Alapadatok
Computational Social and Behavioral Scientist
Angol
Program
The goal of this interdisciplinary programme is to equip students with the knowledge and skills to understand, analyse, and interpret the social and behavioral aspects of digital transformation. Integrating sociology, psychology, communication, and data science, it offers a comprehensive view of digital society and online behavior. It is recommended for applicants interested in how digital technologies, social media, and AI shape individuals, institutions, and culture. The programme suits those open to interdisciplinary methods and especially digital computational, quantitative research tools, aiming for careers in research, policy, consultancy, or digital strategy. Students will gain a solid theoretical and methodological foundation, learn to analyse online social processes, apply computational methods, and communicate findings effectively. Graduates will be prepared for doctoral studies or roles requiring data-driven insight into human behavior in the digital age.
A key strength of the programme is its interdisciplinary structure, combining sociology, psychology, political science, communication studies, and data science to offer a comprehensive understanding of digital society. Students gain both theoretical foundations and practical skills in analysing online behavior, social media, and the broader impacts of digital transformation.
The academic staff includes experienced researchers and international experts of computational social and behavioral science who bring current insights and research into the classroom. The programme emphasises hands-on learning, offering students the opportunity to work with real-world digital data and apply computational research methods.
Graduates of the programme are well-prepared to continue their studies at the doctoral level or to take on roles in research, policy, digital consultancy, and business, where understanding the social and behavioural dimensions of digital transformation is essential.
Felépítés
Karrier
The program trains professionals who are able to understand and explain new social and behavioral processes and phenomena in society as complex systems, whether in the field of science or business. As the programme is very interdisciplinary, it opens doors in many areas where data-driven methods are used to study human behavior, social processes, and decision-making. As the degree supports the understanding of social sciences with the tools of data science, the ideal jobs are where understanding, modeling, and supporting human behavior with data is essential. Graduates of the program are prepared to continue their studies in doctoral programs.
Social Data Scientist – especially focusing on social or behavioral data in corporations or research institutes.
Researcher in social psychology or economics – using computational modeling and experiments.
Policy Analyst – in government or NGOs, applying big data and statistical modeling.
User Experience (UX) Researcher – studying and analyzing user behavior through testing and data.
Data-driven Marketing Analyst – modeling consumer behavior, conducting market research, and segment analysis.
HR Analytics / People Analytics Specialist – predicting employee satisfaction, recruitment, and turnover.
AI Ethics / Governance Analyst – examining the societal impacts of artificial intelligence.
Social Network Analyst – analyzing social media data, modeling information diffusion.
Platform Researcher – studying user interactions, misinformation, and polarization on online platforms.
University Researcher or PhD Student – in computational social science, sociology, psychology, political science, communication studies, or economics.
Research Institute Fellow – e.g., at think tanks or international organizations (OECD, EU, UN).
Data & Policy Consultant – supporting decision-making with data insights.
Behavioral Insights Specialist – applying behavioral science and nudge strategies to optimize decision-making.
Felvételi
Entry requirements
Full credit value can be considered in case of the following programmes: In the field of social sciences: sociology, political science, and international studies; in the field of economics: applied economics, business administration, and management.
Bachelor or master programmes in the fields of natural sciences, engineering, agriculture, computer science and information technology, as well as in the fields of economics and social sciences, may also be considered. In addition, those undergraduate and master's degree programs are also considerable, which are accepted by the credit transfer committee of the university based on the comparison of the taken courses with the above-mentioned programmes.
In all these latter cases (where full credit value cannot be considered), the minimum number of credits required for admission to the master's program by field of study is as follows:
at least 40 credits in the following areas of knowledge:
Social history and social sciences: at least 20 credits
Research methodology, quantitative analysis methods: at least 15 credits
Mathematics, statistics: at least 5 credits
If the student does not have at least 40 credits, they may still be admitted if they have a total of at least 20 credits in the listed areas of knowledge. However, the missing credits must be obtained in parallel with the master's degree program, within two semesters of admission, in accordance with the study and examination regulations of the higher education institution
Language requirements:
Minimum level of language proficiency (oral) (A1-C2): B2
Minimum level of language proficiency (written) (A1-C2): B2
Further comments:
Accepted Certification of English knowledge (both written and oral):
• IELTS Score: 5.5
• TOEFL iBT Band: 46-59
• Cambridge English Scale Score: 162
If the applicant is unable to prove their knowledge of English with any of the above certifications, their English knowledge will be assessed during the admission interview. Any letter of acceptance issued by the Faculty of Social Sciences is based on the verified fact that the applicant’s command of English has been assessed; therefore, they are considered eligible to pursue their studies at the institution.
If the applicant can prove that they completed their former education entirely in English by submitting a notarized attestation and a detailed academic transcript, no proof of language knowledge will be required throughout the admission process.
| Document | Comment |
| Online application form | |
| Bachelor-level degree | |
| Transcript of records | |
| CV | |
| Motivation letter | The general guidelines and expectations for the letter are: the applicants introducing themselves, their motivation, interests and goals with the programme. The length of the motivation letter is between 1500 and 4000 characters |
| Copy of the main pages of the passport (needs to be valid) | needs to be valid |
| Copy of application fee transfer | |
| Language certificate | if the applicant has one (please refer to the language requirement section) |
The application starts in the online application system. Students need to register in the system, fill in the online application form, upload the required documents and follow the instructions during the application process.
Students who hold Hungarian citizenship and/or dual citizenship, must apply through felvi.hu Please note that if an application is submitted not according to the aforementioned, it will be rejected.
The applications are examined by the Admission Board and applicants are notified of the outcome of the selection in the online application system. If the offer is accepted, admission letters are sent out through the online application system as soon as possible, as specified in the offer decision.
Type of entrance examination: oral
Place of entrance examination: MS Teams
Further details of the entrance exam
After a short introduction and questions about the motivation of the candidates, the candidates will be asked about the interpretation and understanding of a digital social behavioral problem, which will be introduced by the entrance examination committee.
Further details of selection and evaluation:
The ranking is based on a total evaluation of the academic excellence (based on the submitted documents) and the results of the entrance exam.
Applicants with a full application package will be asked to participate in an oral entrance exam. The institutional admission scores are based on a total evaluation of academic excellence (based on the submitted documents) and the results of the entrance exam. The entrance exam seeks to assess the general and professional knowledge and interest of the applicant.
A successful oral entrance exam is the prerequisite of getting admitted. If the applicant fails the oral entrance exam, the application will be rejected.
Elérhetőségek
International Office, Faculty of Social Sciences
E-mail: international@tatk.elte.hu
Postal address:, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/A, Budapest, H-1117
More information
Faculty Website
Facebook page of the Faculty of Social Sciences
Zoltán KMETTY
associate professor
Students develop key skills including critical and strategic thinking, intercultural awareness, diplomacy, negotiation, and respectful debate. At the master’s level, students can specialize in Human Rights, Security Studies, or European Development and Foreign Policy, while doctoral students pursue independent research in their chosen fields.
Graduates go on to careers in government, NGOs, international organizations, and EU institutions, or continue their academic studies. Studying in Budapest, a vibrant and international city, students become part of a diverse, supportive academic community at one of Central and Eastern Europe’s leading universities.
Besides training in methodology, students acquire a solid knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories of economics, and are introduced to other social sciences and business studies, as well. The general character of the program is that it offers graduates high flexibility in their future career decisions. The program enables students to further their studies in several directions at the master’s level, including economics, business, sociology, and international relations, or to apply their broad-based knowledge in the areas of government, business, politics, or media.
Students develop key skills including critical and strategic thinking, intercultural awareness, diplomacy, negotiation, and respectful debate. At the master’s level, students can specialize in Human Rights, Security Studies, or European Development and Foreign Policy, while doctoral students pursue independent research in their chosen fields.
Graduates go on to careers in government, NGOs, international organizations, and EU institutions, or continue their academic studies. Studying in Budapest, a vibrant and international city, students become part of a diverse, supportive academic community at one of Central and Eastern Europe’s leading universities.
Besides training in methodology, students acquire a solid knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories of economics, and are introduced to other social sciences and business studies, as well. The general character of the program is that it offers graduates high flexibility in their future career decisions. The program enables students to further their studies in several directions at the master’s level, including economics, business, sociology, and international relations, or to apply their broad-based knowledge in the areas of government, business, politics, or media.
The structure of the program is availabe on this link.