What is it about?
Shaping society sustainably is a challenge on many different levels. In particular, social upheavals and demographic developments must be taken into account. From a social science perspective, social, political, ecological and economic issues that are often discussed separately are brought together and related to the necessary framework conditions and concrete implementation on the ground.
Profile of the study program
Social sustainability and demographic change deals with questions such as
- How can processes be designed to promote social sustainability?
- What strategies can be used to meet the challenges of demographic change?
- How can different bodies of knowledge be integrated to solve social challenges?
- How can inter- and transdisciplinary projects be realized in the field?
Think globally, act locally
During your studies, you will deal with these and many other questions from social science sustainability research and social gerontology. You will acquire the necessary knowledge to initiate change processes in public, civil society, Business Studies and scientific organizations that contribute to greater social sustainability and the active shaping of demographic change.
Science as a basis for intervention
The four-semester Master's program enables you to specialize in the areas of social aspects of sustainable development, demographic change, post-growth and sufficiency strategies as well as methods of inter- and transdisciplinary research. You will work on problem aspects as well as intervention options and acquire skills for critical reflection on social processes.
The degree program integrates various social science concepts such as quality of life, participation, empowerment, diversity, justice and new models of prosperity. The study components include scientific foundations, theoretical approaches and empirical methods as well as the development of your own project on a topic of your choice.
In the complementary subjects, you will attend two courses from study programs at Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts, for example in the Faculties of Architecture, Design, Computer Science or Business Studies.
In the second and third semesters, you will devote yourself to your own research project, which can already serve as preparation for the Master's thesis. Finally, you will write your own Master's thesis and present your work in a colloquium.
Master of Arts, application-oriented research at the interface between science and practice
After successfully completing the course, you will be awarded a Master of Arts (M.A.) degree.
Specializations in the study program
Social Sustainability and Demographic Change offers in-depth studies in the following areas:
- Social dimensions of sustainable development
- Challenges associated with demographic change
- Post-growth and sufficiency strategies
- Methods of inter- and transdisciplinary research
- Theory and application of empirical social research
Course of study
This is a thematic overview of the course content. Detailed information on the exact names of the courses, information on ECTS or semester hours per week can be found in the Master's examination regulations and in the module handbook.
| 1st semester | Theoretical perspective on social sustainability | Demographic change and ageing societies | Methods of empirical social research | Forum |
| 2nd semester | Social sustainability: managing the complex | Demographic change and ageing societies: Lifestyle and ageing | Knowledge integration: Methods of knowledge processing and evaluation | Study project |
| 3rd semester | Social sustainability: Reflection and concretization | Demographic change and ageing societies: Social and (socio-) political framework conditions | Knowledge integration: Methods for foresight, evaluation and participation | Study project |
| 4th semester | Thesis & colloquium |
Why study at Fachhochschule Dortmund?
What makes Fachhochschule Dortmund special? What should you know about the city and the region? How is Fachhochschule Dortmund positioned in terms of internationality and what counseling and support do we offer you? Find out more about Fachhochschule Dortmund.
Who is it for?
Desirable subject-specific and interdisciplinary knowledge
If you are interested in developing and implementing visions for a fairer world, this Master's study program may be the right one for you. Do you enjoy the role of a change agent and do you like to push boundaries? Do you find it exciting to apply transdisciplinary knowledge and collaborate with experts from a wide range of disciplines? Then this degree program could be a good fit for you.
Basic knowledge in the fields of sociology, psychology, social gerontology and methods of empirical social research are helpful for a successful course of study. Certain personal skills such as social and communication skills, self-competence and methodological skills are also an advantage.
Prospects after graduation
Career prospects
Those who have a degree in this study program often work in
- project-related activities in transdisciplinary sustainability research / application-oriented research at the interface between science and practice, e.g. in ministries, foundations and scientific institutions
- senior positions and planning bodies in public administration, e.g. in
social planning, housing and health promotion - specialist departments in associations, non-governmental organizations and clubs that deal with issues of social sustainability and demographic change
- Business enterprises that aim to implement social sustainability and shape demographic change
- Companies from the green economy and the senior citizens' economy
- various fields of social work, e.g. in elderly and community work, neighborhood management and youth welfare planning
- professional and part-time further and continuing education institutions.
Overall, the broad orientation of the Master's study program offers graduates an open and creative perspective on their career path.
Cooperative doctorate
The Master's degree is the basis for a doctorate. Graduates who wish to gain further academic qualifications have the opportunity to study for a doctorate at a university. This is possible via a cooperative doctorate, in which the university of applied sciences is a cooperation partner of a university.
Stay abroad possible during your studies
What do I need?
1. required degree
Prerequisites for admission to the program are
- the completion of a social science diploma or Bachelor's study program at a university or
- the completion of a humanities or natural science/technical diploma or Bachelor's study program with social science components at a university with at least 45 ECTS or
- the completion of a corresponding accredited Bachelor's degree program at a university of cooperative education
in each case with an overall grade of at least "good" (2.5).
2. apply now!
The study program starts each year in the winter semester and admission is restricted, so there is a numerus clausus (NC). This means that Fachhochschule Dortmund allocates places according to the grade of the examination certificate for the first professionally qualifying degree. A limited number of 25 study places are available each year.
Who can help me?
We will be happy to answer any questions you may have about the study program and Fachhochschule Dortmund.
Central Student Advisory Services (ZSB)
Student advisory service
Prof. Marcel Hunecke, Dr.
There will be no consultation hours during my sabbatical from 01.09.24 to 31.08.25.
You can contact quality management directly here: sebastian.kreimerfh-dortmundde
Admissions Office for Student Affairs
Registration office team
bewerbungfh-dortmundde