This research-led Master's degree, offered within the Department of History and Cultural Studies, explores the history, cultures, religions, politics and social formations of Islamic societies from the origins of Islam to the present. Taught entirely in English, the programme combines a strong theoretical and methodological foundation with opportunities for focused, independent research. Its regional emphasis covers West Asia and North Africa as well as Europe, while also prioritising global connections and transregional perspectives.
The curriculum emphasises theory and methods—especially comparative, interdisciplinary and critical approaches—and examines topics such as gender, alterity and difference, postcolonial critique and racism, knowledge production and power, law and religion, conceptual history, religion and secularity, heritagisation, urban and popular culture, and insider/outsider perspectives. Close ties between courses and the Institute of Islamic Studies’ research priorities mean students practise research-driven work: guided field projects, interview-based studies, philological analysis of unedited manuscripts, mapping contemporary Arabic knowledge production, digital humanities, material culture approaches, and multi-source conceptual studies.
Language training is integrated into the programme through specialised Arabic reading courses focused on primary sources across genres, enabling students to work directly with original texts. The degree encourages international experience: students are advised to spend a semester abroad (typically in the second or third semester) at partner universities, and professional internships—also usable for study-abroad stays—can be taken within the programme’s trans- and interdisciplinary component. Regular guest lectures and presentations by international scholars supplement course teaching and broaden research networks.
Requirements (concise)
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Overview
Applicants must hold a first university degree (for example a Bachelor’s) worth at least 180 ECTS. In addition to the overall degree, you need substantial prior study specifically related to the history and societies of the Islamic world: 60 ECTS in relevant courses is required. The programme expects both subject-specific coursework and proven Arabic language preparation suitable for academic study in this field.
Of the 60 ECTS in relevant coursework, the requirement is split between language-focused and topic-focused courses. At least 40 ECTS must come from courses that develop Arabic language skills (written Arabic up to CEFR level B2 and spoken Arabic at B1, or an equivalent). At least 20 ECTS must be non-language courses addressing historical, social, cultural or other topical aspects of the Islamic world. Alternatively, applicants who completed secondary or tertiary education in an Arabic-speaking country may substitute that documentation for the formal Arabic-language coursework; in that case the full 60 ECTS must consist of non-language topical courses.
Requirements (bullet points)
Winter Semester (International)
15 August 2026
Winter Semester (EU/EEA)
15 August 2026
Graduates are prepared for research and academically oriented careers, including continuation to PhD programmes and roles in university research projects. The programme's strong methodological and language training supports careers in archives, libraries, and special collections dealing with Middle Eastern and Islamic sources.
Outside academia, alumni can work in cultural institutions, museums, heritage organisations, NGOs, international organisations, journalism, policy analysis, and governmental or diplomatic services where expertise on Islamic societies, intercultural skills, language competence, and research methods are valued.