Programme for Master in Sociology

The purpose of the Programme for Master in Sociology is to deepen the knowledge and skills acquired by students during their first-cycle education. Students learn to independently integrate and use sociological theory and social scientific methods to describe, interpret and explain the complexity of human actions, different social situations and social processes. The programme shall also develop the students’ competences in order to lead, among other things, various evaluations, analyses and interpretation of data material, e.g. within the public sector, trade and industry or within the different areas of civil society. The programme shall also prepare students for applying for post-graduate studies in Sweden or abroad.

There is particular emphasis on the following elements:

• A broad combination of general skills and advanced sociological knowledge about social relationships and social processes.
• A strong link between courses on the programme and ongoing research within the department.
• A strong focus on both quantitative and qualitative social scientific methods, comprising 30 credits.
• Planning and implementation of an independent degree project for 30 credits in the form of either a scientific article or a scientific report oriented towards the field/work placements.
• The opportunity to study abroad (30 credits) or placement project work (15 credits)

Applicants to the Programme must hold a Bachelor's degree within the Social Sciences or equivalent, corresponding to at least 180 credits. Those applying must also prove their knowledge of English: English 6/English B from Swedish Upper Secondary School or the equivalent level of an internationally recognized test, for example TOEFL, IELTS.

The programme comprises first five compulsory courses and second optional courses of 30 credits in total. The following courses are compulsory: Sociological analyses and new challenges, 15 credits, Social change, 15 credits, Applied qualitative research methods, 15 credits, Applied Statistical and Digital Methods, 15 credits, and Degree project for Master in Sociology, 30 credits. The Department of Sociology and Work Science offers optional courses in Semester two of 30 credits in aggregate. The programme is provided on a full-time basis.

Semester 1
SC2101, Contemporary Sociological Analyses and Horizons, 15 credits, core course
SF2322, Applied Qualitative Research Methods, 15 credits, method course

Semester 2
Optional courses, 30 credits

Semester 3
SC2205, Social Change, 15 credits, in-depth course
SC2320 Applied Statistical and Digital Methods, 15 credits, method course

Semester 4
SC2501, MA-Thesis in Sociology, 30 credits, thesis (independent project)

Second cycle education shall entail a deepening of knowledge, skills, and abilities in relation to basic level education and shall, in addition to what applies to basic level education

• further develop students' ability to independently integrate and apply knowledge,
• develop students' ability to handle complex phenomena, issues, and situations, and
• develop students' prerequisites for professional activities that place high demands on independence or for research and development work. 

After completing the program, students are expected to have achieved the following objectives:

Local outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

• Demonstrate broad knowledge and understanding of sociological concepts, theories and perspectives and their applications in social phenomena, and particularly specialised knowledge in chosen areas of sociological theory and also in current research and development work of relevance to sociology.
• Demonstrate broad methodological knowledge and be able to report on scientific points of departure, concepts, techniques, principles and theories of data collection (both qualitative and quantitative), processing and analysis. 

Competence and skills

• Demonstrate the ability to critically and systematically integrate sociological knowledge and to analyse, assess and deal with complex social phenomena, social issues and situations even with limited information.
• Demonstrate the ability to critically, independently and creatively identify and formulate relevant sociological issues, to plan and, using appropriate methods, undertake advanced scientific tasks within predetermined time frames and thereby contribute to ongoing learning.
• Demonstrate the skills required for participation in research and development work or to independently work in some other qualified capacity. 

Judgement and approach

• Demonstrate the ability to – in both national and international contexts, verbally and in writing – objectively report on and discuss their own and others’ conclusions and the knowledge and arguments underlying these in dialogue with various groups.
• Demonstrate the ability to problematise and evaluate their own and others’ sociological interpretations and analyses.
• Demonstrate the ability to evaluate and reflect on relevant scientific, social and ethical aspects and also demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work.
• Demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of sociology and the changeable role of sociological expertise in society. 
• Demonstrate the ability to evaluate and reflect on sociological knowledge and expertise in relation to other forms of knowledge and understanding, e.g. other scientific disciplines and everyday knowledge.
• Demonstrate the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and take responsibility for their own ongoing learning.

• The Program has English as the language of instruction.
• There are compulsory exercises, excursions and field work within the programme’s courses.
• When appropriate, some of the teaching may be carried out at another venue, e.g. during the optional semester in Year 1 and also in the event that the student, in agreement with the course coordinator and supervisor, chooses to write their degree project at another venue in Sweden or abroad.
• The study programme will be followed up and evaluated in accordance with the applicable Policy för kvalitetssäkring och kvalitetsutveckling av utbildning vid Göteborgs universitet (Policy for the Quality assurance and Quality Development of Education at the University of Gothenburg).

Students who follow the programme at the prescribed rate have guaranteed admission to all of the compulsory courses specified in the programme syllabus (included guaranteed admission to a selection of courses during the optional quota during Term 2), subject to the precondition that the student is eligible for each course.