Bachelor Master Doctorate

Sociology (DE)

Abstract

The bachelor programme gives students an overall view of sociological theories, methods and analysis and teaches them the relevant analytical, research and decision-making skills. Besides general sociology and social research, the themes treated also include diverse, specific branches of sociology (e.g. political sociology, family or development sociology, or criminal, business or occupational sociology).
Students are taught the basic theoretical and methodological knowledge (concepts, theories, classic authors, philosophy of science) while receiving broad training in quantitative and qualitative methods. At the same time, this is placed in the context of current social problems and the ensuing debates. In the second and third years, the students apply what they have learned in an empirical research project. The study programme can be taken in German or as a bilingual programme in German and French.

  • Show the study programme profile

    Profile of the study programme

    The bachelor programme in Sociology provides an overall view of sociological theories, methods and analysis and teaches students the relevant analytical, research and decision-making skills. It is divided into three key sections:

    1. General sociology;
    2. Specialised sociology (e.g. economic sociology, political sociology, family or development sociology, criminal sociology, economic sociology);
    3. Social research.

    Fribourg profile
    The special feature of the Fribourg programme is that it teaches students the basic theoretical and methodological knowledge (concepts, theories, classic authors, philosophy of science) while providing broad training in quantitative and qualitative methods. At the same time, the programme takes account of current social problems and the ensuing debates. In the second and third years of study, students undertake an empirical research project (bachelor thesis) in which they apply what they have learned, thus completing this bachelor's degree worth 120 ECTS credits. The study programme can be taken in German or as a bilingual programme.

    Learning outcomes and career openings
    – The Sociology programme provides students with the requisite skills to understand sociological theories, methods and analysis and to work autonomously on sociological issues;
    – During their studies, students are taught scientific methodologies, sociological theory, and the interdisciplinary approaches used to reflect on and treat social issues. The programme includes an application-oriented introduction to methods of empirical social research and practical exercises;
    – The objective of the Sociology programme is to enable students to conduct their own research into social issues and to acquire the professional skills which are required in their selected fields of application in an academic or professional environment;
    – The programme gives students in-depth knowledge of general and specific sociological theories, in addition to which current debates on social issues are analysed. Students gain a sound understanding of political, economic and cultural institutions in Switzerland and abroad.

    The bachelor's and master's degrees in Sociology provide the theoretical and conceptual tools required for (executive) posts in public and private organisations, and for research and teaching. The training they receive equips students for a professional activity in a wide variety of sectors, such as market research and opinion polling, culture and the media, corporate human resources, government agencies, and also as independent social researchers. It also equips students for posts in public administration bodies involving conceptual tasks, notably in the social services.

Studies organisation

Structure of studies

120 ECTS credits + 60 ECTS credits in a minor study programme freely chosen, 6 semesters

Curriculum

http://studies.unifr.ch/go/qsdGc (German)

Comments

This study programme may be chosen jointly with a study programme worth 60 ECTS credits in the «Social Sciences» domain, as well as with the Social Work and Social Policy study programme.

Admission

The following Swiss school-leaving certificates grant admission to bachelor programmes at the University of Fribourg:

  • Swiss academic Maturity Certificate
  • Federal vocational or specialised Baccalaureate + supplementary examination of the Swiss Maturity Commission (passerelle)
  • Bachelor Degree from a Swiss university, from an accredited Swiss university of applied sciences (HES/FH) or from a Swiss university of teacher education (HEP/PH)

A complete list of all further recognised Swiss school-leaving certificates is to be found on the webpages of swissuniversities (in French and German only): https://studies.unifr.ch/go/fr-admission-swisscertificates; https://studies.unifr.ch/go/de-admission-swisscertificates
Foreign upper secondary school-leaving certificates are recognised only if they correspond substantially to the Swiss Maturity Certificate. They must qualify as general education. Foreign school-leaving certificates are considered to be general education if, among other things, the last three years of schooling include at least six general education subjects, independent from each other, in accordance with the following list:

  1. First language
  2. Second language
  3. Mathematics
  4. Natural sciences (biology or chemistry or physics)
  5. Humanities and social sciences (geography or history or economics/law)
  6. Elective (computer sciences or philosophy or an additional language or an additional subject from category 4 or 5)

The general admission requirements to the bachelor programmes at the University of Fribourg for holders of foreign school-leaving certificates as well as the admission requirements for individual countries are to be found on the webpages of swissuniversities: https://studies.unifr.ch/go/en-admission-countries
In addition, foreign candidates must present proof of sufficient language skills in French or German.
All guidelines are available at (only in French and German): https://studies.unifr.ch/go/adm-guidelines

The assessment of foreign school-leaving certificates is based on the «Recommendations for the Assessment of Foreign Upper Secondary School-Leaving Certificates» adopted by the Chamber of universities of swissuniversities on 11.11.2021 (https://studies.unifr.ch/go/swissuniversities21fr; https://studies.unifr.ch/go/swissuniversities21de). The admission requirements are valid for the respective academic year. The Rectorat of the University of Fribourg reserves the right to change these requirements at any time.

Alternatives

Also offered as a minor study programme (60 ECTS credits).

Minor study programmes to be chosen

Key points

Degree conferred

Bachelor of Arts

Languages of study

Possibility to study in German or in German and French

Options

For information on the optional award of the distinction «Bilingual curriculum, French/German», please contact the relevant Department (see Contact).

Commencement of studies

Commencement of studies only in the Autumn Semester (September)

Access to further studies

This bachelor programme qualifies students for the master programme Sociology, Social Policy, Social Work.

Contact

Faculty of Humanities
Department of Social Work, Social Policy and Global Development
Dr Anne Kersten
annegret.kersten@unifr.ch
http://studies.unifr.ch/go/de-sociology-socialwork

Apply for admission

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