Egyptology and Coptic Studies (M.A.)

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.