is freedom of research and teaching. This means that our degree programs focus on the subjects for which you have enrolled – free from external influences.

As a student at our University, you will notice what our understanding of being a Catholic University means for us in one thing in particular: The University’s focus is on the individual person. The talents and potential of all those who teach, study, work and carry out research at the KU form our most important foundation – regardless of their religion or beliefs, nationality, ethical, cultural or social background, disabilities, gender, sexual orientation or age.

This is why we promote your best possible academic education through personal support and an ideal staff-to-student ratio. At the same time, the KU is more than just a place for earning your degree: We attach particular importance to imparting social skills and advancing our students’ sense and value orientation in addition to providing them with a high level of academic and methodical qualification.

Our aspiration for our University is to build bridges between science and society and to make knowledge available for society as well as to integrate impulses from outside the University into our research and teaching practice. We aim to make a valuable contribution to social coexistence, to the free democratic basic order and to preserving creation. 

Isn’t Eichstätt quite small for a university town?

With a population of around 15,000, it is probably the smallest university town in Europe. For our students, this means living and learning in a friendly and informal atmosphere. Whether it is on the way to a lecture in the morning, at the canteen for lunch or in the pub in the evening, you will often come across people you know. It is easy to meet people in Eichstätt! By the way, the KU’s “living room” is the Theke, a bar run by students for students. Here, people meet for parties, jam sessions, karaoke evenings or a cozy round of table football.

A small town also means short distances: The library, the swimming pool, the cinema or the supermarket – everything can be reached in a few minutes on foot or by bike. The town is located right in the heart of the Altmühltal natural park – a real paradise for climbers, canoeists, hikers and cyclists just around the corner.

Should you still reach a point when you feel too cooped in, you can breathe big city air easily near Eichstätt. Ingolstadt with its 135,000 inhabitants is only a few kilometers away and offers a variety of shopping and nightlife options.

The location

Ortsschild Eichstätt
University town of Eichstätt
Willibaldsburg
Willibaldsburg
Bootsfahrer auf der Altmühl
Canoeing on the Altmühl river
[Translate to Englisch:] Biergarten
Relaxing and celebrating in beer gardens

Eichstätt and the surrounding Altmühltal natural park are not only a popular destination for culture enthusiasts and nature lovers, but also for cyclists, climbers, canoeists and fossil collectors. Located between Munich and Nuremberg, the city impresses with its Baroque setting and southern flair combined with modern and prizewinning architecture as well as a broad variety of cultural offerings and leisure activities. 

The Baroque park at the heart of the campus and the nearby banks of the Altmühltal river are the KU’s “green living room”. Another big advantage: all University facilities are just a short walk away from each other.

More on the study location Eichstätt

Advisory Service

Some offers and study conditions are different for international students – our International Office is happy to provide help and support. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our team. We are happy to accompany you on your way to the KU and hope that we can welcome you in person soon!

David Guevara
David Guevara
Coordinator Welcome Services and International Campus
Building Domplatz 8  |  Room: DP8-203 | Campus Eichstätt

Application

Requirements
General university entrance qualification (Allgemeine Hochschulreife)
Language requirements
DSH 2
Application period winter
May 01 - Jul 15
Admission restriction
No
Selection procedure
No

The application process for international applicants is now completely digital. You can register online in our application portal and carry out and submit your application. After you have carried out the application and uploaded your documents, you do not need to send your documents to us again by post. You do have to submit certified true copies only if you are admitted at the time of enrollment.

Depending on the course of study, you may be asked for information on internships, professional experience, etc. Please upload the relevant documents in the upload area for all the information you provide, even if these are not mandatory fields!

Before you start the application process, please read the additional information on this page, in particular the information on the respective (German) language requirements and university entrance qualifications.

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