History of the Ancient World

Study information
Key facts
Degree
Master of Arts
Duration
4 Semesters
Credits/ECTS
120
Teaching language
German
Tuition fee
None
Semester contribution
€ 272,80
Start of studies
Winter semester, Summer semester
Part-time possible
Yes
Application & Deadlines

Programme summary

The following departments jointly offer the interdisciplinary Master of Arts in History of the Ancient World: Ancient History, Ancient History of the Church, Classical Archaeology, Greek, Latin, and the New Testament. Emphasis is placed on issues important not only in the time of the Holy Roman Empire and Late Antiquity, but also throughout the entire European cultural and intellectual history: the interaction and mutual influence of pagan culture and Christianity in antiquity. Students will receive a solid overview of the key sources and epochs of antiquity from both a historical and a theological point of view. Further, they will be able to critically read and understand ancient texts and other sources with the assistance of existing research and to codify these texts in their theological, philosophical, and cultural historical context. In this way, they will learn to think in an interdisciplinary way and to do independent scholarly work in the diverse research fields of ancient history and theology. Due to the wide range of modules offered by the participating institutes, students can develop their own specialisations, such as history, material and immanent culture, hagiography, and Christian and pagan theology.

Special features

Students may flexibly combine their fields of specialisation within the programme, such as in the areas of Ancient History, Greek Studies, Latin Studies, and the New Testament. Besides acquiring subject-specific skills, they will also hone their communication skills and the ability to present the results of scholarly work.

Career opportunities

Thanks to the breadth of this subject and the variety of special skills students acquire in the programme, graduates are qualified to work in such diverse places as publishing houses, museums and archives, cultural institutes at national and international level, and university-level research and teaching.

Admission requirements

  • Undergraduate degree or equivalent

    For this master's programme you need a subject-specific  Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with a major or minor in antiquity studies, theology, or a related field; a major in history; or a teaching degree in Latin, Greek, history, or Protestant or Catholic religion.
    You should have earned a "B" average or better in your first degree.

  • Language requirements

    This master's programme requires the following language proficiencies:

    • proficiency in Latin ("Latinum")
    • proficiency in Greek ("Graecum")
    • international applicants: German language proficiency at minimum level DSH-2 (or a recognised equivalent)

    In addition, language skills in another modern foreign language at level B2 (according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) as well as in an academic language (French or Italian) are highly recommended.

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. 

  • Proofs of language proficiencies

    You have to submit the following proofs of language proficiencies:

    • Proof of proficiency in Greek ("Graecum")
    • Proof of proficiency in Latin ("Latinum")

    Those with a Bachelor’s degree in history may acquire skills in Greek during their studies, but must have earned the "Graecum" by the time they register their Master's thesis.

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- Prof. Dr. Timo Stickler
Student Representatives Classics
Academic Office for Student Affairs and Examinations

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