Manuscript Cultures

Two-year MA in Manuscript Cultures that combines humanities, natural-science, and computer-science approaches to the study of manuscripts and other written artefacts from Asia, Africa, and Europe.

Academic requirements

A first qualifying degree (BA/Magister Artium/Diplom) from a German or recognised foreign university in one of the subjects taught in the programme, or a related one. We also welcome applications from candidates with a background in the natural sciences or computer sciences and an interest in manuscripts/inscriptions.

Minimum GPA

No fixed minimum GPA is published on the current official programme page.

English requirements

English proficiency at CEFR B2 level.

German requirements

Knowledge of German is not required, but students are encouraged to learn German for their daily life in Hamburg. An extracurricular German language course for beginners is offered each semester.

Accepted bachelor fields

A first qualifying degree from a German or recognized foreign university in one of the subjects taught in the programme, including African Studies, Ancient History, Art History, Assyriology, Classical Archaeology, Ethiopian Studies, Greek Studies, Historical Musicology, Indology, Indonesian and Malay Studies, Iranian Studies, Islamic Studies, Japanese Studies, Jewish Studies, Medieval and Modern History, Sinology, Thai Studies, and Turkology, or in a related subject.

APS Certificate

Yes

Tuition fee

None

Semester contribution

EUR 384.00 per semester (Summer Semester 2026 standard semester contribution).

ECTS credits

120

Funding info

Tuition: None Semester contribution: EUR 384.00 per semester (Summer Semester 2026 standard semester contribution).

• 1

  English and American Studies

  Osnabrück University

  Osnabrück · Master of Arts · English

• 2

  German and Comparative Literature

  University of Bonn

  Bonn · Master of Arts · German, English

• 3

  Campus Deutsch | Frauen gestalten Geschichte: Wandel, Vielfalt und Gleichberechtigung von Katharina von Bora bis heute

  Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg

  Lutherstadt Wittenberg · Certificate · German

• 4

  Hessen: International Summer University ISU Kassel | Brothers Grimm – Fairy Tales in Context

  University of Kassel

  Kassel · Certificate · English, German

• 5

  BiBoG: Binational Master's in History (Bielefeld-Bologna)

  Bielefeld University

  Bielefeld · Master of Arts · English German Italian