The Department of Sociology and Social Work

What The Department of Sociology and Social Work does

The Department of Sociology and Social Work (Institut for Samfund og Politik) is an academic department of Aalborg Universitet in Denmark, anchored within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. It conducts research, teaching, and external collaboration on the political and social development of society — spanning past, present, and future — across disciplines including sociology, political science, history, social work, criminology, international relations, and public governance. The department's primary 'customers' are prospective and enrolled students (2,600+ across all programs, including 45+ PhD candidates), with secondary stakeholders comprising Danish public institutions, municipalities, and private companies that engage through research collaboration and advisory panels.

The department's core product portfolio is structured as a stack of government-accredited academic programs: Bachelor's degrees, Master's degrees (covering sociology, political science, history, digitalization, international relations, social work, criminology, and public governance), an interdisciplinary PhD programme, side-subject (sidefag) electives, and continuing education including the Master of Public Governance (MPG) and Master of Vulnerable Children and Youth (MBU). Pedagogical delivery relies on Aalborg University's signature Problem-Based Learning (PBL) methodology, with in-person instruction at campuses in Aalborg Øst (headquarters at Kroghstræde 3 & 7 and Fibigerstræde 1 & 2) and Copenhagen (Frederikskaj 10B). Research output is organized through research groups and centers covering political systems, social institutions, cultural dynamics, and societal transformations, employing qualitative, quantitative, and computational methods. The department holds institutional accreditation through Danmarks Akkrediteringsinstitution.

The business model is a public-sector funding model rather than a commercial one: revenue derives from Danish state appropriations channeled through Aalborg Universitet (parent entity; CVR 29102384), with no tuition fees for EU/EEA students. External engagement is structured through 'AAU on Demand' (a collaboration function enabling private companies, public institutions, and entrepreneurs to access research expertise) and 15+ employer advisory panels (aftagerpaneler) that convene 1-2 times annually for curriculum quality assurance across program areas including Digitalisering, Sociology, Political Science, Social Work, and International Relations. Day-to-day operations are supported by 168 scientific staff and led by named vice-department heads Ane Bislev (Viceinstitutleder) and Iben Fonnesberg-Schmidt (Viceinstitutleder for Research). No proprietary technology systems, patents, or commercial revenue streams are disclosed.

Name

The Department of Sociology and Social Work

Legal name

Institut for Samfund og Politik, Aalborg Universitet

Website

https://soc.aau.dk

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Department of Sociology and Social Work at Aalborg University in Denmark offers accredited bachelor's, master's, PhD, and continuing-education programs in sociology, political science, history, and social work, serving 2,600+ students across Aalborg and Copenhagen campuses under a state-funded public university model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (541720)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Research Universities with Major Extension & Outreach Missions (EDAHAAAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Think Tanks, Policy Research & Public Policy Institutes (BPAGAFAO), Education Policy Research Institutes & Think Tanks (EDADADAA)

Keywords

• Higher education
• Social sciences research
• Postgraduate programs
• Continuing education
• Problem-based learning

Headquarters

HQ city

Aalborg

HQ country

Denmark

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Public University Funding: As a department of Aalborg Universitet, funding comes from government appropriations for higher education. The university aims to promote knowledge dissemination and industrial/commercial utilization of research.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Institut for Samfund og Politik is a public university department at Aalborg Universitet that delivers higher education and conducts research in social sciences, political science, history, and social work. It offers bachelor, master, and PhD programs, plus continuing education (MPG and MBU), supported by research groups and centers, employer advisory panels, and a collaboration service (AAU on Demand) for external partners.

Product overview

Institut for Samfund og Politik at Aalborg University offers a unified portfolio of educational services rather than a commercial product platform. The portfolio consists of: Bacheloruddannelser (Bachelor's programs), Kandidatuddannelser (Master's programs), Ph.d.-uddannelse (PhD program), Sidefag (Elective subjects), and Efter- og videreuddannelser (Continuing education including MPG and MBU). These programs are supported by research groups and centers, employer advisory panels (Aftagerpaneler), and collaboration services like AAU on Demand. The institute focuses on problem-based learning and research in political, social, and cultural dynamics.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bacheloruddannelser (Bachelor's Degree Programs) Undergraduate degree programs within the social sciences field, focusing on problem-based learning and societal challenges, offered to prospective bachelor students.
• Kandidatuddannelser (Master's Degree Programs) Graduate-level master's programs covering sociology, political science, history, digitalization, international relations, social work, criminology, and public governance, offered to prospective master's students.
• Ph.d.-uddannelse (PhD Programme) Interdisciplinary doctoral program bringing together research in social relations, history, political science, globalization, sociology, and social work under a shared academic framework, employing qualitative, quantitative, and computational methods, aimed at prospective PhD researchers.
• Sidefag (Elective/Side Subject Programs) Elective subject programs available for students from other degree programs at the institute.
• Efter- og videreuddannelser (Continuing and Further Education) Continuing education programs including Master of Public Governance (MPG) and Master of Vulnerable Children and Youth (MBU), targeted at working professionals seeking advanced qualifications.
• Forskningsgrupper og -centre (Research Groups and Centers) Institutional research groups and centers covering political systems, social institutions, cultural dynamics, and societal transformations in past, present, and future perspectives, producing research publications and supporting research-led teaching.
• Aftagerpaneler (Employer Advisory Panels) Advisory panels consisting of relevant companies contributing to quality assurance of educational programs, meeting 1-2 times annually to discuss national and international trends in their fields.
• AAU on Demand Collaboration function enabling businesses, public institutions, and entrepreneurs to engage with the university's research and expertise for knowledge sharing and practical application.

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

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Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Wrist Ship Supply A/SminorOthersMember of the Digitalisering/Digitalisation employer panel, contributing to quality assurance of education programs.
• Novo Nordisk A/SminorOthersMember of the Digitalisering/Digitalisation employer panel, contributing to quality assurance of education programs.
• Aalborg KommuneminorOthersMember of multiple employer panels (Digitalisering and Sociology), contributing to quality assurance of education programs.
• KMD A/SminorOthersMember of the Digitalisering/Digitalisation employer panel, contributing to quality assurance of education programs.
• GRUNDFOS A/SminorOthersMember of the Digitalisering/Digitalisation employer panel, contributing to quality assurance of education programs.
• ALM. BRAND A/SminorOthersMember of the Digitalisering/Digitalisation employer panel, contributing to quality assurance of education programs.
• Trifork Security A/SminorOthersMember of the Digitalisering/Digitalisation employer panel, contributing to quality assurance of education programs.
• Blendit Learning ApSminorOthersMember of the Digitalisering/Digitalisation employer panel, contributing to quality assurance of education programs.
• Telenor A/SminorOthersMember of the Digitalisering/Digitalisation employer panel, contributing to quality assurance of education programs.
• RAMBØLL DANMARK A/SminorOthersMember of the Statskundskab, Politik & Administration employer panel, contributing to quality assurance of education programs.
• Region NordjyllandminorOthersMember of multiple employer panels (Statskundskab and Sociologi), contributing to quality assurance of education programs.
• Dignity - Dansk Institut mod TorturminorOthersMember of the Internationale Forhold employer panel, contributing to quality assurance of education programs.
• Danmarks Ambassade i VietnamminorOthersMember of the Internationale Forhold employer panel, contributing to quality assurance of education programs.
• Kirkens KorshærminorOthersMember of Socialrådgiveruddannelsen employer panel, contributing to quality assurance of education programs.
• Ankestyrelsen AalborgminorOthersMember of Socialrådgiveruddannelsen employer panel, contributing to quality assurance of education programs.
• Kriminalforsorgen, Institution NordjyllandminorOthersMember of Socialrådgiveruddannelsen employer panel, contributing to quality assurance of education programs.
• VIVE SocialminorOthersMember of Socialt Arbejde employer panel, contributing to quality assurance of education programs.
• SocialstyrelsenminorOthersMember of Socialt Arbejde employer panel, contributing to quality assurance of education programs.
• Social- og BoligstyrelsenminorOthersMember of Masteruddannelsen i Udsatte Børn og Unge employer panel, contributing to quality assurance of education programs.
• Private CompaniesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAAU aims to promote knowledge dissemination and industrial/commercial utilization of its research to private companies.
• Public InstitutionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with public institutions for knowledge sharing and research application.
• EntrepreneursminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupport for entrepreneurs through collaboration and knowledge dissemination.
• Educational InstitutionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational and national collaboration with other educational institutions.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Aarhus University: Major Danish sociology and anthropology teaching and research unit. Comparable scale, program mix, and disciplinary focus; competes directly for Danish social-science students and research funding.
• Department of Political Science, Aalborg University: A sister department at the same parent university offering political science and public administration programs. Directly comparable on PBL pedagogy, employer panel model, and student segments.
• Department of Social Work, Aarhus University: Social work education and research at Aarhus University with shared employer-panel models. Directly comparable in social work curriculum design and labor-market placement.
• Department of Political Science, University of Copenhagen: Hosts political science and public administration programs in Denmark. Comparable in teaching portfolio (political science/public administration) and employer panel structures for Statskundskab-style programs.
• Department of Sociology, University of Copenhagen: The largest Danish sociology department offering bachelor, master, and PhD programs with strong research output. Directly comparable in disciplinary focus and student level, and the department's primary domestic competitor for sociology students and faculty.

Regional players

• Department of Sociology and Human Geography, University of Oslo: Large Norwegian social-science unit with sociology and social geography research. Comparable scale and interdisciplinary social-science research mix; primarily serves the Norwegian market.
• Department of Social Work, Stockholm University: Swedish university department offering social work education and research. Comparable on social work curriculum and research profile, but primarily serves the Swedish labor market.
• Department of Sociology, Lund University: A leading Nordic sociology department in Sweden offering comparable bachelor/master/PhD programs. Comparable in disciplinary scope and PBL-adjacent pedagogy, but serves a different national student market.

Broad incumbents

• VIVE – The Danish Center for Social Science Research: Denmark's national social research institute conducting applied social-science research for ministries and municipalities. Comparable on applied social-science research agenda and policy-facing output; serves as an employer-panel partner and a potential research collaborator.
• Department of Sociology, University of Cambridge: Internationally recognized social-science department with strong research output. Comparable on disciplinary research quality and PhD training, though operating in a markedly different funding and governance environment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/2809508
• YouTubeyoutube.com/aalborguniversitet
• Facebookfacebook.com/AalborgUniversitet
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/institut-for-sociologi-&-socialt-arbejde
• Instagraminstagram.com/aalborguni

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The Department of Sociology and Social Work