Applications and Enrolment
Formal admissions requirements
- In accordance with Section 32 of the study and subject examination regulations, a university degree or an equivalent qualification gained in Germany or abroad with a standard programme duration of at least six semesters, comprising at least 180 ECTS, and with a final mark of 3.0 (satisfactory) or better is required for admission to the master’s degree programme in Historical Geography. Fundamental knowledge of geography to the amount of at least 18 ECTS is also required for admission.
- If proof of fulfilment of this admissions requirement cannot be provided or can only be provided in part, you may still be admitted to the programme under the condition that you can provide proof of passing the catch-up module Fundamentals of Geography by no later than the end of the second semester. If this proof is not provided by the applicable deadline, you will be officially de-registered. This de-registration becomes effective at the end of the second semester of study.
- You can start your studies even before fulfilling the admissions requirements. This can be necessary if, for example, you cannot yet present all the documents required from the qualifying degree programme (e.g. transcript of records) when you submit your application. Fulfilment of the admissions requirements must be proven by the end of the second semester of study at latest. If this proof is not provided by the applicable deadline, you will be officially de-registered. This de-registration becomes effective at the end of the second semester of study.
Application deadlines and information on the application process
- The master’s degree programme in Historical Geography can be started in both the winter semester and the summer semester.
- It is possible to apply for this programme at any time during a given semester’s enrolment period. You can find more information on the application deadlines for master’s degree programmes at the University of Bamberg on the webpages of the Academic Registrar’s Office.
- The application process for the master’s degree programme in Historical Geography is organised centrally via the Academic Registrar’s Office. Here you can find information on the application process and on accessing the online application form.
- Applicants who do not hold German citizenship need to present extra application documents. In this case, please take note of the information provided by the Academic Registrar’s Office regarding the required application documents.
- Applicants with disabilities or a chronic illness can submit special applications when applying for degree programmes with limited admissions numbers; these are intended to help compensate for disadvantages caused by disabilities or illness. If you have any questions on this topic, please contact the Office for Students with Disabilities.
Go to the application portal
Required and recommended language skills
- The master’s degree programme in Historical Geography is taught entirely in the language of instruction (German). Very good oral and written German language skills (minimum B2 level) are therefore required. Please take note of the information on proving German language proficiency.
- It is also assumed that applicants are able to use English-language literature in term papers and final theses in a critical and problem-oriented way.
- According to your individual focus areas, it may be helpful to acquire new foreign language skills during your master’s studies or to consolidate existing ones. This can particularly help you to engage with source material that is not in German or English.
Particular interests or characteristics you should have
- Do you enjoy taking part in both extended and shorter trips as part of your studies? As part of the master’s degree programme in Historical Geography, our courses have a high proportion of practical work. We therefore expect you to be willing to conduct intensive field research and take part in field trips and training exercises in Germany and abroad.
- Does the past fascinate you, but you haven’t studied History before? Our classes cover topics with a chronological span from the early modern era to contemporary times. In order to gain an in-depth understanding of geographical contexts in past environments, sound historical knowledge is important. If you have not had much contact with historical contexts in your previous study programme, we expect a willingness to expand your existing knowledge in the context of classes offered by history-related study programmes at the University of Bamberg.
- Do you expect close contact with teaching staff and other students as part of your studies? The master’s degree programme in Historical Geography sets itself apart with small classes and an intensive support ratio between staff and students. Even though the past few years have shown that digital tools play an important role in studying, we love personal, face-to-face interaction in our discipline. We therefore expect you to enjoy classes in person, being at the university in Bamberg and taking part in university life.