Leibniz University Hannover Studies Degree Programmes General Overview
History as subject in the Interdisciplinary Bachelor’s Degree Programme

History as subject in the Interdisciplinary Bachelor’s Degree Programme
(Bachelor of Arts)

An old group photo from a wedding. © Bernd Wehrenpfennig
© Bernd Wehrenpfennig

Profile

Course type
Undergraduate studies (2 Subjects bachelor)
Standard Course Duration
6 semesters
Course Start
Winter semester
Language of Instruction
German
Language Requirements

German HZB: none
International application: German C1
Find out more

Special Requirements

None

Admission
Restricted admission
International

Stay abroad possible, but not obligatory.

Short Description

The subject history is offered as one of two subjects within the Interdisciplinary Bachelor’s Degree Programme. Please note the subject combination options.

The range of courses offered by the History Department covers German and European history, African history as well as the history of Latin America and the Caribbean, focusing on the periods of Ancient History, Medieval History, Early Modern and Modern History / Contemporary History.

In cooperation with extramural institutions, prospective historians pursue practice-oriented elements and experience being involved in historical projects for the first time in institutions such as museums, memorials and archives. This practice orientation enables students to get an idea of the career options they may like to pursue, if they do not want to go into teaching. Regular field trips provide insights into a wide range of cultural history institutions, both in Germany and abroad.

Further information on the website of the History Department (German language only)

Course Content

  • Practice-oriented training for prospective historians
  • Foundations for prospective history teachers
  • The history of Europe since antiquity, global history since the Age of Discovery
  • Social and cultural history, historical culture
  • Reflection on historical theory
Course Structure

The degree programme is modular, comprising an introductory area and an area of specialisation. The introductory area is compulsory, and is identical for all History students at the Bachelor’s level. In contrast, the number of History specialisation modules to be taken in the compulsory elective area depends on whether History is taken as a major or minor subject; it also depends on whether students wish to complete a degree in Teacher Education or prefer to prepare for different a career option as a historian. The latter aspect also plays a role in the placements students need to take as part of the Bachelor’s degree programme.

In the five basic modules, students acquire basic historical and methodological knowledge, as well as the skills required to produce scientific work. In the practical module, students gain experience in project work for the first time, e.g. in museums, memorials, archives, newspaper editorial offices or radio stations. The research learning module gives students pursuing a non-school-based specialisation the possibility to explore current scientific work in dialogue with researchers from their subject. The history education elements give students an introduction to the academic discipline of teaching methodology for the subject of History, and enable them to start specialising in research into teaching history.

In the area of specialisation, students select their compulsory elective courses from modules with a different systematic orientation (global history, social history, cultural history, historical culture) and with a different epochal specialisation (Ancient History to Contemporary History).

As part of the Interdisciplinary Bachelor’s Degree Programme, students pursuing a non-school-based specialisation are expected to complete an eight-week placement outside school.

Students focusing on teaching must complete a non-school-based placement as well as a school placement, lasting four weeks each.

The Interdisciplinary Bachelor’s Degree Programme concludes with a dissertation, written in the major or minor subject, which the student has to defend during an academic discussion in the subject of History.

Recommended Abilities

Students of the subject of History wanting to go into teaching should be equally interested in the specialist subject matter and specialist problems, as well as in issues relating to the individual and social reception and production of history.

The challenges faced in the professional field of “schools and teaching history” call for a great affinity for educational work with children and young people. Rather than acting as “disciplinary specialists in school”, history teachers are responsible for developing teaching/learning arrangements that enable students to learn about history.

Outside school settings, students should be interested in tackling ever-new tasks. They should also be good at organising their work, and should be willing to go to great lengths to procure analogue and digital information. It is essential for students to have a good command of spoken and written German, and, at the very least, passive knowledge (the ability to read) one or more modern languages. A general enjoyment of reading and writing is also essential.

Career Opportunities

After completing the Bachelor’s stage, Interdisciplinary Bachelor’s Degree Programme graduates who want to become teachers must take a Master of Education degree before they can enter the teaching profession.

Historians can generally be found working in politics, culture and business. Graduates with a Master’s degree are usually taken on in these professional fields.

Graduates have found work in schools and higher education institutions, institutions of further and continuing education, documentation and publishing, archives, libraries and museums, the Foreign Office, international organisations and the media.

  • Teaching at grammar schools and comprehensive schools
  • University and science
  • Memorials and museums
  • Libraries and archives
  • (Cultural) journalism, media (press, publishers, radio, television)
  • Political institutions, organisations and facilities
  • Political parties, associations and administrative bodies
  • Media enterprises
  • Historic tourism
Possible Further Degree Programmes

Under certain conditions, admission to the following Master''s programme is also possible. More detailed information can be found in the respective admission regulations. If you have any questions, please contact the course advice of the desired Master''s programme:

Admission requirements and application

Admission Requirements

Some subjects in the Interdisciplinary Bachelor’s Degree Programme are restricted: Biology, Computer Science, English Studies (school subject: English), Geography, German Studies (school subject: German), History, Music, Performing Arts, Politics, Sports and Study of Religion / Values and Norms.
Other subjects are admission-free: Catholic Theology (school subject: Catholic Religious Education), Chemisty, Mathematics, Philosophy, Physics, Protestant Theology (school subject: Protestant Religious Education), Spanish Studies (school subject: Spanish).

The exact admission requirements can be found in the admission regulation.

Note: The admission regulations reflect the legally prescribed subject combinations in the Master regulation of Lower Saxony.
All currently possible subject combinations can be found under "Combinations".

Application Deadlines

01.06.-15.07. of the year for the winter semester

  • First-year students (application for the 1st semester) can only apply for the winter semester.
  • Those continuing their studies (application for higher semesters) can also apply for the summer semester (December 1st - January 15th.

The following applies to applications from non-EU countries:

  • VPD from uni-assist OR a passed assessment test (Feststellungsprüfung) of a preparatory foundation course (Studienkolleg) is required.
  • Applications for the Studienkolleg must be submitted by July 15th.

History (B.A.) - Lena talks about her studies

Please note that activating the video will result in the transfer of data to the respective provider. Further information can be found in our privacy policy.


Play video
Looking for exam information for this course?

Do you have questions about studying? We are happy to help!

Zentrale Studienberatung
Address
Welfengarten 1
30167 Hannover
Building
Zentrale Studienberatung
Address
Welfengarten 1
30167 Hannover
Building