Program Overview

Program Overview

The Computational Social and Behavioral Science MA program at Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) is an interdisciplinary program that aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills to understand, analyze, and interpret the social and behavioral aspects of digital transformation. The program integrates sociology, psychology, communication, and data science to offer a comprehensive view of digital society and online behavior.

Program Details

• Title: Computational Social and Behavioral Science MA
• Degree: Computational Social and Behavioral Scientist
• Type: Degree program
• Level: Master
• Accreditation number: FNYF/935-3/2024
• Faculty: Faculty of Social Sciences
• Language: English
• Duration: 4 semesters (2 years)
• ECTS credits: 120
• Minimum number of students: 10
• Maximum number of students: 20

Description

The program is recommended for applicants interested in how digital technologies, social media, and AI shape individuals, institutions, and culture. It suits those open to interdisciplinary methods and especially digital computational, quantitative research tools, aiming for careers in research, policy, consultancy, or digital strategy. Students will gain a solid theoretical and methodological foundation, learn to analyze online social processes, apply computational methods, and communicate findings effectively.

Strength of Program

A key strength of the program is its interdisciplinary structure, combining sociology, psychology, political science, communication studies, and data science to offer a comprehensive understanding of digital society. The academic staff includes experienced researchers and international experts in computational social and behavioral science who bring current insights and research into the classroom. The program emphasizes hands-on learning, offering students the opportunity to work with real-world digital data and apply computational research methods.

Career Opportunities

The program trains professionals who are able to understand and explain new social and behavioral processes and phenomena in society as complex systems, whether in the field of science or business. As the program is very interdisciplinary, it opens doors in many areas where data-driven methods are used to study human behavior, social processes, and decision-making. Graduates of the program are prepared to continue their studies in doctoral programs or to take on roles in research, policy, digital consultancy, and business, where understanding the social and behavioral dimensions of digital transformation is essential.

Job Examples

• Social Data Scientist – especially focusing on social or behavioral data in corporations or research institutes.
• Researcher in social psychology or economics – using computational modeling and experiments.
• Policy Analyst – in government or NGOs, applying big data and statistical modeling.
• User Experience (UX) Researcher – studying and analyzing user behavior through testing and data.
• Data-driven Marketing Analyst – modeling consumer behavior, conducting market research, and segment analysis.
• HR Analytics / People Analytics Specialist – predicting employee satisfaction, recruitment, and turnover.
• AI Ethics / Governance Analyst – examining the societal impacts of artificial intelligence.
• Social Network Analyst – analyzing social media data, modeling information diffusion.
• Platform Researcher – studying user interactions, misinformation, and polarization on online platforms.
• University Researcher or PhD Student – in computational social science, sociology, psychology, political science, communication studies, or economics.
• Research Institute Fellow – e.g., at think tanks or international organizations (OECD, EU, UN).
• Data & Policy Consultant – supporting decision-making with data insights.
• Behavioral Insights Specialist – applying behavioral science and nudge strategies to optimize decision-making.

Tuition Fees

• EU/EEA students: EUR 1300 per semester
• Non-EU/EEA students: EUR 3500 per semester
• Application fee:
  • EUR 50 (non-refundable) between 01/10/2025 and 11/2025
  • EUR 100 (non-refundable) between 20/11/2025 and 01/2026
  • EUR 150 (non-refundable) between 20/01/2026 and 04/2026
  • EUR 200 (non-refundable) between 05/05/2026 and 05/2026

Admission Requirements

Entry Requirements

Full credit value can be considered in case of the following programs: In the field of social sciences: sociology, political science, and international studies; in the field of economics: applied economics, business administration, and management. Bachelor or master programs in the fields of natural sciences, engineering, agriculture, computer science and information technology, as well as in the fields of economics and social sciences, may also be considered.

Language Requirements

• Minimum level of language proficiency (oral): B2
• Minimum level of language proficiency (written): B2
• Further comments:
  • IELTS Score: 5.5
  • TOEFL iBT Band: 46-59
  • Cambridge English Scale Score: 162

Application Procedure

The applications are examined by the Admission Board, and applicants are notified of the outcome of the selection in the online application system. If the offer is accepted, admission letters are sent out through the online application system as soon as possible, as specified in the offer decision.

Type of Entrance Examination

• Type: Oral
• Place: MS Teams
• Further details of the entrance exam: After a short introduction and questions about the motivation of the candidates, the candidates will be asked about the interpretation and understanding of a digital social behavioral problem, which will be introduced by the entrance examination committee.

Further Details of Selection and Evaluation

The ranking is based on a total evaluation of the academic excellence (based on the submitted documents) and the results of the entrance exam. Applicants with a full application package will be asked to participate in an oral entrance exam. The institutional admission scores are based on a total evaluation of academic excellence (based on the submitted documents) and the results of the entrance exam. The entrance exam seeks to assess the general and professional knowledge and interest of the applicant.

Program Leader and Coordinator

• Program Leader: Zoltán KMETTY, associate professor
• Program Coordinator: International Office, Faculty of Social Sciences

Additional Information

Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) offers more than 60 degree programs in foreign languages in the fields of Education and Psychology, Humanities, Informatics, Law, Social Sciences, and Science. Currently, about 2400 international students study at ELTE, and the community of international students is growing from year to year.