Program structure

The research-oriented and practice-oriented consecutive master's degree program combines the systematic acquisition of specialist knowledge in the field of art studies, which sees itself as a visual science, with the exemplary testing of subject-specific methods of academic work. It leads to in-depth knowledge and methodological independence in the entire field of art history, but also - and this can be seen as a special feature of Karlsruhe - in the field of architectural history, architectural theory and architectural communication.

In semesters 1-3 of your studies, you will acquire compulsory skills in the following subjects, among others

• theories and methods: aesthetics - methods - image and art theory (24 CP)
  
• fields of research: elective modules (24 CP)
  
• applied science: fields of practice and excursions (18 CP)
  

In the compulsory elective area, you also decide on a profile which you choose from the following offer and within the framework of which you acquire a further 24 CP.

• art and society: sociology of the arts - art and politics - ecology of the arts
  
• theory and history of architecture: special areas of architectural theory and history, elective module in architecture
  
• transdisciplinary studies: history - German studies - elective modules
  
• art and new media: art and digital culture - art and technology - art and moving image
  

Please refer to the module handbook to find out which other profiles are available and which modules are assigned to each profile.

In the fourth semester, you will complete your master's thesis (30 CP), which concludes your studies.

With a master's degree, you can, for example, opt for management positions in science administration or at management consultancies, in cultural, media and public relations work or political consulting as well as in journalism and publishing. Museums, galleries, cultural management, exhibitions, tourism, journalism, publishing, radio and television etc. can also be suitable career paths. By specializing in art history and visual studies, you can also gain a foothold in related fields in the humanities. It is very helpful to complete a number of internships during your studies in order to establish connections with potential employers.

However, an academic career is also conceivable, as the focus of the master's degree program is also on qualifying students for academic work. With a good master's degree and scientific ambitions, it may be interesting for you to plan a doctorate and a subsequent career at a university or research institution.

Characteristic features of History of Art M.A. at KIT

• intensive personal support from teaching staff with national and international reputations

• practice-oriented basic teaching with excursions, discussions in front of originals, cooperation with local art and cultural institutions

• numerous opportunities to set your own focus and individual development
  

• involvement of students in research projects
  

• additional courses offered through an association with other institutes that teach art history in Karlsruhe (Akademie der Künste and Staatliche Hochschule für Gestaltung), through the FORUM and through the association with architecture, as well as humanities and social science subjects at KIT
  

• integration into the Eucor university network enables participation in courses at the universities of Freiburg, Basel, Strasbourg, Colmar and Mulhouse
  

• in-depth specialist knowledge, particularly in the fields of architectural history, architectural theory and architectural communication

What KIT has to offer

• central campus close to the city forest and right next to the city center
  
• 24-hour library offering single and group working places
  
• wide range of inexpensive catering options (dining hall, cafeteria, Koeri and Pizzawerk)
  
• numerous interdisciplinary offers for personal and professional development, e.g. Lernlabor, Schreiblabor and Perspektivenlabor
  
• study abroad, e.g. via Erasmus
  
• excellent university sports facilities with a large selection of sports
  
• comprehensive cultural offerings with university orchestras, choirs and theater groups
  
• extensive support for career entry and self-employment
  
• internationally oriented degree programs and diverse exchange programs
  
• modern laboratories and practical teaching methods
  
• Lernraum app
  
• diverse student initiatives, clubs and opportunities to actively participate in campus life
  
• stay in touch after graduation via the alumni network
  

Admission requirements

Based on the current admission regulations, the prerequisite for admission to the master's degree program in History of Art is a successfully completed bachelor's degree in History of Art or an equivalent degree in humanities or history at a university, university of applied sciences or vocational academy within the scope of the Higher Education Framework Act or at a foreign university. The degree must have been completed within a standard period of study of at least three years, alternatively with a required minimum number of 180 ECTS credits in art history or a related subject area. The examination board decides on the equivalence of degrees that have not been completed in the subject area of History of Art.

Language requirements and certificates

For the master's degree program in History of Art, you need sufficient knowledge of the German language, which must correspond to at least level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Proof of sufficient German language skills

Your school-leaving certificate is sufficient proof of your German language skills if

• you obtainted it at a German-speaking school in Germany or abroad
• you are a graduate of a bilingual secondary school in Germany or abroad and have passed a bilingual German examination, such as the AbiBac or the Gemischtsprachiges International Baccalaureat (GIB)
• you obtained your degree at a foreign school, but there is another official agreement with the respective country on the recoginition of your school-leaving certificate or language certificate as proof of language proficiency for university studies in Germany

A complete list of foreign school-leaving and language certificates that are recognizes as proof of sufficient German language skills can be found on the webste of the Kultusministerkonferenz (Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany).

If you have not obtained your higher education entrance qualification (HZB) at one of the above-mentioned institutions, you must provide a separate language certificate - regardless of your nationality. Only the following are accepted

• the passed „Prüfungsteil Deutsch“ of the Feststellungsprüfung,
• the passed DSH with an overall result DSH-2,
• the passed TestDaF level 4 in all four parts of the examination (reading comprehension, listening comprehension, written expression, oral expression)
• a comparable, recognized certificate of sufficient German language skills

To find our which other recognized certificates can be accepted by KIT as comparable, please contact

• as a German or German-equivalent applicant: Studierendenservice
• as an applicant with non- EU citizenship: International Students Office

Please note:
Language certificates are extremely important application documents that can prevent your enrollment if you do not submit them on time. Therefore, check early on in the application process whether you have the necessary language certificates for your degree program and, if necessary, plan to take one of the language tests mentioned above. The deadline by which you must submit language certificates corresponds to the enrollment deadline stated in your admission offer. In justified cases, you can apply for an extension of this deadline. The extension can be granted until the start of the lecture period at the latest.

Weitere Ansprechpersonen:

• KIT-Fakultät für Architektur
• Institut für Kunstgeschichte
• Fachstudienberatung
• Prüfungsausschuss
• Informationen zum Auslandsstudium
• Fachschaft Kunstgeschichte

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