| The most important facts at a glance: | |
|---|---|
| Degree: | |
| Standard period of studies: | 4 semesters |
| Start: | Winter and summer semester |
| Admission restrictions: | Open admission |
| Application: | You find information on the application procedure for international students here. |
| Applicants with foreign certificates: | Language of instruction: German Required language certificate: DSH-2 |
| Deadlines: | Winter semester: April 1 - September 1 Summer semester: October 1 - March 1 |
| Required Bachelor's degree: | Egyptology/Ancient Near Eastern Studies (B.A.) Archeology (B.A.) |
| Homepage: | |
| Faculty: | Faculty 07: History and Cultural Studies |
| Accreditation: | The accreditation of study programmes for Bachelor and Master Degrees constitutes as a precondition for the granting of state approval. |
Subject Matter
The Master's program in "Egyptology/Ancient Near Eastern Studies" (120 CP) deals with the same subject as the Bachelor's program, i.e. the cultures of ancient Egypt and the ancient Near East (for more information, see subject description "Egyptology/Ancient Near Eastern Studies (B.A.)"). The content and objectives are now clearly research-oriented. The course of study will enable students to process relevant sources using the scientific methods of the disciplines involved, taking into account the intercultural environment in particular.
On this program, the usual division of ancient studies into philological and archaeological disciplines is not adhered to, so that students are able to draw sound conclusions (e.g. with regard to society, history, religion, the economy, science, geography, settlement history and topography) in the long run by analyzing the texts and the material remains. Students can choose from the following focal points:
a) Egyptology
b) Ancient Oriental Philology
c) Near Eastern Archeology
Specialized practical training and field trips offer insights into scientific work on digs, in museums, or in academic institutions and research projects.
In addition to the specialized courses on offer, the Master's degree program offers the opportunity to acquire complementary knowledge in various fields, since the discovery of the civilizations of Egypt and the Ancient Near East open up a variety of specializations: Linguistics, Literature, Art History, Archeology, Religion, History, Technology, Architecture, Material Culture, Natural Sciences, Sociology, Ethnology, Journalism, and others. 15 CP are dedicated to acquiring these additional skills, which can be tailored to the intended direction of research. Advanced study of an individual focus area and previous minor subjects can also be added to these additional skills. The course of study will be completed in the fourth semester with a six-month Master's thesis and an oral examination.
Master entrance requirements
Applicants need a bachelor’s or similar degree from a German or foreign higher education institution. At least 60 of the credits earned for this degree should come from subjects related to the specializations listed above.
Applicants who want to apply before they have finished their bachelor’s degree must be able to prove that they will have obtained at least two thirds of the required subject-specific credits before the application deadline.
We expect applicants to have a very good active and passive knowledge of English that enables them to read specialist literature and participate in courses taught in English (no proof required). Students will not be required to hand in coursework written in English, nor do they have to write exams in English.
Additionally, students are expected to have a sufficient command of French that enables them to read specialist literature. Students that are not yet able to do so must be willing to improve their French skills in the first semesters.
Furthermore, the program-related language competences for the bachelor’s program Egyptology/Ancient Near Eastern Studies are also required for the master’s program.
This means that students need advanced knowledge of two language stages (specialization: Egyptology), or two cuneiform scripts (specialization: Ancient Near Eastern Philology/Assyriology) or Akkadian (specialization: Ancient Near Eastern Archaeology)
Students that have to catch up on these topics during the master’s program can do so by taking a special module, e.g. Module ÄG/AO 20.
Applicants who have earned their degree or higher education entrance qualification at an institution where classes were not taught in German must take the Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang ausländischer Studienbewerber (German Language Proficiency Examination for Admission to Higher Education for Foreign Applicants), also called the DSH.
Information
The International Office offers counselling for international students about the application process and general information.
The Academic Advisory Office offers specific information on the subject (List available in German only).
The Student representatives give information from a student perspective (List available in German only).