Study guide
Study guide
Questions from future students
How do I formulate a letter of motivation?
In your personal statement, you should demonstrate both that you are able to express yourself clearly and present a well-structured argument, and that you have researched the subject and the relevant degree programme at this Institute.
A good personal statement is characterised by linguistic precision, correct spelling and grammar, and the avoidance of empty phrases. Your personal statement should complement your CV and not descend into self-praise; rather, specific examples are important. Instead, explain why you are interested in this particular degree programme and what skills qualify you to undertake the course.
For information on the assessment criteria for letters of motivation in the admissions process, please refer to the admissions regulations for your degree programme, which can be found on the university’s central website:
uol.de/studium/studienangebot/ (click through to the relevant degree programme, then select the ‘Apply’ sub-tab).
What study counselling services are available?
The Student Service Centre at the University of Oldenburg is the central point of contact for prospective students, current students and graduates. Here, you can find answers to many questions relating to your studies. Various facilities are available for this purpose in the Student Service Centre’s new building A12, situated in a central location on the Haarentor campus.
In addition, you can ask any questions regarding your degree programme at the subject-specific study counselling service. To do so, either sign up for study counselling office hours with the relevant advisor via Stud.IP or on the lists outside the respective office door, or book an appointment.
Bachelor’s in Material Culture: Textiles | / | |
M.Ed. Textile Design | ||
M.A. Cultural Studies | ||
MA in Museum and Exhibition Studies |
Questions about scientific work
What are the requirements for academic work?
On the one hand, the IfMK offers students a NEW guide to academic writing (with information on formatting and a suggestion for a simple bibliography):
→ To the guide
Secondly, there is an OLDER, more detailed guide to academic writing (ATTENTION: the notes on the bibliography are simpler in the orientation):
→ To the guide
Thirdly, the IfMK has a checklist for final theses: → To the checklist
Fourthly, you can find detailed tips and information on academic work on the page of our Q+Lernplattform: → To the learning platform
There are also tips for students on how to use AI tools for examinations and theses:
→ To the document
In the first semester of the BA in Material Culture: Textiles, there is a course on scientific work, which is part of the exercise "Working Methods in Material Culture".
What is documentation?
The project documentation consists of a theory-based elaboration of the project design, including a reflection/evaluation of the project implementation (including pictures, photographs, etc. documenting the process). The appendix of the documentation consists of the mediation concept/outline and, if applicable, research material on other projects, schedules and credits/exercises.
As a rule, the project documentation includes: introduction, planning steps, revised concept/changes to the concept if necessary, placement objectives, implementation, individual steps, considerations on project and self-evaluation (role as facilitator) and information on the distribution of tasks. The individual mediation levels include Course of the project days, reflection (problems, surprises, fun, power relations, assessment of working conditions, project results...) as well as an outlook (e.g. follow-up projects, parts that can be copied).
Prof Carmen Mörsch and Dr Patricia Mühr have developed guiding questions which can be helpful for the documentation.
What does reflection mean?
It is a fundamental part of cultural studies work to constantly look at the (framework) conditions of your own learning, your own approach and the resulting findings from the "outside", i.e. to think critically about processes and findings (reflection). This is why you will already learn about the need to rethink your own situation/positioning in the field and to evaluate it with regard to results from field research/participant observation/interviews or research in the first semester of the basic module.
In some modules/courses/seminars, a corresponding reflection on the process and result is explicitly expected as part of the coursework/examination.
What can be expected and assessed here (may vary depending on the course/project/module)?
- Formulating expectations of the seminar/ event/ project/ module and final review of learning processes
- Artistic and scientific methods: How did I actually proceed? How did it work? What would I do differently in retrospect? Was your research question relevant? Did the material and methods fit?
- How do you rate your results? What, if anything, did you contribute to the teamwork?
- Outline your learning outcomes. What are they possibly related to? What helped or hindered them?
- Constructive criticism of the event/seminar/module: What went well, what didn't?
How is a reflection evaluated?
- Clarity
- Differentiation
How do I write an exposé?
An exposé is written in preparation for an academic paper and requires a lot of preliminary consideration and research. The thesis should then be written on the basis of the synopsis with the agreement of the lecturer.
Example of a synopsis structure:
- Topic
- My motivation for the planned work
- A brief description of the planned work
- Questions that concern me and that I want to answer, deal with or work on
- Objectives of the work
- Sources on which I would like to base my work
- Methods with which I will work
- My research question
- A preliminary, formulated outline
- A timetable in which I would like to work on the topic
- Problems that still need to be solved
Attached is a preliminary bibliography and the preliminary outline.
What information do I have to provide in the declaration of independence or in the affidavit?
Here you will find the new form that you must attach to all written examinations:
→ To the declaration or assurance
Questions about studying
Is attendance compulsory?
We refer to the explanations of German Studies, which apply accordingly at the IMK.
What do I have to look out for so that my internship is recognised?
You will find initial information in your examination regulations regarding which modules include an internship or allow for one.
Students on the B.A. in Material Culture, the M.A. in Museum and Exhibition Studies and the M.Ed. in Textile Design are required to complete internships.
Students on the M.A. in Cultural Analysis may undertake internships and have them recognised for credit.
The requirements for having an internship recognised and further information can be found in the relevant module description on Stud.IP.
As a general rule, the organisation or your role should be closely related to your field of study. Furthermore, the duration of the internship and the working hours must meet the specified requirements. Of course, you may also undertake an internship abroad and have it recognised, provided that the requirements of the relevant module are met.
Detailed information on internships and starting your career is available from the Career Service. On the website, you will also find guidance on the self-declaration form regarding compulsory internships, which is required by many placement providers due to the Minimum Wage Act.
If you have any queries, please contact the Institute’s internship coordinator: Dr Lüder Tietz ().
How can I get credit for skills that I have acquired outside my degree programme?
For each degree programme, there is a form which you can use, for example, to apply for the recognition of examination results from other universities. All (subject-specific) examination regulations and proposals for the recognition of credits can be found on the university’s central website:
uol.de/studium/studienangebot/
(click through to the relevant degree programme, then select the ‘Exams’ sub-tab). You should discuss the options for credit transfer in a personal meeting with the relevant academic advisers (see above). A Learning Agreement is required for the recognition of credits from a period of study abroad at a university.
Tip: For students with subject-relevant professional experience, the PLAR Service offers support with the recognition of their prior learning.