Mannheim Master in Social Data Science

The Mannheim Master in Social Data Science is an interdisciplinary program of study that is unique in Germany. In courses in Sociology, Political Sciences, Business Informatics and Mathematics, students work on questions specifically from the field of Social Sciences. In this master’s program, you can also attend methods courses from the Mannheim Master in Data Science program.

Students learn to collect, organize, and analyze large amounts of data using the appropriate tools and methods to answer questions related to Social Sciences. The master’s program comprises five major areas:

• Fundamentals of Data Science (27 ECTS credits)
• Data Science Methods (27 ECTS credits)
• Advanced Data Science Methods (18–23 ECTS credits)
• Data Science Applications (18–23 ECTS credits)
• Master's Thesis (30 ECTS credits)

This program of study is taught completely in English.

With the increasing amount of data, experts in Data Science are in demand. With Social Data Science, you can gain new insights into human behavior and develop innovative solutions for social problems. It allows for a deeper understanding of social dynamics and trends which positively influence society. This can contribute to making informed political decisions, using resources more effectively, and working on finding solutions for relevant societal problems. 

Due to the strong interdisciplinary collaboration of Business Informatics, Sociology, Political Science and Mathematics, you benefit from the top-notch courses offered by various departments. You can select from a wide range of modules and focus on areas that suit your goals and interests.

About 55 students study the master’s program in Data Science, and the small number of students allow for a very good student-to-teacher ratio. A motivated and interdisciplinary team of professors will be happy to personally answer any study-related questions.  

The University of Mannheim is part of a global network. The university’s ties to more than 450 partner universities all over the world do not only impact life on campus, but also open numerous doors to students who wish to go abroad.

The master’s program in Social Data Science supports analytical thinking to understand complex social questions and develop data-based solutions. Since Data Science is an ever-evolving field, a program in Social Data Science also promotes life-long learning skills. Graduates are well-equipped to adapt to the changing demands of business and society in the future.

Data scientist is one of the most sought-after jobs of today. Companies, governments, and NGOs are increasingly looking for experts who are able to analyze and interpret social data. Graduates of the Mannheim Master in Social Data Science program have excellent career opportunities and great prospects for starting their career in various fields and research projects.

As data scientist, you can work in national and international companies or in the public sector – everywhere where large data quantities are processed, for example in marketing, production or logistics. Of course, the Mannheim Master in Social Data Science degree also qualifies for a career in academia.

The School of Social Sciences plans to establish a Social Data Science track at the Center for Doctoral Studies in Social and Behavioral Sciences at the graduate school of the University of Mannheim. Graduates of the program have the option of pursuing an academic career at one of the best doctoral programs in the Social Sciences in Germany.

Students of the master’s program Mannheim Master in Data Science should

• have a general interest in topics and questions related to Social Sciences, since Social Data Science aims at using data analyses and models for the solution of social programs and for analyzing social behavior.
• have basic skills in statistics to analyze data and identify patterns.
• be familiar with probability theory, inferential statistics, and regression.
• be proficient in programming languages such as Python or R since they are often used in data analyses.
• be able to apply research methods to analyze social phenomenons. This includes designing studies, collecting data, and interpreting results.

Other required skills, in particular in the field of advanced statistics, machine learning, as well as ethics and data protection are acquired during the program of study.

Module catalog
The module catalog gives you an overview of the courses and their content.

Essay
In addition to your application documents, you must submit an essay in English of 5,000 to 10,000 words with a subject-specific focus on Data Science, Social Sciences, Political Sciences or Economics or Business Administration. The text must comply with the general rules for academic writing and research.