Global History

Overview

This Master's programme trains you to identify and interpret complex social, political, cultural and economic phenomena of the contemporary world by placing them in broad historical and global perspective. The course emphasises comparative, transregional approaches and gives you tools to analyse how local and global processes have shaped encounters, entanglements and conflicts over time. Instruction is delivered in English; applicants must meet the programme's English and German language requirements.

The curriculum is organised in a modular, column-based structure that balances core theoretical and methodological training with regionally focused study, language acquisition and specialised methodological options. You will also complete an independent research project: a supervised Master's thesis accompanied by a research report presented in the programme’s Master's class.

This degree is designed for students who want interdisciplinary methodological training (including qualitative and quantitative tools and approaches from fields like the social sciences and literary studies), comparative area knowledge across different world regions and deeper language skills relevant to their chosen regional focus. Coursework allows flexibility in chronological scope and topical emphasis (for example, economic, social, cultural or religious dimensions), so you can pursue a tailored combination of comparative and area-specific historical study.

Structure and key requirements

• Taught in English; applicants must satisfy the programme’s English and German language requirements.
• Column 1 (Foundations): four compulsory modules introducing the Global History approach, paradigms, theories and methods, including historiographical and methodological reflection and studies of entanglements across political, social, economic and cultural history.
• Column 2 (Area Expertise): six elective modules split into two parts:
  • Area courses (3 modules): choose one of four options — Africa (A), Europe (B), Atlantic World & the Americas (C), or Trans and other areas (D) — and complete three seminars/courses focusing on the history of that area; courses may span different periods and topical angles.
  • Language training (3 modules): take or intensify language classes linked to your chosen area expertise, extending skills beyond the obligatory English and German admission-level requirements.
• Column 3 (Specialisation): two elective modules:
  • Specialisation I — Additional Area of Expertise: option to develop a second regional focus for comparative work.
  • Specialisation II — Methods and Skills: training in specific analytical tools and practices (qualitative and quantitative) drawn from other disciplines to broaden your methodological toolkit.
• Column 4 (Master’s thesis): one compulsory module covering the entire process of conceiving and writing the thesis; includes presenting a Forschungsbericht (research report) in the accompanying Master's class.

Curriculum at a glance

• Foundations (Column 1): Four compulsory modules introduce the theoretical paradigms, historiographical debates and core methods of Global History, emphasising entanglements between political, social, economic and cultural history.

• Area Expertise (Column 2): Six elective modules are divided into two parts. First, choose one regional focus from Africa, Europe, the Atlantic World & the Americas, or Trans/other areas and complete three seminars on that region (across different chronologies and thematic angles). Second, complete three linked language modules to acquire or intensify language skills that go beyond the programme's admission-language requirements.

• Specialisation (Column 3): Two elective modules let you either broaden your regional comparison by adding a second area of expertise or deepen research practice in the Methods & Skills module. Methods & Skills introduces analytical tools (qualitative and quantitative) from social sciences, literary studies and related fields to expand your methodological toolkit.

• Master’s thesis (Column 4): A compulsory module guides you through conceiving and writing an independent research thesis. You will also present a written research report (Forschungsbericht) and discuss it in the accompanying master’s class.

Learning outcomes include the ability to analyse global-historical processes comparatively, apply diverse methodologies to source material, conduct regionally informed research, and communicate findings in English (and optionally in German).

Graduates are prepared for research and analytical roles that require advanced historical and comparative competencies. Typical destinations include academic research and doctoral study, cultural institutions (museums, archives), heritage and public history organisations, NGOs, think tanks, journalism and publishing, as well as positions in education, policy analysis and international organisations where global and historical perspectives are valued.

The programme’s emphasis on language training, area expertise and diverse methodological skills also supports careers that demand cross-regional knowledge, multilingual communication and quantitative/qualitative research capabilities.