Over the course of six semesters, the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) introduces the study of history. The programme offers a first qualified and internationally recognised degree that leads to eligibility for enrolling in a master's degree programme. The characteristics and focuses of the programme are:

European History

• The professorships at the institute and the research profile of the lecturers strengthen a focus on the subject of Europe. Students are therefore able to specialise on Eastern and/or Western European History.

Research orientation

• Research and workshop activities are directly incorporated into academic teaching. Of special note in this context are the research seminars, in which students actively participate in the research process and are able to sharpen their academic profile.

Innovative forms of teaching and learning 

• Project modules and research seminars are an essential part of the course offer. On the basis of these innovative forms of teaching and learning students are involved in ongoing research processes and projects (e.g. exhibitions).

historical-didactic Skills

• The acquisition and development of historical-didactic skills is considered crucial for both students with and without a career goal in education, which is why appropriate modules are a firmly established part of the curriculum.

A key concern is to enable students to acquire a broad basic knowledge in the field of history and to pave the way for building an individual academic profile, which opens up new learning and career paths. This process of profile building is specifically supported by the curriculum of the study programme:

The Core Curriculum (Sem. 1-2, 30 CP)

• The core curriculum is composed of five core modules, which impart knowledge about the individual historical periods and the basics of scientific work. Furthermore, already in the second semester there is a special focus on the promotion of teaching skills. The early introduction of students to didactical issues reflects the belief of the Institute that historical-didactic skills are of fundamental importance both in educational and non-educational fields of work, which is why these skills are a firmly established part of the curriculum.

The Advanced Curriculum (Sem. 3-5, 30 CP) 

• Following the core curriculum in the third semester, the "advanced curriculum" offers the opportunity for students to further their academic study and to set individual study and research focuses. At this stage, innovative forms of teaching and learning gain importance: In advanced and professionalisation modules with a focus on project and research activities, students are directly involved into research processes and are able to gain practical experience. 

Specialisation / Internships (Sem. 1-5, 45 CP) 

• In addition to the curriculum of the subject itself, students also enroll in modules in the area of specialisation (30 CP) and take part in internships (15 CP). In this context, students with the career goal in education acquire knowledge of the basic issues of the educational sciences and gain an insight into professional practice by completing the general school internship ("Allgemeines Schulpraktikum"). Students with a non-school related career goal can freely choose from modules in the area of specialisation and practical modules so that they may sharpen their academic profile and/or acquire additional skills (foreign languages, journalistic writing, ...). Visit the website of the University and the Institute for more information on the area of specialisation and internships.

The Bachelor's THESIS (Sem. 5-6, 15 CP)

• The Bachelor's degree programme is completed with a bachelor's thesis in ONE of the two subjects. Students are advised to attend the preparatory colloquium in the fifth semester.

A study plan (in German) for the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) you will find here.