Degree
Master of Arts
Semester fee
71 Euro
Start of the program
Winter semester
Standard length of the program
4 Semester
Place of study
Eichstätt
Part-time studies possible
No

Ethnology is a genuine cultural science discipline. Culture – a key theoretical term in the discipline – is not understood as a fixed, closed system of traditions and values with clear geographical and national boundaries. Instead, this term describes processes through which people (groups, societies) deal with one another, understand each other, organize themselves, and shape their living and experiential spaces.

The program in detail

Modules

Popular and Everyday Cultures

Popular and Everyday Cultures in Europe (Modern Period), Introduction (10 ECTS credits): Lecture (2 hours per week); self-guided, advanced reading course (1 hour per week); advanced seminar or field trip (several days) (2 hours per week); independent study, seminar debates, if applicable: teamwork; module examination: Written assignment

Popular and Everyday Cultures in Europe (Modern Period), Advanced (10 ECTS credits): Lecture (2 hours per week); self-guided, advanced reading course (1 hour per week); advanced seminar/field trip (2 hours per week); independent study, seminar debates, if applicable: teamwork; module examination: Written assignment

Popular and Everyday Cultures in Europe (Modern Period), Research (10 ECTS credits): independent, supported research (also abroad/in teamwork); advanced graduate seminar (OS) (2 hours per week); module examination: Portfolio

Practical fields

Practical Fields in European Ethnology (10 ECTS credits): 6-week internship; essay (ungraded)

Practical Fields in European Ethnology (15 ECTS credits): 8-week internship; portfolio: internship report (approx. 10 pages), essay (approx. 10 pages), ungraded

Rankings and assessments

StudyCheck2024

KU students and alumni have voted for their University to be Germany's most popular university in the 2024 ranking of the online portal StudyCheck. This is the third time in a row, as KU was also voted the most popular university in 2021 and 2022. The ranking was based on over 78,000 evaluations for more than 500 higher education institutions and universities. 97 percent of students questioned for the ranking would recommend studying at the KU to others. 

"There is no better praise for a university than almost 100 percent of students and alumni agreeing: I can only recommend studying at the KU! That is why we are very pleased with the ranking’s outcome, because it expresses the high level of satisfaction of our students," says KU President Prof. Dr. Gabriele Gien.

More ranking results

Studying abroad

A stay abroad is particularly beneficial for students of European Ethnology with regard to the internalization of relevant contents of their studies, deepening of their own perspectives and specializations of the subject as well as with regard to the specific orientation of their career after their studies. The KU maintains a partnership network with around 300 universities worldwide. The KU International Office supports students in the planning phase and provides information on different financing possibilities for stays abroad.

Practical connection

In order to achieve the most beneficial combination of studies, research and professional practice, internships are a required element in the MA degree programs in which European Ethnology can be studied at the KU.
In the course of their studies, students have the opportunity to apply their knowledge of cultural sciences in a professional environment, to get to know cultural sciences professions and to build a network. The internship is intended to introduce students to a possible professional field of work. An early individual profile development is particularly important here, as a wide range of professional fields is open to the students due to the competences and skills acquired through their studies. Students can also use the internship to establish a connection to a possible topic for their Master’s thesis.

The Interdisciplinary Master’s degree program provides for an internship at a private or public institution, which brings students into contact with possible professional fields at an early stage. Students also have the possibility to complete their internship abroad; for individual advice and support in finding an internship and financing possibilities, the KU Career Service and the International Internship Service are happy to help.

Career possibilities and professional fields

Career prospects

  • Public and independent cultural work
  • Educational work in cultural administrations
  • Educational work in the museum or exhibition sector
  • Educational work in the field of adult education
  • Journalistic media-oriented professional fields in publishing and press, radio and television
  • Journalistic-media-oriented professional fields in tourism
  • Work in the field of development cooperation
  • Professional fields in public service
  • Work for international organizations
  • Work for the health sector
  • Professional fields connected to migration/integration
  • Work for organizational and management consulting
  • Work in the field of science and research

The KU

Sommerresidenz Luftbild

Campus

Short distances on campus at the KU save time and avoid stress. The KU is a campus University with modern facilities. The buildings on campus are located close to the Eichstätt old town. Although the University and its campus has grown, it is still characterized by short distances: In Eichstätt, everything can be reached within ten minutes’ walking distance. On campus, green spaces such as the Hofgarten are the perfect places to relax. The garden of the Kapuzinerkloster is also used by different student initiatives for their projects. The canteen is located at the heart of the Eichstätt campus and has a sun deck and cafeteria that leave nothing to be desired.

Studierende vor der Zentralbibliothek

What sets the KU apart

Studying at the KU is more than just acquiring specialist knowledge. We broaden our horizons together and take on responsibility in and beyond the individual degree programs. The KU has a particular focus on topics such as personal development, sustainability, social skills and social commitment.

It offers its students the possibility to study and work in a welcoming atmosphere and benefit from outstanding support and comprehensive service offers, a well-stocked library, a broad range of sports and leisure activities and a large global network of approx. 300 partner universities. Our team at the International Office helps you to plan your semester abroad and the KU Career Service provides comprehensive advice and support for embarking on your professional career.

Do I have to be Catholic in order to study at the KU? Do I have to deal with Catholic contents during my studies?

No, the KU is open to students of all faiths and beliefs.

At the KU, just as at all state universities, there is freedom of research and teaching. This means that our degree programs focus on the subjects for which you have enrolled – free from external influences.

As a student at our University, you will notice what our understanding of being a Catholic University means for us in one thing in particular: The University’s focus is on the individual person. The talents and potential of all those who teach, study, work and carry out research at the KU form our most important foundation – regardless of their religion or beliefs, nationality, ethical, cultural or social background, disabilities, gender, sexual orientation or age.

This is why we promote your best possible academic education through personal support and an ideal staff-to-student ratio. At the same time, the KU is more than just a place for earning your degree: We attach particular importance to imparting social skills and advancing our students’ sense and value orientation in addition to providing them with a high level of academic and methodical qualification.

Our aspiration for our University is to build bridges between science and society and to make knowledge available for society as well as to integrate impulses from outside the University into our research and teaching practice. We aim to make a valuable contribution to social coexistence, to the free democratic basic order and to preserving creation. 

Isn’t Eichstätt quite small for a university town?

With a population of around 15,000, it is probably the smallest university town in Europe. For our students, this means living and learning in a friendly and informal atmosphere. Whether it is on the way to a lecture in the morning, at the canteen for lunch or in the pub in the evening, you will often come across people you know. It is easy to meet people in Eichstätt! By the way, the KU’s “living room” is the Theke, a bar run by students for students. Here, people meet for parties, jam sessions, karaoke evenings or a cozy round of table football.

A small town also means short distances: The library, the swimming pool, the cinema or the supermarket – everything can be reached in a few minutes on foot or by bike. The town is located right in the heart of the Altmühltal natural park – a real paradise for climbers, canoeists, hikers and cyclists just around the corner.

Should you still reach a point when you feel too cooped in, you can breathe big city air easily near Eichstätt. Ingolstadt with its 135,000 inhabitants is only a few kilometers away and offers a variety of shopping and nightlife options.

The location

Ortsschild Eichstätt
University town of Eichstätt
Willibaldsburg
Willibaldsburg
Bootsfahrer auf der Altmühl
Canoeing on the Altmühl river
[Translate to Englisch:] Biergarten
Relaxing and celebrating in beer gardens

Eichstätt and the surrounding Altmühltal natural park are not only a popular destination for culture enthusiasts and nature lovers, but also for cyclists, climbers, canoeists and fossil collectors. Located between Munich and Nuremberg, the city impresses with its Baroque setting and southern flair combined with modern and prizewinning architecture as well as a broad variety of cultural offerings and leisure activities. 

The Baroque park at the heart of the campus and the nearby banks of the Altmühltal river are the KU’s “green living room”. Another big advantage: all University facilities are just a short walk away from each other.

More on the study location Eichstätt

Advisory Service

Some offers and study conditions are different for international students – our International Office is happy to provide help and support. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our team. We are happy to accompany you on your way to the KU and hope that we can welcome you in person soon!

David Guevara
David Guevara
Coordinator Welcome Services and International Campus
Building Domplatz 8  |  Room: DP8-203 | Campus Eichstätt

Application

Requirements
Bachelor
details: see examination regulations
Language requirements
DSH 2
Application period winter
May 01 - Jul 15
Admission restriction
No
Selection procedure
No

The application process for international applicants is now completely digital. You can register online in our application portal and carry out and submit your application. After you have carried out the application and uploaded your documents, you do not need to send your documents to us again by post. You do have to submit certified true copies only if you are admitted at the time of enrollment.

Depending on the course of study, you may be asked for information on internships, professional experience, etc. Please upload the relevant documents in the upload area for all the information you provide, even if these are not mandatory fields!

Before you start the application process, please read the additional information on this page, in particular the information on the respective (German) language requirements and university entrance qualifications.

Kleine-Fächer-Woche: European ethnology

Ethnologie_Videoausschnitt_Kleine-Faecher-Woche

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