Skip to main content

Department of Social Policy and Social Security Studies

Social Protection (MSc)

Gruppenbild Social Protection Campus StA 20220517 foto eric lichtenscheidt 02 fs22.jpg
Social Protection means protecting our most vulnerable members of society, adapting our social systems to crisis and eradicating poverty worldwide. Here at H-BRS, we have developed a 4-semester, hybrid format, interdisciplinary master’s programme, which provides students with the tools to analyze, design and manage social protection systems. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates receive the academic degree "Master of Science".

Programme Contents

The Master’s programme “Social Protection” offers an inter-disciplinary and in-depth study of social protection systems. Graduates will be able to analyze and reform systems that are effective, affordable, and flexible enough to meet future socio-economic challenges.

We want our graduates to

  • gain deeper insights into the constitutive elements, driving forces, and instruments of social protection systems, covering low-, middle- and high income countries
  • know how to use different methods of analysis for designing and re-organizing social protection systems
  • have a solid understanding of how to institutionalize and sustainably finance social protection systems
  • be comfortable using state-of-the-art management methods to implement interventions effectively and efficiently
  • establish a network of national and international experts

Programme re-accredited!

The degree level has been changed from Master of Arts (MA) to Master of Science (MSc) and the examination regulations have been amended accordingly. These changes went into affect starting winter semester 2022/2023.

Application Phase 2024 is starting

Study facts

Degree

Master's degree

Standard period of study

4 Semesters

Language skills

English

Campus

Sankt Augustin

Start of course

Winter semester (September)

Semester contribution

Prerequisites

At least a bachelor’s degree from a relevant academic field, At least 5 months of relevant work experience (incl. voluntary and unpaid work, internships), Proof of English language proficiency at C1 level, Research proposal

Application period

01.12. – 28.02. (Non-EU applicants); 01.12. – 31.5. (EU applicants)

Language skills

English

Accreditation

AQAS

Sayanti Sengupta from India, Batch 2018 - Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre, The Netherlands

XGodFGtnd_PBBA7b_Et0CG4ZHGTInLzDc-BXa763qRo.jpg
Testimonial MSc Social Protection Alumni - Sayanti Sengupta

"This master's programme in Social Protection is truly special, not only in its ability to create experts in the field, but also because it is highly relevant to the world today. You will gain a set of transferable skills that are invaluable. I highly recommend this programme; you won't be disappointed."

The own Handbook on Social Protection Systems is guiding the courses

Our professor for International Social Protection Systems, Prof. Dr. Esther Schüring, and Markus Loewe, Research Team Leader at the German Development Institute, published the Handbook on Social Protection Systems which provides readers with a comprehensive and globally relevant overview of the instruments, actors and design features of social protection systems, as well as their application and impacts in practice. 

The content corresponds closely with the content of the course, supports it and forms the evidence-based foundation for many in-class discussions. Wherever possible, content such as expert interviews, quizzes and key questions from the multimedia version are used. 

Career Prospects

Graduates will have career prospects in a wide variety of sectors, i.e. as policy planners, managers, and advisors to

  • ministries
  • government agencies
  • social security institutions
  • NGOs
  • international (development) organisations
  • private insurance companies
  • and many more

News & Events!

Honorarprofessor Markus Loewe und Hartmut Ihne bei Ernennung

Markus Loewe - New Honorary Professor

Social Protection Beratung StA 20220517 foto eric lichtenscheidt 09 fs22.jpg

MSc Social Protection accepting applications again

Neue_Professorin Helmsmueller_Praesident Ihne 15072022.JPG

Simona Helmsmüller ist neue Professorin

Relevant Information for Prospective Applicants

Curriculum

Testimonials & Alumni

Students from Previous Cohorts

Cooperating Partners

Application Process

Application Process DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Programme Scholarship

Admission Criteria

Newsletter: MSc Social Protection Insights

Relevant Information for Students

International Office

Student Council Department Social Policy & Social Security Studies

General Student Committee (AStA)

Family Service Center HELP

Inclusion at H-BRS

Language Centre

Writing Centre English

Psychological Counseling

Semester Fees

Newsletter: MSc Social Protection Insights

Central Information for First Semester Students

Anlaufstellen

Coordination Team - MSc Social Protection

Campus

Sankt Augustin

Room

K205, K207

Address

Rathausallee 10

53757, Sankt Augustin

Departmental Office Social Policy and Social Security Studies at the Sankt Augustin Campus

Campus

Sankt Augustin

Room

K 201

Address

Rathausallee 10

53757, Sankt Augustin

Opening hours

Tuesdays and Thursdays : 9.00 to 13.00

Contact to the Registrar's Office

Address

Campus Sankt Augustin: Grantham Allee 20, 53757 Sankt Augustin // Rooms E039 - E040 & E044 - E048

Campus Rheinbach: Egermanstr. 1, 53359 Rheinbach // Rooms 1.304 - 1.305

Opening hours

Telephone consultation hours: Monday - Friday: 10:00 - 12:00, Monday - Thursday: 14:00 - 15:00

Personal consultation hours by appointment only

Student council Social Policy and Social Security Sankt Augustin

Campus

Sankt Augustin

Address

Technopark, Rathaus-Allee 10

53757, Sankt Augustin