One of the most important requirements to ensure your success in the History degree program is an interest in taking a scholarly approach to history, meaning that you enjoy conducting theory-based and methodically controlled research into the past. In the history program of study, an emphasis is placed first and foremost on working with texts in the form of primary sources and academic literature. An interest in working with language is essential. You should also enjoy carefully reading and analyzing complex texts. In addition, you should enjoy formulating your own texts, value precise language, and be proficient in analytical thinking and reasoning.

For the Bachelor of Arts in History, proficiency in English as well as in a Slavic or Romance language is required:

• English proficiency will be verified in an English-language source text exercise within the introductory module.
• Proficiency in an additional modern language will be verified by submitting the Abitur certificate, proof of active participation in corresponding language courses or other equivalent evidence.
• Students can also provide proof of proficiency in Latin in the form of the “Latinum” qualification or Ancient Greek in the form of the “Graecum” qualification (or their equivalents) in place of a Romance or Slavic language. In this case, however, the acquisition of a modern Romance or Slavic language must be demonstrated (through an exam) by the start of the subsequent master’s degree program.

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.

Content of the History program of study

• Introduction to the fundamentals, theories, and methods of historical studies
• Modules covering various eras, including ancient history, the Middle Ages, and modern history
• Advanced modules dealing with one specific era
• Field trip module
• Specialization module
• Studium generale module
• Final module with bachelor’s thesis and examination

Areas of specialization

Right from the start, you can choose courses covering a wide range of topics within each module – in the Middle Ages module, for example, you can choose topics such as plague, urban life, reign or Charlemagne. The modern history module covers topics such as the 1848 Revolution, the labor movement in Imperial Germany, the resistance to National Socialism, and the founding of the Federal Republic. Starting from the 5th academic semester, it is possible to select an area of specialization pertaining to one specific era.

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 part of the specialization/practical module (which you must complete in the 4th academic semester at the latest) you will complete an internship lasting at least 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.

A degree in history opens up a wide range of potential career options, many of which you can explore while you are still studying.

You will directly acquire the professionally relevant skills while studying in the history degree program:

• Independent and efficient familiarization with complex subject matters
• Scrutiny and review of acquired knowledge
• Preparation of information for presentation to various target audiences
• Planning, organization, and implementation of projects
• Acquisition of cultural skills and the ability to act decisively
• Presentation techniques

Typical relevant professional fields

As a historian, you can also work in areas outside the standard professional fields of museum, archival and academic work, but also, for example, in publishing journalism, media, and charitable foundations.

Other professional fields

The knowledge and skills that you acquire during your studies can also prove useful in the following professions, even if the connection is not immediately obvious:

• Politics (as an elected legislator, consultant, office director, mayor, etc.)
• Administration (ministerial official, diplomat, etc.)
• Business (HR, press and PR work, marketing, corporate consulting, sales, etc.)

As a historian, you are trained to read texts analytically and to scrutinize their content and contexts.Your degree in history will thus provide you with the ideal tools for future career opportunities in our information society.

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.