Institute for Digital Humanities

Studying Digital Humanities

We are excited that you are interested in studying Digital Humanities in Göttingen. Here you will find information about the application process and the study program. Since Digital Humanities is a relatively young field that is not taught in school, many first-year students don’t yet have a clear idea of what Digital Humanities is. Therefore, we would like to give you an overview of what we actually do.

If you have further questions, feel free to contact our student advisory service or take a look at some of our courses!

At the University of Göttingen, you can study Digital Humanities in the following formats:

You can study Digital Humanities as one of two subjects within the framework of the two-subject bachelor program. Please note that the Bachelor's program is not offered in English, but in German. You must complete at least 66C in modules. Of these, 18C are compulsory modules and 48C are elective modules. Additionally, you can take another 18C in one of the two academic profiles (" Text and Literature" or "Images and Artifacts"). The module catalog (New Version 2023) can be found here. If you have any issues with dates or modularization, please contact the student advisory service.

The regulations on admission requirements for the bachelor's degree program "Digital Humanities" can provide information about admission to the program.

For the Digital Humanities bachelor, the following modules must be completed:

Compulsory modules

  • Introduction to Computational Image and Artefact Analysis (6C)
  • Introduction to Computational Text and Literature Analysis (6C)
  • Tools of Digital Humanities (6C)

Elective Modules:

From the first semester on, you can already take elective modules. In total, you must complete at least six of the following modules and earn at least 48 credits.

Examples of courses that can be taken in the elective area can be found in the current courses.

At least one of the programming modules must be completed:
  • B.DH.003 Introduction to Computer Programming and Computer Vision (9C)
  • B.Inf.1842 Programming for Data Scientists: Python (5C)
  • B.Inf.1902 Python Programming for Humanists and Social Scientists (6C)
It makes sense to take the programming modules starting from the third semester after you have learned the basics of Digital Humanities in the compulsory modules. Additionally, you must complete at least one project module:
  • B.DH.21 Project Module Text and Literature Analysis (9C)
  • B.DH.22 Project Module Image and Artefact Analysis (9C)
In these modules, you will design your own project in the field of Digital Humanities. You will work independently in consultation with your supervisors. Possible topics will be presented at the beginning of the semester in an orientation session, but you can also propose your own ideas. To complete the project, you will need some prior experience, so we recommend taking these modules from the fourth semester onward.

Optional Area

In addition to the core study, you can choose the following profiles in the "Key Competencies" area if you want to expand your knowledge of Digital Humanities:
  • Fachwissenschaftliches Profil "Text and Literature Analyses "
  • Fachwissenschaftliches Profil "Image and Artifact Analysis"
  • Professional Profile (German: "Berufsbezogenes Profil")

Alternatively, you can take modules from the key competency area of the university. Further information can be found here.

There are several ways to study Digital Humanities at the master's level. On the one hand, you can choose our modules in the respective specializations "Digital Humanities" as a student of Data Science and Applied Computer Science. On the other hand, you can study Digital Humanities as a separate subject at the Faculty of Humanities. You have the option to take it either as a Mono-Master or as a module package. You apply for a study profile. The structure and modules of the respective options can be found here:

Mono-Master

To complete the Mono-Master in Digital Humanities, you must complete 78 credits in the subject study (elective I and II), 12 credits in key competencies, and your master's thesis (30 credits).
  • Elective Area I (Digital Humanities/Applied Computer Science) 66CP
  • Elective Area II (Applied Computer Science) 12CP
  • Master's Thesis 30 CP
In Elective Area I, you must complete at least one research project worth 12CP and one of the theory modules M.DH 10-15 ("Theories and Research Questions"). An overview of the individual modules offered in each area can be found either in the list of modules or in the current courses.

Minor 42 CP

To complete the subject study worth 42 credits in the Digital Humanities, you must complete at least 42 credits of elective modules from the following two groups.
  • Elective Area I (Digital Humanities) 33CP
  • Elective Area II (Applied Computer Science) 9CP
In Elective Area I, at least one project module and one of the theory modules M.DH10-15 ("Theories and Research Questions") must be taken. In this study option, you will write your master's thesis with us. Please contact Prof. Dr. Langner, Prof. Dr. Jörg Wesche, Prof. Dr. Caroline Sporleder, or Dr. Anna Dorofeeva. An overview of the individual modules offered in each area can be found either in the module catalog or in the current courses.

Career Fields

The versatile skills taught in the Digital Humanities program, especially in the digital modeling of general historical and social questions, are in demand in almost all areas of professional life and are increasingly becoming a hiring criterion for companies. Accordingly, career paths are less predetermined than in other degrees. Typical focal points for subsequent career choices are in the following fields, characterized by a wide range of activities and increasingly performed using digital methods: advertising, PR, and market research; private sector; public sector (social organizations, authorities, parties, churches, trade unions); the cultural sector in general (education, media, press, publishing, journalism, tourism), research, and academia.

Additionally, students from all departments, both within and outside Digital Humanities, can acquire the following certificates and key competencies:

The Institute for Digital Humanities offers a range of key competency modules that can be completed by students of the University of Göttingen. In these modules, you will learn aboutthe Digital Humanities and their tools, deal with topics and research questions of digital analysis of texts, images, or objects, and implement your own projects. We recommend attending the introductory lectures in the modules SK.DH.001 (Winter Semester) or SK.DH.002 (Summer Semester) for all those interested. If you want to deepen your knowledge and skills further, you can earn the "Digital Humanities" certificate or the "Digital Editing Techniques" certificate with us. Otherwise, you are also free to choose individual modules from the key competency offerings.
If you still have questions, you can have a look at the FAQs for the Bachelor or the Master .