Much of the technical literature is written in English. Therefore, your English skills should be good enough to read and understand these texts. In addition to English, you should also have school-level knowledge of another (ancient or modern) foreign language. If you find yourself drawn to aesthetic aspects of culture, then Art History could be the right degree program for you.

You will need to be able to observe carefully, express complex relationships in both words and writing, and have a good sense of spatial visualization.

You will study this subject as part of a two-subject bachelor’s degree program. The degree program always consists of an academic major and minor, which can be combined according to your interests or professional goals.

If you choose the subject as a minor, you will generally complete only a portion of the modules and classes taught to students of the major subject. As a result, you will focus on a selection from the content listed below.

Introduction phase

The program starts (1st-2nd semesters) with multiple courses that provide a broad overview of artistic creation from Medieval times to today. You will acquire essential basic knowledge of the topics, methods, and academic strategies involved in the study of art history. Moreover, you will get a deeper understanding of the methods and history of the subject.

Advanced phase

In the following semesters (3rd−5th semesters) you will examine works of fine art and architecture from various epochs, using various criteria. The focus is placed not only on the works, however, but also on the artists themselves, helping students practice approaches to understanding the aesthetics of art. Together with the lecturers, you will re-examine the relationships between objects, artistic personalities, and society. It is possible to choose an individual focus in the context of the fine arts (painting, sculpture, new media) or architecture (edifices, garden design, etc).

Final phase

For your thesis (6th semester) you will work intensively with one of your lecturers to formulate a written discussion of a specific issue. The topic can be freely chosen or suggested by your supervisor.

The degree program will be rounded out by a series of presentations by researchers and specialists from various fields who will be speaking about their insights and the latest developments in art and the cultural industry.

Direct interaction with the works also plays an important role. You will be able to take part in excursions to museums and other sites to observe and analyze works of art up close. Within project seminars, experts working in museums, in the preservation of historical monuments and the art trade will share their experience and knowledge. The degree program in Art History helps you learn to think outside the box: You can learn a foreign language, “explore” adjacent social and cultural studies disciplines, or broaden your general education by attending the courses and events of the Studium generale.

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

• Students majoring in Art History are expected to complete a 240 hour/6-week internship at a cultural institution or, if approved, other institution.

• Students taking art history as a minor have the option of substituting an internship for a project course. The internship or project course must be equivalent to 90 hours activity (roughly 3 to 4 weeks).

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.

After studying Art History, you will be able to systematically describe, analyze and exhibit works of art and architecture, including those that no longer exist in their original form and survive only in illustrations or in other documentary form.

Doing the successive master’s degree will significantly improve your job market options. A doctorate remains the standard in the “classic” professional fields.

Graduates of art history are often employed to:

• Stage art exhibitions in museums, galleries and banks
• Deliver art education through museums, art repositories, art book publishers, cultural institutions, educational institutions, media companies, and online portals
• Collect art on behalf of museums, private collections, industry and banking firms
• Preserve art for museums and historical monument preservation agencies
• Research and teach art at universities, academies, museums, and other research institutions
• Assess artwork for museums, historical monument preservation agencies, art dealers, as a sworn expert witness and for insurers
• Act as art dealers for galleries, auction houses, and antique dealers, for online portals and art consultants

Other relevant activities include:

• The preservation, documentation and research of objects for museums, historical monument agencies, archives and restoration workshops and the insurance industry
• The administration and organization of objects in connection with academic, cultural and project management, for public agencies (ministries), and for agencies and creative companies
• The presentation and reporting on objects for various media outlets (press, radio, TV, book publishing, online portals)
• Bringing art to life in connection with adult education, cultural events, tourism, foundations
• Teaching art at adult education colleges, independent technical schools or after supplementary teacher training

Mainz sits at the heart of the Rhine-Main region with its many cultural institutions of national importance, including museums and exhibition halls, historic preservation agencies, cultural associations, theaters and media companies (including publishers and the broadcasters ZDF, SWR and 3sat), providing students with ample opportunities to attend events and gain professional experience before, during and after their studies.

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.