Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin - RMZ

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin | RMZ | MA Science Studies

MA Science Studies

On this page, you will find important documents and information about the Master’s programme in Science Studies. The reading version of the Study and Examination Regulations provides a comprehensive overview of the programme’s current modules.

 

 

 

The Master’s programme in Science Studies is a research-oriented, consecutive Master’s programme. The programme is coordinated by the Institute of Library and Information Science at Humboldt University of Berlin. Other participating institutes within the Faculty of Arts include the Institute of History, the Institute of Philosophy, the Institute of European Ethnology, and the Institute of Educational Sciences within the Faculty of Cultural, Social and Educational Sciences. The programme involves close collaboration between the Robert K. Merton Centre for Research on Science, the German Centre for Higher Education and Science Research (DZHW) in Berlin, and the Centre for Open and Responsible Research (CORe).

Course structure

The standard duration of the Master’s programme is four semesters. The Master’s programme is broadly divided into a foundational, exploratory and specialisation phase, as well as a practical and final phase. The Master’s programme in Science Studies comprises modules totalling 120 ECTS credits and is divided into a compulsory component (90 ECTS), a compulsory elective component (20 ECTS), from which students may select modules from a set list, and a fully freely selectable interdisciplinary compulsory elective component (10 ECTS). Modules in the compulsory section may be repeated with the aim of improving grades. Modules may be taught in English or German. In some cases, examinations are offered to students in either German or English. An optional semester abroad is available in the third semester. 

Foundation phase

The development phase covers the fundamentals of science studies. This is covered in the following compulsory modules:

  • MP1: Introduction to Science Studies
  • MP2: Methods of Science Studies
  • MP3: Introduction to Bibliometrics
  • MP4: Organising and Shaping Science

Exploration phase

During the exploration phase, students can familiarise themselves with a wide range of disciplinary approaches to the study of science. In doing so, they can broaden their horizons whilst simultaneously developing important reflective knowledge regarding disciplinary approaches. The work completed during the exploration phase does not count towards the final mark. The exploration phase takes place within the following compulsory-elective modules:

Specialisation phase

During the specialisation phase, students have the opportunity to engage in-depth with advanced methods of science studies and current debates on topics and theories. This takes place in the following compulsory elective modules:

  • MWP 6: Current Topics and Theories in Science Studies
  • MWP 7: Advanced Methods in Science Studies

Practical and final phase

In the practical and final phase, what has been learnt is put into practice. Firstly in a project module, where the knowledge gained is applied in practice. Further practical insights into the diverse field of work of science researchers are provided by an internship (5 weeks, part-time possible). This takes place in the following compulsory modules:

 

The programme concludes with the compulsory final module (MP7), which consists of a written thesis and its oral defence.  

Target audience of the programme

The programme’s target audience is diverse and, like academic research itself, has an interdisciplinary focus; it offers graduates numerous career opportunities and aims to reach a variety of target groups. These include, amongst others:

  • Students from disciplines such as sociology, philosophy, political science, public administration, ethnography, library and information science, history or related fields who are interested in a social science-based reflection on science and its systems,
  • Students from all fields of science with an affinity for a social science-oriented engagement with science,
  • Students with an interest in interdisciplinary issues who understand science at the interface with society, politics and technology and wish to help shape these interfaces,
  • Students with career goals in policy consultancy or science policy and science-supporting fields who are seeking in-depth knowledge of how the sciences function and of relevant indicators.

Career opportunities for graduates of the programme

The Master’s programme prepares you for both an academic career in the field of science studies and for challenging roles at the intersection of science, politics and society. By combining theory, methodological excellence and practical experience, the programme offers excellent employment prospects both in Germany and abroad. 

 

To this end, it imparts a broad spectrum of knowledge and skills:

  • Systemic knowledge: In-depth understanding of the science system and its institutions.
  • Methodological expertise: Advanced knowledge of quantitative (particularly bibliometrics) and qualitative research.
  • Communication skills: Ability to present complex knowledge in a manner tailored to decision-makers in politics, business and society.
  • Project management: Confidence in contract research and third-party funding-oriented work environments.

 

The field of science studies is growing steadily due to increasing professionalisation and the global significance of the sector. Graduates qualify for:

  • Science & Research: Interdisciplinary research on knowledge production and systemic change.
  • Science management & policy: Evaluation of research performance and strategic consultancy.
  • International organisations: Analysis and comparison of global funding and science systems.
  • Research organisations: Strategic monitoring of the competitive environment.

The Master’s programme prepares you for roles at the interface of the following fields:

  • Science policy & coordination: Institutions that act as intermediaries between research and policy, such as the German Science Council.
  • Higher education management & senior management: Strategic departments at universities and universities of applied sciences that deal with institutional profiling, evaluation (e.g. the Excellence Strategy) and system monitoring.
  • Research funding: Organisations such as the German Research Foundation (DFG), project-supporting bodies, or federal and state ministries.
  • Methodology development & data analysis: Specialist departments at major data providers and institutions that develop and apply science-related indicators.
  • Scientific policy advice: Public research policy bodies that rely on well-founded system analyses.
  • Evaluation & accreditation agencies: Commercial service providers in the field of quality assurance and certification in research and education.

Science studies in Berlin

As part of the Berlin University Alliance (BUA), the programme benefits from key areas such as quality assurance in academia and new forms of collaboration between research and society. Furthermore, Berlin is characterised by a unique concentration of key players: alongside renowned partners such as the  German Centre for Higher Education and Science Research (DZHW), central science policy bodies such as the Science Council, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, as well as major intermediaries and project funding agencies are based here. This geographical proximity enables a deep integration of theory and practice.

Start of studies and enrolment deadlines

The programme can be started in the winter semester. The programme is currently not subject to a numerus clausus. Please refer to the current academic dates and deadlines of Humboldt University of Berlin for the application deadline.