Course: History - European Societies in Transition M.A.
- Philosophy, Art History, History, and Humanities
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 programme entitles the holder to a doctorate.
As a result of globalization, digitalisation and climate change, European societies are currently facing major challenges. The Master's degree programme in History - European Societies in Transition , which is unique in the German-speaking world, takes a cross-epochal approach to examining fundamental processes of social change that have already caused fundamental transformations in the past, led to trans-regional conflicts and required special adaptations.
During your Master's degree, you will acquire important methodological skills that can be used in a wide range of fields, including methods of digital history, as well as the necessary historical knowledge to analyse the causes, dynamics and effects of such processes in a well-founded manner.
Our programme will enable you to identify key research questions in the field of EGW, critically analyse them and evaluate research discourses.
The four pairs of topics
- Equality and inequalities,
- Spaces and borders,
- Upheavals and crises and
- Knowledge and value systems
form the core of the research field.
After graduating, you will be able to locate these complex topics in European history, even across epochal boundaries, and will be able to analyse complex topics from the history of Europe in a methodologically sound manner.
The content taught on the degree program, such as historical knowledge of fundamental processes of societal change and their application to contemporary problems, is in demand in many professional contexts. In addition, skills such as analytical thinking, researching, conceptualising, writing and presenting are acquired during the course of the degree programme.
Homepage Institute of History (German version)
Homepage Master (German version) (external link, opens in a new window)
The most important facts at a glance
Program Profile
Is this the right program for me?
The programme is aimed at students
- who have already completed a first professionally qualifying university degree or equivalent degree with at least six semesters Standard Period of Study (180 LP) or a comparable level of study in the subject of History or in a humanities, cultural or social sciences subject with an average grade of "good" (2.50) or better.
- A strong historical interest and interest in historiographical issues as well as the ability to think analytically and problem-orientated are important.
- A willingness to read is also a basic requirement.
If you are interested in multi-layered perspectives and want to engage with them, our degree program is the right place for you.
What makes this program special?
The Master's degree programme has an exclusive supervision concept and the opportunity to analyse thematic complexes of European history in a methodologically sound manner. The EGW Master's programme not only opens up a range of career prospects, but also enables further qualification in various subject-related research areas. All students are assigned a mentor. The Master's thesis is intensively supervised according to the English model, and the Master's candidates are integrated into the research seminars and colloquia.
The "Project" and "Internship" modules provide intensive preparation for professional applications of the knowledge acquired. The events of the degree program are designed exclusively for you, the students on the Master's programme. Together with your fellow students, you will mature into a team, particularly through the project module, in which interdisciplinary core competences that qualify you for your profession are taught alongside specialist content and scientific methods.
What can I do with this degree?
Sound knowledge of the development of European societies in their local, regional and global contexts can also be used profitably in a wide range of fields of activity in the future.
These include
- Publishing and the press,
- Radio and television,
- E-publishing,
- Archives and libraries,
- Museums and exhibitions,
- Universities (research and teaching),
- Management consultancy,
- (knowledge) management and marketing,
- Politics and counselling,
- International organisations,
- Continuing education and adult education,
- Public relations and cultural management
Structure of the Program
Program Structure
In addition to a module on theories and methods in the field of EGW research, students take four thematic modules as well as a project module and an internship module. An interdisciplinary elective module and the Master's thesis round off the programme.
The EGW Master's programme deals with social forms, social models and social 'politics' from antiquity to the present day. In addition to methodological and practice-orientated training, special attention is paid to four subject areas:
- Equality and inequalities
- Spaces and borders
- Upheavals and crises
- Knowledge and value systems
In the course of the degree programme, students deal with, among other things
- social differentiation, its background and consequences
- Equality/inequality, their perception and legitimisation
- Spaces and their boundaries, their cultural-discursive construction and representation
- Structural change and disruption
- societal insecurity and disintegration
- Assertions of truth by historical actors and institutions, their functions and effects
- Communities of values, their construction and deconstruction
Module Overview
Internationalization
A period of study abroad is possible and is favourably supported.
Internship
A compulsory internship of at least four weeks is planned as part of the degree programme.
Student Life & Services
Foto: UR / Julia Dragan Requirements
| Admission Restrictions / Selection Procedure | no |
| Pre-registration procedure | no |
| 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 | no |
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
Subject-Specific Language Requirements
- Knowledge of English (level B2);
- Proof of Latin for Master's theses in the fields of Ancient and Medieval History
Admission for internationals
DSH-2
Admission, Application and Enrollment
Foto ©iStock.com/mixetto Academic Advising
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 study, to successful graduation.
If necessary, the ZSB will refer you to the appropriate contact person.