Course: Digital Humanities M.A.
- Informatics and Data Science
- Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
The Master's programme is an advanced course of study in which scientific content and methods can be deepened and specialisations can be set. Requirements for this are the degree of an undergraduate Bachelor's programme or a comparable first professionally qualifying university degree. In addition, certain content is often specified as an aptitude requirement. The detailed provisions are set out in the respective Examination Regulations. A completed Master's degree programme entitles the holder to a doctorate.
The most important facts at a glance
Program Profile
On the accredited Master's degree programme (M.A.) in Digital Humanities, you will acquire in-depth, interdisciplinary knowledge at the interface of the humanities and digital technologies. The programme is aimed at graduates of humanities subjects who wish to expand their acquired skills through digital methods. The first semesters offer you a broad-based introduction to key areas such as programming, data analysis, machine learning and text mining.
A particular focus is on combining expertise in the humanities with computer-aided methods. You will learn to critically classify digital tools, carry out data-based analyses and work on cultural and societal issues using modern digital methods. At the same time, you will have the opportunity to set individual priorities in fields such as natural language processing, digitalisation of cultural practices or information science.
As a graduate of this degree program, you will have a versatile skills profile that combines technical skills, analytical thinking and reflection in the humanities. This qualifies you for a wide range of activities in research, cultural institutions, data science environments or digital knowledge transfer. Your interdisciplinary education will enable you to understand complex interrelationships and develop innovative solutions.
Is this the right program for me?
Are you interested in the humanities and want to understand how digital methods open up new perspectives on cultural, historical or societal phenomena? Would you like to learn how to work with data, texts and digital tools without having to study computer science? Then the Master's in Digital Humanities offers you precisely this interdisciplinary approach.
Knowledge of mathematics or programming beyond school level is not required - but curiosity, openness and a willingness to gradually familiarise yourself with new methods are
Digital methods for questions in the humanities
- How can large volumes of text be analysed using text mining?
- How can large volumes of text be analysed automatically?
- How can cultural objects be digitally recorded, visualised or modelled?
- What role do algorithms play in dealing with language, knowledge and memory?
- How can digital processes be critically reflected upon and used responsibly?
- How can digital tools support the analysis of historical sources, literary works or cultural processes?
- How is digitalisation changing academic work and how can you actively shape these developments?
- If you find such questions exciting, the Master's in Digital Humanities is the right programme for you.
Interest in analysis, structure and data
The degree program is right for you if you want to expand your repertoire of methods in the humanities and learn new ways of analysing. If you enjoy interdisciplinary work, exchanging ideas with others and developing complex issues together. If you enjoy planning and implementing projects independently, are open to digital tools and are not afraid to try out new technical approaches. The Master's in Digital Humanities is ideal for anyone who wants to deepen their interests in the humanities and at the same time learn how to use digital methods creatively and reflectively in their subject.
Combining theory, practice and design
You are in good hands on the Master's programme if you want to work academically but also value practice-oriented projects. If you like to work creatively with digital technologies, rethink questions from your subject and develop your own areas of focus, for example in the field of language processing, digitisation of cultural practices or information science, then the degree program offers you the right combination of freedom, reflection and methodological deepening.
What makes this program special?
Close supervision and lively exchange
The degree program is characterised by close, personal support. Through regular exchange formats - such as town hall meetings or feedback rounds accompanying projects - students actively shape the degree program and can directly contribute their own concerns.
Interdisciplinary work with clear options
You will study at the interface between the humanities and digital methods and benefit from the collaboration between different disciplines. From next year, you will be able to organise your path even more clearly: with two elective courses in computer scientists and the humanities, you can set your own individual focus and combine digital work with your specialist interests.
Freedom to choose projects and topics
Whether text analysis, digital editing, language processing, user experience research, information behavior or digitisation projects: You decide which topics you want to work on. Many projects can be closely linked to your original subject, allowing you to deepen your knowledge of digital methods without giving up your humanities profile.
Practical orientation and your own research ideas
Project seminars allow you to realise your own ideas. The combination of methodological training and project-based work gives you an early insight into practical working methods from research, cultural institutions and data-driven fields of activity.
What can I do with this degree?
After successfully completing the Master's degree programme in Digital Humanities, you will have a wide range of academic and professional prospects in a growing, interdisciplinary field.
Career opportunities
As a graduate, you will work in areas where digital methods meet humanities, cultural or social science issues. Typical fields of activity are
- Cultural and memory institutions
Digitisation, digital collections, metadata management, digital exhibition development - Research and project work
Cultural analytics, computational literary studies, digital musicology, digital film studies, computational social studies, empirical cultural studies, digital editions, scientific infrastructure projects - Information and knowledge management
Research analytics, information processing, content strategies - Data and language processing
Text mining, natural language processing, annotation and analysis projects - User experience & digital communication
UX research, web and interaction design, evaluation of digital offerings - Data-related activities in companies or NGOs
Data analysis, data literacy, data-based decision support - By combining expertise in the humanities with digital methods, you will have a profile that is increasingly in demand in cultural institutions, research institutions, media, administration and data-oriented organisations.
- A career in science
The degree program offers numerous opportunities for research-oriented specialisation - for example through project seminars and the Master's thesis. This prepares you well for a doctorate in digital humanities or a related humanities or information science subject.
Structure of the Program
Program Structure
The M.A. Digital Humanities is a four-semester degree program with a clearly structured structure consisting of compulsory modules, two elective courses in and a final research project with a Master's thesis. A total of 120 ECTS must be earned.
Compulsory modules (at least 84 ECTS)
In the compulsory modules, you will acquire basic digital skills and in-depth methodological knowledge. These include
- Introduction to the Digital Humanities
- Digitalisation and digital society
- Introduction to computer scientists
- Programming with Python
- Machine learning
- Project module in the field of Natural Language Engineering
- Research project in the digital humanities
- Master's thesis
These modules form the methodological foundation and provide a step-by-step introduction to data- and text-based working methods.
Digital Methods constrained elective courses (at least 18 ECTS)
In the elective courses in Digital Methods, you can expand your digital skills in a targeted manner. You can choose from, among others
- Human-machine interaction
- Natural Language Engineering
- Usability Engineering
- Experiment design
- Information Retrieval
- Data March
- Game Engineering
- free elective modules from the digital field or international/external study components
Here you can set technical or analytical specialisations according to your interests.
Humanities and Digitisation constrained elective courses (at least 18 ECTS)
The elective courses in Humanities and Digitisation allow you to closely combine digital methods with your humanities subject profile. You can choose freely from modules on topics such as
- Digital Humanities & Information
- Digital Humanities & Media
- Digital Humanities & Language
- Digital Humanities & Culture
- Digital Humanities & Game
- free elective modules from humanities fields
This allows you to continue to anchor a large part of your studies in your original subject and apply digital approaches to it in a targeted manner.
Type of Study Programme: Full-time or part-time
The degree program can be studied full-time or part-time. Both options are clearly structured; exemplary study plans show possible paths through the degree programme.
Student Life & Services
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Foto: UR / Julia Dragan Requirements
| Admission Restrictions / Selection Procedure | yes |
| Pre-registration procedure | yes |
| Eligibility Test / Aptitude Test | yes |
| Placement Test | no |
| Subject-Specific Language Requirements | yes |
| German Language Certificate for Students with Foreign University Entrance Qualification | yes |
| Other Requirements | yes |
Binding information and current information can be found in the brief overview (German version) (opens in a new window). (This PDF is not accessible) of the Registrar's Office or in the examination regulations applicable to you Examination Regulations.
Details Requirements
Admission Restrictions / Selection Procedure
The Master's degree programme in Digital Humanities can always be started in the winter semester.
Requirements for a successful application are an undergraduate degree with a predominance of history, culture, language, literature, music, religion, art or humanities subjects.
To apply, you must state your own research interests in writing.
The application documents must be received by 1 July.
Further information can be found under the following link:
Eligibility Test / Aptitude Test
In order to apply for the consecutive Master's degree programme in Digital Humanities at the University of Regensburg, you must fulfil the following requirements:
- you need a university degree or equivalent qualification with a Standard Period of Study of at least 6 semesters or comparable scope of study in a humanities or cultural studies subject with an average grade of at least 2.50; if you have obtained this degree at a foreign institution, the conversion will be based on the so-called modified Bavarian formula.
- you must have completed at least 140 ECTS in history, culture, language, literature, music, religion, art or humanities in your undergraduate degree programme.
- you need English language skills at level B2 of the common european framework of reference for languages; for example, a general higher education entrance qualification obtained in Germany is sufficient proof of these skills.
- you must prove your aptitude for the specific degree programme by successfully completing an Eligibility Test (see "What documents do I need for the Eligibility Test?"). This Eligibility Test / Aptitude Test consists of an examination of the documents you have submitted.
Based on these requirements, the degree program is also suitable for graduates of teacher training programmes.
Are you unsure whether you fulfil the 140 ECTS in the desired subjects or whether your subject counts? We definitely recommend an application! As part of your research question, you can argue why the Master's degree programme in Digital Humanities is a good addition to your basic study stage. You are welcome to contact us, but please note that we cannot make any binding statements about suitability in advance.
Subject-Specific Language Requirements
Proof of knowledge of English at level B2 of the common european framework of reference for languages (CEFR) is required.
German Language Certificate for Students with Foreign University Entrance Qualification
Please note that proof of German language proficiency of at least level B2 is required for the application. After successful application, you must be able to provide proof of language proficiency in the form of the German Language Test for University Entrance Qualification (DSH) or an equivalent German examination with an overall result of at least DSH-2 at the time of enrolment. The language certificates cannot be acquired parallel to the degree programme.
Other Requirements
How do I go about presenting the research question?
We recommend that you start with your own study experience. Have there been occasions when you felt that a (more) computerised approach would be beneficial? What subject interests you most about your undergraduate subject?
Answering these questions will help you find the thematic area for your research question.
In the next step, you should search for literature on how computer-aided methods are already being used in this area. The ACM Digital Library or the DBLP, for example, can be useful here.
Based on this literature, it is important that you describe the new horizons of knowledge that arise for the research question you are specifying if computer-aided methods are used.
The research question can be formulated in German or English.
Admission, Application and Enrollment
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Course-related information and advice
If you have any questions about the programme content, the subject-specific requirements, the application procedure and the specific structure of the programme, please contact the
General Student Advisory Service
The General Student Advisory Service (ZSB) supports you with all questions relating to your studies - from the decision to study, to the course of studies, to successful graduation.
If necessary, the ZSB will refer you to the appropriate contact person.