Master degree in Sociology

General Objectives of the Course

Objectives: The Master's in Sociology provides access to specialized sociology knowledge and to up-to-date theoretical and methodological tools in Sociology and other scientific interdisciplinary fields.

Besides providing training in such domains as advanced sociological theories and research methodologies, the Master's programme promotes an update in several contemporary relevant themes, such as the following: State and social politics; cities and urban cultures; territory and local authorities; political sociology; labour and employment sociology; social and gender inequalities; epistemology; social movements and trade unionism; international migrations; science and technology; sociology of law. The programme is also organized in a close relation with the professional world, by expanding competences and knowledge in very important domains for the Portuguese society, where future generations of sociologists may play an important role.

The Master's programme has the following goals:

- To train specialized scientific research competences in Sociology and in articulation with other social and human sciences.

- To develop qualifications and excellence skills for critical assessment, analysis, diagnostics and intervention at several professional levels where Sociology is present today.

- To contribute do disseminate the Portuguese social sciencesscientific knowledge, in a field which is definitely decisive for understanding ongoing social changes in the current national and global context.

Curricular Structure: The Master's programme lasts 2 years and is organized into 4 semesters. There are two branches: a scientific branch leading to writing a Master's dissertation, and a vocational specialization branch leading to an internship and the corresponding report. The first year is structured into 3 mandatory units of study (22.5 ECTS) and 5 optional units of study (37.5 ECTS) In the 2nd year, curricular activities are structured according to the branch: to support the dissertation work (2 seminars corresponding to 12.5 ECTS); or to support the vocational internship (1 seminar corresponding to 5 ECTS).

Admission Requirements

As defined in Article 42 of the Academic Regulation of the University of Coimbra: a) Holders of a Bachelor degree or legal equivalent; b) Holders of a foreign higher education degree awarded after a first study cycle organized according to the principles of the Bologna Process by an acceding State; c) Holders of a foreign higher education degree recognized as complying with the objectives of the Bachelor degree by the Scientific Council responsible for the Master's study cycle; d) In justified cases, applicants showing a scientific and professional curriculum relevant for attending the current study cycle may access the Master's study cycles upon recognition by the Scientific Council responsible for the Master's study cycle.

Candidates should check the admission requirements available on this site, in addition to the information provided here.

Professional Goals

Master's graduates in Sociology have advanced qualifications for exercising multiple, different functions within the scope of public administration, companies, associations and non-governmental organizations in fields related to social politics, including local politics, social inequalities, justice, social integration, heritage management, teaching and school administration, employment, health and culture.

Mode of Study

Teaching sessions will take place on Friday and Saturday.

Teaching / Evaluation language(s)

Portuguese

Examination Regulations, Assessment and Grading

As assessment is a pedagogical activity inseparable from the teaching process, its aim is to establish the students' competencies and knowledge, their critical sense, ability to recognize and resolve problems, as well as their written and oral presentation skills. Students may only register for exams for classes they are currently registered for under the terms of number 6 of article 4 of the University of Coimbra Pedagogical Policy. The following are examples of assessment items: Oral or written exams, written or practical work, individual and group projects that may require an oral defense, as well as class participation. Assessment for each class may include one or more of the above mentioned items. Grading is based on a scale of 0 to 20 and a grade of 10 is required to pass. Whenever assessment includes more than one item, the final grade is calculated by taking into account the relative weight of each item according to a formula published in the course outline under the terms of number 2 of article 7 of the UC Pedagogical Policy.

Course Coordinator(s)

Rosa Filomena Brás Lopes Monteiro
monteiro.rosa14@gmail.com

ECTS Departmental Coordinator(s)

António Manuel Portugal Duarte
portugal@fe.uc.pt

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of prior learning is carried out in accordance with the Academic Regulation of the University of Coimbra.

Qualification Requirements and Regulations

Decree-Law No. 74/2006, of 24 March, as amended by the Decree-Law No. 107/2008, of 25 June, and by the Decree-Law No. 230/2009, of 14 September. The Order No. 2330/2008 of 24 January publishes the course's programme structure and study plan.

Graduation Requirements

The Master's degree requires the successful completion of all units of study in the study plan, as well as the successful defence of a dissertation or internship report, totalling 120 ECTS. Successful completion of the first two semesters’ units of study, corresponding to 60 ECTS, will award a postgraduate studies diploma.

Access to Further Studies

Master's graduates in Sociology have increased competences for applying to a PhD programme.

Study Programme

Scientific

Academic year
2024-2025

Course Type
2nd Cycle Studies - Continuity Master Programme

DGES Code: 9333

Qualification Awarded: Mestre

Duration: 2 Year(s)

ECTS Credits: 120.0

Category: Continuity second cycle

Applications

Call for Applications

Calendar

1st Semester: Start date: 09-09-2024
End date: 14-12-2024
2nd Semester: Start date: 03-02-2025
End date: 22-05-2025

Accreditations

Agência de Avaliação e Acreditação do Ensino Superior: 2020-07-31 a 2026-07-30
Direcção Geral de Ensino Superior: Nº Registo: R/A-Ef 1617/2011/AL01; 2021-05-18