Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Which language courses can I choose and have recognized as part of my studies?

Language courses offered by the Language Center or as part of Erasmus programs can be recognized:

Possible in the dual-subject Bachelor in the professional skills development area as an interdisciplinary key competence ("+") or in the MA programmes as a key qualification (= practical orientation) to the extent of max. 4 LP. Due to their international profile, the BA European Studies, MA European Governance and MA Conflict Studies and Peacebuilding can be credited with a maximum of 8 CP for language courses (incl. A1 level if this is not English). In addition to the key qualifications (in the MA programs), language courses can also be taken in the "free elective area".

With the exception of English, courses can be taken in all foreign languages at all levels; English language skills can generally be taken from language level B2 (in the MA Conflict Studies and Peacebuilding from language level C1).

What do I need to consider when taking language courses abroad?

Before your stay abroad, check with the Office for Study Abroad whether your language courses will be recognized.

Can I get credit for language courses outside the university program?

As a rule, this is not possible. The examination board (chairperson) decides on exceptions. In this case, please send your request to the examination office responsible for you.

Which courses fall under the free electives in Bachelor's degree programs?

The free elective area of each Bachelor's degree program at FB 01 includes all academic Bachelor's courses that have not already been or will not be taken in the compulsory/compulsory elective area of your respective degree program. This means that you can also choose all university courses from other BA degree programs outside the Institute of Social Sciences.

Where can I find courses for the free electives (Bachelor and Master)?

You can search  Stud.IP for courses for the "free elective area" (recommendation: via the "Modules" category).

Which courses can be taken in the free elective area in Master's degree programs?

The free elective area of each Master's degree program at FB 01 includes all academic Master's courses that have not already been or will not be taken in the compulsory/compulsory elective area of your respective degree program. This means that you can also choose all university courses from other MA programs outside the institute. In the latter case (MA courses outside the Institute of Social Sciences), the lecturer decides whether or not you can take part in the course and what work must be completed.

If courses do not appear in OPIUM for the registration of study/examination certificates, the booking is made via form/form (see website of the  Examination Office for Cultural and Social Science Degree Programs (FB 1) of FB 01).

Registration and booking of BA courses in the Master's degree program

No exclusive BA courses can be taken in the free elective area of the Master's program.

Stud.IP reveals whether a BA course is also open to MA students for the free elective area in the Master's program. The corresponding Stud.IP opening under the category"Modules" is decisive for the possibility of booking credit points in the Master's curriculum.

Exclusive BA courses can be taken with the consent of the lecturer, but they cannot be booked in the Master's curriculum, neither in the compulsory, compulsory elective nor free elective areas. Alternatively, however, the exclusive BA courses can be booked in the so-called"additional account" in OPIUM and thus documented in the certificate supplement. In principle, this form of documentation is only possible for BA courses at Osnabrück University and not for other BA courses taken at other universities.

If a requirement for final admission to the Master's program stipulates successful attendance of exclusive BA courses, these BA courses cannot be recorded in the MA curriculum either. They are exclusively the subject of the condition.

Where can I find an overview of all the courses offered by the institute?

The search in Stud.IP provides an overview. Search results can also be displayed by module and degree program.

Where can I find an overview of all the courses I have to take?

You can find an overview in your module handbook and in your study plan. You can view this on the examination and admission regulations page.

What should I bear in mind when creating my timetable?

Please note that you can generally only complete each module once you have acquired proof of examination/performance and proof of study/participation. Further information can be found in your module handbook.
In your own interest, please ensure that you distribute your workload (recommended approx. 30 CP per semester) evenly over the semesters in the course of your studies. You should therefore take as many courses as possible so that you do not over or underload yourself.

Where can I find information on the supervision of my thesis?

Usually in the respective examination regulations.

With whom can I have my thesis supervised?

...with at least one person who is a member of the institute.
If possible, this should be a  full-time lecturer. Depending on the topic chosen, this person can act as first/second supervisor.
Note dual-subject Bachelor: The thesis must be supervised in the core subject in which it is written. If it is written in the core subject at the institute, the Bachelor's colloquium must also be attended.

In which subject must my thesis be written?

In the respective major subject/main area of your degree program.
Note for dual-subject Bachelors: The (main) supervision of the thesis must take place in the core subject in which the thesis is written. If it is written in the core subject at the school, the Bachelor's colloquium must also be taken. For further information, see examination regulations.

Are interdisciplinary theses possible and who can supervise them?

Depending on the topic chosen, the thesis can also be supervised by a maximum of one person who is not a member of the department. This person should be relevant to the subject. Supervision by a teacher from outside the school should be agreed with the internal supervisor.

Note Bachelor's degree program in European Studies: The thesis cannot be written exclusively in the minor subject, but must be relevant to the major subject in terms of both topic and supervision.

Bachelor degree programs

You must submit at least

• a presentation with written elaboration
• a term paper
• one oral examination
• one written examination

have completed.

The institute offers a variety of options each semester, from which you can choose accordingly. From the second year at the latest, more weight should be given to the three typical social science examination forms of presentation with written elaboration, term paper and oral examination than to written examinations. Term papers are particularly suitable for preparation.

The following rules apply as a guide for course assessments and course-related examinations:

Proof of studies (4 CP)

• Participation including a smaller oral examination (10-15 minutes) or written assignment (6-8 pages) or several partial assignments (which may not exceed the above-mentioned scope)

Proof of performance (6 CP)

• Presentation (30-45 minutes) with written elaboration (10-12 pages) or term paper (12-15 pages) or oral examination (30 minutes)

Colloquium for the Bachelor's thesis

• Exposé: 2-23 pages

Bachelor thesis

• Length: 40-60 pages

NOTE: a standard page consists of 2,600 characters

Master's degree programs

Before registering for the Master's thesis at the latest, you must submit at least

• a presentation with written elaboration
• a term paper
• one oral examination

at the latest.

The following rules apply as a guide for coursework and course-related examinations:

Proof of studies (4 CP)

• Participation including a smaller oral (15-20 minutes) or written assignment (6-8 pages) or several partial assignments (which may not exceed the above-mentioned scope)

Proof of performance (6 CP)

• Presentation (30-45 minutes) with written elaboration (12-15 pages) or term paper (15-20 pages) or oral examination (30 minutes)

Research report

• Length: 15-25 pages

Colloquium for the Master's thesis

• Exposé: 2-4 pages

Master's thesis:

• Length: 80-100 pages

NOTE: a standard page consists of 2,600 characters

If you take courses in "Special Sociologies" to cover modules in the compulsory elective area, please note the following:

It is possible to take up to two "Special Sociologies" modules in the compulsory elective area.(In addition, corresponding courses can also be booked in the subject specialization (2-subject BA Sociology) or in the free elective area (BA Sowi)).

This makes it possible to get to know a wide range of sociological subject areas, but also to set individual priorities.

It is possible to combine any of the courses assigned to "Special Sociology" into one module (e.g. Sociology of Religion and Sociology of Youth), but it is also possible to combine two courses on one subject area in one module (e.g. 2x Family Sociology)

The "Special Sociology" courses are offered regularly - although not always every semester - with different focuses.

The distinction between "Special Sociologies I" and "Special Sociologies II" has no content-related, but only technical reasons. (The modules must be named differently for accounting purposes).

B.A. Social Sciences

The Bachelor's degree program in Social Sciences aims to provide students with a broad-based education in the social sciences in terms of content and methodology.

In the two options available, either a major in sociology with a minor in political science or, conversely, a major in political science with a minor in sociology, the degree program combines political science and sociology with different weightings.

The final decision for one option can be made during the course of the degree program. A formal decision is only made when you register for the Bachelor's thesis.

As long as you have not yet decided, you should take the modules (in both major variants) in such a way that you do not necessarily have to extend your studies. You have a certain amount of flexibility in the first semesters.

If you change your major, the other introductory courses will be recognized according to your previous practice.

Dual-subject Bachelor

In the Dual-Subject Bachelor's degree program, two subjects are studied on an equal footing. As a rule, all subjects can be combined with each other.

The subject-specific core programme is supplemented by the professional skills development area (28 CP) for the acquisition of key qualifications. The professional skills development area gives the degree program an individual orientation by combining subject-specific, interdisciplinary and professionally relevant courses. It is divided into two areas: the "4-Steps+" and the subject-specific specialization, each comprising 14 credits.

The "4 Steps +" model ensures that students acquire 10 CP in the area of key competencies. Each subject offers options for acquiring credits in the 4 steps. Which modules can be used for which of the steps is determined by the respective subjects. It is up to the students to decide in which subject they take the individual steps of the model. In addition, all students must acquire at least a further 4 CP in the area of key competencies. To this end, they can choose additional interdisciplinary courses, which are compiled in the course catalog of the Professional Skills Development Office (KoPro), or complete individual steps of the model in both subjects.

European Studies

The Bachelor's degree program consists of a social science core area and an optional minor subject in which sociological, economic, legal, historical, geographical or cultural studies knowledge is taught, depending on the student's own focus:

You can choose between Angelic Studies, Geography, German Studies, History, Education Science, Law, Romance Studies, Sociology and Economics.

How does the choice of minor work? Do I have to apply separately for the minor subject?

No, the choice is "emergent", i.e. a minor subject is filled by attending the courses and becomes visible for the examination regulations. This means that a change of minor subject is also possible without any problems, as it does not involve any re-registration.