Digital Humanities
Digital Humanities (M.A.)

Learn hands-on techniques such as pattern recognition, graphical data processing, computer vision, and databases in the Digital Humanities degree program to explore cultural heritage. The four subject areas – data acquisition, visualization, analysis and understanding, and human-machine interaction – are in focus. Media ethics and IT law give you a solid understanding. Shape your individual focus through the diverse electives, which include ongoing research projects.
- Degree
- Master of Arts (M.A.)
- Duration of studies in semester
- 4
- Start of degree program
- Summer semester, Winter semester
- Study location
- Erlangen
- Number of students
- 1-50
- Subject group
- Engineering sciences, Language and Cultural Studies
- Special ways to study
- Part-time degree program
- Teaching language
- German and English
- Admission Requirements
- Qualification assessment
What is the degree program about?
The Erlangen Master’s degree program in Digital Humanities is an interdisciplinary, partially English-language degree program that is characterized both by a specific content profile and by an individually selectable focus. Through the close interlocking of fields of investigation in the humanities and computer-based analysis methods, it offers both a practice-oriented and a research-oriented education.
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The profile of the curriculum, which has a strong technical-informatics orientation, includes practical methods of computer science, such as pattern recognition, graphical data processing, computer vision, and databases for the study of cultural heritage.
At the core of the degree program are four subject areas:
- Acquiring data
- Visualizing data
- Analyzing and understanding data
- Human-machine interaction
These topics are complemented by a profound insight into media ethics and IT law. An individual focus is provided by a large elective area, which is drawn from ongoing research projects. In a project module, students are prepared for independent research and for various professional fields.
The degree program is designed for four semesters. In the first semester, theoretical and methodological foundations are developed, on which subject areas from the humanities and computer science build. In the further course of studies, students can choose between free supplementary studies, internships, stays abroad and team projects.
In a one-year project, students work in groups and/or with external partners on current research questions. This serves to deepen and apply the acquired knowledge.
Within the free supplementary studies, students expand their scientific horizons according to their individual focus. They choose from modules in related disciplines such as computational linguistics, digital art history, museum studies, theater and media studies, cultural geography, archaeology, or other humanities.
In the fourth semester, students write a master’s thesis in their chosen field of study and discuss it in a colloquium.
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Graduates of the master’s degree program in Digital Humanities have a wide range of career prospects. The degree program qualifies students for entry into research in the young but internationally rapidly growing field of digital humanities. At the same time, graduates will find challenging career opportunities in future-oriented fields of work at the interface of computer science and the humanities, e.g. in the cultural sector or education.
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- Admission requirements (first semester)
- Qualification assessment
- Application deadline winter semester
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15.07.
- Application deadline summer semester
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15.02.
- Content-related admission requirements
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Which Bachelor’s degree do I need?
For the Master’s degree program M.A. Digital Humanities, a completed first university degree (e.g. Bachelor) with a subject-specific or related degree is required.
A subject-specific degree is defined as a degree in a bachelor’s program in Digital Humanities and Social Sciences or Digital Humanities or Digital Humanities. If a subject-specific degree is available, applicants with an overall grade of up to 2.50 will be admitted directly to the Master’s degree program; applicants with an overall grade of 2.51 to 3.75 will only be admitted after a successful selection interview.
Other Bachelor’s degrees are recognized as related to the subject, provided they include a minimum of 25 ECTS credits in computer science and 25 ECTS credits in humanities and/or social sciences. In this case, a successful selection interview and an overall grade of at least 3.75 are required.
Language skills
- German language skills for international applicants
- DSH 2 or equivalent
- General language skills
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B2 (English)
Do you need help or more information?
Our Student Advice and Career Service (IBZ) is the central point of contact for all questions about studying and starting a degree programme. Our Student Service Centres and subject advisors support you in planning your studies.