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Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, Politics & Economics | SPE
Multi-talented Problem solvers wanted for today’s societies!
Are you interested in current political, social and economic issues such as political conflicts and wars, global economic interdependencies, social justice, cultural diversity, sustainability and digitalization? Do you want to initiate change and help find solutions to social and economic challenges?
The Bachelor's degree program Sociology, Politics & Economics | SPE at Zeppelin University (ZU) combines the three academic disciplines of sociology, politics and economics. As a result, you will learn how social systems, political mechanisms and economic influences interact.
In addition to this interdisciplinarity, the program is characterized by its practical relevance. Using scientific theories, methods and models, you will be able to analyze socially relevant problems and work on them according to scientific standards.
Depending on your individual interests, you can for instance deal with the following questions: Do social inequality, poverty and exclusion endanger social peace? How do politics and law shape conflicts and trade relations on a global level? What influence does migration have on social coexistence? How is digitalization & artificial intelligence changing our working environment?
The interdisciplinary perspective conveyed in the SPE program is in great demand on the job market. This is because complex challenges require networked thinking beyond specialist disciplines. For example, in a globalized world, investment decisions must consider the political and social structures of countries in addition to the economic conditions. When marketing products, it is also important to develop management strategies that take into account the social and cultural differences between different countries.
The degree program Sociology, Politics & Economics therefore optimally prepares you for jobs in political and management consultancy, journalism, communications agencies, international companies and organizations, NGOs and academia.
Facts & Figures of the Bachelor in Sociology, Politics & Economics
Qualification: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
Standard period of study: 8 semesters (4 years)
ECTS points 240
Course language: German & English
Language skills: Good knowledge of English is necessary
Course begins: Spring (January) & Fall (September)
Faculty: Faculty of Political & Social Sciences
Fees per semester: 6,550 Euro
Research focus & teaching content
The four-year undergraduate program focuses on sociology, politics and economics. These are complemented by topics such as psychology, governance or law.
A problem-oriented approach lets you rethink areas such as money and markets, work and society or sustainability from a sociological, political or economic perspective.
With the modules that build on each other and a wide selection of elective modules, you can set your own focus according to your personal goals and preferences. For example, if you would like to deepen your knowledge with the modules Psychology of Decisions, Politics of the European Union or Urbanization in World Society, you will have the opportunity to do so from the third to the seventh semester. Through the teaching portfolio, you will acquire scientifically sound research and methodological skills during the course of the bachelor's program. In addition, you will acquire the important key competencies for your professional or academic path in an SPE bachelor's program.
Study Program & Course
The four-year undergraduate program Sociology, Politics & Economics | SPE consists of the four study phases Zeppelin Year, Major Phase, Humboldt Year and Bachelor Phase.
Zeppelin Year
- You can use the Zeppelin Year as an orientation. This is also the first time you immerse yourself in your own research. You learn what it means to formulate a scientific research question independently. By applying theories, methods and models, you will learn to interpret and present your first research results independently.
Major Phase
- The second year of study, the so-called major phase, builds on your acquired methodological knowledge. The aim is for you to work independently on empirical questions and to be able to evaluate them with the help of suitable analytical procedures. You will be taught scientific standards as well as practical instructions. In addition, you will have the opportunity to further deepen your previous methodological knowledge.
Humboldt Year
- The Humboldt Year is your personal research year. In this study year you expand the knowledge you have acquired in the previous semesters. You have the opportunity to realize your own research project, to further deepen your subject knowledge or you decide to complete one of your two possible internships abroad, perhaps at one of our many partner universities.
- 1st - 2nd Semester | Zeppelin Year
to the extent of 60 ECTS-Credits
- 3rd- 7th Semester | Major Phase
to the extent of 120 ECTS-Credits
- 6st - 7th Semester | Humboldt Year
to the extent of 30 ECTS-Credits
- 8th Semester | Bachelor Phase
to the extent of 30 ECTS-Credits
Practical orientation, study abroad & connections
With small study groups and a close supervision ratio of 1:8 between students and scientists, you will find the optimal conditions to ask your socially relevant questions. Our aim is to enable you to quickly grasp social, political and economic systems and contexts and to find practical solutions to the challenges of our time.
Graduates of the Sociology, Politics & Economics | SPE program work in various fields of social activity. Alumnae and alumni assume responsibility in, among other things, internal and external diagnosis, consulting and design of political projects, entrepreneurial investments, social and technical innovations, organizational developments, scientific research or journalistic reporting.
Our special module design teaches you the tools to make your own socially responsible and sustainable decisions in the working world of tomorrow. Some courses in the compulsory area are regularly offered in English and give you the opportunity to actively improve your English skills. A semester abroad at one of our many partner universities worldwide will help you to develop intercultural skills for your future in addition to language acquisition.
Through our national and international network you will make inspiring and important contacts during your bachelor studies and gain first professional experiences for your academic or professional career.
What our Alumnus says
"I chose to study Sociology, Politics & Economics at Zeppelin University because real research, critical questioning and lively discussions, as well as daily commitment and the implementation of ideas were not only propagated, but also actively practiced. Be it through the establishment of various projects or intensive debates from a variety of perspectives with the common goal of understanding and improving.
What I particularly liked about my studies was the high level of personal responsibility and the freedom for personal development, as well as the inspiring diversity of my fellow students. Today I work as Chief of Staff at a family business in Zurich."
