For admission to the master’s program, applicants must fulfill the following requirements:
More information on admission criteria can be found in the Admissions Regulations for the Master's Program History and Societies of the Islamic World .
History and Societies of the Islamic World is a research-oriented master’s program at the Department of History and Cultural Studies, focusing on the history, culture, religion, politics, and societies of the Islamic world. It is taught entirely in English and examines Islamic societies from the beginnings of Islam to the present, with a regional focus on West Asia, North Africa, and Europe, while also emphasizing global perspectives and interconnected histories. The program provides students with an overview of current research and central debates in the study of Islamic societies. Particular emphasis is placed on theoretical and methodological approaches, including gender, postcolonial perspectives, critiques of racism, knowledge production and power, the relationship between law, religion, and politics, constructions of difference and alterity, religion and secularity, conceptual history, heritagization, popular and consumer culture, urban studies, and insider and outsider perspectives. A strong research orientation allows students to engage with different forms of research and sources. These include field research, interviews, philological analysis of manuscripts, the study of contemporary Arabic knowledge production, digital humanities, material culture, and globally oriented conceptual studies. Students also deepen their Arabic language skills through reading courses focused on different types and genres of Arabic primary sources. A distinctive feature of the program is its focus on “Islam in Europe” , combined with a strong emphasis on theory and methodology. The program also connects closely with the research priorities of the Institute of Islamic Studies and introduces students to current international scholarship through guest lectures and academic presentations.
The program is a consecutive master’s degree that requires a bachelor’s degree in History and Cultures of the Middle East with a focus on Islamic Studies, or an equivalent degree in a closely related field. It is taught entirely in English and combines interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary study with opportunities for individual specialization.
The curriculum is organized around several complementary areas. Students develop their knowledge of the history and societies of the Islamic world while also receiving systematic training in academic research methods, theoretical approaches, and good scholarly practices. The interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary components allow students to deepen their professional and academic interests in a specific area.
Research-based learning is an important part of the program structure. Students are encouraged to develop and carry out independent research projects, applying the theoretical and methodological approaches introduced in their courses. Arabic reading courses form another component of the curriculum, allowing students to work directly with Arabic primary sources.
The program also offers opportunities for international study and practical experience . Students in their second or third semester are encouraged to spend a period abroad at one of the program’s partner universities. Professional internships can also be undertaken abroad and incorporated into the interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary component of the degree.