Master's in Digital Humanities

The Master’s programmes in Digital Humanities introduce students to digital methods as they are applied and further developed within the humanities, cultural studies, and social sciences. Participants acquire both practical skills in the use of digital tools and a critical understanding of their theoretical foundations. The major programme offers scope for individual specialisation and the independent realisation of complex projects. Graduates are well prepared to assume responsibilities in a wide range of professional fields, including academia, cultural heritage institutions, and the public sector.

The programme is distinguished by its interdisciplinary orientation and its close integration of research and practice. It creates interfaces between computer science and the humanities, cultural studies, and social sciences, thereby fostering a versatile graduate profile. The degree is internationally connected and engages with current debates on digitalisation, data culture, and societal transformation. Students also benefit from a wide network of partner institutions, which provides opportunities for practical experience and exciting project work. Finally, the programme equips graduates with skills that are increasingly in demand on the labour market and that open up a broad range of career prospects.

Basic information
Degree:
  • Master of Arts in Digital Humanities, Universität Bern (MA)
  • Master of Arts in Digital Humanities with special qualification in
    • Digital Scholarly Editing and Computational Literary Sciences, Universität Bern (MA),
    • Digital Sociolinguistics, Universität Bern (MA)
    • Digital Histories, Universität Bern (MA)
    • Digital Culture Studies, Universität Bern (MA)
    • Data Science, Universität Bern (MA)
Number of credits:

90 ECTS credits

Degree programs:

Master study program Digital Humanities (Major, 90 ECTS-Punkte), optional with one of the following special qualifications:

  • Digital Scholarly Editing and Computational Literary Sciences
  • Digital Sociolinguistics
  • Digital Histories
  • Digital Culture Studies
  • Data Science
Duration: 4 semesters
Language:

German and English
Beginning studies: Fall or spring semester

Study content

The Major programme (90 ECTS) in Digital Humanities offers students the opportunity to engage in depth with digital methods and their application across the humanities, cultural studies, and social sciences. Students are able to define individual areas of specialisation, for example in Digital Scholarly Editing, Digital Sociolinguistics, Digital Histories, Digital Culture Studies, or Data Science. These specialisations make it possible to pursue specific research questions and to expand both methodological and theoretical expertise in a targeted manner.

A central element of the Major programme is the development of independent projects, which foster both conceptual and practical competencies. In this context, students learn to plan complex workflows, assume project management responsibilities, and present and publish scholarly results. The programme culminates in a Master’s thesis written in the chosen area of specialisation and defended in a disputation.

In this way, the Major programme combines the practice-oriented application of digital methods with a critical reflection on their theoretical foundations. It enables students to pursue their own research interests, develop new approaches, and contribute actively to the advancement of the Digital Humanities.

Program structure

The Major programme is structured in modules and combines introductory courses, advanced seminars, opportunities for critical reflection, practical experience, and an independent final thesis. In the course of their studies, students acquire both technical and theoretical competencies, gain experience with project work in a variety of contexts, and apply their knowledge in practice-oriented formats. Particular emphasis is placed on the modules dedicated to work experience, which foster close connections with research and cultural institutions, as well as on the Master’s thesis, which is written in the chosen area of specialisation.

Program structure Digital Humanities MA Major 90 ECTS

Module

Courses / Contents

ECTS

Semester
Introduction
 Introduction to Digital Humanities, DH Lab, Introduction to Programming (Python) 10 1
Theories, Approaches & Solutions Lecture Series (Perspectives on Digital Humanities) and lecture (Introduction to DH Approaches), elective seminar 12 1-2
Reflection Colloquium (Critical Algorithm Studies), seminar (Philosophy of Science / Media Theory) 10 2
Specialisation Two seminars on applications in Digital Humanities (within the chosen area of specialisation) 12 2-3
Work Experience Networking meeting (incl. learning contract), project management, presentation, preservation & publication
praktische work experience (4 weeks)		 16 3
Final Thesis Masterarbeit 30 4

Requirements

Individual academic requirements

The following academic qualifications are required for admission to the Master Major Digital Humanities:

a) Admission requires 60 ECTS credits in either a field of study offered by the Faculty of Humanities or the Faculty of Theology, or in the field of computer science.
b) Knowledge and skills that have not been acquired in the completed bachelor's degree program may be required as additional achievements, provided that these do not exceed a total of 60 ECTS credits. The additional achievements in the form of conditions or requirements are defined individually by the Collegium Decanale.

The corresponding ECTS credits are listed separately as additional achievements in the Diploma Supplement. Further details are regulated in Article 51 RSL Phil.-hist. 21.

Language requirements

Excellent knowledge of German and English (C1 according to the European Framework of Reference) is expected.

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