Social and Economic Data Science (SEDS) – Master of Science University of Konstanz

The SEDS programme at the University of Konstanz combines cutting-edge research with a hands-on approach to the study of social and economic data. It is designed for students who want to gain a deep understanding of complex societal challenges and learn how to address them with advanced analytical tools.

Throughout the programme, you will acquire strong foundations in data science, social science theory, and methodological skills. Our interdisciplinary curriculum allows you to explore economic behaviour, social dynamics, and political processes through the lens of modern data analysis.

Whether in courses, research projects, or different collaborations, you will be trained to think critically, work across disciplines, and translate data into meaningful insights. By the end of your studies, you will be equipped with the expertise to pursue careers in academia, policy-making, or data-driven industries.

The MSc in Social and Economic Data Science is ideal for students from social and behavioural sciences with a strong interest in quantitative and computational methods. A background in one of the following areas is recommended:

• Political Science
• Computer Science
• Economics
• Statistics
• Mathematics
• Psychology
• Sociology

First + Second semester: Foundations/Introduction

Students build a strong foundation in programming, mathematics, and methodology. They learn Python and R (Tidyverse), acquire mathematical and statistical basics, and take the introductory module Computing for the Social Sciences (theory & practice). 

Skills gained: 

• programming literacy in Python and R
• mathematical reasoning
• methodological and statistical fundamentals
• first applications of computing in the social sciences

Second semester: Advanced Methods

The focus shifts to advanced techniques in statistics and computer science.

Students deepen their knowledge in statistical modelling and inference (e.g. statistical learning, social network analysis, machine learning) and explore advanced computer science concepts (e.g. databases, algorithms, big data management, data visualisation). 

Skills gained: 

• advanced statistical modelling
• handling complex data
• understanding algorithms
• applying computational methods to large-scale social data

Third semester: Applications & Supplements

Students apply their methodological and computational expertise to real-world social science problems. In the Social Science Applications module they can choose seminars or conduct a Data Science Project (DSP). It gives students the chance to take a project from idea to (software) implementation. Collaborations with external partners, from businesses to government and NGOs, are highly encouraged. This innovative learning format emphasises hands-on experience, allowing students to apply their statistical and computational skills in real-world scenarios. Additionally, they can complement their studies through the Supplementary module with options such as internships, summer schools, language courses, hackathons, or further programming. 

Skills gained:

• research-oriented application of data science
• interdisciplinary project experience
• practical insights from internships 
• broadened competencies beyond core data science

Fourth semester: Master's Thesis & Colloquium

The final semester is dedicated to independent research in the form of the Master's thesis. Students demonstrate their ability to design and conduct a substantial scientific project using social and economic data science methods. A colloquium accompanies the thesis, offering space to present and discuss research design and results. 

Skills gained: 

• scientific independence
• advanced research design
• critical analysis of complex datasets
• academic communication

The SEDS programme equips students with the skills needed for diverse career paths. Gaining practical experience through an internship is a valuable way to explore potential job opportunities while still in the programme. Students get six credits for an internship that is related to the field of Data Science. However, an internship within the programme is voluntary.

The programme requires an above average Bachelor degree, at least corresponding to the German grade of 2.5 (good), for example, in one of the following subjects:

• Political Science
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Economics
• Computer Science
• Mathematics
• Statistics

You are welcome to apply in your final year of your Bachelor's programme. Please submit your current academic transcript as PDF (with an officially certified translation into English or German, if applicable).

For information about the admission requirements and our online application process, click here.

Students currently pay the following fees:

• Degree-seeking students/free movers: 209 EUR/semester
• Exchange students: 129 EUR/semester
• Tuition fees for international non-EU/EEA students: 1,709 EUR/semester

The average monthly cost of living in Konstanz amounts to around 800 to 1,000 EUR, including rent:

• Rent (including utilities): 400 to 500 EUR
• Food: 150 to 200 EUR
• Clothing, laundry, personal hygiene: up to 40 EUR
• Learning materials (books, copies): up to 30 EUR
• Health insurance, medical care, medicine: 140 EUR
• Phone, Internet, broadcasting fees: 30 EUR
• Leisure time, culture, sports: 60 EUR
• Additional costs: student bus ticket: 65 EUR per semester ("Studi-Ticket")

If you want to earn some extra cash while you study, you can get a student job. The university administration and many departments offer student assistant jobs. You can find a number of advertisements for jobs both on and off campus on online platforms (in German), for example:

Jobbörse Seezeit: the job portal of our student services

Jobs are also posted on the notice boards of the university in the foyer and canteen areas as well as in the departments. Furthermore, job announcements are published via mailing lists.

Students with great academic credentials and community service experience can apply for scholarships in Germany. In cases of unexpected financial hardship, the university will try to help with emergency financial support. For an overview of financial support options, check our website.

For example, you may apply for the Deutschlandstipendium.

The scholarship amounts to 300 EUR per month and is awarded without regard to income for a minimum of two semesters.

The Career Service is a service facility for students, doctoral students and graduates of the University of Konstanz. You can make use of consulting services for all questions regarding career orientation, internships, career entry and applications. The Career Service also offers numerous events and workshops on starting a career, applying for jobs and career planning. You can find out about career prospects, learn all about the application process and even practise job interviews with them.

For further information click here.

There are a number of possibilities for accommodation for students: in apartments, flat shares, or residence halls. Check out the following website, the university provides an overview of the different options as well as general tips.

Would you like to study at one of the best research universities in Germany? Then the University of Konstanz is the right place for you. We offer you excellent study conditions in a beautiful location between Lake Constance and the Alps. For us, excellence in studies and teaching also means cultivating close cooperation. We encourage our students to take part in discussions and get involved in research from the start.

Our university is currently home to some 10,000 students enrolled in around 120 different study programmes in the fields of mathematics and natural sciences, humanities, politics, law, and economics. With students from more than 90 countries around the world, we are proud to call our university an international community. This international character is further strengthened by our extensive network of over 245 Erasmus+ partnerships across Europe, more than 60 bilateral partnerships with universities worldwide and several Master’s programmes with double degree options. The University of Konstanz is a campus-based university: you will get to know other students quickly, come into contact with other departments and feel at home right away. Our university has an open-door policy: professors are very accessible and happy to help you with any questions or issues you might have.

We will give you a very warm welcome and support you in every stage of your stay. We have an excellent supervision ratio and top advisory services. You will learn in small groups and work across disciplines. We promote innovative teaching methods and strategies such as transfer formats or virtual classrooms and support lecturers in further developing their teaching. Our Advanced Data and Information Literacy Track (ADILT) complements all study programmes by teaching the fundamentals of computer science and data processing methods, along with their legal foundations. Additionally, it provides reflection on their relevance for society.

In Konstanz, you will find optimal conditions for research, studying, and teaching.

The University of Konstanz has set the following five research priorities:

• Collective Behaviour
• Cultural Dynamics and Social Transformation
• Material – Function - Quantum
• Molecular Principles of Life
• Inequality and Conflict

We want to give you the best possible opportunities to develop personally and professionally. You will have many opportunities to put your own ideas into action – whether you conduct research or start a spin-off. In Konstanz, we foster close communication and a strong sense of community to enhance the potential of our university members at all levels. We bring together our different backgrounds and disciplines to create something truly outstanding. At the same time, you will enjoy an /exceptionally beautiful environment with a historical city, lake, and nearby mountains as well as excellent sports facilities.

Find out more about our university and student life in Konstanz on our website.

Konstanz is situated in south-west Germany in the federal state of Baden-Württemberg, and it shares its border with the Swiss town of Kreuzlingen. It is beautifully located on the shores of the Rhine River and Lake Constance, central Europe's second-largest lake, where the borders of Austria, Germany, and Switzerland converge. The lively university city, with about 87,000 inhabitants, among them more than 14,000 students, is the economic and cultural centre of the Lake Constance region. Take a stroll through the shopping mall and the historical centre featuring both large department stores and small specialist shops. Take a break in one of the many cafés, restaurants, ice cream parlours, pubs, and wine bars. Konstanz is not only a popular tourist destination but also an attractive business location (light industry, commerce, high technology). It is a very safe place to live offering a high quality of life with its excellent infrastructure and diverse cultural and recreational facilities. Konstanz has a long and rich historical tradition. The first settlements were erected in Konstanz Bay in 2000 BC, and the city was given its name "Constantia" by the Romans in the fourth century AD. Konstanz has a well-preserved medieval town and numerous historical buildings from the Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque periods.

Konstanz has the perfect location for all kinds of outdoor leisure activities. The region has an excellent network of routes for walking, cycling, and in-line skating tours. The beaches are a major attraction for relaxing in the sun and swimming in the lake or the Rhine. The lake offers various water sports, such as sailing, canoeing, and diving, while the nearby Alps provide year-round enjoyment for skiers, snowboarders, hikers, and climbers. Konstanz is the home of the oldest running theatre in Germany and of the famous Southwest German Philharmonic Orchestra. There are several museums, art galleries, and art centres offering a broad spectrum of events: art and documentary exhibitions and concerts in all genres of music. Konstanz is also an ideal starting point for excursions to many attractions in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Liechtenstein. On the city's doorstep are the famous gardens of Mainau Island and the Island of Reichenau, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can take boat trips to beautiful towns around the lake, such as Meersburg, Überlingen, and Lindau. The lakeside town of Friedrichshafen is the home of the Zeppelin, and the Austrian city of Bregenz is renowned for its summer festivals, featuring spectacular opera and musical performances on a floating stage in the lake. A boat trip along one of the most beautiful parts of the Rhine takes you to the magnificent Rhine Falls at the Swiss town of Schaffhausen. From Konstanz, you can easily reach major cities, such as Zurich, Basel, Strasbourg, Stuttgart, Munich, and Milan.