Bachelor's Degree in Sociology.

Work and the environment, business and technology, politics and culture, family life and recreation - society's transformation touches upon all areas of life, permanently changing the environment we live and work in. There is no other subject that explores and explains these changes like the field of sociology.

What holds a society together? What are the driving factors behind social inequality? How significant is business, politics, and culture within a society? How will digitization change society as we know it today? What will the working world of the future look like and what will our lives be like in this world?

Sociology is the science of society, exploring how living together as a society is even possible, how people are when they interact with other, and over time, what differences - but also similarities - there are between different societies. The study of sociology aims to identify, describe and understand human actions and the social processes that arise from these actions.

The Bachelor's degree program in Sociology gives you an opportunity to learn, examine, and understand current social issues in an academically sound manner. Your understanding will form the basis to tackle current social challenges and social issues using a targeted approach.

 

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Key Facts

Degree

Bachelor of Science (BSc)

Duration

6 semesters

ECTS

180 Credits

Language

German (level C1), individual courses will also be offered in English

Location

Linz

Program

Full-Time

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What Makes This Program Special

  • You can work on building your individual skills profile: Depending on your personal area(s) of interest, you can also take courses in other degree programs (such as business, law, political science, psychology) and create an individual area of focus during your studies.
  • You will become an expert in social issues: During different phases of the program, you will learn about current topics and discuss socio-politically relevant issues. In many areas of the job market, people possessing these skill sets are highly sought-after and in demand.
  • You will learn how to develop new perspectives: You will learn more about social and societal theories, research methods to conduct empirical social research, and how to apply findings to address real-world issues. Your skill set will enable you to take on current social challenges in a sound manner and identify new approaches.

Program Structure

As part of the Bachelor’s degree program in Sociology, students are required to complete courses totaling 180 ECTS credits in the following subject areas:

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Studies Introduction and Orientation Phase (StEOP)

New students will be required to complete the StEOP requirements at the beginning of the Bachelor's degree program. The required StEOP courses are outlined in the curriculum. You must pass the required StEOP courses or you will be limited when trying to register for additional courses.

Areas of Specialization
in the Bachelor's Program in Sociology

Students in the Bachelor's degree program in Sociology focus strongly on interdisciplinary approaches and directions. Business, politics, and law - you will be required to learn more about "associated" disciplines in order to better understand special social sub-areas. Areas of specialization include:

  • Theories: An introduction to base-knowledge concepts and the fundamentals of sociological theories, the history of sociology and its traditions of thought, current sociological theories and their significance in order to conduct social analysis
  • Methods: Create standardized surveys, qualitative interviews, hold group discussions, conduct experiments, create content analysis - you will learn more about quantitative and qualitative methods in empirical social research, complete an empirical research internship, and focus on data analysis
  • The fundamentals to successfully conduct scholarly research
  • An Introduction and In-Depth Study of Special Fields in Sociology: Labor and business sociology, organizational sociology, political sociology, technology and innovation, developmental sociology, health sociology, family sociology, the sociology behind deviant behavior, the sociology behind migration, and more.  
  • Social Structural Analyses and Gender Studies: You learn theoretical approaches towards better understanding social and gender inequalities from both a national and an international perspective.

What You Will Learn in the Bachelor's Degree Program in Sociology at the University

The Bachelor's degree program in Sociology provides you with a wide-ranging overview of social and societal interactions, social challenges and academically/scientifically based opportunities so you can help shape society. You will be in a position to independently apply what you have learned and specialize in subbject areas of your choice. You will learn how to effectively communicate complex subject matter and research findings to both experts and laymen. Your skills will include:

  • Analyzing complex social context and correlations
  • Planning empirical research projects and conducting these projects in a methodologically correct way
  • Prepare research findings, process and present scholarly findings
  • Develop and create 'action proposals' based on academic and scientific research findings
  • Generate substantiated, science-based content based on quantitative and qualitative methods and theoretical reflection

You will also hone the following skills:

  • Written and oral expression
  • Ability to independently examine and process academic/scientific literature
  • The ability to recognize differences and common features in academic/scientific arguments and how they are structured
  • Deepen your understanding of statistical and qualitative methods and their applications
  • Social skills and the ability to work effectively as part of a team.

The JKU Podcast for Prospective Students

JKU students Julia and Gilbert share insight and talk about what makes studying sociology at the JKU special. Listen in and find out why Julia has specialized in conducting reseach on inequality and why Gilbert feels he made the right decision when it comes to quenching his thirst for knowledge. Please note the podcast is in German only. Enjoy!

 

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Would you like to learn more?

Click here for detailed information about "Lecture Hall Insights - The JKU Student Podcast".

Career Prospects

Sociologists are sought-after experts and often hold key positions at various organizations and companies.

  • Service institutions and companies in fields of education, consulting, social services, healthcare, culture, politics, urban and regional planning, recreation and tourism: As a project manager, for example, you develop concepts to support occupational health in public administration.
  • Companies, particularly in areas of organization and HR: As an HR manager, you recruit employees for a company and/or manage agendas such as maternity leave, support human resource development, or organize professional development courses.
  • Adult education: You create and organize educational programs and/or teach at institutions (such as adult education centers, business development institutes, trade unions, other educational organizations).
  • Conduct market and opinion research: You create qualitative and quantitative opinion polls or studies, evaluate data, present findings, and draft 'action proposals' for clients.
  • Work for organizations in Austria or abroad, particularly in the NGO area, such as in development assistance (Südwind, Fairtrade), as a coordinator for "Doctors without Borders", at environmental and climate protection organizations, youth organizations, prevention and counseling associations.
  • Journalism, media, communication and public relations: You write articles for newspaper publications, radio, TV, or online. As a member in the PR department, you write press releases, website content, newsletters, speeches, and/or editorials for company spokespersons.
  • Work for interest groups and associations as, for example. an employee spokesperson and at employer associations (Chamber of Labor, Chamber of Commerce), at professional organizations or political organizations, and/or consumer organizations (consumer protection)
  • Research institutes and facilites for social studies or business research, as a researcher at private or non-profit institutions such as the Institute for Vocational and Adult Education Research (IBE), Institute for Social and Economic Sciences (ISW), P and P Social Research, Statistics Austria
  • Pursue independent entrepreneurial activities, such as an educational trainer, trainer for information and communication, or as head of your own market research institute.

After successfully completing your Bachelor's degree, you can also pursue an advanced degree, such a Master's degree in Sociology or another related subject area, such as Corporate Social Policy & Welfare, Civic Studies, and much more.

„The Sociology program has given me an opportunity to learn how to think in a different way. I also have the skills needed to look at life's realities from many different perspectives.“
Verena Enzenhofer,
Undergraduate Student in Sociology
Verena Enzenhofer Bachelorstudentin Soziologie

Register to Enroll

Requirements

In order to be admitted to the Bachelor's degree program, you must fulfill the following requirements.

  • Hold general higher education entrance qualifications (such as an Austrian "Matura" diploma)
  • If your first language is not the program language, you will be required to submit proof of C1 level of language proficiency in German.
  • Enroll without being subject to an admissions procedure; you can begin studies either at the start of the Winter Semester or at the start of the Summer Semester.

If you have any questions about the Bachelor's degree program in Sociology offered by the Institute of Sociology, please contact us by sending an e-mail to: Bachelor-Soziologie(at)jku.at, opens in new window

Still have questions?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Sociology explores social structures and processes by using various theories and methods. Students not only examine human action, social behavior and social change by asking themselves how a society is structured and organized, but also how individual actors, organizations and institutions interact, as well as what kinds of norms, values and structures play influential roles.

Social Economics is an interdisciplinary degree program combining social work and social education, sociology, and selected areas of business administration and economics.

The social work program is an opportunity for students wishing to pursue social work and social education. Graduates of the social work program use acquired insight in education, sociology and psychology to provide support services to people in difficult situations, while also helping to give their lives direction and actively take part in social processes.

  • You will not be subject to an admissions procedure in order to enroll in the JKU's Bachelor's program in Sociology.
  • The supplementary electives as outlined in the curriculum mean you can acquire real-world, hands-on experience by completing a study-related internship. The internship has been designed to not only familiarize you with potential career options, but also apply the methodological and social skills learned during studies.
  • Studying abroad (optional) is one of the most exciting, experience-rich opportunities academic studies can offer. Learn more about the JKU's international study abroad programs: 

https://www.jku.at/studium/internationales/mit-der-jku-ins-ausland

 

Many of our students work and study. In this regard, faculty members try and accommodate our students' schedules as best they can. Many courses and research internships are often offered at off-peak times or in block sessions. The program is flexible and provides numerous options combine studies with work responsibilities.

Some individual courses include distance learning options and course content will be made available to you online. The majority of the courses - particularly during the first semesters - are held on-site at the JKU campus.*

*Providing current Covid-19 safety mandates and regulations permit on-site classroom instruction.

The Studies Introduction and Orientation Phase (StEOP) consists of mandatory courses you are expected to take at the start of your studies. These courses will provide you with an overview of key academic content in your selected major.

The StEOP requirements for the Bachelor's degree program in Sociology consist of a mandatory course titled "VU Einführung in die Speziellen Soziologien" together with one of these three basic courses titled "VU Allgemeine Soziologie: Grundbegriffe", "VU Grundzüge der empirischen Sozialforschung", or "PS Proseminar aus Soziologie".

You may only complete a limited number of ECTS credits (15 ECTS credits as listed in the curriculum) before completing the StEOP requirements.

While some individual courses or electives are offered in English, the majority of courses in the Bachelor's degree program in Sociology are held in German. Some German-language courses require reading articles and textbooks in English.
The course "Englisch für Sozialwissenschaften" is required as part of the supplementary subjects.

  • You may choose two special areas of sociology as part of your elective requirements. Each special area of sociology consists of a basic and an advanced course. The mandatory course "Einführung in die Speziellen Soziologien" at the beginning of your studies provides an overview of the individual areas of specializations:
  • The Sociolgy of Work and Economic Sociology
  • The Sociology of Development
  • The Sociology of Family
  • The Sociology of Heath
  • The Sociology of Migration
  • Organizational Sociology
  • Political Sociology
  • The Sociological Aspect of Deviant Behavior
  • Technology and Innovation   

  • Whether you are a newly enrolled stuident, close to graduation, or a graduate student, if you have any questions in regard to your studies, you can contact student union representatives in Sociology.
    The volunteer team of sociology students, opens an external URL in a new window can provide information and support services in regard to study-related problems, academic advising in regard to organizational issues and subject-related questions, and can help you get in touch with other students as well as organize your everyday university life.
     
  • If you have any questions about the Bachelor's degree program in Sociology, please contact the Department of Sociology by sending an e-mail to: Bachelor-Soziologie(at)jku.at, opens in new window

 

The Bachelor's degree program in Sociology is a minimum of six semesters. Students need to successfully complete 180 ECTS credits in order to graduate; these ECTS credits are a combination of mandatory courses, elective courses, autonomous study courses, and the Bachelor's degree thesis. See the JKU course catalog, opens an external URL in a new window to learn more about the different types of courses as well as how many ECTS credits they are worth and what the semester hours are.

Refer to the recommended plan of study (for full-time or part-time students) to help plan just how you should organize course registration.

If you have successfully earned 150 ECTS credits in the Bachelor's degree program, you can begin taking graduate level courses while still in the undergraduate program, provided you meet content-related requirements (such as prerequisite courses).

Still Have Questions?

Do you need help registering or do you have questions about the program? Contact the JKU's Office of Student Information and Academic Advising (SIBS)!

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Advanced Degree Programs

After completing your undergraduate degree, you can continue your education by pursuing an advanced degree:

 

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