• Level: Master's Degree
  • Language: English
  • Admission: requirements and personal knowledge assessment
  • Location: Department of Sociology and social research, via Verdi 26, 38122 Trento (Italy)

Programme goals and overview

The MA (in Italian "laurea magistrale") in Sociology and Social Research prepares students to become professional social science researchers, who are able to:

  • reflect on and analyse society and social problems
  • design and conduct social research
  • make a valid contribution to contemporary social debates

To achieve this, the programme:

  • offers students high quality state-of-the-art, in-depth and specialized training in sociology and social research
  • provides students with the tools needed to investigate societal issues in contemporary society
  • enables students to achieve a comprehensive understanding of social processes and social phenomena.

The intensive two-year programme combines:

  • in-depth (qualitative and quantitative) methodological training in applying theoretical and methodological knowledge and skills gained in lectures through lab sessions and seminars in small groups
  • exposure to contemporary social issues through courses on substantive social issues
  • integration of methods competences with current debates and theoretical insights
  • opportunities for specialization, which ensure that students can develop a substantive area of expertise through elective specialization courses, internship, thesis topic and various seminars.

Research topics

Integrate methods training with substantive research topics of social and sociological relevance. Some examples:

  • dynamics of social change
  • political and social participation
  • gender equality
  • social inequalities
  • active citizenship
  • values and attitudes
  • public opinion
  • culture
  • migrations studies
  • social policies
  • welfare states
  • labour market
  • precarization
  • social demography
  • demographic change
  • family
  • sense making
  • sustainability
  • global economy
  • forms and production of culture
  • social interaction
  • social stratification.

See complete list of courses at page Course content

Outcomes

With the acquired knowledge and skills, and in-depth understanding of social phenomena, students will be able to:

  • critically evaluate and reflect on existing research
  • conduct sound and rigorous research independently
  • clearly communicate scientific analysis and results
  • make a scientifically sound contribution to societal discussions
  • provide advice on interventions, i.e., contributing in shaping social policy
  • take on coordinated positions and responsibilities.

International experience

The programme has a strong international dimension:

Career Opportunities

Graduates access the labour market with high-level professional skills in the following sectors.

Private sector: 

  • Market research
  • Human resource management
  • Insurance/Bank
  • Public relations
  • Communication, internal relations, knowledge
  • Project management
  • Data Science

Public sector

  • Social research
  • Policy advice
  • Social reporting
  • Central Government
  • Local Councils
  • Office for National Statistics

International agencies and Non Governative Organizations

  • Charities
  • United Nations
  • World Health organisation
  • Third sector entities

Academic and further studies

  • PhD progammes or simila

Employment situation

Almuni declare to make extensive use of the acquired competences in their jobs, usually find employment rather quickly and have slightly higher earnings. 
 

Aggiornato il
31 March 2022