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Egyptology and Coptic Studies (M.A.)

Features

The M.A. programme in Göttingen offers students a variety of options - depending on whether you want to specialise in Egyptology or Coptic Studies or complement your studies of another subject. Expand your knowledge of the languages of ancient Egypt or get in touch with the subject for the first time in cultural history seminars. In courses on the reception of ancient Egypt, on archaeology, religion and literature, you will gain in-depth insights into Pharaonic and post-Pharaonic/Coptic culture.

Name:
Egyptology and Coptic Studies
Degree:
Master of Arts (M.A.)
Language of the programme:
German and English
Standard period of studies:
4 Semesters
Start of studies:
Summer or winter semester
Admission:
Restricted (Application to the Faculty)

Get to know us


Details

Egyptology as a science researches the culture of Pharaonic Egypt. The subject of Coptic Studies is post-Pharaonic/Christian Egypt in Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages. Both areas of specialisation are represented at the institute in Göttingen, offering a particularly broad insight into the material culture, language and literature of pre-modern Egypt. The areas can be studied either individually within the M.A. Egyptology and Coptic Studies or together as a single subject within the M.A. in Ancient Cultures.

The research foci at the institute in Göttingen are currently the history of religion and language, digital textual studies, Coptic literary and religious history, as well as the history of Egyptology and Coptic Studies. Archaeology, architecture, cultural theory, and gender studies are also among the research topics represented.

Through internships or research assistantships in various projects, students have the opportunity to acquire a number of additional qualifications, e.g. by working in the editorial office of the internationally recognised journal: "Göttinger Miszellen - Beiträge zur ägyptologischen Diskussion", which is located at the institute or in the long-term research project of the “Digital Edition of the Coptic-Sahidic Old Testament” at the Academy of Sciences and Humanities, which is closely connected to it.

While some originals and replicas of ancient Egyptian objects are kept in the collections of the University, the geographical proximity and close professional connections to the major Egyptian museums in the region are of particular advantage for Göttingen students: the Roemer- und Pelizaeus-Museum in Hildesheim and the Museum August Kestner in Hanover both have important Egyptian collections. Regular field trips take students to other major collections in Europe or to Egypt.

After successfully completing a Master’s degree, students can go on to a PhD in Egyptology or Coptic Studies and pursue an academic career at universities and other research institutions in Germany and abroad.

In addition to academic research and teaching, studying Egyptology and/or Coptic Studies will prepare for numerous other fields of employment. Graduates have found work in, e.g., museums, libraries, in cultural and academic management or publishing as well as in adult education.

Related and consecutive programmes

Structure

Structure of degree programme

This degree programme can be studied in 2 different profiles.

  • Joint Honours MA totalling 42 credits in combination with one module package (minor) totalling 36 credits
  • Joint Honours MA totalling 42 credits in combination with two module packages (minors) totalling 18 credits each

You can apply for one study profile.

1. - 4. Semester

4. Semester

Master’s thesis

4. Semester

Master’s thesis

Regulations and module directory


Application

Previous studies

  • B.A.-Degree or equivalent
  • at least 150 ETCS at the time of application
  • Eligibility:
    • Having completed at least 50 Credits in one of the following areas (or equivalent) is required:
      Egyptology, Coptic Studies, Classical Philology, Papyrology, Classical and Christian Archaeology, Ancient Near Eastern Studies (Cuneiform Studies, Near Eastern Archaeology), Prehistory, Ancient History, Mediaeval and Modern History, Byzantine Studies, Protestant Theology, Catholic Theology, Religious Studies, Jewish Studies, African Studies, Arabic or Islamic Studies, Modern Near Eastern Studies, Art History, Comparative Literature, Linguistics, Cultural Anthropology, European Ethnology or Gender Studies.

Language requirements

  • Non-native speakers of German must provide evidence for sufficient proficiency in German ( at the C1-level ).
  • The major in “Egyptology” requires language skills in Middle Egyptian to the extent of at least 12 Credits, the major in “Coptic Studies” language skills in Sahidic Coptic to the extent of at least 12 Credits.
  • The ability to read English and French is very useful for students of Egyptology and Coptic Studies. If you do not bring these or other language skills (e.g. a basic knowledge of Ancient Greek for students of Coptic) to your MA studies, you can acquire them at the university, which offers a wide range of language courses. Current information can be found on the homepage of the Central Institution for Languages and Key Qualifications "ZESS” .

Impressions

Our Campus


Your Studies


Contact

Study and examination advice Faculty of Humanities

Tina Seufer and Eva Wolff

Humboldtallee 17
DE-37073 Göttingen

Phone: +49 (0)551 39 21888 (Seufer)
Phone: +49 (0)551 39 26713 (Wolff)

Email: studienberatung@phil.uni-goettingen.de

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Academic Advising

Dr. Andreas Effland, M.A

Heinrich-Düker-Weg 14
37073 Göttingen

Phone: 0551 39-24401

E-Mail: andreas.effland@uni-goettingen.de

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Questions regarding applications

Snezana Weber M.A.

Humboldtallee 17
Room 1.110 (1st floor)
DE-37073 Göttingen

Phone: +49 (0)551 39 26717
Fax: +49 (0)551 39 4010

Email: master.koordination@phil.uni-goettingen.de

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