Social Protection (MSc)
Application Process - MSc Social Protection
Your Path to Our Programme
Join our Master's degree programme in Social Protection for an interdisciplinary and in-depth exploration of social protection systems. Upon graduation, you'll be equipped to design innovative systems that are not only sustainably financed but also effective and flexible.
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible, you should hold at least a bachelor's degree from a relevant field and have completed a minimum of 15 ECTS credits in subjects related to social protection. For more details on eligible degrees and application documents, please see the documents section.
Two Ways to Join Us
-
DAAD Helmut Schmidt Scholarship: This opportunity is available for selected students from developing countries.
-
General Admission Period: Applications are accepted from December 1 to February 28 for those requiring a visa and until May 31 for others.
Previous Knowledge in Mathematics
Calculus: Basic differentiation and integration techniques, including applications and graphing.
Linear Algebra: Solving linear equations.
Probability and Statistics: Basic concepts of probability, combinatorics, and some introductory statistical analysis.
Many German schools work with a specific learning app called Anton (https://anton.app/de/). The expected level of maths is that assessed in the categories “Mathematik Oberstufe” (available only in German). By ensuring your mathematics skills meet these standards, you will be better prepared for the academic challenges of our program.
Application Deadlines
-
General Admission: Our online application portal opens on December 1. If you require a visa, please submit your application by February 28. If not, you have until July 31 to apply.
-
DAAD Scholarship: If you're interested in applying for the DAAD Helmut Schmidt Scholarship, note that applications typically open a year in advance. For the winter semester 2026/27, applications will be accepted from June 1, 2025, until July 31, 2025.
Required Documents
The following documents must be submitted:
- Letter of motivation
- Current curriculum vitae (CV) in tabular form
- Copies of certificates (in German or English; If not, please provide certified translations)
- Proof of relevant practical experience of at least 5 months (including internships, unpaid work experience and voluntary work)
- Proof of English language skills at C1 level
- Filled in Research Proposal template (Please use the template provided on our application page)
Attention: At the end of the page, you will find the Research Proposal template, which should always be used for your application.
Qualifying Degrees
At least a bachelor’s degree from a relevant academic field, such as
- economics
- political sciences
- international relations/development
- public/social policy
- law
- science
- psychology
is required. Other subjects, insofar as the contents relating to the subject area of social protection encompass a minimum of 15 credits in accordance with the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) are accepted.
Motivation Letter
Maximum of two pages.
Explain
- why you would like to complete a Master's degree in the field of social protection,
- how the degree programme fits in with your career goals, and
- how your previous work experience relates to social protection.
Please be as specific as possible and give examples to support your statements.
Copies of Certificates
In case the language of certificates is neither English nor German, please add a certified translation.
In general, your copies will need to be sent in as certified original copies when applying for admission. Certifications can usually be made at local and national authorities and specialized certifying agencies.
Proof of Relevant Work Experience
We require a certificate from your employer stating in detail
- the period of employment,
- the weekly working hours,
- job title,
- job description, and
- a section on the mission statement and tasks of the organization or company.
The certificate, stamped by the organization/company, should include the contact details of your immediate supervisor (work telephone number and e-mail).
If you are working in an international organization, please also include the reference number.
IMPORTANT: The information on your CV and the certificate should be the same (e.g. job title, period of employment).
Proof of English Proficiency
Official proof of English language proficiency at C1 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages is required for application.
Certified by
- English being the official languages of your home country / the educational system,
- one of the recognized language tests, or
- an official certificate from your university stating that your previous studies were conducted in English.
Research Proposal
The research proposal should be a proposal for a research project in the field of social protection. The template, including a brief description of the components of the proposal, can be found below under "Documents".
Please make sure that your surname and first name as well as the application number are included in the file name.
The research proposal is designed in a way that it can be completed within 2 hours. Once you have completed it, please upload it to the application portal with the other application documents before the application deadline.
No forged documents
Application Process
To apply, simply register on our online application portal, Apollo, and upload all the necessary documents. Please ensure your application is complete, as incomplete submissions cannot be considered. Before applying, check your country's specific visa requirements to ensure a smooth process.
If you have any questions, please contact the Student Services at Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg
Need Help in Applying?
Application submitted- and now?
- After the application deadline, the Student Services will inform all applicants promptly about the success of their application and the next steps. If your application is successful, you will first receive an informal letter of admission.
- For a definitive offer, successful applicants must send certified copies of their original degrees and certificates within two weeks of receiving the informal letter of admission.
- The coordination team will send out a welcome/information package with useful information about the programme. You will also be added to a Facebook group (and most batches create their informal WhatsApp groups) to network with other first-year students.
- You will enrol in the degree program online (according to information from the Registrar's Office) and receive your student ID and semester ticket as well as access to your mailbox and the teaching platform.
The application process is now complete and you are officially a student on our Master's degree program - congratulations!
Before the introductory weeks, you will take placement tests via the teaching platform, which will provide a recommendation for participation in bridge courses in statistics and economics. If participation is recommended, please prepare the courses accordingly.
Arrive by September
You are expected to arrive at least three weeks before the start of the first lecture (early September) for in-person bridge courses, and formal and informal introductory events.
Contact
Contact to the Student Services
Opening hours
Telephone consultation hours: Monday - Friday: 10:00 - 12:00, Monday - Thursday: 14:00 - 15:00
Personal consultation hours by appointment only
Course guidance service Master Social Protection
Campus
Sankt Augustin
Room
F209