Please apply to the joint Master's degree program "Comparative Social Policy and Welfare" at your home university (JKU). There are only a limited number of spots in the program. The academic board will nominate students based on their application.
 

1.a) Application Period to be Nominated by the Academic Board

You can apply for nomination for the upcoming program (WS 2026 - SS 2028) as follows: 

1.b) Application Documents to be Nominated by the Academic Board

Please send a complete application (including the documents listed below) as a single pdf.-file to the following e-mail address: 

cosopo@jku.at (Link)

1.3.) A Decision regarding the Nomination

The academic board will render a decision regarding your application by taking both formal admission requirements (Diploma degree or Bachelor's fegree, proficiency in English), and more substantive criteria (grades, understanding of social policy, etc.) into account. The criteria are applied equally to each applicant. We adhere strictly to non-discrimination policies. 

1st selection round (April 15): If you apply during the standard application period, your application will be considered during an initial selection round. If you are nominated for the program, you will receive a letter of nomination by April 15 (proceed to Step 2: Formal Admission). If you are not nominated during the first selection round, you will be placed on a waiting list.

2nd selection round (May 31): If you apply during the grace period, your application will be considered during a second selection round, together with applicants on the waiting list. If you are nominated for the program, you will receive a letter of nomination by May 31 (proceed to Step 2: Formal Admission).

Unfortunately, only a certain number of applicants may enroll in the program. If you are not accepted to the program, you will notification by May 31. 

Please note:

• Once you have been accepted, you will be asked to confirm acceptance to the program. If you decide not to enroll in the Cosopo program, please notify us immediately so we can accept another applicant from the waiting list.
• If you are accepted, it does NOT mean that you are officially enrolled in the program. Please proceed to Step 2: Formal Admission.  
• If you have not been notified by June 15, please do not hesitate to contact us. Also, please check your spam folder.
• Before applying to the program, please ensure that you meet the official admission requirements (link).
• If you have any questions about Step 1: Nomination by the Academic Board, please contact the Cosopo program coordinator at the Institute for Politics and Policy (e-mail)

Once you have been accepted to the program (see Step 1), you may officially enroll at the JKU. Click here for detailed information about the deadlines and the university's admissions procedure.

Please note: 

• Before applying to the program, please ensure that you meet the formal admission requirements (link), otherwise you will be unable to enroll.
• In order to be admitted to the program, you must hold a letter of acceptance issued by the academic board (see Step 1).
• You must complete the admissions procedure at the JKU Admissions Office (Step 2) in order to officially enroll at the university. If you miss the admissions deadline, you cannot enroll and complete the program at the university. 

If you have any questions about Step 2, please contact the Admissions Office directly (e-mail address).

Additional Information for International Students

International students accepted to the program at the Johannes Kepler University may need a valid student visa and a residence permit in order to live and study in Austria. Please contact the Austrian embassy or consulate in your home country for additional information. Students who hold a valid passport from a European Union country, or who are citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA), are not required to apply for a visa or residence permit.
 

Additional Steps