The International Master in Sociology and Demography is a Double Degree Programme jointly offered by the Faculty of Social Sciences, Economics, and Business Administration (University of Bamberg) and the Department of Political & Social Sciences of the Universitat Pompeu Fabra (Barcelona). After the successful completion of the programme, students will end up with two official diplomas:

The programme is entirely taught in English by active and internationally experienced researchers. It lasts two academic years and combines the strengths of two of the leading institutions in the research of demography and social inequality in Europe.

Students spend the first year at the University of Bamberg and the second year in Barcelona (UPF). In the end they obtain Master’s degrees from both programmes. During their first year students receive a strong training in quantitative research methods and research design, on the one hand; and on substantive content on immigration and integration, on the other hand. During their second year, at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra, students receive training on substantive dimensions of social inequality (health, ethnic origin, labour market…) with a special focus on gender and family issues, and the interplay between market, family and the state. At the end of this second year, students should develop their master thesis on a topic covered during the master programme, supervised by a member of each one of the partner institutions.

Description

The International Master in Sociology and Demography is a two-year long master programme that merges the contents offered by the Research Master in Sociology and Demography (UPF) and the Master in Sociology offered by the University of Bamberg. Each of the two academic years involved in this double degree entails the attainment of 60 ECTS. In order to graduate from the double degree programme students have to satisfy the course and research requirements of both programmes. However, many courses will be mutually recognized in both programmes and students only need to write one master thesis, worth 30 ECTS. This master thesis is valid for fulfilling the thesis requirements of both programmes. Hence, in practice students only need to gain 120 ETCS, rather than the 180 ECTS they would need to gain if they undertook the two master programmes separately.

Students spend their first academic year at the University of Bamberg. They are then required to select the core area ‘Demography, Migration and Integration’ (C2)

Candidates are required to apply at the University of Bamberg

 

Course structure

FIRST YEAR: BAMBERG (60 ECTS)

 

 

COMPULSORY (18 ECTS)

# ECTS

Term
  • Advanced Methods of Quantitative Analyses in Social Sciences (1)

 6

 1/2
  • Advanced Methods of Quantitative Analyses in Social Sciences (2)

 6

 1/2
  • Introduction to Methods of Demography

 6

 2
     

ELECTIVE (42 ECTS)

 

 

Choose one elective course in Analysis of Social Structure

 6

 
  • Social Change and International Comparisons

 

 1/2
  • Integration of Modern Societies

 

 1/2
  • Advanced Topics in Analysis of Social Structures

 

 1
     

Choose one elective course in Empirical Methods of Social Sciences

 6

 
  • Philosophy of Science

 

 1
  • Research Design

 

 1
  • Advanced Methods of Data Acquisition

 

 2
  • Advanced Methods of Quantitative Analysis

 

 1/2
  • Advanced Methods of Qualitative Analysis

 

 1
     

Choose one elective course in Demography, Migration and Integration 

 6

 
  • Advanced Topics in Migration and Integration

 

 1/2
  • Advanced Topics in Demography

 

 1/2
     

Choose two elective courses from supplementary sociological areas

 12

 
  • Sociological Theories or Analysis of Social Structure

 

 1/2
  • Methods of Empirical Social Research

 

 1/2
  • Education, Work, Family in the Life-Course

 

 1/2
  • Demography, Migration and Integration

 

 1/2
  • European and Global Studies

 

 1/2
     

Choose two elective courses from supplementary fields of study

 12

 
  • European Economic Studies

 

 1/2
  • Education Science

 

 1/2
  • Statistics

 

 1/2

For detailed information on Bamberg first year courses (syllabi), click here:

 

SECOND YEAR: UPF (60 ECTS)

 

 

COMPULSORY (20 ECTS)

# ECTS

Term
  • Demographic Changes and Social Dynamics

 5

 1
  • Social Policy and Welfare State 

 5

 1
  • Analysis of Social Inequalities (Social Stratification)

 5

 2
  • Family, Gender and Society

 5

 2
     

ELECTIVE (10 ECTS)

 

 

Choose one elective course among the following substantive courses

 5

 
  • Migration and Society

 

 
  • Health and Inequality

 

 
  • Employment Policies and Labour Market

 

 
     

Choose one elective course among the following methodological ones

 5

 
  • Research and Data Analysis Seminar

 

 
  • Design, Evaluation and Analysis of Questionnaires

 

 
  • Qualitative Research Methods

 

 
     

MASTER THESIS (30 ECTS)

 30

 3
  • Master thesis

 

 
  • Defence

 

 

For detailed information on UPF second year courses (syllabi), click here:

 

Master thesis

The master thesis is worth 30 ECTS. It will be written and defended at UPF and co-supervised and rated by academic tutors of both institutions. Students will be assigned two supervisors, one from each university. 

Up to ten students can be admitted to the programme each year. Interested candidates should apply at the University of Bamberg Admission to the double degree programme implies admission to the Research MA in Sociology and Demography at the UPF for the following (second) year of the programme.

 

Admission criteria

The general admission criteria are the same as the combined criteria of both underlying programmes. For the Double Degree Programme there are however additional specific admission criteria. Applicants have to:

  • satisfy the admission criteria of the "M.A. Soziologie" at the University of Bamberg, i.e.
    • hold a higher education degree with a minimum of 30 ECTS accumulated in Sociology
    • with a grade point average of at least 2.5 on the German grading scale or equivalent (equivalence of non-German grades will be assessed by the admission office)
  • satisfy the admission criteria of the "M.A. Sociology and Demography" at the University Pompeu Fabra Barcelona, i.e.
    • hold a university degree in social sciences, law, humanities or health sciences equivalent to a minimum of 180 ECTS
  • possess sufficient English language skills (level B2 of the Common European Framework)

 

Admission procedure

Students apply for the Double Degree Programme via the online application procedure for the regular "M.A. Soziologie" at the University of Bamberg:

Online application form

A detailed description of the application process can be found here. During the application process students can select whether they want to

  • apply for the Double Degree Programme only or
  • apply for both the Double Degree Programme and the regular single degree programmes  at University of Bamberg and/or University Pompeu Fabra in case they won’t be admitted to the Double Degree Programme

The application deadline for the Double Degree Programme is July, 1st.

Applicants have to hand in the following documents:

  • a certified copy of the upper secondary school certificate or higher education entrance qualification (in German or English)
  • a certified copy of the Bachelor’s certificate (English translation), including a transcript of records
  • a certified copy of a certificate documenting English language proficiency according to the B2-level of the common European framework (e.g. Abitur certificate)
  • a curriculum vitae (in English)
  • a simple copy of the passport or identity card
  • students who wish to apply for admission to the double degree through the UPF need to follow the procedure set up for all students who request admission into the Research Master in Sociology and Demography. In the required letter of motivation for admission, please indicate CLEARLY your interest to apply for the double degree (International Master in Sociology and Demography with the University of Bamberg).

Tuition Fees

The University of Bamberg does not charge tuition fees. However, students have to pay an administrative fee ("Semesterbeitrag") of currently 80 Euros per term. This includes contributions to the students union ("Studentenwerk") and free public transport in Bamberg and surroundings. Double Degree students will stay enrolled at the University of Bamberg during the second year in Barcelona. For that reason they have to pay the administrative fee throughout the whole programme.

The University Pompeu Fabra charges tuition fees that currently amount to 3,302 Euros (4,640 Euros for non-EU citizens) per year. Students have to pay during the second year. More information about tuition fees at UPF can be found here.

 

Scholarships

At the moment we do not offer any specific scholarships in connection to the Double Degree Programme, but we undertake efforts to be able to provide support for Double Degree students in the future.