Art History and Film Studies

German-taught master's programme - Study information
Key facts
Degree
Master of Arts
Duration
4 Semesters
Credits/ECTS
120
Teaching language
German
Tuition fee
None
Semester contribution
€ 272,65
Start of studies
Winter semester, Summer semester
Part-time possible
Yes
Institutions
Faculty of Arts
Institute of Studies in Arts and Culture (section Art History and Film Studies)
Application & Deadlines

Programme summary

The master's degree programme in "Art History and Film Studies" enables students to study all periods, subjects, theories and methods of European art history in their global interconnectedness and the various trends in international film studies in depth. In the five master's modules, students have the opportunity to expand their knowledge and at the same time develop an individual study and research specialisation. They can specialise in the following areas of art history and film studies:

  • Middle Ages
  • modern Age
  • Modernism
  • Film, photography and media art
  • Image theory and aesthetics

Alongside the five master's modules, the module "Current Positions in Research in Art History and Film Studies" allows students to familiarise themselves with a subject area of the specialisation in a research-oriented manner under the close supervision of the lecturers and also to deepen transdisciplinary perspectives. Finally, an excursion lasting several days and the practical module offer the opportunity to apply the acquired knowledge and gain initial professional experience.

The aim of the master's degree programme in Art History and Film Studies is to enable students to carry out independent academic work using and reflecting on art and film studies methods. In addition, the programme teaches students the ability to develop and analyse complex issues, to critically analyse problems, to develop problem-solving strategies and to present difficult issues in writing and orally.

The links between research and teaching activities with diverse historical, cultural, political and social problem horizons are intended to stimulate interdisciplinary thinking and convey an awareness of the social relevance of the subject.

Special features

The master's programme in Jena imparts both research skills and practical knowledge in a special way. The research focuses of the teaching staff at the Department of Art History and Film Studies are incorporated into the programme, in particular medieval art in a transcultural perspective, image theories, European Romanticism(s), socio-political debates in the art of the 20th and 21st centuries, thinking art and film together, film aesthetics and theory as well as the historicity of film and the media. The Custody (art collection) of the Friedrich Schiller University, which is located at the Department of Art History and Film Studies, is used for practical seminars in which students can carry out research and curatorial work on works of art from the university collection. Co-operations with local collections and research institutions are intended to promote regional immersion in the cultural landscape of Central Germany and practical relevance on site.

Career opportunities

The degree programme offers the prerequisite for taking up a doctorate and entry into higher-qualified jobs in traditional professional fields such as museums, heritage conservation and universities, but also in the fields of art criticism, film criticism, art and film trade, archive and public relations work and event culture.

Admission requirements

  • Undergraduate degree or equivalent

    For this master's programme you need a subject-specific undergraduate degree (minimum 6 semesters/180 ECTS-Credits) or an equivalent degree.

    ​The overall grade (CGPA) of the bachelor's degree and of the bachelor's thesis must be GOOD or better (German and US systems).

  • Language requirements

    Knowledge of two foreign languages is required, for modern foreign
    foreign languages at level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

    Knowledge of Latin or Ancient Greek is demonstrated by the 'Latinum' or 'Graecum'. 

Application documents

  • CV

    Your CV should have a tabular form, containing key information on your school record and academic career.

  • Motivation letter

    A motivation letter should not exceed the size of two DIN A4-pages and normally, it should contain information on your motivation for taking up this course of studies. You should  elaborate on the following essential questions:

    • Why do you desire taking up this specific course of studies?
    • What are - in your opinion - the main features that this course of studies excels in?
    • Which features of this course have inspired your application? 
    • Why Jena?

     

  • University entrance qualification certificate

    Please upload at the online application system your university entrance certificate/school leaving certificate. Usually, this means the school graduation diploma (German "Abitur"), i.e. the diploma that makes you eligible for studies at an University or other institution for higher education. Be mindful of the fact that here, we do not need any University diploma but a High School diploma! 

  • Previous university degrees earned

    All previous University degrees (Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, etc.) if available before the application deadline - if not, please make a note of the anticipated date of issue of your degree certificate. Please upload your University degree or the most actual, detailed transcript of records/ mark sheet of all semesters available to you, should you not hold your degree certificate at the time of application. The main document is the degree/ transcript based on which you apply for the master programme.

  • Detailed transcript of records

    Detailed transcript of records/ mark sheet of your first, subject-specific University degree, with which you apply for the master's programme. This transcript MUST contain an overall cumulative grade point average or average mark.

  • Proof of relevant work experience

    Should you have obtained subject-specific work experience, you can upload corresponding certificates in order to support your application. 

  • Proof of subject-specific practical experience

    Should you have obtained subject-specific practical experience (e.g. by internships etc.), you can upload corresponding certificates in order to support your application. 

Additional application documents for international students

  • Proof of German language proficiency

    For German taught master's programmes, i.e. programmes with (predominantly) German as language of instruction, a sufficient German language proficiency proof is mandatory. Please see the information on the language requirements for the master's programme of your interest on the corresponding website.

    The Friedrich Schiller University Jena accepts the following certificates as German language proficiency proof exclusively:

    • the Goethe-Zertifikat C2 (GDS),
    • the Deutsche Sprachdiplom der Kultusministerkonferenz (DSD II),
    • the TestDaF, minimum TDN 4 in all four parts of the examination,
    • Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang (DSH), min. level 2 (= DSH-2),
    • Certificate telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule (min. level "befriedigend"),
    • a German language examination in the framework of an assessment test at a preparatory college.


    Please note: If you do not have the required mandatory German language proficiency proof at the time of applying, you may only apply if you can provide a certificate attesting your German language skills at least at level B2 (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) as well as a confirmation that you have either registered for the DSH examination, the TestDaF or an equivalent examination or that you have sat it and are going to receive the results before the end of the current semester.

    There is also the possibility to apply for the (chargeable) "German Language Course Preparing for the German Language Examination (DSH)" at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena. Please note: Prerequisites for the application for the preparatory course are language skills at least at the certificate level B1 / GER (e.g. Goethe-Zertifikat B1, TestDaF at least 4x3 and/or 800 teaching units from a recognized language school). For detailed information on the application and further information, please visit the website of the International Office or contact the International Office directly via Mail.

    Shortly before taking the DSH-2-Examination or after successfully passing it, you are welcome to apply for a German taught master's programme!

    The following applicants are exempted from providing proof of their German language skills:

    • Applicants, who have obtained a German taught bachelor's degree within one of the following countries: Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. This applies only to degrees that were awarded by a university in the relevant country (no satellite campuses or international branch campuses in other countries, no correspondence course degrees, no joint- or double-degrees with institutions in other countries);
    • Holders of a German, Austrian or Swiss (from school where the language of instruction is German) university entrance qualification.
  • Translation of foreign/external application documents

    Every mandatory application document from foreign/external countries must also be available in either English OR German translation. Such a translation has to be conducted by officially acknowledged/ sworn translators or translation offices.

  • Proof of grading system

    External/foreign degree certificates/ transcripts of records must contain information on the grading system (= description of the maximum grade possible and the minimum passing grade) used at the respective University. 

  • Certificate APS

    Applicants with degrees from India, Vietnam or China must submit the original APS-certificate issued by the German Embassy.

  • University entrance exam

    Applicants from the following countries must submit a certificate of their university entrance examination/college entrance examination:

    • Iran (College entrance examination certificate or certificate of pre-university course/year)
    • Republic of Korea/South Korea: SAT (Scholastic Ability Test)
    • People's Republic of China: College entrance examination certificate ("Gaokao")
Subject Advisor - Lena Koseck

Room 210
Ernst-Abbe-Platz 8
07743 Jena

Office hours:
Thursday 12:00 to 13:00

Student Representatives Art History and Film Studies

Frommansches Anwesen, Majorflügel, Room E 010
Fürstengraben 18
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

Academic Office for Student Affairs and Examinations

Office hours:
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We are still available via telephone or request via the Servicedesk Portal.

Telephone enquiries:
Monday and Friday: 09:00-11:00
Wednesday: 13:00-15:00

Master Service Centre

Office hours:
Telephone consultation:
Tuesday - Thursday
10 am - 11 am

Personal consultation:
Tuesday - Thursday
2 pm - 3 pm

Live chat:
mondays
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Ticket enquiries via Service Desk at: www.uni-jena.de/service-msz

Postal address:
Friedrich Schiller University Jena
Master Service Centre (MSZ)
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena

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