Manuscript Cultures University of Hamburg

The two-year MA programme in "Manuscript Cultures" is taught by a broad range of faculty and has two distinct characteristics.

First, it spans regions and periods: Students will explore manuscript cultures across Asia, Africa, and Europe from the dawn of writing to the present day.

Second, the programme is highly interdisciplinary, and students will be introduced to the study of manuscripts according to the highest and latest standards with courses in the Humanities, Natural Sciences and Computer Science. In addition to this global and interdisciplinary curriculum, students pursue discipline-specific courses to enhance their skills in specific fields.

The programme is aimed at promoting the independent, analytical handling of manuscripts and other written artefacts (such as inscriptions and graffiti), the cultural examination of the texts, images, notes and diagrams contained in them, the scientific material analysis of the written artefacts and the development of creative approaches for solving complex questions.

The Master's programme is offered at the Centre for the Study of Manuscript Cultures (CSMC) with its Cluster of Excellence "Understanding Written Artefacts". Students benefit from the extensive range of guest lectures, conferences, and workshops offered in this research environment.

The MA programme "Manuscript Cultures" takes four semesters to complete and consists of core modules worth 50 credit points (CP) and an elective area of 40 CP that allows students to focus on their areas of interest. The elective area is further divided into a subject-specific and a general elective area, with 20 CP each.

In the first semester, students take the core module "Global Written Artefacts I" (MC-H1, 10 CP), which provides an overview of interdisciplinary research on written artefacts. In addition, fundamental methodological knowledge is taught in the fields of computer science with "Information Systems and Natural Language Processing" (MC-CS1, 6 CP) and the natural sciences (MC-NSC1, 6 CP) with "Scientific Material Analysis". Parallel to these core modules, students can begin to take modules in the elective track.

In the second semester, the humanities modules continue with "Global Written Artefacts II" (MC-H2, 10 CP). In the natural science track, the module "Archaeometric Methods" (MC-NSC2, 6 CP) offers in-depth insights into analytical methods for the examination of manuscripts. The elective area is filled in parallel.

In the third semester, the focus is on the module "Cultural Heritage and Ethics in Manuscript Research". It is complemented by the module "Computer-Assisted Analysis of Manuscript Visuals" (MC-CS2, 6 CP), in which image-processing methods are applied to manuscripts. This semester, too, allows for further specialisation in the elective areas.

In the fourth semester, students take the final module (MC-F, 30 CP), which consists of writing the Master's thesis (28 CP) and an accompanying research colloquium (2 CP). With both, students demonstrate that they are capable of addressing a scholarly research question in the field of manuscript studies using appropriate methodological approaches.

Assessments in all modules include the following exam types:

• giving oral presentations
• writing seminar papers
• oral and written exams
• writing reports on selected research activities

A first qualifying degree (BA/Magister Artium/Diplom) from a German or recognised foreign university in one of the subjects taught in the programme, e.g.:

• African Studies
• Ethiopian Studies
• Ancient History
• Art History
• Assyriology
• Austronesian Studies
• Classical Archaeology
• Greek Studies
• Historical Musicology
• Indology
• Iranian Studies
• Islamic Studies
• Japanese Studies
• Jewish Philosophy and Religion
• Medieval and Modern History
• Sinology
• Thai Studies
• Turkology

or a related discipline

We also welcome applications from candidates with a background in the natural sciences or computer sciences and an interest in manuscripts/inscriptions.

Please see this website for further information.

Students have to pay a semester contribution of approx. 384 EUR per semester. They receive a semester ticket covering public transport (Deutschlandticket — holders may use buses, U-Bahn and S-Bahn trains, and ferry boats as well as any regional trains all over Germany).

Without additional costs for further insurances, private vehicles, etc., you ought to expect the following expenses:

• housing: approx. 400 to 700 EUR per month
• living expenses: approx. 500 to 700 EUR per month

Are you looking for a part-time job? Stellenwerk, Hamburg's cross-university job platform posts attractive job and internship advertisements every day.

Part-time work, an internship, or self-employment—the Counselling Centre for Social & International Affairs (BeSI) advises you on all aspects of social security.

Students from countries outside the EU, the EEA, and Switzerland are subject to special regulations for part-time work when studying. Contact the Counselling Centre for more information.

There are several job opportunities at Universität Hamburg. Many are offered exclusively to students. Check out departmental bulletin boards, websites, Stellenwerk, or ask directly in your department.

1. Candidates for the Master's in "Manuscript Cultures" can apply for a full scholarship of 934 EUR per month. For details, please see: https://www.csmc.uni-hamburg.de/study-at-csmc/master.html
2. Once they have begun their studies, international full-time students can apply for merit scholarships or degree completion grants by Universität Hamburg: http://www.uni-hamburg.de/internationales/studieren-an-der-uhh/finanzierung-des-studiums_e.html.

As part of a research centre with a large international network, the Master's programme can serve as a bridge and starting point for students wishing to embark on a PhD in one of the disciplines involved in the programme.

Those who would like to pursue a career outside academia benefit from close contact and interaction with our network of archives, museums and libraries.

The Asia-Africa-Institute organises a Career Day with input about careers in industry, NGOs and jobs in the language/translation sector.

In addition, the university's Career Centre offers courses, and trainings, individual consultations in both English and German, and students can attend career days and local job fairs.

Are you searching for an apartment or a room? Although affordable housing in Hamburg is rare, please do not despair. Patience and luck will help you find suitable accommodation.

Start looking for accommodation as soon as you can. For more information on how to find accommodation, please visit: Finding accommodation in Hamburg.

For more information on how to find accommodation and how to plan your first steps in Hamburg, please see: https://www.uni-hamburg.de/piasta/beratung/doc/willkommen.pdf.