[NEW] Applied Social and Intercultural Studies - admissions start in Spring 2026

Applied Social and Intercultural Studies (ASIS) is a two-year, English-taught Master’s programme designed for students who want to understand contemporary social processes and work professionally in culturally diverse environments. The programme combines advanced sociological knowledge with practical intercultural competences, preparing graduates to analyse complex social realities and respond to them in responsible and meaningful ways.

ASIS focuses on key issues shaping today’s world, including migration and mobility, social inequalities, cultural change, diversity in organisations, global labour transformations and everyday life in multicultural societies. Students learn to connect academic reflection with applied research and socially engaged practice.

 

Why choose ASIS?

ASIS offers a distinctive combination of critical sociological thinking and practical skill development. The programme links theory with real-world application, enabling students to move beyond abstract analysis and develop competencies used in professional practice.

What makes the programme unique is its strong emphasis on global and comparative perspectives, including postcolonial and decolonial approaches integrated across courses. Rather than treating these perspectives as separate topics, ASIS uses them as a framework for understanding power relations, inequalities and cultural diversity in contemporary societies.

The programme is interdisciplinary, international and practice-oriented, creating a learning environment that supports both intellectual development and professional growth.

 

What will you study?

The curriculum covers a broad range of contemporary sociological themes and research areas. Students explore issues such as:

• culture, identity and social change

• migration and intercultural relations

• diversity, inclusion and inequality

• global transformations of work and mobility

• media, visual culture and digital social life

• ethics and responsibility in social research

A strong methodological component allows students to develop advanced research skills, including qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods, research design and applied data analysis. The programme emphasises critical thinking, reflexivity and the ability to translate research findings into practical recommendations.

Courses combine analytical depth with discussion-based and interactive teaching formats, encouraging students to engage actively with contemporary debates and real social problems.

 

Learning through practice

ASIS enables students to develop practical competences in intercultural communication, mediation, conflict resolution, facilitation and group work. Selected courses include project-based activities that allow students to design socially engaged initiatives or applied research projects in cooperation with external practitioners and organisations. This practice-oriented approach ensures that academic knowledge is closely connected with professional skills relevant to diverse institutional and organisational contexts.

 

International environment

The programme is taught entirely in English and is designed for students from different cultural and national backgrounds. Small, interactive classes create space for dialogue, critical discussion and collaborative learning. ASIS students can benefit from international mobility opportunities within the Erasmus+ programme and from the wider international academic networks of the Institute of Sociology. The multicultural learning environment is an important element of the programme experience, allowing students to develop intercultural awareness in everyday academic practice.

 

Career prospects

Graduates of ASIS are well prepared for professional roles that require advanced social analysis combined with intercultural competence. Career paths include positions in international organisations, non-governmental organisations, public institutions and multinational companies. Potential areas of employment include diversity and inclusion, intercultural mediation, integration and migration support, project coordination, policy analysis, human resources, CSR and internal communication. The programme also provides strong preparation for doctoral studies and further academic development in the social sciences.

 

Who is this programme for?

ASIS is designed for candidates who are curious about contemporary social challenges, open to international perspectives and interested in combining critical thinking with practical action. It is particularly suitable for those who want their studies to lead to meaningful professional engagement in diverse social and cultural contexts.

 

Study sociology with impact

Applied Social and Intercultural Studies offers a modern and socially engaged approach to graduate education. By combining academic rigour, global perspectives and applied practice, the programme prepares students not only to understand social change but also to contribute to more inclusive and reflective institutions and communities.