You must be able to read and understand specialist literature in English in order to pursue your studies. However, you will not be required to provide separate proof of your language proficiency.

In order to be able to collect and analyze empirical data in a methodologically sound manner and to interpret and statistically evaluate it, basic knowledge of mathematics is a prerequisite for the bachelor’s degree program in Sociology.

Sociology is a demanding field of study which requires a wide range of interests and a lively mind. You should be interested in questions of social coexistence and want to critically question the things we take for granted in our everyday lives.

Prerequisites for pursuing this degree:

• Empathy as well as the ability to think abstractly
• A genuine enthusiasm for reading, including academic literature in English
• An inquisitive spirit of observation as well as analytical thinking

But don’t worry:
You don’t have to be perfect! We’ll teach you these skills.

You will study this subject as part of a two-subject bachelor’s degree program. The degree program always consists of an academic major and minor, which can be combined according to your interests or professional goals.

If you choose the subject as a minor, you will generally complete only a portion of the modules and classes taught to students of the major subject. As a result, you will focus on a selection from the content listed below.

Program structure

At a glance:

• Introduction to sociological thinking
• Methodological skills (interviews, observations, surveys, statistics)
• Theoretical knowledge (theories of action, social theories)
• Subject-related topics (sociology of education, economic sociology, sociology of the family, gender studies, etc.)
• Practical components linking sociological skills with societal fields of application (internship or courses addressing sustainability-related questions and issues)

The Sociology undergraduate degree course consists of two main areas: In the early study phase (1st to 3rd semester), students are introduced to the fundamentals of sociological theory and research, along with an initial overview of sociological subject areas.

In the subsequent specialization phase (4th and 5th semester), students have the opportunity to further deepen their methodological and subject-specific competencies in a targeted manner. Students may choose from three methodological tracks and a range of sociological subject areas. The sociological subject areas are first covered in introductory lectures and are then examined in greater depth during the specialization semesters in advanced seminars focusing on specific aspects of these topics. In the 5th semester, students also complete a module on professional practice and supplementary qualifications, which either provides opportunities to apply and reflect on sociological skills in professional practice or allows participation in courses offered within the Future Module (Zukunftsmodul).

The 6th semester is dedicated to writing the final thesis.

The program structure plans (in German) provide a summarized overview for the major and minor subjects.

Specializations

The bachelor’s degree program is characterized by a broad range of engaging, subject-related areas of sociology.

The following specializations are currently available, three of which are explored in an orientation module and two of which, in turn, are further explored in an advanced module:

• Sociology of the family
• Sociology of education
• Economic sociology
• Cultural sociology
• Gender studies
• Sociology of the body
• Sociology of media
• Sociology of technology and innovation

Another special feature is the multi-track methodology training. In the bachelor’s degree program, you will learn both basic quantitative-statistical and qualitative-interpretative methods of social research. After the introductory modules, you can further develop one or both methodological approaches in a focused manner.

Stays abroad

Would you like to live abroad for a semester or a year? Do you want to learn another language and get to know a new culture? Or gain a different perspective on your particular subject? A stay abroad provides you with the perfect opportunity to achieve this and is possible with every degree program – either self-organized or by taking advantage of one of the popular exchange programs. This is made possible by various cooperation agreements and partnerships with foreign universities.

For more information on this topic, please visit our websites on studying abroad. Visit our student exchange platform for an overview of cooperating universities in your field.

This program of study does not require you to spend time abroad, but you nevertheless have the opportunity to do so.

It is recommended to complete your stay abroad during your 5th academic semester. You can find out more about staying abroad from the Erasmus+ Office of the Sociology department.

Internships

In the fifth semester of the major, students take the Professional Practice & Supplementary Qualifications module. Within this module, students may choose between an external internship or attending selected courses within the Future Module (Zukunftsmodul). The professional internship provides insights into the activities of a sociologist in the private sector and the non-university sector of the public service. The courses of the Future Module offer students the opportunity to reflect on their own perspectives on sustainability-related issues and to analyze them in terms of societal risks and potential.

Voluntary internships are another good opportunity to obtain more in-depth insight into a professional field.

An internship allows you to discover whether everyday life in a particular occupation suits your career expectations and interests. You can gain qualifications for a professional field and acquire important professional and personal skills to start a career. An internship helps you both shape your career path, and mold the remainder of your course sequence – in particular by selecting specializations that suit your practical experience.

You can find further information and relevant internships on the Career Service website.

You can also visit the website of the Institute of Sociology to find suitable internship opportunities.

Sociology is not a subject that qualifies students for a particular clear-cut professional field. However, contrary to what some would have you believe, sociology is not a subject with poor job market prospects.

Most sociologists are employed in jobs related to their training and are rarely underemployed. Their salaries are in line with the average for all university graduates.

You will be taught the following job-relevant skills in the Sociology degree program:

• Methods of quantitative and qualitative social research
• Subject-related knowledge
• Theoretical training in changes of perspective

You will also implicitly be taught a specific style of working and thinking that will benefit you in many professional fields.

Studying Sociology is not about swotting up on textbook knowledge but about working in a reflective, multi-perspective, creative, problem-solving-oriented, and independent way! These are skills that are highly valued in today’s modern service and knowledge-based society.

Typical relevant professional fields

Sociology graduates work in various professional fields, including:

• Social, market, and opinion research
• Project management
• Consulting
• Marketing
• Human resources
• Journalism
• Publishing
• Public administration
• Foundations and non-governmental organizations
• Educational and cultural sectors and academia

In addition to such traditional career fields, the program provides you with a wide range of professional opportunities that you can discover during your studies – both in professions more closely related to your field of study and in the general fields of:

• Research
• Politics and social affairs
• Public service and administration
• Media, journalism, and advertising
• Education and culture
• Publishing
• Economics

Not sure what to do after graduation? Don’t worry!

A university degree generally does not prepare you for a single profession but qualifies you for a wide range of career paths – for example, in research, in a typical profession related to your field of study, or in one of many other academic fields.

This is why career orientation is also part of your studies. Gaining practical experience is key, and you can do so through internships, working student positions, part-time jobs or voluntary work, for example.

JGU’s Career Service will support you throughout the entire process with information, advice, workshops and numerous events – from career orientation and working on your profile and skills to finding your dream job and successfully applying for it.