Germany offers 35 Arts & Humanities programmes at 13 universities, covering literature, history, philosophy, theology, and the fine and performing arts. The University of Münster and Europa-Universität Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder) represent large and internationally engaged institutions, while Freie Kunst-Studienstätte Ottersberg, Evangelische Fachhochschule Nürnberg, and Augustana Hochschule Neuendettelsau provide smaller, specialist or faith-affiliated environments. Fachhochschule Dortmund adds applied arts and design perspectives to the mix.
All programmes in this listing are tuition-free, making Germany one of the most accessible countries globally for Arts & Humanities study at higher education level. Most programmes are taught in German; international applicants need to demonstrate proficiency at an academic level (TestDaF or DSH). Entry requires a secondary-school certificate equivalent to the German Abitur, and some fine arts programmes additionally require a portfolio or artistic aptitude test.
The Master of Arts (MA) in Archival Science is a part-time continuing education program designed to qualify you for higher archival service positions. It offers a unique blend of archival theory and practice, with a strong emphasis on scientific, information technology, and interdisciplinary skills. The program aims to equip you with competencies in archive management, project management, preservation, digital long-term archiving, and marketing, enabling you to systematically manage archival tasks under evolving professional and social demands. The curriculum is structured around a 'Potsdam model' that integrates information science with a high proportion of technical and scientific skills, complementing traditional archival training. You will engage in intensive learning through two three-day lecture blocks per semester, supported by an e-learning platform. The program is designed for professionals already working in archives, offering a pathway to advanced roles.
Archives serve as the memory of society, preserving and making accessible important historical and digital records. The Archival Studies bachelor's program equips you with the skills to evaluate analogue and digital materials for their future relevance and to present them effectively to diverse audiences. This program emphasizes practical application, providing a realistic understanding of your future professional field. Graduates are well-prepared for a variety of roles in public archives, private companies, and other institutions, leveraging their specialized knowledge and learned methodologies in high demand on the job market.
The Master's programme in Arts and Community (M.A./M.F.A.) at HKS Ottersberg offers a unique, interdisciplinary approach in Germany. You can pursue either a Master of Arts or a Master of Fine Arts degree. The program is designed for full-time study over one year or part-time over two years, with learning organised in intensive block weeks. The Master of Arts pathway focuses on art therapy, art education, or theatre pedagogy within social and clinical settings. The Master of Fine Arts pathway emphasizes artistic research and interventions in public and institutional spaces. Central to the program is a project-based approach where you will explore a socially relevant issue from both artistic and scientific perspectives. This project is independently planned, executed, and evaluated by you, fostering innovative individual and social skills. Seminars on scientific theory and research methods provide a strong academic foundation. You'll also develop skills in project management, supervision, and curation, with content tailored to specific target groups. Regular colloquiums and close mentoring ensure in-depth reflection and vibrant peer exchange.

The Master's programme in Central and East European Studies at Europa-Universität Viadrina offers a unique interdisciplinary approach to understanding the diverse cultures, societies, history, and literature of Central and Eastern Europe. It combines perspectives from cultural studies, history, literature, social sciences, Jewish studies, and German studies to provide in-depth knowledge of this dynamic region. The programme aims to equip graduates with the skills to navigate and comprehend the complex interdependencies and future potentials of contemporary Europe.
This supplementary training program in church music at Evangelische Hochschule Nürnberg (EVHN) offers a recognized qualification for part-time musical service in church and community settings. It is designed for current EVHN students as well as external individuals interested in deepening their musical engagement. The program focuses on vocal choir conducting, with optional specializations in gospel choir conducting, band leadership, and guitar performance, often in collaboration with the Association for Christian Popular Music in Bavaria e.V. The training can be completed flexibly, either alongside your studies over four semesters or through intensive weekend courses. It is particularly beneficial for those involved in community, religious, and social pedagogy, youth music work, or voluntary church service.
This Bachelor's program in Conservation and Restoration focuses on preserving and restoring historical art and cultural assets, with a primary emphasis on building monument conservation and also including the museum sector. You will gain foundational knowledge in the conservation of wood, stone, and mural painting, while also learning to think and work interdisciplinarily by studying architecture, urban planning, and civil engineering. The program aims to equip future conservators with the skills to maintain diverse historical objects such as monuments, buildings, sculptures, furniture, and wall paintings for future generations, utilizing environmentally friendly and sustainable practices. The curriculum includes essential scientific methods and in-depth knowledge of art and restoration history. Students will complete a mandatory mid-study internship at institutions or workshops outside the university to apply and critically evaluate their acquired knowledge. The program offers specializations in Wood, Stone, or Mural Painting, allowing students to deepen their expertise in their chosen field.
The Master of Arts programme in Conservation and Restoration builds upon a bachelor's degree, offering advanced training for professionals in the field. It focuses on preparing graduates for roles in architectural monument preservation and the museum sector, equipping them with scientific methods and practical skills for complex conservation and restoration projects. The programme emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and independent scientific research.
This Bachelor's program focuses on Creative Writing as a Social Practice, blending artistic expression with social engagement. You will learn to see writing not just as an individual act, but as a powerful tool for shaping identities, fostering relationships, and critically examining societal dynamics. The program emphasizes collaborative writing processes, community building, and the development of inclusive narratives. Through workshops, artistic projects, and collective writing, you will gain practical experience in initiating, guiding, and facilitating writing processes. The curriculum combines foundational knowledge in community building, collaborative creativity, and critical language use with in-depth studies of creative writing methods, theories, and research. This interdisciplinary approach ensures a dynamic dialogue between academic learning and the practice of writing as a social art form. Graduates are prepared for diverse career paths where writing brings people together. This includes developing and leading collaborative writing projects, facilitating workshops in social institutions like schools or senior centers, engaging in cultural work, and applying creative writing in therapeutic or rehabilitative settings.
The Bachelor's programme in Cultural and Social Studies at Europa-Universität Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder) offers a unique interdisciplinary approach to understanding contemporary society and culture. Taught primarily in English, with a progressive introduction to German, the program equips students with theoretical and methodological tools from cultural history, literary studies, language and media studies, and comparative social sciences. It focuses on key thematic areas like Europe's history and culture, media and communication, and issues of migration, gender, and diversity. The curriculum is designed to foster an understanding of historical interconnections and intersectional structures within global contexts.
This Bachelor of Arts program explores the intricate connections between culture and technology, with a core focus on Art History. You will gain a deep understanding of artistic works from the Middle Ages to the modern era, examining their design, technological context, and historical influences. The program equips you with broad scientific methods to analyze artifacts from various perspectives and formulate further research questions. You'll investigate the cultural, material, and technological foundations of artistic creation, as well as art's dissemination and institutionalization. This includes understanding processes, material iconography, artist training, cultural exchange, museum history, and the history of science. The general studies component develops professional, methodological, and social skills to comprehend the intellectual, social, and material dimensions of the modern world and their interrelations, bridging humanities and cultural studies with natural and technical sciences.
The Master of Arts in European Culture and History of Ideas offers a specialized study in either Philosophy or History, or a combination of both disciplines. This program is designed for in-depth learning in small seminar groups, fostering close interaction with instructors. Over four semesters, you will earn 120 ECTS credits, developing comprehensive expertise in the methodological and thematic aspects of your chosen fields. The curriculum includes a compulsory interdisciplinary module, "Geisteswissenschaften interdisziplinär" (Humanities Interdisciplinary), alongside five elective modules from Philosophy and History. You will select two of these electives to tailor your studies to your specific interests. The program also incorporates a mandatory 8-week professional internship, providing practical experience in relevant cultural, administrative, or corporate settings. Opportunities for international experience are available through programs like Erasmus+ and Eucor – The European Campus, as well as international internships.
The Bachelor of Arts program in European Culture and Ideas History offers a comprehensive exploration of the intellectual, cultural, and political developments that have shaped Europe. It delves into the history of ideas, philosophy, literature, art, and social sciences to provide students with a nuanced understanding of European identity and its evolution. This interdisciplinary program encourages critical thinking and analytical skills, enabling students to examine complex historical and cultural phenomena. Graduates will be equipped with a broad knowledge base and the ability to engage with diverse perspectives on European history and thought.
The European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder) offers a unique educational experience focused on the interface between Eastern and Western Europe. With a strong emphasis on an all-European perspective and an international network, Viadrina aims to educate individuals who can address societal challenges through academically-based insights. The university fosters a close-knit community where students benefit from small class sizes and direct interaction with lecturers, preparing them to shape the society of tomorrow. Viadrina specializes in the fields of Digitalisation, Culture, Law, and Business, offering over 20 study programs and 25 international double degrees across its four faculties and schools. The university is committed to providing an individual study program that equips students with unique expertise, enabling them to navigate and contribute to a globalized world.

The Bachelor's program in Film & Sound explores the dynamic interplay between audio and visual elements in filmmaking. This program is designed for students passionate about storytelling through moving images and sound, aiming to equip them with a comprehensive understanding of both creative levels. You'll learn to enhance, expand, and counterpoint a film's message through sound design, fostering a deep appreciation for how image and sound work together professionally. This unique, practice-oriented, and career-focused seven-semester program uniquely brings together students from film and sound design specializations. You will collaborate on various film projects, gaining essential experience in audiovisual storytelling. The curriculum includes fictional, documentary, and experimental film projects, preparing you for diverse roles in the industry.
This Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) program in German Studies (Germanistik) focuses on the German language, literature, and communication. You will delve deeply into the structure and evolution of the German language, analyze literature from various historical periods, and examine media and texts from a cultural perspective. The program aims to provide a broad academic foundation with versatile application possibilities, increasingly incorporating cultural studies and other media. The curriculum is structured around a major in German Studies, which includes compulsory and elective modules, and a minor subject. You will gain fundamental knowledge in German literature (from the 16th century to the present, and medieval literature), linguistics, and language history. The program also emphasizes interdisciplinary connections, allowing you to combine German Studies with subjects like Sociology, History, Philosophy, Pedagogy, Art History, Media Culture, or Technology Assessment.
The Master of Arts program in Germanistik (German Studies) at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) offers a comprehensive exploration of medieval, early modern, modern, and contemporary literature within their cultural and media contexts. The program emphasizes a text- and culture-scientific approach, uniquely benefiting from KIT's strong science and technology environment, fostering productive synergies. Small seminar groups ensure close interaction with faculty. The standard period of study is four semesters (full-time), leading to the acquisition of 120 ECTS credits.
Freie Kunst-Studienstätte Ottersberg offers a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Künste im Sozialen (Arts in Social Professions). This program is designed for students interested in creatively engaging with social issues. The university is located in a region that values both creativity and social responsibility, providing a unique environment for artistic and personal development. The program emphasizes hands-on learning and provides individualized support to help students explore their artistic potential and prepare for careers where art and social engagement intersect. Students will have the opportunity to develop their skills through various focus areas within the broader field of arts in social professions.
The Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Fine Arts program in Arts in Social Contexts (Künste im Sozialen) at the Hochschule für Künste im Sozialen Ottersberg offers a unique interdisciplinary approach, combining artistic practice with social engagement. Students can specialize in various fields, including Fine Arts, Art Therapy, Creative Writing as a Social Practice, Social Work, and Performing Arts (Dance and Theater Education). This program is designed for individuals who wish to use artistic methods to address social issues, promote personal development, and facilitate community engagement. The curriculum emphasizes practical application, critical reflection, and the development of individual artistic and professional profiles within social contexts.
The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Art History at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) is a research-oriented and practice-based program. It aims to develop your critical thinking and practical skills within art studies, understood as visual studies. The program emphasizes analyzing artworks from traditional and new media, deciphering visual languages, and understanding artistic production within its theoretical and societal contexts. A unique aspect of the KIT program is its inclusion of architecture history, theory, and communication. The program is designed for a standard period of four semesters, during which you will earn 120 ECTS credits. You will build in-depth knowledge and engage in specialized methods of academic work. The goal is to enable you to achieve independent analytical-critical and practical skills in the entire field of art history and beyond, particularly in architecture. You can further specialize by choosing one of four profiles in the elective module area: Art and Society, Theory and History of Architecture, Transdisciplinary Studies, or Art and New Media. The curriculum includes theoretical and methodological foundations, research fields, applied science modules with practical exercises and excursions, and a final Master's thesis.
The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) program in Art History at KIT offers a comprehensive study of visual art and cultural production from late antiquity to the present day. Students will learn to analyze, describe, and contextualize art across various epochs and media, including painting, sculpture, photography, design, and modern multimedia forms from historical and visual culture perspectives. The curriculum begins with foundational art historical knowledge, combined with training in academic research methods through lectures, seminars, and practical exercises. Later semesters focus on developing critical analysis skills and effective presentation techniques. The program also includes insights into heritage conservation, archival, and museum studies, preparing students for professional roles with internship opportunities. Students can specialize by choosing an elective minor subject and deepening their knowledge in advanced fields. The program emphasizes practical application through a mandatory internship and encourages international experience through various exchange programs.
This Master's program explores the complex relationship between language, media, and society. You will gain an understanding of how language and media influence public discourse, social dynamics, and power structures, examining contemporary issues like AI, social media, and digital communication. The program integrates theoretical, methodological, and empirical approaches from film and media studies with culturally oriented language research. Graduates will develop strong analytical skills to critically engage with the modern media landscape and shape interactions with digital, audiovisual, and linguistic phenomena.
This Master's program delves into the intricate relationships between rhetoric, aesthetics, media, and material practices, aiming to bridge aesthetics, literature, and philosophy through a cultural theory lens. It examines European literatures and philosophies within their historical and cross-cultural contexts, viewing literature not as a collection of national works but as a phenomenon with transcultural dimensions. The program encourages multi-perspective approaches to critical questions about the formation of European literary canons, their connection to other knowledge systems and media, and the dynamic interplay between philosophy and literature. It emphasizes a transnational, comparative, and intermedial approach, critically questioning concepts like identity and territory, and exploring the methodological significance of literature for cultural studies.
This Master's program focuses on the art and pedagogy of writing. You will explore your personal writing style and gain the educational skills needed to lead writing groups and support individuals. It is the first Master's program of its kind in the German-speaking world, established in 2006 and re-accredited multiple times. The five-semester, part-time program is designed for individuals who already hold a first academic degree. It prepares graduates to work with clients in various fields, including social work, preventative and curative health, professional coaching, supervision, cultural work, adult education, and psychotherapy. You will learn a wide range of creative methods for teaching writing, reflecting on your own biographical experiences and writing style, and developing didactic skills to guide both groups and individuals. The program also offers the opportunity to develop an independent research project for your Master's thesis.

This Master's program focuses on the intersection of photography, media, and society. It equips students with the skills to critically analyze and create visual content in an increasingly media-driven world. The program encourages independent project work, fostering both artistic expression and theoretical understanding of photographic practices and their societal impact. Graduates will be prepared for careers in various creative industries or for further academic pursuits.

The Master of Arts program in Terminology and Language Technology (MATS) provides advanced, application-oriented study in the field of terminology and language technology systems. Building on scientific foundations, this four-semester program equips graduates with professional qualifications for conceptualizing and implementing these systems. It is offered by the Faculty of Information and Communication Sciences at the Südstadt campus. The program is designed for graduates of the Multilingual Communication bachelor's program at the ITMK of TH Köln, as well as graduates from other universities (including non-translator programs) who possess the necessary prerequisite knowledge and aptitude. The program is not admission-restricted and has a standard study period of 4 semesters, totaling 120 ECTS credits.

The Master's program "Theater and Digitality" is an interdisciplinary, English-language program focused on the intersection of performing arts and digital technologies. It aims to equip students with skills to explore new forms of storytelling and theatrical experiences using innovative tools. The program embraces performers, narratives, stages, and technologies, encouraging critical thinking and creative application of digital advancements in art.

Augustana Hochschule is the theological university of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria. It offers a degree program in "Evangelical Theology" leading to the "Kirchliches Examen" (Church Examination). The institution also facilitates doctoral and post-doctoral research. Augustana Hochschule is recognized as equivalent to state theological faculties in Germany. The university emphasizes an integrated approach where teaching, learning, and campus life form a cohesive unit. Research and teaching are conducted under the favorable conditions of a campus university.

The Westfälische Hochschule (WH) is a university of applied sciences located in Germany, with campuses in Gelsenkirchen, Bocholt, and Recklinghausen. It focuses on providing practical, application-oriented education in a range of engineering, business, and social science fields. The university emphasizes strong connections with industry and aims to equip students with the skills needed for successful careers in their chosen fields. WH offers a variety of Bachelor's and Master's programs, often with a focus on innovation, sustainability, and digitalization. Many programs are designed in collaboration with regional businesses, ensuring that the curriculum remains relevant to current industry demands. The university is committed to fostering a dynamic learning environment that encourages research, development, and entrepreneurial thinking among its students.
This distance learning Bachelor's program in Industrial Engineering and Management (Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen) at HFH Hamburger Fern-Hochschule is designed for individuals seeking to combine technical expertise with business acumen. It prepares students for complex interdisciplinary challenges in areas like digitalization, global supply chains, and sustainability. The program emphasizes flexibility, allowing you to study at your own pace and schedule, balancing your studies with professional and personal commitments. You can earn either a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) or a Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.) degree. The curriculum integrates knowledge from engineering, natural sciences, and economics, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills applicable to leadership roles in various industries. HFH is a state-recognized university with a strong reputation for quality, practical relevance, and excellent student support.
There are 35 Arts & Humanities programmes at 13 universities across Germany.
Institutions include the University of Münster, Europa-Universität Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder), Freie Kunst-Studienstätte Ottersberg, Evangelische Fachhochschule Nürnberg, Augustana Hochschule Neuendettelsau, and Fachhochschule Dortmund.
All programmes in this listing are tuition-free; students typically pay only a small semester contribution (around €100–350) covering administrative fees and public transport.
Yes; most programmes are taught in German and require strong German language proficiency (TestDaF or DSH), though some institutions offer English-taught tracks — check individual programme pages.
Entry requires a secondary-school certificate equivalent to the German Abitur; fine arts and performing arts programmes often additionally require a portfolio or artistic aptitude examination.