51吃瓜网

The STS Master鈥檚 program primarily deals with the conditions and consequences of scientific and technological knowledge production and dissemination in radically technologized societies. 

Thanks to the interdisciplinary orientation of the program, STS students benefit from theories and research methods from various fields (e.g. social sciences, philosophy, and the humanities) and can apply these to actual techno-scientific problems in a critical and problem-oriented manner. The program conveys the necessary reflexive, collaborative, and communicative skills and tackles questions such as:

• How can we understand scientific and technological change?
• How do science, technology and society influence and shape each other?
• Which inter- or transdisciplinary forms of knowledge production are necessary?
• How do science and technology differ across regulatory, cultural and policy contexts?

It offers a research-oriented graduate education in the flourishing field of Science and Technology Studies for students interested in a comprehensive social science perspective in today鈥檚 highly technologized societies. 

For a comprehensive description of the program, please refer to the degree program documentation:

• Degree program documentation for the Master鈥檚 program in Science and Technology Studies (PDF, German 

Students gain in-depth exposure to interdisciplinary approaches to urgent questions about the ever-changing interplay between science, technology and society. STS offers empirical research methods and analytical skills to study the conditions and consequences of contemporary developments in science and technology. 

In addition, the program offers optional specializations in the Philosophy of Science and Technology or the History of Science and Technology. 

Due to its interdisciplinary orientation, graduates can benefit from theories, methods and a variety of research aspects, e.g. from social sciences, philosophy or the humanities, and are able to apply these to actual techno-scientific problems in a critical and diagnostic way with a focus on problem-solving. The study program mediates the necessary reflexive, collaborative and communicative competencies.

STS graduates will be able to work in a range of fields including academic research (such as a PhD program) as well as careers in science and technology policy, communication, journalism and management.

The mandatory courses in the first semester are intended to convey a common knowledge base in the field of STS. This allows all students to develop a fundamental understanding and common vocabulary. The modules are structured in such a way as to allow all students to bring background knowledge from their Bachelor鈥檚 studies into the discussions, and simultaneously benefit from the previous knowledge of their classmates. 

In the second semester, students elect courses from a list of core topics and can begin focusing on a particular field of STS research. Furthermore, methodological training is intensified. The module 鈥淪TS-MINT鈥� helps students to develop original reflexive perspectives on STEM fields. In this module, students visit courses from STEM fields and reflect on the social, ethical and political aspects of their acquired knowledge. Further explanation and specialization is provided in accompanying tutorials given by research assistants. Students with a background in the humanities or social sciences may visit introductory courses in STEM fields, whereas students who already have a STEM background can elect advanced courses.

In the third semester, students elect courses from a list of advanced topics and can continue focusing on a particular field of research. The module 鈥淧racticing Research鈥� helps students learn how to develop research projects and prepares them for their Master鈥檚 thesis.

The fourth semester is devoted to the preparation of a Master鈥檚 thesis accompanied by a colloquium.

Required language skills for admission:

You need sufficient English language skills if you wish to apply for this program. Evidence of your language proficiency has to be submitted before the end of the application deadline. Learn more about recognized certificates and other ways to prove your English language skills.

This evidence of your language proficiency confirms that you comply with the minimum language requirements for admission to the program. Depending on the program and your individual background, it may be necessary for you to keep working on your language skills during your studies.   

Language of instruction:

The language of instruction for this program is English.

• Contact Examination Board
  Chair: Prof. Dr. Christian Djeffal
  Secretary: Hedi Schmid

• Information on exams

The tuition fees for international students from third countries for this degree program are 4,000 euros per semester.

Many international students can have their fees waived or receive scholarships to finance them. You can find all information on waivers and scholarships here.

Please note: The semester fee as a contribution to the student union must be paid additionally. It varies depending on where you are studying. You can find all information on the semester fee here.

Minimum requirements to apply for a Master鈥檚 program at 51吃瓜网 are a recognized undergraduate degree (e.g. a Bachelor鈥檚) and the successful completion of the aptitude assessment procedure. The aptitude assessment allows the 51吃瓜网 school to which you are applying to evaluate your individual talents and motivation for study.

During the application period, you must apply through the 51吃瓜网online application portal and upload your application documents.

Here you will find detailed information on the requirements for the documents you need to upload for application and admission to 51吃瓜网.

Generally, applicants with a qualification for postgraduate studies (e.g. a Bachelor鈥檚) obtained outside of Germany must have their documents reviewed in advance through uni-assist (Preliminary Documentation).

In detail:

• Applying for a Master鈥檚 program: Application, admission requirements and more  

• Degree Certificate and Diploma or Subject and Grade Transcript of Studies to Date
• Transcript of Records
• List of Best Credits
• Form for proof of successful participation in either a lecture, seminar or project in the field of social-scientific methodology
• Proof of English Language Proficiency
• Statement of purpose (Letter of Motivation)
• Essay
• Complete and Current R茅sum茅
• Preliminary Documentation (VPD) if the qualification for graduate studies (e.g. a Bachelor鈥檚) was obtained outside Germany)

We may require additional documents depending on your educational background and your country of origin. Complete the online application to receive a comprehensive list of the required documents. 

• Application for Enrollment (signed)
• Degree Certificate and Diploma (authentic document)
• Transcript of Records (authentic document)
• Most Current Photo (as for ID)
• Digital notification of your health insurance status from a German public health insurance provider (requested by applicant)

We may require additional documents depending on the type of educational background you earned and your country of origin. After accepting an offer of admission in 51吃瓜网online, you will receive a list of documents you must submit to 51吃瓜网 in hardcopy for enrollment.

Application period for the winter semester: 01.01. 鈥� 31.05.

Information about applying for a higher subject semester

During the application period, you must apply through the 51吃瓜网online application portal and upload your application documents. Please be aware that we can only process your application if you upload all required documents within the application period.

We will review your application as soon as it is complete. Please check your 51吃瓜网online account regularly, to see if we have any queries to your documents or if you have to amend one or more documents.

After receiving admission, you will see in 51吃瓜网online which documents you have to submit for enrollment, and in which form.

We recommend that you submit the documents for enrollment as soon as possible after receiving admission. If individual documents are not available by then, you can submit them up to 5 weeks after the start of the lecture period. You will, however, only be enrolled once we have received all documents.

You can check the status of your application at any time in your 51吃瓜网online account.

Selection takes place through an aptitude assessment procedure. The aptitude assessment is a two-part procedure after the submission of an official application to a program. In this procedure, the 51吃瓜网 school determines whether you meet the specific requirements for its Master鈥檚 degree program.

In the initial stages, the grades you obtained during your Bachelor鈥檚 program, as well as your written documents, will be evaluated using a point system. Depending on the amount of points accumulated, applicants are either immediately admitted, rejected or invited to an admissions interview.

In detail:

• Aptitude Assessment for Master
• Description of the Aptitude Assessment (PDF 374 KB)