Faculty of Humanities

Degree Programs

Master's in Art History

The Master program offers a modern, career-focused course of study by allowing students to choose their preferred subjects.

The Master program in Art History (major) is a research-oriented art history program with five subject areas ( Early Art History, Art History of the Modern Era, History of Modern and Contemporary Art, Architecture History and Monument Preservation, and History of Textile Arts).

Master Kunstgeschichte
Basic information
Degree: Master of Arts in Art History, Universität Bern
Number of credits: 120 ECTS credits
Degree programs:
  • Major 90 ECTS credits


Offer for other degree programs:

  • Minor Art History 30 ECTS credits
  • Minor Provenance Research 30 ECTS credits
Combination possibilities: several
Duration: 4 semesters
Language: German
Beginning studies: Fall or spring semester

Details of program

The program is divided into the Master program (generally in the 7th and 8th semesters) and the final phase (generally in the 9th and 10th semesters).
The Master program consists of three advanced modules and art history electives. Each advanced module encompasses a lecture and a master seminar. The art history elective requirement can be met by attending specially labeled courses at the Institute of Art History, regardless of the student's main subject area or the type of course in question. The art history electives are designed to expand the student's knowledge in specific areas. The advanced modules and
the art history elective courses include performance checks at the end of the courses.

The final phase of the program consists of a subject field module that encompasses a lecture, a master seminar and a research colloquium. This module also concludes with a performance check.
Lectures and master seminars in at least two of the five subject areas must be completed during both phases of the program.

Excursions and internships are designed to enhance empirical research skills.

The Master program in Art History (major) is concluded with a master thesis and an examination in "Advanced Art History".

Combination possibilities

The Master's degree program in Art History consists of a major with 90 ECTS credits and a minor with 30 ECTS credits.

Any subject taught in a sufficient scope at the University of Bern can be chosen as a minor. However, students are not permitted to have a major and minor in the same branch of study.

Structure
Major ECTS  Minor ECTS 
90  30 
Available minors
Minors you may choose

Deadlines

Requirements

Individual academic requirements

The following academic qualifications are required for admission to the master's degree program in Art History (major):

a) Bachelor`s degree from a Swiss university with at least 105 ECTS credits in the branch of studies of Art history.
b) Bachelor's degree from a Swiss university in a different branch of studies with at least 60 ECTS credits in in the branch of Art History, provided that the master's degree can be successfully completed with an additional maximum of 60 ECTS credits or
c) Bachelor's degree from a recognized foreign university with equivalent qualifications, provided that the necessary requirements for the successful completion of the Master's programme can be met by earning a maximum of 60 ECTS credits.

Please consult the admission requirements for the minor as presented in the plan of studies.

If the bachelor's degree was earned more than ten years ago, additional credits may be required.

Language requirements

a) three modern foreign languages or
b) Latin plus two modern foreign languages

Evidence of language proficiency must be presented before the master's degree program can be completed. These language skills are acquired as part of extracurricular studies during the master's degree program. The ECTS credits will be listed separately in the diploma supplement as extracurricular attainments.

 
For questions regarding application and admission, please contact the Admissions Office.

Application and admission

Current UniBE students

Apply for a change to the M A in Art History, Universität Bern by self-service as part of the re-registration for the next semester.
Renewal of semester registration → Self-service
Recognition of academic achievements
Procedure and timing of the renewal of semester registration
   

Application with a Swiss degree

Online application
Assessment
Steps from application to registration
 

Application with an international degree

Online application
CHECKLIST - Documents for your application / Important information
Steps from application to registration

 
For questions regarding application and admission, please contact the Admissions Office.