The Master’s program Changing Societies provides students with a solid foundation in theoretical and methodological approaches to analyzing societal change and contemporary challenges in a differentiated and academically grounded way. The program aims to enable students to critically reflect on societal developments and to actively, responsibly, and solution-orientedly contribute to shaping them.

During their studies, students engage with the social, cultural, and political dynamics of changing societies. They acquire in-depth knowledge of key social science theories and learn to critically discuss these theories and apply them to contemporary questions.

At the same time, the program provides training in qualitative and quantitative methods, enabling students to empirically investigate societal issues independently. Students learn to work critically and productively with academic literature, to connect theoretical reflection with empirical research, and to develop their own research projects on a sound methodological basis.

In addition, the program strengthens important transferable skills: independent and critical thinking, problem-oriented work, efficient organization of one’s own work, and the ability to communicate complex issues clearly in both oral and written form.

On the following pages, you will find further information on the thematic modules of the program, possible career perspectives, and projects and papers by students of the Master’s program Changing Societies.

Curriculum Revision: The Master’s program Changing Societies was comprehensively revised for the fall semester 2026. For information on the study content based on the previous study regulations, please click here. Students who are already enrolled may complete their studies under the previously applicable regulations during a transitional period. To do so, however, they must complete their studies by 31 January 2029 at the latest. Students completing their studies after this date must transfer to the revised study plan. Upon request, students who are already enrolled may transfer to the Master’s program Changing Societies under the revised study plan from the fall semester 2026 onwards.