Be it digitalisation, energy transition, medicine or bioeconomy, scientific and technological innovations are closely linked to societal developments. In this Master’s programme, you will learn to see the interactions between science, technology and other societal areas, such as economics, politics, and media from new perspectives. You will acquire the skill of identifying and assessing, in a differentiated manner, the social conditions and effects of scientific and technological innovations. You will be able to recognise ‘hype’ surrounding new technologies or scientific breakthroughs, and intervene and arbitrate in public debates on the risks, ethical controversy or social desirability of innovations.
The Master’s programme, which runs for four semesters, is interdisciplinary in its approach and draws on theories and methods from social and cultural studies. Enrolled students will develop knowledge of the fundamental importance of science and technology to modern societies. The programme will prepare you for challenging jobs, in areas such as research and technology funding, political and corporate consultancy, EU and international administration, media, public relations, cultural organisations, technology assessment, and university and non-university research.
Understanding the social dynamics of knowledge and technology, shaping the future in a sustainable manner.
Master of Arts (MA)
Yes
No
German (C1), English
Want to study all over Europe? No problem!
The University of Klagenfurt is a member of the Europe-wide association ‘European Inter-University Association on Society, Science and Technology’ (ESST). As a student in the Master’s programme ‘Science, Technology & Society Studies’, you will benefit from this network. You will be able to complement your Master’s study with a specialization module, and write your Master’s thesis at an ESST partner university. This will give you the opportunity to acquire the ESST Certificate or the ESST Diploma Master of Arts ‘Society, Science and Technology in Europe’ in addition to the Master’s degree from Klagenfurt.
During the programme, you can focus on the following subject areas:
Small working groups and optimal teacher-student ratios enable productive exchange between students and lecturers
Student Advisory Service
Email: studieninfo [at] aau [dot] at
Programme Director
Website of the degree programme director
Email: sts-master [at] aau [dot] at
Upon completion, graduates of the Master's degree programme “Science, Technology & Society Studies” are able to:
The admission to the degree programme must take place before the end of the extension period (winter semester: 9 July to 30 November | summer semester: 8 January to 30 April).
Students who have successfully completed a Bachelor's degree programme assigned to the groups of Engineering Sciences, Natural Sciences, Medical Sciences, or the Arts, must demonstrate that they have acquired an adequate level of knowledge in the following areas (overall 12 ECTS credits):
| Fach | Fachbezeichnung | ECTS |
| Pflichtfächer | Grundlagen der Wissenschafts- und Technikforschung | 22 |
| Empirische Forschungspraxis | 12 | |
| Kompetenzerweiterung | 12 | |
| Gebundenes Wahlfach | Wahl von zwei Fächern:
| 24 |
| Praxis | Praxis (alternativ 3. Gebundenes Wahlfach) | 12 |
| Masterarbeit | Masterarbeit | 22 |
| Begleitung von Masterarbeiten | 4 | |
| Freie Wahlfächer | 12 | |
| Summe | 120 |
Within the scope of the degree programme students can complete a placement in an organisation, for example:
If it is not feasible or possible to complete a placement, students can earn 12 ECTS credits by completing an additional Elective from the Master's programme.
Following the completion of the placement, students report on the project semester in the course “Reflection of the Placement” (2 ECTS credits) and record their experiences in a written project report.
Relevant professional activities conducted prior to or during the Master's programme may be accredited as practical experience worth a total of 10 ECTS credits in justified cases.
In general, students are encouraged to spend at least one semester studying abroad. This particularly applies to periods of study spent abroad at the locations of members of the European Programme “European Studies of Society, Science and Technology” (ESST), in which the University of Klagenfurt is an active member. It is recommended to schedule the ESST study visit abroad in the third or fourth semester. Examinations successfully completed within the context of a study visit abroad shall be recognised, provided that the student obtains the programme director's specific permission in advance.
The Master's programme aims to prepare students for work in various institutional contexts. Job opportunities, among others, exist in:
Upon successful completion of the Master’s degree programme “Science, Technology and Society Studies”, students can continue their studies in the Doctoral degree programme for Science and Technology Studies.
Within the scope of the free electives and in accordance with the respective curriculum, students can receive credits for individual courses or for entire modules from other subject areas.
General admission period:
9 July to 5 September
Extended admission period:
6 September to 30 November
General admission period:
8 January to 5 February 2020
Extended admission period:
6 February to 30 April 2020
Do you have questions about studying at the University of Klagenfurt?
