Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin - Department of Social Sciences

MA Sozialwissenschaften

Master program "Sozialwissenschaften"

The Master degree program Sozialwissenschaften is a postgraduate program finishing with the degree "Master of Arts Sozialwissenschaften". Goal of the program is to specialize in the disciplines of Sociology and Political Sciences.

To be granted permission to the Master program Sozialwissenschaften you will need to provide proof of sufficient German language skills for the program is primarily taught in German.

The applicant’s command of German is tested in the DSH test (“Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang ausländischer Studienbewerber”). In order to be eligible for the DSH, applicants must show evidence that their command of German is at least on the C1 level according to the Common European Frame of Reference. A minimum score of three points in all four parts of the TestDaF examination can be also considered a proof of the required level for the application. (http://www.testdaf.de)

Certificates of attendance to German language courses are not considered sufficient; you will need a certificate completed with an examination. Should the applicant fail the DSH exam, it can only be resat in the subsequent application period at Humboldt-Universität (or at least three months later). A renewed application for admission to a degree course is then necessary. Exemption from the DSH exam is possible, when TestDaF is completed with a minimum score of four points in all four parts of the test.

The specific admission requirements for the Master program Sozialwissenschaften embrace the following:

  1. You need to hold a Bachelor's degree (BA Social Sciences, Sociology, Political Sciences or similar) containing a mimimum of 60 ECTS-points in Sociology and/or Political Sciences.
  2. You need to prove basic knowledge of classical and modern Sociological Theories and/or classical and modern Political Theories in the amount of at least 15 ECTS-points.
  3. Proof of basic knowledge of Methods of Empirical Social Research at a mimumum extent of 15 ECTS-points
  4. Proof of advanced knowledge of special Sociologies or branches of Political Sciences complementary to the knowledge proven under bullet point 2 at a minimum of 10 ECTS-points.
  5. If there are more applicants who provide ample proof of the knowledge described above than available places admission is to be granted on the basis of the applicants' Bachelor degree's final grades.

For a detailed description of these admission requirements and further information on the study content please visit our German site.

For further information on admission for foreign applicants please see the student office for international students.