Master in Science, Technology, Society

Master in Science, Technology, Society is one of 14 English-taught Social Sciences & Psychology programmes at master’s level in the register, offered by 5 institutions. 8 of them list an annual fee for students from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland; this programme lists EUR 1,453 a year. 8 are at a public university, where EU, EEA and Swiss students pay no tuition within the standard duration plus two semesters.

The Master's in Science, Technology, Society at the University of Vienna is taught in English and takes two years (four semesters, 120 ECTS). It is for people who want to understand how science and technology shape society, and how society shapes them.

What you study

The register description is short, but it sets the aim clearly: to train people who can produce detailed, critical analyses of the relationships between science, technology and society. The programme is built around the growing number of interfaces between science and technology on one side and society on the other. In a knowledge and science society, those interfaces need people with sound knowledge, analytical skills and communication skills. The degree is meant to give you that expertise and to open up new possibilities for action.

The register lists keywords that show the academic fields involved: sociology, philosophy, science studies, philosophy of science, STS, social research and behavioural research. The programme is in the social sciences and psychology subject area, and the degree awarded is Master of Arts (MA).

Admission, language and next steps

Teaching is in English, so you need to be comfortable working and writing in English. Admission is not automatic: there is an entrance procedure. You submit a letter of motivation and a curriculum vitae in English. The register does not give further details on the selection process, so check the University of Vienna's programme page for what the letter should contain and when to send it.

Applications go directly to the University of Vienna, not through a central portal. The university's own page gives the application period. As a public university, it charges no tuition to EU/EEA and Swiss students within the standard duration plus two semesters; other students pay a fee per semester. The register does not record the intake, so confirm the start date with the university.

The aim of the master’s programme in Science, Technology, Society is to train individuals who, with detailed and critical analyses, contribute to a scientifically sound understanding of the increasingly important relationships between science, technology and society. In a knowledge and science society the growing number of interfaces between science/technology and society creates a need for people who have sound knowledge and analytical and communication skills in this area and who use this expertise to open up new possibilities for action.

There is no central application portal in Austria: you apply to the institution, here University of Vienna. A public university sets the admission requirements and dates for this level, so read them on the programme page. Entrance examination, as the register states it: Admission procedure consisting of submission of a letter of motivation and a curriculum vitae in English. Entry requirements and language tests are set by the institution, so start from the official programme page. Our guides cover tuition fees, the student residence permit and housing.