Museology, Master of Arts

Who Benefits from the Master's in Jewish Museology?

The Master's programme in Jewish Museology at the Hochschule für Jüdische Studien Heidelberg is aimed at graduates of humanities, cultural or social science Bachelor's degree programmes who wish to gain thorough qualifications in Jewish museum, exhibition and memorial site work. The programme is particularly suitable for individuals interested in conveying Jewish history, art and culture and preparing for work in museums or comparable educational institutions. The target group includes both applicants with relevant prior knowledge from related disciplines as well as international candidates seeking an academic and practice-oriented specialisation in this specific field.

What Admission Requirements Apply?

• General higher education entrance qualification (Abitur) or a comparable internationally recognised qualification that entitles the applicant to undertake a Master's degree
• Successfully completed Bachelor's degree in a relevant, related course of study (for example Jewish Studies, Art History, History, Cultural Studies or related subjects)
• Application deadline: Annually by 15 July for the upcoming winter semester
• The exact regulations are set out in the admissions regulations as well as in the respective study plans and module handbooks of the Hochschule für Jüdische Studien Heidelberg

Additional documents such as the study plan, module handbook or proof of an advisory interview must be submitted with the application. Admission may be assessed individually, especially in the case of international degrees or lateral entrants.

Personal requirements for a successful Master's degree in Jewish Museology:

• Interest in Jewish history, art and culture as well as museological issues
• Willingness to engage in interdisciplinary academic work and analyse social contexts
• Communication skills and enthusiasm for conveying complex content
• Basic knowledge of German and English (as the language of instruction includes both languages)
• Self-initiative and commitment when working on academic and practice-oriented projects

What do you learn in the Master’s programme in Jewish Museology?

In the Master’s programme in Jewish Museology at the Hochschule für Jüdische Studien Heidelberg, you will engage intensively with museums and museum history – specifically in the context of Jewish culture, history and art. The programme places a special focus on the role of Jewish museums as places of identity formation and social enlightenment. You will study the academic foundations in history, art, culture and education and develop the skills to apply these practically in Jewish museum, exhibition and memorial work.

• Academic foundations of Jewish history, art and culture
• Museum education and didactics: mediation and educational work in the museum context
• Methodology of museal presentation, exhibition conception and cultural work
• Social relevance and tasks of Jewish museums
• Interdisciplinary analysis and mediation competencies

How is the course structured?

The course is interdisciplinary and regularly lasts four semesters. During your studies, you will complete various modules that combine theoretical and practical aspects of museology and prepare you for work in a variety of museum and memory culture institutions.

• Standard period of study: 4 semesters
• Start of studies: each winter semester
• Languages of instruction: German and English
• Integration of theory, practice and academic research

The degree awarded is Master of Arts (M.A.). After completing the programme, you may also pursue doctoral studies.

For which professions does the Master’s in Jewish Museology qualify you?

The Master’s degree qualifies you for a wide range of roles in museum, exhibition and memorial work, particularly in the Jewish context. The programme enables you to work both academically and practically and to undertake mediation tasks in educational and cultural institutions.

• Curatorial roles in Jewish or cultural-historical museums
• Educational work in memorial sites, museums and exhibitions
• Conception and organisation of cultural projects, exhibitions and events
• Academic research on Jewish museum history and memory culture
• Work in educational institutions as well as in public and cultural administration

Where do you study Jewish Museology?

The programme is offered as an on-campus course at the Heidelberg location. The Hochschule für Jüdische Studien Heidelberg is an established institution for Jewish studies in Europe, maintaining close links to museums, memorial sites and cultural institutions.

What does the course cost and how can you finance it?

There are no specific tuition fees for the Master’s in Jewish Museology at the Hochschule für Jüdische Studien Heidelberg. However, you should budget for living expenses and any semester fees. The university and other institutions offer various funding opportunities and scholarships to support your studies.

• No specific tuition fees
• Possible costs: semester fees, living costs
• Options for financing your studies through common scholarships and funding programmes