Wicked Social Problems
About the programme
Wicked problems demand more than simple answers
From social inequality and global mobility to transformations in work, organisations and society, the programme equips you with the theoretical, methodological and practical tools to analyse interconnected social challenges and develop evidence-based, context-sensitive responses.
- The programme is firmly rooted in sociology while drawing on multiple disciplines to examine complex real-world social and economic problems through project-based learning.
- You will develop a broad methodological toolkit and shape your own methodological profile through a choice of advanced methods courses, including qualitative approaches such as interviewing, participatory research and comparative case studies, and quantitative approaches such as data visualisation, survey analytics, big data and social network analysis.
- You will analyse complex problems in relation to their institutional and organisational contexts and the perspectives of diverse stakeholders.
- You will translate analysis into well-grounded recommendations that can inform organisational and professional practice across corporate, public and non-profit settings.
Who is this programme for?
Details
Programme name Wicked Social Problems
Programme award MA
ECTS 120
Duration 4 semesters (2 years)
Includes internship No
Start date September 2027
Tuition fee (EEA)
850 000 HUF/semester
1 700 000 HUF/year
approx. 2 350 EUR/semester
approx. 4 700 EUR/year
Tuition fee (Non-EEA)
3 500 EUR/semester
7 000 EUR/year
*The official price list can be found in the annex to the Regulation on Student Fees and Benefits.
Assessment
Assessment reflects the programme’s emphasis on analytical thinking, research and project-based learning. Depending on the course, you will be assessed through individual and group projects, research assignments, presentations, written analyses and other forms of coursework. Several courses require you to apply theoretical and methodological knowledge to complex real-world problems, while Wicked Labs and the Capstone Project provide opportunities to integrate and apply what you have learned across the programme.
What will you study?
1st semester
Core Courses*
- Theorising Wicked Problems
- (De)globalisation and Global Transformations
- The Power of Data
- Advanced Methods block
- Skill Seminar I, II
2nd semester
Core Courses*
- Budapest: The Divided City
- Wicked Problems in Ecological Economics
- Project Management
- Advanced Methods block
3rd semester
Core Courses*
- Specialisation
- Advanced Methods block
- Skill Seminar III
- Wicked Labs
4th semester
Core Courses*
- Specialisation
- Capstone Project
* The above is not an exhaustive list. Corvinus University of Budapest reserves the right to change modules.
Specialisations
Future of Work
The specialisation examines how technological, organisational and social transformations are reshaping work, careers, skills and organisations. Students explore the changing nature of work, the relationship between education and pathways into work, the social implications of digitalisation and AI, and how organisations respond to change, lead cross-functional collaboration and make decisions under uncertainty. Combining social-scientific analysis with organisational and applied perspectives, the specialisation develops expertise relevant to analytical, advisory and research roles concerned with organisational transformation, changing patterns of work, consulting and related professional contexts.
Global Mobility
The specialisation explores how migration, belonging and transnational lives are shaped by inequality, institutions and broader social transformations. With particular attention to Central and Eastern Europe, students examine labour migration, diasporic and minority experiences, and the mobility of highly skilled migrants and global elites, including how different forms of mobility shape opportunities, identities and social relations across borders. Combining sociological analysis with comparative and international perspectives, the specialisation develops expertise relevant to research and analytical roles concerned with migration, international mobility and social change.
International opportunities
Exchange programmes
Leading university
Rankings
#2 Best Business School in the region
EdUniversal Rankings
#351-400 in Business and Management
WUR Ranking by Subject
TOP 70 in Master’s in Finance in the world
Financial Times
Accreditations and networks
Career Opportunities
Graduates are prepared for analytical, research, project and advisory roles across a wide range of organisations. The programme’s combination of social-scientific expertise, advanced research methods, project-based problem solving and stakeholder engagement equips graduates to contribute to evidence-based decision-making in areas such as research, consulting, organisational strategy and project development. It also provides strong preparation for doctoral study.
