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How to apply for the SEDS Master's programme

Quick facts, FAQ & More

Admission requirements

Bachelor´s degree

An above average Bachelor's degree, at least corresponding to the German grade 2,5 (good) in one of the following subjects:

  • Economics
  • Political Science
  • Sociology
  • Psychology
  • or a related degree

You are welcome to apply in your final year of your Bachelor's program. Please submit your current academic transcript as PDF (with an officially certified translation into English or German, if applicable).

Foundations of Data Science

You will need to provide evidence of knowledge from at least two focus areas, acquired in at least three courses during your Bachelor’s degree, as listed below.

Focus Area Computer Science

  • Data Visualization (Dept. of Computer and Information Science)
  • Principles of Computer Science in combination with a Programming Course (Dept. of Computer and Information Science)

Focus Area Mathematics

  • Discrete Mathematics and Logic (Dept. of Computer and Information Science)
  • Analysis and Linear Algebra (Dept. of Computer and Information Science)
  • Mathematics for Data Science (Dept. of Computer and Information Science)
  • Mathematics  for Economists  (Dept. of Mathematics and Statistics)
  • Linear Algebra I (Dept. of Mathematics and Statistics)

Focus Area Statistics

  • Statistics I (Dept. of Economics)
  • Statistics I (Dept. of  Psychology)
  • Statistics (Dept. of Politics and Public Administration)
  • Statistics I (Dept. of History and Sociology)

Focus Area Social-scientific Methods

  • Econometrics I (Dept. of Economics)
  • Introduction to Survey Methodology (Dept. of Politics and Public Administration)
  • Research Design I: Research Design and Causal Inference (Dept. of Politics and Public Administration)
  • Empirical Research Methods (Dept. of Politics and Public Administration)
  • Empiricism: Quantitative Methods (Dept. of History and Sociology)
  • Methods & History of Psychology (Dept. of Psychology)
  • Research Methods 2 (Dept. of Psychology)

English language skills

 Proof of sufficient English language skills through one of the following tests:

  • Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency: minimum grade C
  • IELTS (academic version): minimum grade 6.5
  • TOEFL: minimum grade 92 (internet-based points)
  • in individual cases, an equivalent test checked and recognized by the corresponding Examination Board
  • Important: Duolingo test is not accepted!

CV and motivation letter

Please include a curriculum vitae in English as well as a one-page statement of purpose written in English showing your suitability and motivation for pursuing the Master's program.

Letters of recommendation

Two letters of recommendation from university teachers who are able to comment on your suitability and motivation for participating in the Master's program.

Letters of recommendation on letter-head paper and signed must be sent to seds.msc@uni-konstanz.de separately as PDF-files by the referees in English or German.

GRE score

 Although not mandatory, results of the GRE test are desirable if you did not complete your undergraduate degree in Germany. 

FAQs

How and when can I apply?

You can apply via the following website :

The application portal will open mid March.

Please have all the documents from the checklist (below) ready.

When does the application period end?

The application deadline for admission in October is April, 30th (start of the Master's Program in Social and Economic Data Science only in the winter semester).

When are the results of the admission process published?

Usually, the admissions office and the department need about four to six weeks to process the applications and to evaluate them. We try to inform the applicants within six to eight weeks at latest after the application deadline about the result of the process.

May I apply before I have received my Bachelors diploma?

You are welcome to apply in your final year of your Bachelor's program. Please submit your current academic transcript as PDF (with an officially certified translation into English or German, if applicable).

Can I hand in documents after the application´s deadline?

You have to fill out the online application and upload all the relevant documents before the end of the application deadline.

Attachments to the application, e.g. letters of recommendation, can still be submitted until May 8, by e-mail directly to seds.msc@uni-konstanz.de.

What are the criteria on which the applicant selection is based?

According to the admission rules, a series of soft and hard criteria decide on the admission of a candidate. The following critera do play a role for the admission committee:

  • What is the candidate's former study program?
  • At which institution did he/she study before?
  • Which relevant courses were done during the Bachelor's program?
  • What grades were achieved?
  • Who has written the reference letters and how emphatetic is the recommendation given?
  • Is the motivation letter substantial?

What language skills will be required?

Evidence of a sufficient command of English from one of the following English language tests:

  • Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency (minimum grade: C)
  • IELTS (minimum grade: 6.5)
  • TOEFL (minimum grade: 92 Internet-based points)
  • in individual cases, an equivalent test checked and recognized by the corresponding Examination Board
  • Important note: Duolingo will not be accepted!

Can I apply if I am not proficient in German?

Yes - all core courses of the program are offered in English. There are some elective courses that are offered in German. We recommend all international students to learn German during their stay in Konstanz and e.g. take part in the Go-Konstanz program, a one-month intensive language course offered in September by the International Office.

Who should write my letter of recommendation?

Ideally, the two letters of recommendation should be written by lecturers at your institution who are able to comment on your suitability and motivation for participating in the Master's program.

However, if that is not possible, we are also accepting letters by your employer. Letters of recommendation on letter-head paper and signed must be sent by the referees to seds.msc@uni-konstanz.de separately as PDF-files in English or German.

Is there a minimum score for the GRE test?

No, we do not require a minimum score. However, please note that applicants with a good GRE score improve their chances of being selected.

Can I substitute GMAT scores for the GRE?

Results of the GRE test are desirable. If you cannot take the test, you can submit your GMAT Score with the application package. 
However, please note that applicants with a good GRE score improve their chances of being selected.

Tuition Fees

All students: 160 EUR /semester (administrative fee). Additionally:

For EU/EEA citizens: no tuition fees.
Non EU/EEA Citizens: 1500 EUR /semester.

For a list of scholarships please follow the link:
www.wiwi.uni-konstanz.de/en/study/study-in-konstanz/fees/

Application Checklist

To submit your online application you are required to upload the following supporting documents as PDF-files:

  • Scanned PDF academic transcript outlining your grades obtained from at least three courses from at least two focus areas. Please specifically mark these modules. You may add official course descriptions. If the original document is not in English or German, provide an officially certified translation
  • Degree certificate(s) (scanned PDF of originals and officially certified translations into English or German only)
  • Scanned test sheet proving English proficiency as outlined above
  • Full CV in English
  • One-page statement of purpose in English
  • Letters of recommendation on letter-head paper and signed must be sent by the referees to seds.msc@uni-konstanz.de  separately as PDF-files in English or German
  • If applicable, scanned PDF of original GRE score sheet
  • Applicants from India, China, Mongolia and Vietnam: please attach the scanned original certificate by the Academic Evaluation Centre (Akademische Prüfstelle - APS) of the respective embassies in New DehliBeijing, Ulan Bator or Hanoi

Important:

  • You don't need to send any documents or application forms by post. Digital uploads in the online application tool is all you need.
  • The application deadline for admission in October is 30th of April at 23:59 CEST. 
  • Admitted MSc SEDS applicants will be required to submit all documents in original or as officially certified copies upon registration at the University of Konstanz.

Officially certified copies and translations

Where specified, officially certified scanned copies must be provided. If the documents are not in English or German, officially certified translations must be provided additionally. If the document/translation comprises more than one page, every page must be certified. A copy of an officially certified copy or a translation must be certified anew. Official certifications of copies can be issued in Germany by the following authorities: offices of the mayor or chief magistrate, civic authorities, police authorities, courts, notaries. Schools and universities may only certify their own certificates. In foreign countries, the following offices are authorised to issue certifications: the diplomatic missions of the Federal Republic of Germany or the authorities in the respective countries which are authorised to issue certifications. Certifications must be in German, English or French.

Correspondence address

We will send information during the application and admission process to your correspondence address. Please inform us immediately of any changes to your address, telephone number or e-mail address.