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Title
Global Demography (Master)
Category
graduate
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ae1f5e2fa77749489b02ee7ba31264b0
Source URL
https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/degree-programmes/master-programmes/global-dem...
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2026-03-20T02:28:44+00:00
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Global Demography (Master)

Source: https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/degree-programmes/master-programmes/global-demography-master/ Parent: https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/degree-programmes/degree-programmes-in-foreign-languages/

© Pixabay/Brian Merrill

In a world of over 8 billion people, studying population change is essential for a proper understanding of the problems of today, and for tackling the challenges of tomorrow. Demography affects each and every aspect of our lives – from the world economy and social policy, to city planning and climate change. Demographic analysis is key to understanding the complex dynamics shaping the future social landscape.

The principal aim of the master’s programme in Global Demography at the University of Vienna is to give students a strong scientific grounding in the analysis and forecasting of demographic developments across the globe – in particular, fertility, mortality and migration trends. Guided by leading experts in the field, students will be given the opportunity to explore the multidimensional ramifications and implications of demographic change on economic, social, and environmental issues.

Students enrolled in the Global Demography master’s programme will explore the international demographic literature, learn important methodological tools, and gain an array of transferable skills reaching beyond academia. A graduate of the Global Demography programme will thus be able to successfully deal with large volumes of complex scientific data, evaluate their practical meaning, and apply the findings to advance research and influence regional and global policymaking. Alumni will be well-prepared for a large variety of careers in academia, international organisations, NGOs, think tanks and research centres, national planning and statistical agencies, government bodies, and consultancy.

Master of Science

Degree Programme Code: 066 945

4 semesters / 120 ECTS credits

Language: English

Selection procedure

Curriculum

More information about the programme

Info Sessions

The Department of Demography offers two digital info sessions in February:

More information & how to register

The Info Sessions will be held online via Zoom.

Facts & Figures

Data updated on: 26.11.2025

Information about presentation & calculation

*Click here for further information on statistical data in the field of teaching and learning. (in German)

Admission Procedure

Information about the selection procedure

Information on Previous Studies:

In any case eligible degree programmes at the University of Vienna:

Getting started

Orientation course

Orientation in the first semester

Semester planning

Getting Informed

StudiesServiceUnit Sociology

Department of Demography;)

Study Programme

The Global Demography master’s programme is structured as follows:

Students will be supervised and co-supervised by the scientific staff of the Department of Demography at the University of Vienna: Wolfgang Lutz, Eva Beaujouan, Erich Striessnig, Endale Birhanu Kebede and Sonja Spitzer.

Students will also benefit from co-supervisions by leading scientists from the Wittgenstein Centre for Demography and Global Human Capital (IIASA, OeAW, University of Vienna) among them: Isabella Buber-Ennser, Jesus Crespo Cuaresma, Alexia Fürnkranz-Prskawetz, Anne Goujon, Samir KC, Michael Kuhn, Marc Luy, Raya Muttarak, Sergei Scherbov and Tomas Sobotka.

Five Concepts

which you will deal with during your studies:

... and many more.

Five Skills

which you will master during your studies:

Overview of the programme structure & topics

Here you find the current offer of courses for this programme to gain better insight into the topics and structure. For more information please click on the respective level.

Propedeuticum: Introduction to Scientific Working (4 ECTS)

M1. Demographic Theories, Global Demographic Trends and Drivers (24 ECTS)

M1.1. Introduction to Demographic Theories, Global Human Capital and Social Change (4 ECTS)

M1.2. Fertility and Family (6 ECTS)

M1.3. Mortality, Health and Ageing (6 ECTS)

M1.4. Migration, Urbanization and Spatial Distribution (4 ECTS)

M2. Demographic Methods and Statistics for Social Scientists (20 ECTS)

M2.1. Basic Methods of Demographic Analysis (4 ECTS)

M2.2a. Statistics for Social Scientists 1 (4 ECTS)

M2.2b. Statistics for Social Scientists 2 (4 ECTS)

M2.3. Advanced Methods of Demographic Analysis (hands-on intensive course) (4 ECTS)

Tutorial to M2.3 (4 ECTS)

M3. Population and Global Human Capital (16 ECTS)

M3.1. Population history: The Long-run (4 ECTS)

M3.2. Human Capital and Economic Demography (4 ECTS)

M3.3. Policy Research: Public Health, Fertility and Migration (4 ECTS)

Electives in other Social Sciences (4 ECTS)

M4. Population Change and Sustainable Development (12 ECTS)

M4.1. Population Forecasting (4 ECTS)

M4.2. Population, Climate Change and Sustainable Development (4 ECTS)

M4.3. Fertility, Mortality and Human Capital Trends in a Global Systemic Perspective (4 ECTS)

M5. Demographic Research Projects (18 ECTS)

M5.1. Empirical Study (10 ECTS)

M5.2. Demographic Debate: Literature Review and Contemporary Demographic Debates (8 ECTS)

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After Graduation

This master’s programme qualifies students for a wide range of career paths:

Continuing after Graduation