History/Historical Sciences
Degree
Combined bachelor, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - the course is offered with and without teacher training. See the ‘Bachelor’s and master’s courses at HU’ FAQ.
Standard time for completing course
6 semesters
Start of study and Entry Restriction
Cf. course catalogue
Combinations and Course Structure
History can be studied as:
Historical Sciences as core subject without teaching training option: 120 CP*, with a second subject to be selected
Historical Sciences as second subject without teaching training option: 60 CP, with a bachelor’s core subject (not possible with Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Deaf Studies, Geography, Physics, Mathematics, Philosophy/Ethics, Special Needs Education and Sport Science
History as core subject with teaching training option: 113 CP, with a second subject to be selected
History as second subject with teaching training option: 67 CP, with a bachelor’s core subject
1 One credit point (CP) is calculated to equate to a workload of max. 30 hours for preparation, follow-up and attendance at lectures.
Language requirements
A broad knowledge of foreign languages is important for the successful study of History. Knowledge of two modern foreign languages and Latin can be helpful. However, language skills are not a prerequisite for application or enrolment, nor do they have to be acquired during the course.
What special skills and prerequisites do you need for this subject?
An interest in critically analysing historical contexts, reflecting on theories, critically assessing hypotheses; enjoyment of intensive engagement with and discussion and writing of (foreign language) texts; firm command of the German language; communication skills and the willingness to engage in independent research.
Content of studies
The best place to find information about course content is the annotated university calendar. It is online at hu.berlin/vorlesungsverzeichnis. You’ll find module descriptions, the course curriculum and other details in the course and examination regulations, available online at www.amb.hu-berlin.de, no. 33/2021 (History) and no. 34/2021 (Historical Sciences).
Historical Sciences without teacher training option
The course qualifies you for a range of jobs (business, public administration, social and political lobbying groups, media, publishing and more) or for continuing your studies in a master’s course. As well as the traditional professional areas - school, academia and research, or museums and archives - history degrees are increasingly sought after in the areas of publishing and journalism or advisory work, for example for political parties and similar organisations.
Historical Sciences as core subject without teacher training option with 120 CP
Mandatory modules (70 CP)
Module B-01: General introduction, 15 CP
Module B-02: Ancient History, 10 CP
Module B-03: Medieval History, 10 CP
Module B-04: Modern History, 10 CP
Module B-08: Practically-orientated module, 10 LP
Bachelor’s thesis (15 CP)
Mandatory elective Modules (30 CP)
Two in-depth modules to be selected from
Module B-05: Ancient History, 15 CP
Module B-06: Medieval History, 15 CP
Module B-07: Modern History, 15 CP
General elective modules (20 CP)
In addition to specialised study, Students acquire subject-specific, non-specialist and interdisciplinary key qualifications of 20 CP. The general elective modules can be chosen from the module catalogues of other subjects or central institutions (see: http://agnes.hu-berlin.de/).
Historical Sciences as second subject without teacher training option with 60 CP
Mandatory modules (45 CP)
Module B-01: General introduction, 15 CP
Module B-02: Ancient History, 10 CP
Module B-03: Medieval History, 10 CP
Module B-04: Modern History, 10 CP
Mandatory elective Modules (15 CP)
One in-depth module to be selected from
Module B-05: Ancient History, 15 CP
Module B-06: Medieval History, 15 CP
Module B-07: Modern History, 15 CP
Master’s degrees
If you have studied History without teacher training, you can then apply to HU for the Master’s programmes History (www.amb.hu-berlin.de, no. 18/2018) and European History (no. 35/2014) or Global History (no. 7/2020), for instance. Information on master’s courses can be found in the ‘Course catalogue’.
History with teacher training option
The teacher training option can only be selected if a combination of subjects is studied that meets the requirements for teacher training in the state of Berlin. Have a look at the ‘Teacher training at HU’ FAQ.
History as core subject with teacher training with 113 LP
You can then apply for the Master of Education (120 CP) with History as the core subject.
Mandatory modules (62 CP)
Module B-01: General introduction, 15 CP
Module B-02: Ancient History, 10 CP
Module B-03: Medieval History, 10 CP
Module B-04: Modern History, 10 CP
Module B-09: Basics in teaching methodology and didactics, 7 CP
Bachelor’s thesis, 10 CP
Mandatory elective Modules (30 CP)
Two in-depth modules to be selected from
Module B-05: Ancient History, 15 CP
Module B-06: Medieval History, 15 CP
Module B-07: Modern History, 15 CP
Teacher training studies (16 CP)
In addition to specialised study, students on a bachelor’s with teacher training option will complete the Educational Sciences teacher training module (11 CP) and the module Sprachbildung (5 CP). You will find information on www.amb.hu-berlin.de, no. 18/2018).
General elective modules (5 CP)
In addition to specialised study, Students acquire subject-specific, non-specialist and interdisciplinary key qualifications. The general elective modules can be chosen from the module catalogues of other subjects or central institutions (see: http://agnes.hu-berlin.de/).
History as second subject with teacher training with 67 CP
You can apply for the Master of Education as the second subject.
Mandatory modules (42 CP)
Module B-01: General introduction, 15 CP
Module B-02: Ancient History, 10 CP
Module B-03: Medieval History, 10 CP
Module B-04: Modern History, 10 CP
Module B-09: Basics in teaching methodology and didactics, 7 CP
Mandatory elective Modules (15 CP)
One in-depth module to be selected from
Module B-05: Ancient History, 15 CP
Module B-06: Medieval History, 15 CP
Module B-07: Modern History, 15 CP
General elective course offerings for students coming from other courses of studies
- Individual profile building I (5 CP), Individual profile building II (10 CP), Individual profile building III (15 CP)
Why study History at HU?
We understand the study of History to be methodical research on the history of humankind as social beings, on the basis of a critically assured tradition (‘sources’). The study of History establishes witnessed historical circumstances, the contexts in which they occur, their interrelationships and effects, and then presents them in a way that is easy to understand and is as complete as possible. It adopts a methodological approach, takes a critical look at ideology and seeks to reveal the roots of the present through a dialectical process and to cast light on its historical structure. It enables us to better understand our own reality by tracing the origins of today’s political, social and cultural circumstances, and also enables us to experience quite different socio-political structures and manifestations of culture. It hones our awareness of historical continuities and discontinuities, and of the distinctiveness of our own age and other epochs.
The programme structure (period and in-depth modules) follows the pragmatic, traditional division into periods:
Ancient History: Ancient Greece and Rome from the 2nd century BC to the end of the Roman Empire 5th/6th century (Western Rome/Justinian/Arabian Expansion),
Medieval History Migration Period 5th/6th century to the end of the 15th century (Columbus/Luther),
Modern History 15th to 21st century
The range of subject areas that are available at the Department of History can be found here: https://www.geschichte.hu-berlin.de/en/bereiche-und-lehrstuehle-en/gesamtuebersicht-en
The course aims to give students a comprehensive specialist qualification for their subsequent career. The career options for historians are now better than ever.
Addresses
Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Department of History: Friedrichstr. 191-193a, R. 5053, Tel. +49 30 2093-70661, www.geschichte.hu-berlin.de
Course Advisory Service and Classification into higher semester: Dr. Conrad (Mr.), ifg-koordination@hu-berlin.de, R. 5053, Tel. +49 30 2093-70661
Teacher Training Service Centre: www.hu-berlin.de/studium/lust/lehrer, Tel. +49 30 2093-70813, lehrerbildung@rz.hu-berlin.de
Applications: www.hu-berlin.de/interessierte
Links to job market: careers information centre (http://www.arbeitsagentur.de/web/content/DE/BuergerinnenUndBuerger/ArbeitundBeruf/Berufswahl/Berufsinformationszentren/index.htm) , Federal Employment Office Berufenet (http://berufenet.arbeitsagentur.de/berufe/), VHD (www.historikerverband.de/stellen.html), HSozKult (www.hsozkult.de/job/page)
Version: March 2022
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Contact for questions or feedback regarding this page: studienberatung@uv.hu-berlin.de