Career prospects

After successfully completing the Master's Programme Sociology of Inequality, students will have a whole range of career options.

Typical work areas include:

• science and research at universities and research institutions
• businesses, e.g. in human resources, knowledge management, quality assurance, project management, marketing, public relations
• NGOs and NPOs, international organizations
• journalism
• political parties, foundations, associations, trade associations and trade unions as well as economic and labour organizations
• agencies, authorities, ministries, public administration, municipalities, state institutions (e.g. the German Bundestag)
• cultural, media and educational institutions

Further career prospects are available at our interview series #dreamjob - starting your career, where alumni of the University of Konstanz share their insights into starting a career.

Doctoral Research
The Master's programme offers the best follow-up opportunities to a career in science. Graduates can pursue a doctoral research in sociology (Dr. rer. soc.) to work in research and teaching. Due to its thematic orientation, the Master's programme is the optimal preparation for a doctorate at the Konstanz Graduate School of the Social and Behavioural Sciences (GSBS) in the field of "Inequality".
A doctorate is also possible outside the GSBS. In many cases, the prerequisite for a doctorate is an above-average degree. The targeted departments, faculties and graduate schools provide information on the specific conditions for application.

Start of study

Winter semester

Study structure

The following illustration is an example of how students might structure the programme. The programme structure provides an overview of the ECTS credits for each semester.

These documents will support you in planning your studies:

• Module guide
• Examination regulation

At the University of Konstanz, you have a broad range of opportunities and training options that complement your study programme, for example orientation programmes to support new students, learning guidance, language courses, a data and information literacy programme as well as options promoting career-oriented skills and social commitment.

• GoMINt – orientation programme in STEM subjects
• Writing Centre – writing tutoring, joint writing sessions and workshops
• Language courses at the Language Institute
• Learning guidance, study tips, time management – workshops offered by the Central Student Advisory Service (ZSB)

• Advanced Data and Information Literacy Track (ADILT) – programme can be completed with a certificate
• Transfer – practical projects (research, business, politics and society)
• qualification N – Sustainability Certificate at the University of Konstanz

• Profil+ – programme for career skills (German skills required)
• Career Passport – programme for career skills (for international students)
• Advice on career entry, opportunities and workshops from Career Service

Internship

An internship semester outside the University is a compulsory part of the degree programme. It is usually done during the 3rd semester. 
The Departmental Internship Office maintains contacts with renowned national and international organisations in the university and non-university sector and supports you in your search for a suitable internship and with questions about internships in Germany or abroad. 

Stay abroad

The university promotes study abroad via Erasmus+ and numerous other exchange programmes. An internship abroad is the perfect way to include a stay abroad in your MA Sociology of Inequality.

Hear from students and lecturers
In our interview series, students talk about their subject, teachers explain the department's research and tell you what topics they cover in seminars and lectures.

• Students share their experiences: MA Sociology of Inequality
• Lecturers share their experiences: MA Sociology of Inequality
• Students report: Delal Aslan, MA Sociology of Inequality
• Students report: Anna Katharina Joraschek, MA Sociology of Inequality

Get an impression
Discover online lectures and websites with more information about your prospective subject.

• Information page for the study course Sociology
• Lecture Recordings (Sociology)
• Sociology students about their studies

• Bachelor's degree in a subject relevant for the Master's Programme Sociology of Inequality, e.g. sociology, social science, political science, economics or a comparable programme (grade 2.5 "good" in the German grading system or better)
• Adequate English language skills (active and passive) of at least level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages proved by one of the following language tests (or equivalent):
  • Five years of continuous English lessons in secondary education with a minimum grade of 9 points or "befriedigend" (satisfactory) or better (usually certified by the higher education entrance qualification)
  • Successful completion of four or more courses taught in English in a previous study programme
  • Cambridge First Certificate in English (FCE), at least grade C
  • IELTS test result (International English Language Testing System), score 5.5 or better
  • TOEFL test result (Test of English as a Foreign Language) of at least 87 points (internet-based), 227 points (computer-based) or 567 points (paper-based).

You will find more information in the admission regulations.

Semester fee
All students enrolled at the University of Konstanz are charged a semester fee each semester, similar to all other German universities. Here you can find the current semester fee and its individual components.

Tuition fees for first degree studies for certain international students
Since winter semester 2017/18, the state of Baden-Württemberg has required some international students to pay tuition fees for their first degree studies. The following students are not required to pay tuition fees: citizens of a country within the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA), doctoral students and certain “Bildungsinländer” (e.g. non-EU citizens with a German “Abitur”). More detailed information can be found here.

Each year, the University of Konstanz grants exemptions to a limited number of particularly gifted international degree-seeking students in accordance with the university’s “Begabtenbefreiungssatzung” (statutes governing the exemption of gifted students). More detailed information can be found here.

Tuition fees for second degree studies for all students
All students are required to pay tuition fees for their second degree studies. More detailed information can be found here.

English language skills

Documentation of adequate English language skills (level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) is a pre-requisite for admission to this master's programme. Any one of the following language tests (or equivalent) are accepted as proof of your English language skills:

• Five years of continuous English lessons in secondary education with a minimum grade of 9 points or "befriedigend" (satisfactory) or better (usually certified by the higher education entrance qualification)
• Successful completion of four or more courses taught in English in a previous study programme
• Cambridge First Certificate in English (FCE), at least grade C
• IELTS test result (International English Language Testing System), score 5.5 or better
• TOEFL test result (Test of English as a Foreign Language) of at least 87 points (internet-based), 227 points (computer-based) or 567 points (paper-based).

The language of instruction is English.

• An interest in social contexts and questions
• An interest in social inequality both in everyday contexts as well as in politics
• High level of commitment and well-structured way of working
• Good English skills

Application documents

Please upload and submit the following documents along with your online application:

• Documentation of the academic degree including a detailed description of your coursework and performance assessments. If you have not received your examination certificate by the end of the application deadline, please attach documentation of all your examination results so far and a provisional overall grade issued by the respective university
• documentation of English language skills (see language skills)
• Curriculum vitae
• Proven knowledge in at least two of the three fields listed below via a Transcript of Records: seminars with a sociological content, statistics, quantitative methods of empirical social research
• a letter of motivation that provides information about your motivation and suitability for the degree programme. Please use the template here.

Important: Please note the information provided under the tab “Admission requirements”.

International Applicants:

• If your application documents are not available in German or English, you will need to have them translated. Please submit a German or English translation of your documents along with the original versions.
• Applicants from China, India and Vietnam: APS certificate (original) issued by the German Embassy of your home country

An application is possible during the following period: 15.03. - 15.04. (15.04. visa / approx. 01.05.-15.06. no visa )
There may be other deadlines if you are applying for admission to a higher semester (for instance, if you are changing subjects or universities). For more information please consult the university website .

The Central Student Advisory Service (ZSB) can help you with general questions about finding the right study programme as well as when you are concerned or unsure about your studies. We will be happy to advise you and support you with a wide range of services .

Central Student Advisory Service (ZSB)
Room: D409 – 412a
Make an appointment: termin.zsb@uni-konstanz.de

Questions related to the content or organization of the study programme:
Departmental student advisory service XXX
Contact person room XXX
Phone: +49 7531 88- XXX
Email: XXX