Social Sciences
Bachelor’s combination programme
Key facts at a glance
Degree
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Duration
6 semesters
Language of instruction
English
ECTS credits
180
Type of programme
Bachelor’s combination programme
Programme structure (ECTS credits)
120 major +
60 minor(s)
60 minor(s)
Prerequisites
General university entrance qualification
Knowledge of English (B2)
Knowledge of English (B2)
Admission
General admission procedure
Key facts at a glance
Degree
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Duration
6 semesters
Language of instruction
English
ECTS credits
180
Type of programme
Bachelor’s combination programme
Programme structure (ECTS credits)
120 major +
60 minor(s)
60 minor(s)
Prerequisites
General university entrance qualification
Knowledge of English (B2)
Knowledge of English (B2)
Admission
General admission procedure
Social Sciences – interdisciplinary, international and forward-looking
The Bachelor’s combination programme in Social Sciences will equip you with knowledge and insights from the fields of sociology, geography, psychology, science and technology studies, political science and media and communication studies. You will learn how to analyse the challenges facing society from various perspectives and to develop scientifically sound solutions. The programme is taught entirely in English, giving you the perfect preparation for a career in an international environment.
Profound understanding of topics that shape the future
By choosing the Bachelor’s combination programme in Social Sciences at the University of Klagenfurt, you will not only learn to identify the complex interrelationships associated with the most pressing issues of our age, but you will also be able to develop solutions based on the latest scientific research.
“How do we shape a sustainable future?”, “How do we strengthen democracies in times of change?” and “How do we use new technologies responsibly?” are questions for which you will have evidence-based answers. In an era characterised by technological upheaval, climate change and political tensions, your interdisciplinary approach as a social scientist will be in greater demand than ever before as you actively contribute to shaping the transformation of society.
Specialisation that matters
In the Bachelor’s combination programme in Social Sciences, your first step is to acquire a solid grounding in social science theories and methods. You will then specialise in three areas of significant social relevance: democracy, peace and justice; the responsible use of new technologies and scientific insights; and the environment and sustainability.
During your studies, you will apply your knowledge to carry out problem-based research – in other words, you will address specific social or practical issues and conduct your own research projects as part of a team to find possible solutions.
Contact
Student Guidance Service
Programme Director
The Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences in brief
Following the introductory and orientation period (STEOP), you can tailor your Bachelor’s combination programme to suit your personal interests and career goals by strategically selecting one minor worth 60 ECTS credits or two minors, each worth 30 ECTS credits, allowing you to expand your knowledge in an interdisciplinary manner.
Choose the minor that best suits your interests from the fields of culture, languages, technology, economics & management, law or society.
In the Bachelor’s combination programme in Social Sciences, you first acquire a solid grounding in social science theories and methods. You then go on to specialise in three areas of significant social relevance:
- Democracy, peace & justice: You will explore the dynamics of power relations, conflicts and social justice, and gain a solid theoretical and methodological understanding of how to strengthen democratic processes and find peaceful solutions in a polarised world.
- Science, technology & responsible innovation: You will examine how technological progress is transforming our lives and learn how to explain what it means to design innovations responsibly.
- Environment, space & sustainability: You will analyse the relationship between people and the environment and, within the framework of research projects, develop innovative strategies for sustainable spatial and environmental development.
To be eligible to start the Bachelor’s combination programme in Social Sciences in Klagenfurt, you must meet the following prerequisites:
- General university entrance qualification (e.g. Matura)
- Knowledge of English B2 (CEFR)
Prospective students whose first language is not the language in which the course is taught must provide evidence of language proficiency at the required level (CEFR).
The world is yours to explore – even while you’re a student. By spending time abroad (e.g., through Erasmus+), you will gain intercultural skills, forge international connections and develop a new perspective on the world.
We strongly encourage all students to spend part of their degree programme studying abroad for a semester at one of the university’s over 250 partner universities worldwide. There’s no need to worry about the financial side of things – we offer plenty of scholarships. You can find everything you need to know about studying abroad on the Study Abroad page.
More information on studying abroad during your degree (link to the curriculum)
After completing the Bachelor’s combination programme in Social Sciences at the University of Klagenfurt, you can go on to study the following degree programmes either directly or with minimal additional conditions. The choice is yours!
Admission, term dates & deadlines
Admission,
term dates & deadlines
You do not have to go through a special admission procedure to start the Bachelor’s combination programmem in Social Sciences. Simply enrol and dive right in!
Admission to the degree programme must take place before the end of the general admission period (winter semester: 5 September | summer semester: 5 February).
A late admission until 31 October (winter semester) or 31 March (summer semester) can only be granted in exceptional circumstances.
Term dates & deadlines
Winter semester 2026/27
General admission period for Bachelor’s degree programmes:
6 July 2026 – 5 September 2026
Summer semester 2027
General admission period for Bachelor’s degree programmes:
8 January 2027 – 5 February 2027
This is the structure of your degree programme
You can tailor your Bachelor’s combination programme in Social Sciences to reflect your interests, career goals and preferences. This means you combine your major (120 ECTS credits) with one minor (60 ECTS credits) or two minors (30 ECTS credits each). In total, this amounts to 180 ECTS credits, just as in a traditional Bachelor’s programme. As a result, you will have even more Master’s programmes available to you at the University of Klagenfurt after graduating.
The major (120 ECTS credits) combines interdisciplinary perspectives from sociology, geography, psychology, science and technology studies, political science, and media and communication studies. You will explore current social challenges and issues and delve deeper into topics such as social justice, peace and democracy, scientific and technological change, and the environment and sustainable development.
When it comes to minors (60 ECTS credits in total), it is up to you to decide where you would like to focus your studies. You choose your minor(s) after completing the introductory and orientation period (STEOP).
Programme structure: a tabular overview
| Subject | Designation | ECTS credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required subjects |
Introduction to social sciences | 10 |
| Theoretical foundations I & II | 34 | |
| Methodological foundations I & II | 24 | |
| Thematic specialization I: Democracy, peace & justice | 14 | |
| Thematic specialization II: Science, technology & responsible innovation | 14 | |
| Thematic specialization III: Environment, space & sustainability | 14 | |
| Bachelor’s thesis and thesis writing lab | 10 | |
| Minors | Choose
|
60 |
| Total | 180 |
Introductory and orientation period (STEOP)
The introductory and orientation period (STEOP) is designed to give you an overview of the key content and structure of the programme, and provides you with a sound basis for making an informed assessment of your choice of programme.
The STEOP courses are held in the first semester of the study programme. They comprise the following courses, totalling 10 ECTS credits:
- Introduction to the study programme (2 ECTS credits)
- Introduction to scientific work (4 ECTS credits)
- Global challenges – why we need social sciences (4 ECTS) credits
Before completing the STEOP in full, students may take additional courses amounting to 22 ECTS credits.
You choose your minor(s) after completing the STEOP.
Recommended course of study
| Subject | Designation | Recommended Semester | ECTS credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rquired subjects | Introduction to social sciences | 1 | 10 |
| Theoretical foundations I | 1-2 | 18 | |
| Methodological foundations I | 1-2 | 12 | |
| Theoretical foundations II | 2-3 | 16 | |
| Methodological foundations II | 3-4 | 12 | |
| Thematic specialization I | 4-6 | 14 | |
| Thematic specialization II | 4-6 | 14 | |
| Thematic specialization III | 4-6 | 14 | |
| Minor 1 | 2-6 | 30 | |
| Minor 2 | 2-6 | 30 | |
| or | |||
| Minor | 2-6 | 60 | |
| Bachelor’s thesis and thesis writing lab | 6 | 8+2 | |
| Total: | 180 | ||
This is the structure of the major
Choose from these minors:
You can tailor your Bachelor’s combination programme to suit your personal interests and career goals by strategically selecting one minor worth 60 ECTS credits or two minors, each worth 30 ECTS credits, allowing you to expand your knowledge in an interdisciplinary manner.
Choose the minor that best suits your interests from the fields of culture, languages, technology, economics & management, law or society.
Minors totalling 60 ECTS credits
Culture
Available from winter semester 2026/27
- Angewandte Kulturwissenschaft | Applied Cultural Studies
- Alpen-Adria-Region als Kulturraum | The Alps-Adriatic Region as a cultural space
- Ethik | Ethics
- Geschichte | History
- Philosophie | Philosophy
- Sprache, Literatur und Kultur (Französisch, Italienisch oder Spanisch) | Language, literature and culture (French or Italian or Spanish)
- Sprache, Literatur und Kultur (B/K/M/S, Russisch oder Slowenisch) | Language, literature and culture (B/C/M/S or Russian or Slovene)
Economics & Management
Available from winter semester 2026/27
- Business and Economics EN
- Management
- Wirtschaft und Recht | Business and Law
Languages
Available for selection from summer semester 2026
Available from winter semester 2026/27
- Alpen-Adria-Region als Kulturraum | The Alps-Adriatic Region as a cultural space
- Germanistik | German Studies
- Sprache, Literatur und Kultur (Französisch, Italienisch oder Spanisch) | Language, literature and culture (French or Italian or Spanish)
- Sprache, Literatur und Kultur (B/K/M/S, Russisch oder Slowenisch) | Language, literature and culture (B/C/M/S or Russian or Slovene)
Law
Available from winter semester 2026/27
- Wirtschaft und Recht | Business and Law
Society
Available from winter semester 2026/27
- Ethik | Ethics
- Geographie: Die Welt von heute begreifen und gestalten | Geography: Understanding and shaping the world of today
- Philosophie | Philosophy
Technology
Available for selection from summer semester 2026
- Informatik | Informatics
Available from winter semester 2026/27
- Angewandte KI | Applied AI
Minors totalling 30 ECTS credits
Culture
Available for selection from summer semester 2026
- Friedensforschung und Friedensbildung | Peace Studies and Peace Education
- Gender und Diversität | Gender and Diversity
Available from winter semester 2026/27
- Ethik | Ethics
- Kultur und Gesellschaft | Culture and Society
- Kulturgeschichte | Cultural History
- Philosophie | Philosophy
- Sprache, Literatur und Kultur (B/K/M/S, Russisch oder Slowenisch) | Language, literature and culture (B/C/M/S or Russian or Slovene)
- Sprache, Literatur und Kultur (Französisch, Italienisch oder Spanisch) | Language, literature and culture (French or Italian or Spanish)
Economics & Management
Available for selection from summer semester 2026
- Business and Economics
- Soziale Kompetenz, Organisation und Leadership | Social Competence, Organisation and Leadership
Available from winter semester 2026/27
- Economics EN
- Entrepreneurship und Innovation | Entrepreneurship and Innovation
- Management
- Sprachen und Wirtschaft im Alpen-Adria-Raum und in Europa | Languages and Business in the Alps-Adriatic Region and in Europe
- Wirtschaft und Recht | Business and Law
Languages
Available for selection from summer semester 2026
- Deutsch als Fremd- und Zweitsprache | German as a Foreign and Second Language
- Schreibwissenschaft | Writing Studies
Available from winter semester 2026/27
- Alpen-Adria-Region – Fokus Sprachen | The Alps-Adriatic Region with a focus on languages
- Sprache, Literatur und Kultur (B/K/M/S, Russisch oder Slowenisch) | Language, literature and culture (B/C/M/S or Russian or Slovene)
- Sprache, Literatur und Kultur (Französisch, Italienisch oder Spanisch) | Languages, literature and culture (French or Italian or Spanish)
- Sprachen und Wirtschaft im Alpen-Adria-Raum und in Europa | Languages and Business in the Alps-Adriatic Region and in Europe
Law
Available from winter semester 2026/27
- Einführung in die Rechtswissenschaften | Introduction to Law
- Wirtschaft und Recht | Business and Law
Society
Available for selection from summer semester 2026
- Friedensforschung und Friedensbildung | Peace Studies and Peace Education
- Gender und Diversität | Gender and Diversity
- Soziale Kompetenz, Organisation und Leadership | Social Competence, Organisation and Leadership
- Sustainability and Energy
Available from winter semester 2026/27
- Digital Health EN
- Diversitätskompetenz und Chancengerechtigkeit | Diversity skills and equitable opportunities
- Ethik | Ethics
- Geographische Perspektiven auf Umwelt, Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft | Geographical perspectives on the environment, economy and society
- Grundlagen der Psychologie | Basic Concepts of Psychology
- Inklusion gestalten | Shaping inclusion
- Kultur und Gesellschaft | Culture and Society
- Personal- und Kompetenzentwicklung | Staff and skills development
- Philosophie | Philosophy
- Social Sciences EN
- Wirtschaftspsychologie | Business Psychology
- Wissenschaftskommunikation und Public Engagement | Science communication and public engagement
Technology
Available for selection from summer semester 2026
- Digitale Kompetenzen | Digital Competencies
- Informatik | Informatics
- Robotics
- Sustainability and Energy
Available from winter semester 2026/27
- Angewandte KI | Applied AI
- Computer Game Engineering
- Digital Health EN
- Mathematische Grundlagen | Basic Concepts of Mathematics
- Optimization and Decision Making DE oder EN
- Statistical Learning EN
For detailed information on the language of instruction and possible combinations of individual minors, please refer to the individual minor pages.
EN = conducted in English | DE or EN = conducted in German or English
Information on the minors available from winter semester 2026/27 will be published shortly.
As of February 2026. Subject to change.
These are some of the career options available to you after you graduate:
Your Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences opens the door to a wide range of exciting career paths:
- International organisations & NGOs: (e.g., development cooperation, human rights, peacekeeping)
- Public sector & policy consultancy: (e.g., think tanks, government departments, strategic planning)
- Market and opinion research: (e.g., data analysis, trend research, digital social research)
- Sustainability & innovation management: (e.g., CSR departments, shaping technological transformation)
- Media & communication: (e.g., PR, science journalism, digital media analysis)
- Science & research
We’re here to support you every step of the way!
- In Klagenfurt, you’ll get to know your fellow students right from the Welcome Days – and you’ll make friends in your very first week with whom you’ll share unforgettable experiences in the years to come.
- Are you the first person in your family to go to university? BeFirst mentors will help and support you in choosing a degree programme, starting your studies and with all other matters relating to your student life.
- Tutors and mentors from the tutoring and mentoring project will support you throughout your studies. They are there to answer any questions you may have about your studies, offer learning support and guide your personal development.
The Bachelor’s combination programme in Social Sciences will be available from the 2026/27 winter semester. The curriculum is subject to change.
Where we are and how we are seen
- The capital in the south of Austria
Klagenfurt am Wörthersee is a city of about 100,000 inhabitants and the capital of Carinthia, set in a region known for its stunning lakes, mountains, and forests. - We are distinguished by our students!
The University of Klagenfurt has received two Global Student Satisfaction Awards from Studyportals (The Global Study Choice Platform). In addition, on StudyCheck.de – the largest German-language student review platform – 97 % of students recommend the University of Klagenfurt.
- We are AACSB accredited!
Since 2023, the Faculty of Management, Economics and Law has been accredited by AACSB International (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business). Less than 6 % of business schools worldwide earn this distinction. - Top quality is our standard!
The University of Klagenfurt is committed to high-quality standards. Our quality management is EVALAG-certified, we maintain the highest environmental standards (EMAS certification) and are a family-friendly university (State quality label “hochschuleundfamilie”).
FAQ
What is a Bachelor’s combination programme?
A Bachelor’s combination programme consists of one major subject supplemented by one or two minor subjects. A Bachelor’s degree programme comprises 180 ECTS credits. In a Bachelor’s combination programme, you combine one major worth 120 ECTS credits with one minor worth 60 ECTS credits or two minors worth 30 ECTS credits each. This flexible structure opens up even more opportunities for you to pursue a Master’s degree at the University of Klagenfurt after completing your Bachelor’s degree.
When can / must I choose a minor subject?
Only after successfully completing the Introductory and Orientation Period of your major subject can / must you choose one minor subject (worth 60 ECTS credits) or two minor subjects (worth 30 ECTS credits each).
Who can I contact with questions?
You can find additional information about the degree programme by reading the curriculum (PDF). If you have any other questions, the Programme Director will be happy to help (e-mail: spl-socialsciences [at] aau [dot] at).
