The Medieval and Early Modern Studies (M.A.) is directed at graduates with various bachelor’s degrees. The master’s degree program would be a great fit for you, if, for example, you

• are especially interested in the Middle Ages as an era of cultural diversification,
• want to understand the medieval and early modern era within the broader context of Europe’s cultural and historical development,
• would like to explore the multifaceted culture and history of the medieval and early modern era, in an interdisciplinary manner, as a common object within a vast range of subjects,
• want to experience and further develop the place of your own subject of specialization through interdisciplinary exchange,
• would like to make encounters with similar disciplines, international academic cultures, and foreign languages a part of your academic day-to-day.

In order to fulfill the entrance requirements for the master’s degree program, you must submit proof of having completed a bachelor’s degree at a higher education institution in one of the following subjects:

• German Studies
• History
• Art History
• Medieval Archaeology
• Philosophy
• Romance Studies (French, Italian or Spanish)
• English
• English Linguistics
• Linguistics
• Protestant or Catholic Theology
• Islamic Studies
• Judaic Studies
• Religious Education

or a higher education degree from a higher education institution that does not differ significantly. You must have earned at least 60 credits in the respective subject.

For the subjects of specialization, history and philosophy, you must also meet specific language requirements.

If you have not yet received your bachelor’s degree certificate by the application deadline, but have earned at least 135 credits in your bachelor’s program, you must apply by the set deadline with a transcript (certified copy issued by your university) of all coursework and exams completed to date, including your average grade to date.

Applicants who have not obtained a university entrance qualification at a German-speaking institution or a degree in a German-speaking course must provide proof of sufficient German language skills. These must correspond to the level DSH-2 of the “German Language Proficiency Examination for Admission to Higher Education for Foreign Applicants” and must be proven by the time of enrollment at JGU.

Good to know: The legally binding basis for selection, admission and enrollment is the text of the entrance requirements as specified in Section 2 of the currently valid examination regulations and, where applicable, in the appendix.

Information on examination regulations.

Course sequence

Specialization and required elective area (1st to 3rd semester)

Within the area of specialization, you will study a subject corresponding to the field in which you were admitted: British studies, History, Church and Religious History, Art History, Philosophy, Romance Studies. Here you will complete three modules.

You can take elective modules in any of the above-mentioned subjects within the focus area, as well as in Book Studies, Classical Philology, Musicology, and Theatre Studies. In most cases, no prior knowledge is required. You will receive individual guidance in selecting and organizing your required elective modules.

Interdisciplinarity and practical applications (1st to 4th semester):

The module, “Interdisciplinarity and Practical Applications” forms the basis of your personal academic studies of the eras and spans across all four semesters. As a part if this, you will complete a career internship and take part in a colloquium each semester. In the colloquium, you will broaden your knowledge of theories and methods and work on interdisciplinary research projects that you will develop together with your fellow students and lecturers. The colloquium is enriched through changing leadership, guest lectures, and open discussions. It offers a diverse range of perspectives and ideas for your academic work.

Final thesis (4th semester):

You will dedicate your last semester to your final thesis, which addresses an interdisciplinary research question. You will receive guidance during this time from representatives of various departments in order to emphasize the interdisciplinary orientation of this degree program and also to offer you comprehensive academic support.

Final thesis (4th semester):

You will dedicate your last semester to your final thesis, which addresses an interdisciplinary research question. You will receive guidance during this time from representatives of various departments in order to emphasize the interdisciplinary orientation of this degree program and also to offer you comprehensive academic support.

Stays abroad

Would you like to live abroad for a semester or a year? Do you want to learn another language and get to know a new culture? Or gain a different perspective on your particular subject? A stay abroad provides you with the perfect opportunity to achieve this and is possible with every degree program – either self-organized or by taking advantage of one of the popular exchange programs. This is made possible by various cooperation agreements and partnerships with foreign universities.

For more information on this topic, please visit our websites on studying abroad. Visit our student exchange platform for an overview of cooperating universities in your field.

This program of study does not require you to spend time abroad, but you nevertheless have the opportunity to do so.

Internships

As a part of the module “Interdisciplinarity and Practical Applications,” you will complete an internship that will serve to provide professional orientation. It is recommended to begin your internship at the end of your third academic semester.

Voluntary internships are another good opportunity to obtain more in-depth insight into a professional field.

An internship allows you to discover whether everyday life in a particular occupation suits your career expectations and interests. You can gain qualifications for a professional field and acquire important professional and personal skills to start a career. An internship helps you both shape your career path, and mold the remainder of your course sequence – in particular by selecting specializations that suit your practical experience.

You can find further information and relevant internships on the Career Service website.

As a part of your degree program, you will acquire many skills and abilities that you will be able to apply in various lines of work. These include:

• Techniques for carrying out independent academic work (research, analysis, problematization, argumentation)
• Skills in comprehending complex problems from an interdisciplinary perspective
• Intercultural competencies regarding cultural-historical perspectives
• The ability to categorize and reflect on the values and cultural phenomena that shape the identity of Europe from the lens of cultural history
• A mastery of the acquisition, processing, and communication of information from various sources
• Distinct discourse skills in subject-specific, heterogeneous contexts

Depending on which specialization you select, this degree program will prepare you for research in an interdisciplinary context. However, there are many other career opportunities that will be possible for you as a graduate:

• Education (private and public educational institutions, adult education)
• Cultural sector (museums, cultural management)
• Publishing
• Library and archival work
• (Scientific) journalism
• International relations (e.g., tourism)

Good to know: You can already start building a foundation for such activities during your studies, for example, through internships and part-time jobs.

Not sure what to do after graduation? Don’t worry!

A university degree generally does not prepare you for a single profession but qualifies you for a wide range of career paths – for example, in research, in a typical profession related to your field of study, or in one of many other academic fields.

This is why career orientation is also part of your studies. Gaining practical experience is key, and you can do so through internships, working student positions, part-time jobs or voluntary work, for example.

JGU’s Career Service will support you throughout the entire process with information, advice, workshops and numerous events – from career orientation and working on your profile and skills to finding your dream job and successfully applying for it.