History – Bachelor of Arts

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Undergraduate study programme leading to a first degree and providing qualifications and skills for future employment.

In the subject History at the University of Konstanz, you will study the time frame from antiquity to the Middle Ages and through to modern and contemporary periods. In individual working groups, you can specalize in the history of Economics, Eastern Europe, Knowledge, Religion as well as Archaeology. Epoch-spanning questions related to a certain topic (e.g. trade) or a certain region (e.g. Ancient Near East or the Mediterranean area) allow for in-depth research and at the same time open the view for a holistic understanding of history. In small groups, we will teach you the methodical tools. The undergraduate (BA) Study Programme in History offers you three different areas of specialisation. You can choose to do a study abroad semester, an internship semester or a scientific specialisation. The Department of History at the University of Konstanz is among the most renowned institutions of its kind in Germany.

Overview

Degree Bachelor of Arts
Programme start Winter semester
Period of study 6 semesters
Application period 9.5. - 15.9.
Admission restrictions no
ECTS 180
Obligatory minor subject no
⌀ Number of students 40

Why study History in the University of Konstanz?

  • Broad range of courses
  • Individual specialization through course choices
  • Small groups, individual supervision
  • Intensive practical research at an early stage
  • Teaching with a focus on international history, including the option of an integrated study-abroad semester at one of our more than 140 partner universities
  • Practical experience through a six-month internship and a large employers’ network
  • Comprehensive support and consultation in every phase of your studies by our competent team


Content

Prospects and opportunities

Career prospects

  • in the fields of culture, arts and media (archives, libraries, museums, publishing houses, journalism, cultural management, foundations, galleries, press offices)
  • in research at universities and state research institutions
  • in companies (e.g. in training, continuing education and adult education, as well as in public relations)
  • in business associations and organizations
  • in political parties and state institutions (e.g. Bundestag)
  • in the public administration (e.g. federal and state ministries, universities)

For a career in Academia or in the field of research, you can directly continue your studies with a Master's Programme and a Doctoral Studies Programme.

You can find out more about career entry in the interview series #dreamjob - Starting a career and in the film on career prospects in the subject.

Graduate studies

To qualify further the University of Konstanz offers the following study programmes:



Programme structure

Programme start

Winter semester

Academic structure

Semester 1-4:
You will study the following:

  • basic modules of ancient history, medieval history, history of the early modern age, contemporary history
  • foreign languages
  • an individual area of concentration (epochs or topics such as media history, Eastern European history, economic history)

Semester 5:
You can choose one of these options:

  • semester abroad (language classes and studies at one of our partner universities outside of Germany)
  • internship semester (six months)
  • deepening your scientific knowledge and skills

You can find an exemplary structure of the study programme in this table.


A Bachelor of Arts degree in the Humanities typically consists of a major subject (120 credits) and a minor subject (40 credits). You are also required to attend the "Überfachliche berufsorientierte Qualifikationen" (Interdisciplinary career preparation) module (20 credits) and complete an internship. Here you will find an overview (in German) of the general structure for a Bachelor of Arts degree in the Humanities.


Please check the Exam regulations (partly in German) for more information about the programme structure.

Internship and study abroad

Internships

You can choose to do a short internships of 8 weeks or an internship semester. The Departmental Internship Office will help you to find a suitable internship. 

Study abroad

You can choose between a six-month internship semester or semester abroad. The university promotes study abroad via Erasmus+ and numerous other exchange programmes.

Impressions from students and lecturers

Hear from students and lecturers
In our interview series, students talk about their subject, teachers explain the department's research and tell you what topics they cover in seminars and lectures.

Get an impression
Discover online lectures and websites with more information about your prospective subject.

Requirements

What interests and skills should I have?

  • You are interested in history, culture and historical correlations
  • You enjoy reading and writing texts and working with sources
  • You are highly motivated and able to work in a structured and independent way.


PocketGuide – Get to know the study programme
Is the course of studies B.A. History at the University of Konstanz something for you? Find out everything about studying history at the University of Konstanz in our PocketGuide B.A. History (in German). You can take your first lessons and quizzes on subject contents and test your expectations of your studies.

Language skills

Foreign language skills
Qualification in Latin (Latinum), English language skills, at least passive skills in another foreign language. If you have acquired your Latinum at school, you can submit your school certificate (e.g. Abitur-Zeugnis). Otherwise you can complete your Latinum at the beginning of your studies.

German language skills
International applicants need documentation of their German language skills, level DSH-2 or TestDaF 4. Alternatively, other language tests or school certificates recognized as equivalent can be used as proof of the required German language skills. The University of Konstanz does not offer preparatory German language courses or approved German language exams. For this reason, you must submit accredited proof of your German language skills along with your application.

Language(s) of instruction

The language mainly used in class is German.

Admission requirements

General higher education entrance qualification (Abitur) or equivalent.

Orientation Test

When applying for admission at universities in the state of Baden-Württemberg you have to take an orientation test. The Baden-Württemberg orientation test is the most widely used test. Please send in your certificate of participation together with your application papers.

Fees

Semester fee

All students enrolled at the University of Konstanz are charged a semester fee each semester, similar to all other German universities. Here you can find the current semester fee and its individual components.

Fees

Tuition fees for first degree studies for certain international students
Since winter semester 2017/18, the state of Baden-Württemberg has required some international students to pay tuition fees for their first degree studies. The following students are not required to pay tuition fees: citizens of a country within the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA), doctoral students and certain “Bildungsinländer” (e.g. non-EU citizens with a German “Abitur”). More detailed information can be found here.

Each year, the University of Konstanz grants exemptions to a limited number of particularly gifted international degree-seeking students in accordance with the university’s “Begabtenbefreiungssatzung” (statutes governing the exemption of gifted students). More detailed information can be found here.

Tuition fees for second degree studies for all students
All students are required to pay tuition fees for their second degree studies. More detailed information can be found here.

Application and application documents

This study programme has no admission restrictions.

PocketManual "Application" (in German)
Enrolling at the University of Konstanz – Our PocketManual "Application" (in German) will guide you as you take all the steps towards submitting a successful application to your first-choice study programme at the University of Konstanz.

An application is possible during the following period: 9.5. - 15.9. (winter semester). There may be other deadlines if you are applying for admission to a higher semester (for instance, if you are changing subjects or universities). For more information please consult the university website.

Application documents

During the online application process, you will need to enter various kinds of information (school grades, attendance periods etc.) and upload various PDF documents. Please make sure that you have the relevant documentation ready. This may include:

  • your Abitur certificate (German general higher education entrance qualification)
  • documentation of any volunteering you may have done (FSJ, FÖJ etc.)
  • any documentation about vocational training you may have completed
  • any other required documents (medical certificate etc.)

An electronic assistant will guide you through the application process. Required fields are marked by an asterisk (*).

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