Master’s Degree in Social Sciences

Master’s Degree in Social Sciences at Université PSL

The Master’s Degree in Social Sciences at Université PSL is an interdisciplinary, research-oriented graduate program offered through a collaboration between École Normale Supérieure–PSL (ENS–PSL) and the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (EHESS) in Paris, France. Taught in French, the program provides advanced academic training in anthropology, history, and sociology, while incorporating perspectives from political science, economics, and related disciplines. It emphasizes research-based learning, critical analysis, and the application of qualitative and quantitative methodologies to understand social structures, historical developments, and contemporary societal challenges. The program is affiliated with PSL’s Graduate Program in Social Sciences and benefits from connections with research institutions, including the Centre Maurice Halbwachs, IRIS, and CESSP.

Curriculum, Research Specializations, and Career Opportunities

The program offers two specialized tracks beginning in Master Year 1: Interdisciplinary Practices in Social Science (PDI) and Quantification in Social Science. Students develop advanced research skills through workshops, practical fieldwork, internships, and training in statistics, archival research, ethnography, and cartography. The second year focuses primarily on an individual research project, allowing students to conduct independent investigations within their chosen disciplines. The program welcomes applicants with educational backgrounds in humanities and social sciences, including economics, political science, history, geography, and sociology, as well as graduates in mathematics or computer science applied to social science research. Courses are delivered primarily at the ENS–PSL Paris-Jourdan Campus and EHESS. Graduates are prepared mainly for doctoral studies and academic research careers, while the Quantification in Social Science track also provides opportunities in the corporate sector.