Faculty of Humanities

Degree Programs

Master's in Art History: History of Textile Arts

Art history education with a focus on the history of textile arts

The Werner and Margaret Abegg Endowed Chair for the History of Textile Arts has established a new and internationally unique field of research and instruction within the Institute of Art History at the University of Bern. This field addresses textile arts (primarily silk weaving, embroidery, tapestry and costume), as well as individual works and ensembles from that spectrum, whereby the focus here is on the uniqueness of their materials and technical craftsmanship, their functions and effects, and their significance within a larger artistic, historical, political, situational and performative context.

The program addresses textile art from the early Middle Ages to the present, covering a broad geographical and cultural spectrum that includes patterns and styles in European silk weaving borrowed from the Middle East, comparisons between Near and Middle Eastern and Western vestmental practices, and the production and use of carpets in the Near and Middle East and their reception in the West. Work in all of these research fields for the history of textile arts analyses the options and strategies of cultural transfer.

Master Kunstgeschichte: Geschichte der textilen Künste
Basic information
Degree: Master of Arts in Art History with special qualification in the History of Textile Arts, Universität Bern
Number of credits: 120 ECTS credits
Degree programs: Mono 120 ECTS credits
Duration: 4 semesters
Language: German
Beginning studies: Fall or spring semester

Details of program

The Master program in "Art History with a Focus on the History of Textile Arts" (mono-major) is a research-oriented art history program with five subject areas for a total of 90 credits and a supplemental textile-history component for 30 credits (research focus: "History of Textile Arts" – TA). 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 has three advanced modules, each of which consists of a lecture and a master seminar. Students must also complete art history electives and courses in the research focus "History of Textile Arts" (30 credits). The requirements for the research focus "History of Textile Arts" can be met by attending any lecture, seminar, exercise or other course in the Department of History of Textile Arts (with the exception of excursions). Students are also required to conduct a six-week internship in order to enhance their practical skills. 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, the art history elective courses and the courses for the research focus "History of Textile Arts" all 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 with a Focus on the History of Textile Arts" (single-subject mono-master) is concluded with a master thesis and an examination in "Advanced Art History" (45 minutes ) and in the topics addressed in the research focus "History of Textile Arts" (15 minutes).

Deadlines

Requirements

Individual academic requirements

The following academic qualifications are required for admission to the master’s degree program in Art History: History of Textile Arts (mono):

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.

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 with special qualification in the History of Textile Arts, 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.