Deciding for the programme & fields of activity for sociologists

Is Sociology the right degree programme for me?

If you would like to study Sociology, you should be interested in how societal conditions have been shaped, be sensitive to their many facets and complexity, and, last but not least, have a lot of curiosity. This includes a feeling for the "subtle differences" of forms of living as well as for societal power and authority relationships. You should be prepared to temporarily put aside your own (cultural) convictions and the knowledge of experience that you, like every human being, have gathered in the course of your socialisation. Since sociological research is mainly imparted through written texts, it will help a lot if you enjoy reading and if you love to express yourself and are talented in writing. Sociological findings are generated with the help of so-called empirical data, which are systematically collected and evaluated. In order to learn and master these methods, you must be willing to tackle complex mathematical and logical issues. Statistics and methods of empirical social research are among the most important contents of your studies, therefore a good knowledge of mathematics will be an advantage for your studies. Finally, it is indispensable that, using your specialist knowledge, you are prepared to engage in critical discussions and thus be open to other perspectives within the framework of seminars (and also outside the university) in order to work out your own research questions.

Study orientation services

• TU Dresden offers a wide range of workshops, events, and lectures for prospective students.
• Answers to frequently asked questions concerning studying at TU Dresden can be found in the FAQ.
• The ServiceCenterStudium is your contact for all questions related to studying at TU Dresden.
• Counselling for choosing a degree programme is offered by the Central Student Information and Counselling Services of TU Dresden.
• The Autumn university offers you the opportunity to get to know study and career opportunities in the humanities and social sciences. The Autumn University takes place every year in October and the number of participants is limited to 25. Early registration is recommended.
• The Faculty Student's Council (FSR), like the Students' Council (StuRa), is a student representation of interests. It is the contact in case of problems and offers support for study orientation. For all new students, the FSR organises an introductory week at the beginning of their studies.
• If you have any specific questions about studying Sociology at TU Dresden, feel free to contact the Academic Advisory Service.

Fields of activity for sociologists

Sociologists are demanded experts in an increasingly complex world. They analyse societal issues and therefore provide an essential contribution to public education. They also work in adult education, business enterprises (especially in the service sector), public administration, associations, and non-profit organisations. They work, for example, in product, programme and organisational development, market analysis and research, data processing, training and continuing education, press and public relations, human resources management, and marketing.