MA-Thesis in Sociology
Summary
On this course, you will carry out an independent sociological research project worth 15 credits. The course is aimed at those who already hold a One-Year Master’s degree in sociology and wish to pursue a Two-Year Master’s degree.
About
On this course, you will choose a sociological topic in consultation with your supervisor and carry out an academic study with a high degree of independence. You will learn to define and formulate a research question, search for and process relevant material, select appropriate methods, and analyse complex social phenomena.
The course consists primarily of independent essay work and individual supervision. Scheduled teaching sessions may also cover problem formulation, rigorous academic reporting and argumentation. The course concludes with a seminar in which you will defend your essay orally and act as an opponent for another student’s work.
Who should apply?
The course is aimed at those who already hold a One-Year Master’s degree in sociology and wish to pursue a Two-Year Master’s degree.
Prerequisites and selection
Entry requirements
Kandidatexamen med minst 60 hp i sociologi, godkända kurser på avancerad nivå motsvarande minst 60 hp i sociologi, varav minst 15 hp på fördjupningskurs, 15 hp i metod och 15 hp i examensarbete för magister i sociologi eller motsvarande kunskaper.
From Autumn 2025 the following entry requirement:
Admission to the course requires a bachelor's degree in a major field of social science and a passing grade in second-cycle courses corresponding to at least 60 credits in sociology, of which at least 15 credits at the advanced level, 15 credits in methods and 15 credits in the degree project for a master's degree in sociology.
Selection
Selection is based upon the number of credits from previous university studies, maximum 165 credits.
After graduation
By the end of the course, you will have developed in-depth skills in research design, data collection, sociological analysis and academic communication, as well as in independently planning and carrying out a major project. Through your thesis, you can specialise in an area such as working life and welfare, organisation and governance, migration and integration, power and inequality, relationships and emotions, environmental sociology, or science and technology studies. These skills are useful in roles such as researcher, analyst, strategist, coordinator, project manager, or business developer within the public sector, business, consultancy, trade unions and international organisations, universities, research institutes and civil society.
In conjunction with a one-year Master’s degree and other degree requirements, this course can form part of a two-year Master’s degree in sociology. Both degrees make you eligible to apply for doctoral studies.
Facilities
Teaching takes place in the premises of the Faculty of Social Sciences in the Haga district in central Gothenburg. Lectures and seminars within "Campus Haga" are held in the buildings Dragonen and Sappören (Sprängkullsgatan) as well as Husaren (Husargatan).
More information about facilities
Exchange opportunities
Students taking stand-alone courses have excellent opportunities to take part in exchange programmes. The only requirement is that the courses you take abroad must be eligible for credit towards a future degree at the University of Gothenburg.
