Department of Sociology

Our graduates said about us:

Bachelor’s Programme in Sociology:

BA programme in Sociology

Master's Programme in Sociology and Social and Behavioural Analysis:

MA programme in Sociology and Social-Behavioural Analysis

Introduction

Our faculty has been offering a bachelor’s programme in Sociology since 2012, which was complemented by a master’s programme in Sociology starting in September 2018, and a master’s programme in Social-Behavioural Analysis from autumn 2020. When designing the bachelor's programme, we aimed to provide both practical, immediately applicable knowledge and skills for the labour market and to prepare students for further studies at the master's level.

For this reason, our programme places great emphasis on methodological and practical training, alongside fundamental courses in social science, sociological theory, sociological history and specialised sociological subjects. Students acquire this knowledge in small seminar groups and through practical projects. The seminars emphasise interactivity and teamwork, effectively preparing students for the demands of the labour market. Practical elements include a one-week summer research internship in Budapest after the first year and a summer field camp in a rural area after the second year, complemented by semester-long preparatory and follow-up seminars.

In line with the educational and scientific principles of our Institute, we place great emphasis on fostering a personal and supportive relationship between students and faculty, which promotes both catch-up and talent management. We encourage student collaboration and highlight the additional opportunities available in scientific workshops and projects.

Students are supported in their integration during the first year by a faculty mentor and group mentors from upper-year students.

The programme's year mentor is Dr. Éva Sztáray Kézdy, Associate Professor and Head of the Institute. She can be contacted at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for any academic queries.

The quality of education is ensured by our highly qualified teaching staff, many of whom have gained experience in various higher education institutions and are involved in theoretical and practical research on many social issues of contemporary Hungarian society.

Sociology BA Programme

Duration (semesters): 6

Tuition fee: 300,000 HUF/semester

The programme aims to train professional sociologists who, equipped with the essential sociological knowledge, will be able to contribute to the realisation of a knowledge-based information society, to the improvement of the quality of life, to the enhancement of equal opportunities, to the extension of social democracy and the strengthening of social integration. With the theoretical foundation they acquire, students will be able to identify key societal issues, understand their fundamental structural connections, and possess the practical and methodological knowledge necessary to explore, analyse and understand these issues.

In the first two semesters of our Sociology BA programme, we place a strong focus on the acquisition of basic knowledge in the social sciences, sociological theory and the history of sociology, as well as basic skills in information technology, mathematics, statistics and research methodology. During the middle phase of the programme, the focus shifts towards more advanced methodological skills, particularly linked to practical exercises. In the final two semesters, emphasis is placed on preparing the thesis and on subjects related to the chosen specialisation.

Graduates of the Sociology BA programme will be qualified to work as sociologists in central government, local government, church organisations or NGOs. They will be able to take on roles such as social (e.g. social policy) decision analysts, consultants, proposal writers, or researchers. Through our high-quality, practice-oriented training, students gain expertise in empirical research, enabling them to work as junior specialists in public opinion research, market research, political analysis, social research, or statistical data management at research organisations or companies.

Additionally, our programme prepares students for progression to master's programmes in the social sciences, paving the way for future careers in academic research or teaching.

The curriculum is available here

Specialisations:

Considering possible labour market and further study outcomes, in the 5th and 6th semesters of our BA programme, students can choose from the following specialisations based on their interests and plans: Social Psychology, Project Management, and Data Analysis (formerly Big Data Analysis). This choice allows students to gain in-depth knowledge in these areas and prepares them for the social science master's programmes offered by our department.

Master's Programmes of Sociology

Sociology MA (Part-time) - Specialisation in Social Psychology

Duration (semesters): 4

Tuition fee: 400,000 HUF/semester

With their knowledge of social psychology and sociology, as well as their practical experience of qualitative and quantitative methods, graduates of the Sociology MA programme will be well qualified for positions in areas such as market research companies, human resources departments in organisations, companies specialising in organisational development, consultancy and project development, public administration, ministries, and civil and religious organisations. Their training in interpersonal relations and conflict resolution can provide a solid foundation for further development as trainers, coaches or mediators.

In addition, their broad theoretical and methodological knowledge equips them to pursue careers in academic research, doctoral studies and research institutions, or teaching and research positions related to social research.

Programme content and structure: General theoretical (sociological theory, social history, social psychology) and methodological (quantitative and qualitative methods) subjects are covered in the first two semesters. Courses in the social psychology specialisation begin in the second semester. They focus on interpersonal relations, organisational theory, leadership theory, mediation, conflict resolution, and related social psychology methods.

A key feature of the programme is its practice-oriented structure: from the first to the third semester, students work on their own projects under the guidance of a faculty mentor, and in the third semester, they participate in a two-week professional internship.

Admission and entry requirements

Our master’s programme is open not only to graduates of bachelor’s programmes in Sociology and Social Sciences, but also to those who have at least 60 credits in relevant social science fields, or at least 20 credits in the same fields, provided that they commit themselves to earning the missing credits alongside the master's programme.

A letter of motivation and a detailed curriculum vitae are required for participation in the oral entrance examination.

Social and Behavioural Analysis MA (Full-time)

Duration (semesters): 4

Tuition fee for fee-paying students: 400,000 HUF/semester

In our master’s programme in Social and Behavioural Analysis, we have developed two specialisations, taking into account the potential labour market and further study outcomes: Data-Driven Social Research and Social Psychology. Applicants can choose between these specialisations.

The programme aims to train professionals with a high level of comprehensive knowledge who can analyse social processes both from a social psychological perspective and in terms of quantitative data. Graduates will be able to apply theoretical knowledge of human behaviour and social systems as well as methodological tools in the labour market, particularly in human resources, training, analysis and related fields in both the private and public sectors. They will also be prepared to continue their studies in a doctoral programme.

Data-Driven Social Research Specialisation

This specialisation equips students with fundamental programming and data analysis skills, enabling them to adapt easily to the rapidly changing IT environment. Graduates will gain specialist expertise in analysing 'big data' systems and will have a strong social science background and sensitivity to societal issues. This positions them well for roles in organisations that manage large transactional databases related to human behaviour. Banks, telecommunications companies, e-commerce and e-government all offer significant employment opportunities in this area, both in Hungary and across Europe. As socio-economic transactions are increasingly recorded through electronic customer service solutions, the analysis of these large databases offers significant opportunities for businesses, government agencies, and civil sector actors alike.

Social Psychology Specialisation

Graduates of the Social Psychology specialisation will be equipped with both sociological and social psychological knowledge and practical experience in qualitative and quantitative methods. They will be well prepared to work in market research companies, human resources departments in organisations, companies specialising in organisational development and consultancy, as well as in local and national social development projects, monitoring and impact analysis (e.g. public administration organisations, ministries) or similar civil and religious organisations. In addition, their training in interpersonal relations and conflict resolution provides a solid foundation for further development as trainers, coaches or mediators.

Programme content and structure

General theoretical subjects (sociological theory, theory of knowledge and science, game theory, social history, social inequalities and social psychology) and subjects related to the oral and written presentation of research processes and results (in Hungarian and foreign languages) are mainly covered in the first two semesters. From the first semester, the programme includes differentiated subjects according to the chosen specialisation.

The Data-Driven Social Research specialisation focuses on statistical programming and analysis techniques, network analysis, linear algebra, statistical programming, multivariate analysis, advanced statistical methods, statistical modelling and data interpretation. In contrast, the Social Psychology specialisation focuses on interpersonal relationships, organisational theory, leadership theory, mediation, conflict resolution and the social psychological methods associated with these areas. In addition to quantitative data analysis techniques, there is a strong emphasis on qualitative research methods and analysis techniques.

A distinctive feature of the programme is its practice-oriented structure: from the first to the third semester, students work on their own projects under the guidance of a faculty mentor, and in the third semester they participate in a two-week professional internship. The programme also emphasises the development of presentation and publication skills, as well as foreign language skills.

Admission and entry requirements

Our master’s programme is open to graduates of Sociology and Social Studies BA programmes, as well as those who have at least 60 credits in the following areas:

- Basic knowledge of History, Political Science, and Philosophy, with at least 5 credits;

- Basic knowledge of Social Sciences (Sociology, Social Psychology, Psychology, Social History, Cultural Anthropology), with at least 20 credits;

- Methods of Social Science Research, Market and Public Opinion Research knowledge, with at least 10 credits;

- Mathematical, Statistical, and Data Analysis knowledge (Probability Theory, Mathematical Statistics, Economic Mathematics, Computer-Based Data Analysis), with at least 15 credits.

The curriculum is available here

We also welcome applicants who have at least 30 credits in the above areas and are willing to complete the missing credits alongside the master's programme.

A letter of motivation and a detailed curriculum vitae are required for the oral entrance examination.

Head of Department

Full-time and Part-time Lecturers