Degree
Master of Arts
Semester fee
78
Euro
Start of the program
Winter semester
Standard length of the program
4
Semester
Place of study
Eichstätt
Part-time studies possible
No
Empirical social research and the methods and techniques used in this field provide the foundations for contemporary empirical analysis of social phenomena. The Interdisciplinary Master’s degree program in “Sociology: Methods of Empirical Social Research and Statistics” at the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt is aimed at students with an interest in mathematics, statistics, and empirical research. Its goal is to provide them with the knowledge and skills that they need to work in fundamental and applied research in the social sciences.
A unique feature of the degree program is the interdisciplinary nature of its curriculum, which includes courses in mathematics, statistics, empirical social research, and sociology, and also allows students to take elective courses in subjects such as psychology, business and economics, econometrics, social work, and geography. The program combines quantitative and qualitative approaches and focuses on equipping students with practical and research skills through corresponding modules.
The subject can be studied in the Interdisciplinary Master’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 80 ECTS credits, in combination with at one other subject and/or the Studium Individuale.
The program in detail
The Interdisciplinary Master’s degree program in Sociology: Methods of Empirical Social Research consists of the following modules:
Sociology and Empirical Social Research
- Advanced Methods of Data Collection: Students learn specialist data collection techniques that are used in survey research, such as factorial surveys and randomized response techniques (5 or 10 ECTS credits).
- Advanced Methods of Data Analysis: Students develop specific classification and causal analysis processes in contexts where they are typically applied (5 ECTS credits).
- Advanced Methods of Qualitative Analysis: Students learn how to acquire knowledge of social and cultural processes through comparison and triangulation of theoretical analytical approaches (10 ECTS credits).
- Practical Course on Empirical Social Research: Students are introduced to research processes in the social sciences, from developing a research question to conducting empirical field research (10 or 20 ECTS credits).
Advanced Methods
- Introduction to Mathematical Statistics: Students learn about processes in mathematical statistics, statistical estimation methods, confidence intervals, statistical hypothesis testing, and linear modules (5 ECTS credits).
- Introduction to Stochastics: Students are taught key terms in stochastics and basic statistical inference processes and learn about random variables (5 ECTS credits).
- Mathematics: Students study the formal foundations of algebra and analysis, such as vector and matrix calculation, systems of linear equations, and functions (15 ECTS credits).
- Required elective module: Students may choose a module from mathematics, sociology, geography, psychology, social work, or business and economics (15 ECTS credits).
General modules
- Studium.Pro: Students discover the connections between individual disciplines and develop their independent critical thinking skills.
- Internship: Students are introduced to fields where sociologists may work, such as market and opinion research, through an internship lasting at least 250 hours (15 ECTS credits).
Rankings and assessments
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.
Studying abroad
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.
Practical connection
The Interdisciplinary Master’s degree program provides for an internship at a private or public institution, which brings students into contact with possible professional fields at an early stage. Students also have the possibility to complete their internship abroad; for individual advice and support in finding an internship and financing possibilities, the KU Career Service and the International Internship Service are happy to help.
Career possibilities and professional fields
Career prospects
Empirical social research has become increasingly important in private, public, and social organizations in recent years. There is therefore considerable demand for people who are skilled in collecting analyzing, and interpreting data. Graduates of the degree program may work in areas such as academic research, market and opinion research, organizational and human resources development in public administration or international organizations, public relations, or banking and insurance.
The KU
The KU has two campuses: Eichstätt and Ingolstadt. Seven faculties are located in Eichstätt. The Ingolstadt School of Management (WFI) and MIDS (Institute of Applied Mathematics, Machine Learning and Data Science) are located on our Ingolstadt campus.
This degree program is taught on our Eichstätt campus.
Studying in Eichstätt
Study location
The district of Eichstätt and the city of Ingolstadt are located in the heart of Bavaria. This central location also means that the KU is easy to reach. Eichstätt impresses with its unique combination of baroque architecture, modern amenities and the picturesque nature of the Altmühltal natural park.
Campus
Short distances and lavish green spaces characterize the KU campus in Eichstätt. The KU is a campus University with modern facilities. The buildings on campus are located close to the Eichstätt old town.
More than just a degree
Studying at the KU not only provides you with the specialist knowledge you need, but also aims to open up real future prospects for its students. We want to support our students in finding their own personal path to their individual dream future! The question is not "What career do I want to pursue?", but rather "Who do I want to be?"
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!
Armelle
Langenwald
International degree seeking students coordinator - Campus Ingolstadt
Building
Hauptbau
|
Room: HB-209
Application
Requirements
Bachelor
See examination regulations Interdisciplinary MA
See examination regulations Interdisciplinary MA
Language requirements
DSH 2
Application period winter
May 01
-
Jul 15
Admission restriction
No
Selection procedure
No
Application
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.