Medieval and Renaissance Studies (M.A.)
Our interdisciplinary Master’s degree program in Medieval and Early Modern Studies covers a wide variety of historical periods, ranging from late Antiquity until the early modern age. If you are interested in late Antiquity, medieval times or the early modern age, in the culture of Europe, the Middle East, North Africa or the Far East – this is the course for you! We offer you the chance to explore the history and culture of Christian Latin Europe in depth and investigate how it intertwined with its close and distant neighboring regions in late Antiquity, medieval times, the Renaissance and the early modern period. The degree program also covers the Jewish, Islamic and Byzantine cultures in the Orient, Far East and North Africa
Fact Sheet
- Degree
- Master of Arts (M.A.)
- Admission
- Qualification assessment
- Duration of studies
- 4 semesters
- Teaching language
- completely in German
- Faculty
- Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Theology
- Start of degree program
- Winter semester
- Number of students
- 1-50
Program overview
What is the degree program about?
The content covered by the interdisciplinary Master’s degree program in Medieval and Renaissance Studies is based on a broad understanding of the medieval and Renaissance periods. Depending on the subject and topic, the degree program covers phenomena in Late Antiquity as well as developments and issues in the early modern period. The degree program addresses the history and culture of Christian Latin Europe in Late Antiquity, the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, as well as phenomena of the Jewish, Islamic and Byzantine cultures and living environments in Europe at that time. Cultures outside of Europe – in the Orient, North Africa and the Far East – are also investigated. An important heuristic method in this respect is intercultural comparison.
Teaching focuses on cultural phenomena of and research into the European Middle Ages. German and international students with undergraduate degrees in a subject relating to the medieval or early modern periods can refine their expert knowledge and broaden their horizon by studying subjects which span across different genres and epochs.
The goal of the degree program is to provide students with in-depth specialist knowledge and techniques for independent research. Graduates are primarily prepared for doctoral degrees, research, teaching and for careers in museums, archives or libraries.
The following subjects are currently actively involved in the degree program: Art History, Christian Archeology, German Medieval Studies, Medieval History, History of Medicine, Medieval Latin Philology, Bavarian and Franconian Regional History, Teaching History, Islam, Romance Studies and Digital Humanities. Other subjects may also be studied, subject to consultation with the degree program co-ordinators.
As the Master’s degree program is interdisciplinary, students must choose two subjects: a Master’s subject and a profile subject. The available Master’s subjects and profile subjects are:
- Bavarian and Franconian regional history
- Christian Archeology
- Germanic Medieval Studies
- Art History
- Medieval History
- Medieval Latin philology
Students must take four modules worth 35 ECTS credits plus the Master’s module (including the Master’s thesis) worth a total of 30 ECTS credits for their Master’s subject. Two modules worth 20 ECTS credits must be taken for the profile subject.
The focus on two areas of specialization is reflected in the interdisciplinary nature of the Master’s thesis and is underlined in the obligatory curriculum (three modules worth a total of 15 ECTS credits) with a focus on methods in Medieval Latin, Middle High German, ancillary sciences of history, foundations of visual arts in the medieval and early modern periods and digital primary sources.
Elective modules (worth a total of 20 ECTS) can be chosen from the entire range of courses offered by the Interdisciplinary Center for European Medieval and Renaissance Studies (www.mittelalter.phil.uni-erlangen.de) and from the related disciplines in the three subject groups ”Language and Literature”, “Archeology, Art and Media) and “History and Philosophy”. Compulsory elective modules are available on the following subjects: Germanic linguistics, history of medicine, early and modern church history, English studies, Romance studies, philosophy, history of law, Islamic studies and Arabic studies, Chinese studies, digital humanities and teaching history.
The open structure of the degree program allows students to choose their own area of specialization and shape their own profile. Students are free to choose their own Master’s and profile subjects. The design of the degree program as a two-subject Master’s degree program allows students to continue to pursue existing specializations, or to study a new subject they have not yet studied for their Bachelor’s degree. The Master’s and profile subjects are stated on the final degree certificate. Students are eligible to complete a doctoral degree in either of their two subjects. The compulsory elective area offers further options for tailoring the course to suit students’ interests, with modules being taken from a wide range of subjects.
As well as an interest in and enthusiasm for the history, art and culture of the pre-modern periods, the following are important criteria for making the most of the Master’s degree program:
- An interest in research questions relating to the humanities and cultural sciences
- An ability and willingness to analyze texts in detail
- Good written and oral skills in German
- Knowledge of at least two modern languages and Latin (can be obtained while studying)
- Ability to work independently and organize your own work
The degree program in “Medieval and Early Modern Studies” at FAU is characterized in particular by its highly interdisciplinary approach and the variety of subjects involved in the program. The design as a two-subject Master’s degree allows students to pursue this interdisciplinary approach in their own profile, becoming eligible to pursue a doctoral degree in either of their two chosen subjects. The close institutional ties to the Indisciplinary Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies (IZEMIR) ensure that the degree program takes a decidedly research-oriented approach, and students have the opportunity to become involved in ongoing research projects.
The degree program aims in particular to allow graduates to achieve an academic qualification that enables them to carry out independent research in their two chosen subjects during subsequent doctoral studies. In addition, graduates can enter into a wide range of professions, for example in the following areas:
- Archives and libraries
- Publishing houses
- Museums and exhibitions
- History marketing and PR
- Advice for local government and cultural activities
- etc.
Application for a Degree Program
Admission Requirements and Application
Admission
- Master: Qualification assessment
Application deadline
- Winter semester: 15.07.
- Summer semester: nicht möglich
Language skills
- Applicants require a knowledge of two modern languages (to at least level B1) and a knowledge of Latin. Under certain circumstances, it may be possible for students to acquire the required language skills whilst studying if they do not have them at the outset.
- German language skills for international applicants: DSH 2 or equivalent
Content related master requirements
Admission requirements are a Bachelor’s degree in at least one of the Master’s subjects involved in the degree program (History, German Language and Literature, Art History, Medieval Latin, Christian Archeology) or proof of having obtained at least 35 ECTS credits in modules relating to the medieval and/or early modern periods.
