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Studying history in Germany

Studying history is old-fashioned and boring? Not with these innovative concepts and study programmes at German universities.

Petra Schönhöfer, 06.11.2020
 60 universities in Germany offer study programmes in history.
60 universities in Germany offer study programmes in history. © vectorfusionart - stock.adobe.com

Experts in publicity: Public History, Free University of Berlin

How is a particular remembrance day presented in the media, or prepared for an exhibition? In which ways does a society remember its history? The MA study programme in Public History in Berlin helps students become experts in conveying history to the public. The prospective historians qualify here for work in the media, with publishing houses, museums, memorial centres and businesses.

Broadening horizons: Global History, University of Heidelberg

No matter whether it’s about the Thirty Years’ War or the French Revolution: traditional historiography concentrates heavily on Europe. The study programme Global History in Heidelberg teaches students to broaden their horizons on the subject. The spatial aspect of history is represented by a focus on the cultural exchange between Europe and Asia. This makes students fit for the international job market, for instance with political institutions or worldwide NGOs.

State of the art: Modern and Contemporary history, University of Jena

This study programme is really up-to-date. Modern and Contemporary History at Jena University focuses on German 20th century history and covers National Socialism, the Federal Republic and the GDR. Areas of investigation include media, corporate history, the history of ideas and the history of Jews in Germany. The study programme and the affiliated Jena Center 20th Century History are headed by the renowned historian Norbert Frei.

Research focus on ‘waste’: Rachel Carson Center Munich

Students can tailor the field of history to their individual research interests, for instance at the Rachel Carson Center in Munich. One innovative area of research is environmental history, which includes topics such as “waste in the environment and society”. Some of the projects include historical grazing areas in northern Colombia as well as a series of documentary films on the environment. Doctoral posts are advertised for international applicants as well. In addition to this there is an exchange programme with the University of Kansas.