Double MA Degree in Sociology University of Bamberg

Participants are awarded a double Master’s degree from the University of Trento (Sociology and Social Research), Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona (Sociology and Demography), or Tilburg University (Sociology), in combination with a Master’s degree in Sociology and Social Research from the University of Bamberg.

Within the Trento programme, students may complete their first year of study either in Trento or in Bamberg. Participants in the other two programmes undertake their first year in Bamberg and their second year at either Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona or Tilburg University.

Trento and Tilburg:

The double-degree programmes with Trento and Tilburg introduce students to state-of-the-art research methods in empirical social research. Students are trained to apply a broad range of empirical methods to theoretically driven social research. In addition to the strong focus on research methods, the programmes offer further opportunities for thematic specialisation.

Barcelona:

As in the other two programmes, the double-degree programme with Barcelona introduces students to state-of-the-art research methods in empirical social research. Students follow advanced data analysis courses and learn to use the statistical software package Stata. In contrast to the other two programmes, however, the main focus of this programme is not on empirical research methods, but on the thematic areas of demography and family as well as migration and integration.

The detailed study plan for the double degree can be found on the website of the University of Bamberg:

• Study plan for Bamberg/Trento
• Study plan for Bamberg/Barcelona
• Study plan for Bamberg/Tilburg

An internship is not obligatory in order to complete the MSc at Bamberg, the Laurea Magistrale in Sociology and Social Research in Trento, the Research Master in Sociology and Demography in Barcelona, or the MSc in Sociology in Tilburg. Nevertheless, students will be provided with information about internship opportunities throughout their studies. Furthermore, study trips to potential future employers are offered.

Deadlines for students who want to start in the following winter semester are as follows:

• 1 July for all double degree programmes (Trento, Barcelona, and Tilburg)

Students apply for one of the following:

MSc Sociology and Social Research in Bamberg (Germany) and

• a Master's in Sociology and Social Research in Trento (Laurea Magistrale in Sociologia e Ricerca Sociale — classe 88) (Italy) 
• a Research Master's in Sociology and Demography (Spain) 
• a MSc in Sociology in Tilburg (the Netherlands)

To start the programme at the University of Bamberg, students apply for the regular MSc Sociology and Social Research. During the application process, applicants are also given the opportunity to apply for the double-degree programmes.

Requirements :

• Satisfy the admission criteria of the "MA Soziologie" at the University of Bamberg, i.e.
  • hold a higher education degree with a minimum of 30 ECTS accumulated in sociology (10 ECTS in theory, 10 ECTS in methods, and 10 ECTS in the general subject area)
  • have a GPA of at least 2.5 on the German grading scale or equivalent
• Satisfy the admission criteria of the "Laurea Magistrale in Sociology and Social Research" at the University of Trento
  • be enrolled in a MA or MSc programme in Sociology
  • have a GPA of at least 2.36 on the German grading scale or equivalent
  • 60 ECTS at least in two of the following areas (1. Law and Political Science, 2. Sociology, 3. Economics and Statistics, 4. Anthropology, History, and Pedagogy)
• Satisfy the admission criteria of the "Research Master in 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
• Satisfy the admission criteria of the "MSc Sociology" at Tilburg University
  • hold a Bachelor's or a Master's degree in a relevant discipline, e.g. sociology, social sciences, or humanities
  • be sufficiently conversant in the social sciences
  • possess adequate knowledge of social science statistics and research methods
• Possess sufficient English language skills (Level B2 of the Common European Framework)

Applicants have to hand in the following documents:

• Certificate of the Bachelor's degree
• Certificate documenting B2-level English language skills
• Transcript of records (can be handed in later if not all exams of the first semester are recorded yet)
• Motivation letter of one to two pages (written in English) describing why they would like to take part in the double degree programme
• Simple copy of a passport or identity card

Students whose home institution is Bamberg must pay a regular contribution for the administrative costs at the university (123 EUR per semester at present). There are no additional tuition fees during the student's stay at the host institution. A "Semesterticket" for public transport in the city of Bamberg is included (more information here).

Bamberg is still one of the cheaper student cities. In 2021, the average rent was 410 EUR per month (source: 22nd Social Survey of the German Studierendenwerk). Since then, rents and, above all, energy and heating costs have risen sharply, so the cost of an apartment is likely to be higher.

Students are encouraged to apply as student research assistants, a position that gives them practical experience. The possibility to apply as a student trainee in a company is also an option. Furthermore, students can do a lot of jobs that are not related to the curriculum of study. For example, they can get a job waiting tables in a restaurant.

This depends on the respective double-degree programme. Please see the information on our website: www.uni-bamberg.de/ma-dd-sociology/.

Bamberg's housing market has changed considerably in recent years. The demand for private accommodations is quite high, and rent prices continue to increase. The common trend seen in many cities, and particularly in university cities, is now quite apparent in Bamberg, too.

It is thus advisable to begin looking for a flat as early as possible and to be patient, as the process can take quite a while. It also pays to check listings in the local newspaper (Fränkischer Tag), submit an announcement that you are looking for accommodation, or explore the numerous online housing portals.

www.uni-bamberg.de/en/studies/living-studying/living-in-bamberg/

Since the founding of the University of Bamberg in 1647, it is the people who have been its top priority. The close proximity of students and instructors provides for excellent advisory services, personal communication and interdisciplinary studies.

The University of Bamberg, with about 10,500 students, is among Germany's medium-sized universities. The university currently offers roughly 100 programmes at the Bachelor's and Master's level.

The university’s main areas of academic focus lie in the humanities, social sciences, economics, business administration and human sciences. These are rounded out by numerous programmes in application-oriented computer science. The premises of the four faculties are concentrated in three main locations that are easily reached by bicycle or via the local network of bus routes.

One of the University of Bamberg's main strengths is its commitment to a focus on international studies. The university’s International Office maintains exchange programmes with approximately 350 universities in nearly 60 countries worldwide.

There are currently about 1,950 foreign students from 100 countries enrolled at the University of Bamberg. The range of courses offered at the university reflects this focus on international studies. Degree programmes in fields like international business administration and management, European economic studies, or the joint Master’s degree in English and American Studies all require that students spend up to one year studying abroad. Furthermore, international students receive a great deal of support outside the classroom.

In order to help visiting students from around the globe become better integrated and acquainted with daily life, the International Office organises a tandem programme that brings together local and foreign students.

The university's international guests also have the opportunity to participate in an extensive programme of excursions and events meant to present a broader experience of life in Germany, even beyond the city of Bamberg. An international "Stammtisch" provides students with the opportunity to socialise and share experiences.

https://www.uni-bamberg.de/en/study/

https://www.uni-bamberg.de/en/

https://www.uni-bamberg.de/en/studies/living-studying/

Located in Northern Bavaria, it is easy to travel to and from Bamberg using many different means of transport. For those travelling by car, the city can be reached from all directions via the A70 and A73 motorways. Bamberg's railway station is also a stop on the ICE line between Munich and Berlin, which means that both cities can be reached in about two and a half hours without changing trains. Nuremberg, Bavaria's second-largest city, is approximately 45 minutes away by train, and its international airport provides flights to destinations worldwide.

www.uni-bamberg.de/en/studies/living-studying/mobility/