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The Central State Office for Distance Learning (ZFU) has approved the course Applied Social Sciences under the number 1156123c. Who is the Bachelor’s Distance Learning Programme in Applied Social Sciences Suitable For?
The distance learning programme in Applied Social Sciences at Euro-FH is aimed at career starters as well as professionals who want to understand and help shape social contexts. It is particularly suitable if you are already working in public administrations, non-profit organisations, or private companies and have an interest in social science issues. Graduates of training and continuing education programmes without an academic degree also find an opportunity for further qualification with this programme. The course is ideal for anyone who wants to analyse social, political, and economic phenomena and take on responsibility in interdisciplinary professional fields.
What Formal Requirements Do You Have to Meet?
Several admission routes are available for the programme:
- General higher education entrance qualification (Abitur) or advanced technical college entrance qualification (Fachhochschulreife): With these qualifications, you are directly admitted to the course.
- Subject-specific advanced training examination without Abitur: Successfully completed advanced trainings, for example as a specialist (Fachwirt) or master craftsman (Meister), entitle you to start the degree.
- Vocational training and at least three years of professional experience without Abitur: You can be admitted if you have worked for at least three years in a relevant professional field after completing your vocational training. Usually, passing an entrance examination is also required.
There is no numerus clausus (NC) restriction. Prior achievements such as further training or already completed study modules can be credited and shorten the duration of study.
Personally, you should bring analytical thinking, interest in social issues, methodological curiosity, and willingness to work independently in distance learning. Communication skills, experience in teamwork or project work as well as initiative and discipline are advantageous to complete the programme flexibly alongside work and private life.
What content can you expect in the Bachelor's degree in Applied Social Sciences?
In the Bachelor's programme in Applied Social Sciences, you will acquire broad foundational knowledge in key disciplines of the social sciences. You will engage intensively with sociology, political science, economics, communication science, and social psychology. In doing so, you will learn to analytically understand and assess complex social, economic, and political interrelationships from multiple perspectives. The course content includes:
- Foundations of social science disciplines: Introduction to key theories, actors, and institutions
- Social thematic areas: including labour market, education system, political systems, social inequality, digitalisation, demographic change, migration
- Methodological competence: Qualitative and quantitative social science research methods, methodological critique, data analysis
- Professional skills: Moderation, presentation, data storytelling, project management
- Practical project: Application and deepening of acquired knowledge on a real-world question
Later on, you will specialise in three out of eight important sociological elective modules, for example:
- Labour market and occupational mobility
- Economic and organisational sociology
- Educational equality and returns on education
- Political sociology and electoral research
- Cultural dimensions (e.g. hegemonies, hybrid subjects, singularisation)
- Race, class, gender
- Social networks and social capital
- Demographic change and silver society
At the end of your studies, you will additionally choose one out of eight specialisations, including:
- Business administration
- Evaluation, quality & change management
- Societal megatrends
- Market & consumer research
- Non-profit management
- Personnel, work & organisation
- Policy areas & lobbying
- Public management
After completing your degree, you will be able to analyse societal challenges and develop well-founded, practice-oriented solutions.
How is the distance learning course structured?
The course is flexibly tailored to your needs and can be completed full-time (36 months) or part-time (48 months). You can start at any time. You will receive access to a comprehensive online campus with digital study materials, learning videos, online tutorials, as well as a personal AI learning companion. The programme is characterised by:
- Flexible time models: standard study periods of 36 or 48 months, free extension of up to 18 or 24 months possible
- Individual planning: exams can be taken monthly online or at exam centres nationwide
- Learning materials: combination of study booklets, digital learning modules, online lectures and educational films
- Seminars and webinars: four face-to-face or online seminars as well as several webinars (depending on specialisation)
- Practical orientation: practical projects and job-relevant study content
The entire course is designed for part-time learning alongside work. Personal support, dedicated tutors, and regular feedback accompany you throughout the entire study process.
What career prospects does the degree open up?
With a Bachelor's degree in Applied Social Sciences, you open up diverse career opportunities in various sectors. Graduates with a social science and analytical profile are particularly in demand in the areas of:
- Public service and administration
- Foundations, universities and research institutes
- Welfare associations, health insurance funds, church organisations
- Private companies, especially in departments for reporting, evaluation and data management
- Personnel and organisational development
- Market and opinion research, marketing, public relations
- Positions as advisor or consultant on social and societal issues
You will acquire competences that are in demand both in project management and in the analysis of complex social issues. The degree thus provides you with the qualifications for advanced Master's programmes or entry into management and specialist roles.
What costs should you expect for the course – and how can you finance it?
The regular tuition fees amount to 317 euros per month, which corresponds to a total of 15,216 euros for a duration of 48 months. In the shorter variant (36 months), you pay a higher monthly rate, so various payment models starting from approximately 259 euros per month are offered. Unlike many other models, you can extend your studies free of charge (up to 24 months).
- Free recognition of previous achievements saves time and money (e.g. up to 90 ECTS credits for recognised further training, up to 50% cost reduction possible)
- Discounts and promotions (limited time only, e.g. savings of 1,999 euros possible)
- Funding options through BAföG, KfW education loans, education premium, continuing education scholarship, or support from your employer
- Tax deductibility of tuition fees as income-related expenses or special expenses
Through the individual adjustment of the study duration and the possibility of recognition of previous achievements, you can flexibly adapt the course to your financial circumstances and life situation.
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