MSc Social Protection
Sankt Augustin, Germany
DURATION
3 up to 4 Semesters
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
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EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
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STUDY FORMAT
Blended
* The study programme is tuition free; however, in Germany students are required to pay a semester contribution of around € 285 per Semester, which includes a 6 month public transportation ticket and other benefits.
Introduction
The programme offers an interdisciplinary and in-depth study of social protection systems that enables successful candidates to enter positions in international organizations, government administration, welfare associations, or civil society organisations. It targets students who want to pursue a career in social policy analysis, advisory, advocacy, or research. Over the course of 4 semesters, students learn to analyse, optimise, and, if necessary, reorganize existing social protection systems, adapting them to future demographic, economic, and social challenges.
WHY STUDY WITH US?
Aside from belonging to an interdisciplinary department committed to its students, there are several reasons for studying with us:
• innovative and interactive teaching methods and exam formats
• opportunity to work in small groups with plenty of prospects for knowledge exchange among peers
• extracurricular activities including excursions and brown bag lunches
• collaboration with experienced and internationally renowned practitioners and academics from high-ranking institutions
• located in a vibrant region with many international and regional social protection actors, and only a stone’s throw away from the cultural hubs of Cologne and Bonn
Admissions
Curriculum
CURRICULUM
- Pre-Courses. (September) Online + On-Campus
- 1st Semester (September - February) Face-to-face in Germany
- Module 1: Comparative Analysis of Social Protection Systems (8 ECTS)
- Module 2: Foundational Skills (7 ECTS)
- Module 3: Social Protection Policy Instruments (8 ECTS)
- Module 4: Quantitative Methods in Social Protection (7 ECTS)
- Module 1: Comparative Analysis of Social Protection Systems (8 ECTS)
- Module 2: Foundational Skills (7 ECTS)
- Module 3: Social Protection Policy Instruments (8 ECTS)
- Module 4: Quantitative Methods in Social Protection (7 ECTS)
- 2nd Semester (March - August) Online
- Module 5: Social Protection Fiinancing (6 ECTS)
- Module 6: Groups in Focus (Electives) (6 ECTS)
- Module 7: Social Protection Management (6 ECTS)
- Module 8: Social Protection Reforms (8 ECTS)
- Module 9: Research Methods (6 ECTS)
- Module 5: Social Protection Fiinancing (6 ECTS)
- Module 6: Groups in Focus (Electives) (6 ECTS)
- Module 7: Social Protection Management (6 ECTS)
- Module 8: Social Protection Reforms (8 ECTS)
- Module 9: Research Methods (6 ECTS)
- 3rd Semester (September - February) Internship
- 4th Semester (March - August) Master's Thesis
Program Outcome
The Master’s programme “Social Protection” offers an interdisciplinary and in-depth study of social protection systems. Graduates will be able to analyze and reform systems that are effective, affordable, and flexible enough to meet future socio-economic challenges.
We want our graduates to …
• gain deeper insights into the constitutive elements, driving forces, and instruments of social protection systems, covering low-, middle- and high income countries
• know how to use different methods of analysis for designing and re-organizing social protection systems
• have a solid understanding of how to institutionalize and sustainably finance social protection systems
• be comfortable using state-of-the-art management methods to implement interventions effectively and efficiently
• establish a network of national and international experts
Program Tuition Fee
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Ideal Students
To be admitted to the degree programme, students are required to fulfill the following criteria:
Previous Studies: Bachelor’s degree from a relevant academic field such as economics, politics, law, administration, health, education, social science, psychology and international relations/ development or other subjects if at least 15 ECTS have been accumulated in courses related to social protection
Relevant Work Experience: At least 5 months work experience (including unpaid internships or voluntary work) in a field related to social protection
English Proficiency: English proficiency at C1-level
Entry examination: Having successfully passed the entry exam
Scholarships and Funding
Career Opportunities
Graduates of our master's programm in Social Protection will have career prospects in a wide variety of fields, e.g. as policy planners, managers and advisers in:
- Ministries and government agencies
- Social security institutions and other membership organizations
- Non-governmental organizations providing or advising on social protection services
- International organizations and bilateral cooperations
- Private insurance companies
- Consultancy companies
- Research institutes and think-tanks