Program Overview

Master of Arts in Social Sciences

The Master of Arts in Social Sciences is a cycle of training in direct contact with research and the world of work. Designed as an interdisciplinary course based on four major issues in the contemporary world, the programme is enhanced by the numerous local and international research projects of the Institute of Social Sciences.

General Content

At the end of the degree course, students will be able to:

• Apply the latest knowledge in areas of specialisation such as the regulation of social inequalities, the personal and professional paths, the knowledge concerning the body, health and medicine, media discourse and cultural products in the public arena.
• Develop issues specific to their areas of specialisation by establishing connections between conceptual frameworks and the realities of social life.
• Synthesise the findings of scientific work and conduct research projects of interest to the policy.
• Make use of adequate methodological tools to carry out their research project.
• Participate, through their analysis and argumentation skills, in debates, collaborate in writing reports and articles, and intervene in the press and the media.

The Master of Arts in Social Sciences consists of two parts: a core programme and a specific orientation, to be chosen from:

• Life Path and Social Policies
• Body, Medicines, Technologies and Health
• Culture, Communication and Media
• Human Rights, Diversity and Globalisation

Master's Thesis

The Master's thesis is the logical culmination of the specialisation programme. It demonstrates the student's ability to absorb knowledge and see a project to its end, both from the perspective of the empirical, methodological and theoretical rigour it requires, and the time management and practical know-how it involves.

Degree Awarded

• Master of Arts (MA) in Social Sciences
• ECTS credits: 120
• Duration: 4 semesters
• Teaching language: French. Recommended level: C1.
• A good level of English (B2) is advised for reading academic texts.

Admission Requirements

• The candidate must hold a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences, in Sociology or in Anthropology awarded by a Swiss university.
• Holders of a Bachelor's degree awarded by the UNIL with a minor in social sciences are admitted to the Master of Arts in social sciences, with or without conditions.
• Another degree or academic title in related areas may be judged equivalent and give access to the Master's degree in social sciences, with or without conditions.

Enrolment and Final Dates

• It is possible to start the programme of the Master of Arts in Social Sciences degree in either the Autumn or the Spring semesters.
• Applications to be submitted before 30 April (autumn semester) or 30 November (spring semester) to the Admissions Office.
• Candidates needing a visa to study in Switzerland must apply for enrolment at least two months prior to the deadlines indicated above.

Part-time

• Possible under certain conditions.

Career Prospects

University studies allow to develop, in addition to specific academic skills, a great many transverse skills such as:

• Oral and written communication
• Critical, analytical and summarising faculties
• Abilities in research

This panoply of skills, combined with specialist knowledge acquired in the course of studies, is excellent preparation for a wide range of employment opportunities such as:

• Research and teaching (Universities and Universities of applied sciences)
• Public administration, at national and international levels
• Office of Statistics and polling institutes
• Media
• Non-governmental organisations
• Associative networks
• Private sector

Alumni move into a wide variety of roles, for example as a communications officer for a theatre or youth liaison officer for a large administrative authority.

Exchanges and Mobility

Going on a university exchange is a unique and highly rewarding experience, provided you prepare well. The first thing to remember is that you need to start taking steps well in advance.

The Faculty of Social and Political Sciences has over 100 agreements in place with partner universities, where you can study for part of your Master of Arts in Social Sciences and obtain credits.