
Master of Sociology
Leuven, Belgium
DURATION
1 Years
LANGUAGES
English, Dutch
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
EUR 4,591
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Introduction

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About the programme
Labour market inequalities, ethnic and gender diversity, political conflict about culture and identity, and the vicissitudes of the welfare state are just some of the issues that define today’s public debates in the West. If you are interested in these or related issues, then KU Leuven’s brand new one-year programme Master of Sociology is the choice for you. Taught by dedicated and internationally recognised staff, it offers students the opportunity to become experts in one of three specialised domains: Culture and Society, Quantitative Analysis and Social Data Science (QASS), and Economy and Society.
Programme structure
- Truncus communis: every student chooses two out of three courses that provide advanced training in social research skills. The options include a course on quantitative methods ('From Problem to Analysis'), on qualitative methods ('Advanced Qualitative Methods'), and on theory use in social-scientific research ('Sociological Theory in Action').
- Specialisation: students choose one specialisation including the master’s thesis. The master’s thesis is the written report about the research project the student has independently conducted under close supervision of one of the programme’s staff members, all of whom are experienced researchers.
- Electives: students finalize their personal program by adding one or two electives so that their total study load amounts to at least 60 ECTS credits. These electives can either be selected from the two specialisations in the programme that have not been chosen, or from a sizable list of English-language master courses in fields like cultural anthropology, economics, law, media studies, and many more.
Curriculum
- Truncus Communis: every student chooses two out of three courses that provide advanced training in social research skills. The options include a course on quantitative methods ('From Problem to Analysis'), on qualitative methods ('Advanced Qualitative Methods'), and on theory use in social-scientific research ('Sociological Theory in Action').
- Specialization: students choose one specialization including the master’s thesis. The master’s thesis is the written report about the research project the student has independently conducted under close supervision of one of the program’s staff members, all of whom are experienced, researchers.
- Electives: students finalize their personal program by adding one or two electives so that their total study load amounts to at least 60 ECTS credits. These electives can either be selected from the two specializations in the program that have not been chosen, or from a sizable list of English-language master courses in fields like cultural anthropology, economics, law, media studies, and many more.
Admissions
Program delivery
The courses are taught in English and Dutch.
Program Outcome
- Credits: 60 ECTS
- Degree Type: Master
Program Tuition Fee
Why study at KU Leuven
What sets us apart as a university?
A highly ranked university
KU Leuven is among the best 100 universities in the world according to both Times Higher Education World Rankings and QS World University Rankings. All of KU Leuven’s disciplines proudly belong to the top 100 of their field. Furthermore, KU Leuven was ranked by Reuters as the most innovative university in Europe in 2016.
Research-based education
Education at KU Leuven is research-based, which means students will learn from the same professors who are performing the ground-breaking research you read about in the press. New insights are instantly integrated into classes and students are encouraged to perform their own research. In our FabLab, students can use a number of high-tech machines to create whatever they want – all free of charge.
Affordable tuition fees
Higher education is highly valued in Belgium and therefore subsidised by the government. This allows KU Leuven to keep tuition fees relatively low, which gives you a price/quality ratio very few top-100 universities can match. We take pride in keeping our programmes as accessible as possible to allow the brightest students from around the globe to join our courses.
International student life with respect for diversity
According to Times Higher Education, KU Leuven is in the top 50 of most international universities worldwide with staff and students from over 150 different nationalities. For all our international students, the Pangaea student centre is their home away from home. Our university also strives for diversity and inclusion and wants to work together on a pact for more respect.
Scholarships and Funding
Several scholarship options are available. Please visit the university website for more information.
Info Sessions
KU Leuven combines the best of both worlds by hosting both online and live info sessions. You choose how, where and when to get your information in your search for the right program
Rankings
KU Leuven is among the best 100 universities in the world according to both Times Higher Education World Rankings and QS World University Rankings. All of KU Leuven’s disciplines proudly belong to the top 100 of their field.
Accreditations
Gallery
Career Opportunities
KU Leuven Career Zone is the online job platform for KU Leuven students and recent graduates. Students can search for entry-level jobs and student jobs, internships and volunteer work, and career events. Student associations and faculties often offer specific internships and entry-level jobs. They also provide lots of information on opportunities after graduation, career paths and the alumni network.
KU Leuven offers workshops and training courses. Some initiatives are specifically focused on supporting students when they transition to the job market. There is also an online toolbox with tips and tricks for students to find their first job. Students can take the necessary steps at their own pace. The toolbox consists of two parts. The first part is ‘discover yourself’, where students can discover what they want and what they are good at (interests and values, together with talents and skills). The second part is ‘discover the job market’, where students will learn how to profile themselves, how to network their way into a first job and how to explore the job market in Belgium and abroad.
KU Leuven KICK is the entrepreneurial community for students, researchers & professors of KU Leuven. They support the student's personal growth. KICK therefore offers programs to sharpen students' professional skills or further develop a business idea. This strengthens students as a (future) employee or entrepreneur.
Students can also gain work experience during their studies which will strengthen their skills and competencies for their transition to the job market. This is possible by means of a student job, volunteering or participating in an internship.