Master of Arts in Social Science

• Programme structure

  Interdisciplinary core curriculum module

  The core curriculum module allow students to learn and apply interdisciplinary approaches in a directed, hands-on manner.
  The core curriculum has three different components:

  • cross-curricular courses, common to all specialisations, revolving around the circulation of people, knowledge and wealth
  • courses in research and qualitative / quantitative methods, providing tools for social analysis
  • interdisciplinary seminars taught by at least two teachers from different disciplines within the MA SSc programme

  Course structure

  The MA in Social Science - both the 90 and 120 ECTS credit programmes - is made up of:

  • an interdisciplinary core curriculum module
  • a principal specialisation, which can be disciplinary or thematic: anthropology, human geography, migration and citizenship, psychology and education, and sociology
• Specialisation

  Anthropology

  Topics

  Political anthropology of agricultural and environmental issues; socio-anthropology of migration, international aid and development in postcolonial societies; socio-anthropology of art, culture and heritage.

  Aims

  This specialisation trains students to analyse the challenges of our era from an empirical and ethnographic standpoint.

  Students acquire the ability to analyse socio-political change in key areas of the global policy agenda, and to reflect on how anthropological knowledge can be responsibly applied in these areas; the ability to de-center one’s analytic perspective, through long-term study and reflexivity; for those interested, the possibility to work closely with the Neuchâtel Ethnography Museum in the areas of museography, ethnographic film and ethnomusicology.

  The specialisation offers two areas for profesionnalisation that are unique in Switzerland: ‘Careers in culture’, which gives students the opportunity to create a film or a museum exhibition; ‘The anthropology of social and environmental action’, in which students carry out an internship with an NGO or an administrative body in relation to their MA thesis.

  Human Geography

  Topic

  This specialisation takes the geography of today’s greatest challenges as its general theme. It trains students to analyse the key issues confronting today’s societies, such as digitisation, global urbanisation, migration and climate change.

  Aims

  The Human Geography specialisation provides students with: the ability to analyse critically the geographical aspects of the underlying changes in today’s societies; the means to develop relevant and innovative solutions to society’s principal problems (security, urbanisation, migration, climate change); in-depth mastery of the qualitative and quantitative methods students are likely to encounter in their future careers.

  The teaching staff is particularly interested in addressing topical issues and engaging in public debate (such as print media, audio-visual media, blogs and so on), and is active in cutting-edge geographical research.

  Migration and Citizenship

  Topics

  The specialisation applies an interdisciplinary perspective to two issues central to modern society: the movement of people, and the socio-economic and political integration of societies. These issues are intrinsically linked to the future organisation of nation states, and how they relate to transnational phenomena, be they personal, economic, legal or political.

  Aims

  The specialisation allows students to hone and expand on their Bachelor’s level knowledge, not only by integrating an interdisciplinary approach, but also by specialising in the study of migration and the theory and practice of citizenship, mobility, migration policy and transnationalism. The seminars systematically address topical issues relating to debates on migration. The specialisation also teaches advanced skills in qualitative and/or quantitative methods, as well as providing students with the versatility they will need in their future careers.séminaires.

  Neuchâtel is the only Swiss university offering a specialised programme of study in Migration and Citizenship. With its nccr – on the move (National Centre of Competence in Research), the University of Neuchâtel has strengthened its research role within Switzerland, giving students the chance to engage with new people and ideas.

  Psychology and Education

  Topics

  The Psychology and Education specialisation teaches the sociocultural psychology of development, enabling students to study life trajectories, reasoning, memory and imagination, educational or workplace interactions, and institutional arrangements.

  Aims

  The specialisation allows you to: acquire advanced knowledge, both classical and contemporary; develop an analytical mindset and argumentation skills, with group reflection among peers and experts; master the tools of research and intervention, while engaging with epistemological and ethical concerns; define your own unique project, according to your interests.

  The specialisation offers a programme of sociocultural and interdisciplinary psychology that is unique in Europe, reflecting the Institute of Psychology and Education’s cutting-edge research.

  Sociology

  Topics

  This specialisation develops theoretical skills in sociology by applying them to the greatest challenges in the modern world. It considers today’s socio-economic changes from a number of different angles: economic sociology (markets and consumption); inequality; globalisation; new technologies; and the processes of political and social disputes.

  Aims

  The Sociology specialisation provides you with: the ability to identify and question the social issues and challenges facing us today; expertise in a variety of conceptual, theoretical and methodological approaches; the autonomous project management skills that are needed in many jobs in a variety of economic sectors.

  The University of Neuchâtel’s Sociology programme is remarkable for its empirical orientation, its focus on economic sociology and inequality, and the availability and approachability of its teaching staff. 

• Admission criteria

  Admission criteria

  Holders of a Bachelor’s degree in Arts and Humanities from the University of Neuchâtel or a degree from another Swiss university that the Faculty deems equivalent will be unconditionally accepted within the Master’s specialisation if they have acquired 60 ECTS credits in the relevant field of study.

  Holders of a Bachelor’s degree from a foreign university or in a subject other than the principal or secondary master’s specialisation may also be admitted, although the Faculty may request that additional study be undertaken.

• Career prospects

  Career prospects

  The Master in Social Science helps you develop a variety of cross-disciplinary skills such as analytical capabilities, critical thinking, reflectiveness, investigative work, and the monitoring and evaluation of numerous forms of sociotechnical intervention.

  Alumni work in public administrative bodies, federal and cantonal ministries, private companies and non-governmental and international organisation in a wide array of social, cultural and educational domains.

  Additionally, all of our specialisations can lead to doctoral degrees for the strongest students at the MA level.